Dear Parents,
As we approach the end of another fortnight, there’s plenty to reflect on.
As you will know, we welcomed ISI inspectors to the building last week, after an 8.00am phonecall on Monday morning announced their arrival on Wednesday.
The official report will be with us in five weeks, but there was plenty of feedback given, much of it positive, but some developmental too. At both sites, the team pulled together to showcase all that we do for the children in our care, and there was an invigorating atmosphere of solidarity and pride across both sites. The inspectors observed lessons, combed through paperwork and questionnaire responses and interviewed staff both individually and in small groups. As this was a compliance inspection, the focus was on our pastoral care, safeguarding and health and safety. An inspection is always stressful, but overall, the experience was a positive one.
Heads, however long they have been in post, often fear the ’dreaded’ Inspection phonecall, and as Head of a new school, with only a term under my belt, this was a somewhat daunting prospect. However, my role as a new leader is to spend at least the first year thoroughly reviewing all of the policies and processes at The Children’s House in order to gain a thorough understanding of the culture and ethos and to ensure that this is preserved, with continuous improvement, as the school expands. An inspection accelerates that process and we have now undergone a thorough evaluation of where we could be improving and what we are doing well.
Last week culminated in our second Parent Forum meeting, with discussions around the process of triaging parental feedback to ensure prompt responses and resolutions. Thank you again to those parent reps who were able to join us. I would like to take the time to carefully respond to all of issues raised, so please do look out for an email in the upcoming week, in which we will direct you to a detailed response to queries.
This week has been calmer than last, but equally busy. Today began with our regular Celebration Assembly in which Millie in Year 3 played do ray me on the piano for us and children were recognised for their efforts at kindness in the playground, writing instructions and playscripts, and beautiful handmade Chinese lanterns. I then had the pleasure of accompanying 8 children (two representatives from each class) to @Ink84, the bookshop who ran the bookstall at our Winter Fair, to spend our almost £300 worth of commission. Following a discussion with their class, each pair brought a wishlist of books to purchase for class libraries. We came back with a fabulous selection, fiction and non fiction, for children to enjoy in the coming months and years.
Always one of my favourite headteacher tasks, I have been visiting lessons in all subjects and year groups at the Upper School this week. I have been incredibly impressed by the children’s focus and attitudes to learning. An ongoing whole school objective is to give children the confidence to make mistake, lose gracefully (particularly in PE and games) and to have a go at challenging work. Do reinforce these at home!
Wishing you an enjoyable weekend.
Ellie