Posted on: Thursday 7th November 2019
With the new inspection framework out there, it seems that schools around the country have gone into overdrive writing and reviewing their curriculums to ensure it measures up when the inspector calls. It seems desperately sad that it takes a change at the top of Ofsted for schools to feel the need to create a […]
Posted on: Wednesday 30th October 2019
I attended a conference recently that addressed the big question of how education can prepare children for a future in which the majority of jobs do not yet even exist. What are these jobs of the future that everyone is talking about? Of course, nobody knows. I imagine in an increasingly automated world, there will […]
Posted on: Wednesday 9th October 2019
It’s been a long time in the planning, fundraising and building, but last night the teaching staff stayed behind after school to try out our new cookery classroom. We weren’t the first to use it as on Monday those pesky children in Year 1 beat us to it, cooking up a rather delicious blackberry […]
Posted on: Wednesday 25th September 2019
Hearing people say ‘I told you so’ too often can become rather tiresome, but on this occasion, I’m pleased to say that I was right and they were wrong – and even more satisfying when the ‘they’ is Ofsted. To see, in black and white, that Ofsted has manoeuvred a rather public U-turn with regard […]
Posted on: Thursday 12th September 2019
As a teacher, I once was given a T-shirt which listed all the different jobs that teachers do. Unfortunately it was rather too embarrassing to wear, so it went in a special place – along with my ‘World’s Best Teacher’ spoon and my ‘Best Teacher Ever’ mug. These days there is an equally long list […]
Posted on: Monday 10th June 2019
This week is a really significant week for five and six year olds up and down the country, a week that will most likely determine their whole future. Pass the phonics screener and academic success is ensured, a university place guaranteed – because phonics is the key to being an effective reader. Each child in […]
Posted on: Friday 7th June 2019
Art Exhibition Fundraiser What a fantastic evening – thank you to everyone who donated, supported and joined in the fun. All funds raised will go towards our new cookery studio. You can read more about the evening here. The Live Auction: Here are some of the stunning artwork that was featured in the live auction […]
Posted on: Wednesday 1st May 2019
Down’s Syndrome Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in a baby’s cells, and around 1 in every 1000 babies born in the UK will have Down’s syndrome. It is typically associated with different rates of physical and cognitive development. People with Down’s syndrome may possess these attributes to varying degrees, […]
Posted on: Tuesday 30th April 2019
I remember an assembly at my primary school in which our Headteacher, Mr Sidnell, opened with the question, ‘What season is it?’. There was a clue at the front, where Mr. Sidnell had proudly displayed a vase of freshly cut pussy willow. I was sat next to John Bainbridge, whose hand, very much to Mr […]
Posted on: Wednesday 27th March 2019
Last week was one of the most professionally demanding weeks I’ve experienced in a long while. It’s generally pretty busy at this time anyway, but add on the additional pressures of setting a balanced budget, challenges at the school I’m supporting in Westminster and a full governing body meeting, it was a relief to get […]
