‘Nurturing Individual Excellence’

Jo Bain visits to School - March to October 2019

Date: 12th Nov 2019 @ 4:50pm

Okay… I know my first blog wasn’t really a blog as such, but please bear with me as I get my head around what a blog should look like! There has been so much happening at school during the Summer term and the first half of the Autumn term that it’s very difficult to keep up with.  So, I’ll just mention a few things which I’ve been up to since my appointment in February 2019.

My first baptism by fire was the trial Ofsted visit which we volunteered to do in April. Now at first, I did wonder what it would be like and how much we would learn from it. Personally, I learnt that I need to do more training and learn how to ask the more strategic questions and what my role should be. Therefore, I’m taking part in training to help me learn a totally different role from my job as a teacher.

  • I’ve trawled through Data three times already and looked at the amazing progress our children are achieving. Where a child needs additional support, I’ve seen how the Senior Leadership Team implement measures to support and enhance learning for each individual child.
  • I’ve led some assemblies using a set of books called “Bucket full of Love!”  - Google it and you’ll find that they are amazingly good at helping children learn to be happier and what to do if someone makes you feel unhappy. Mrs Jones has the books in her office if you’d like to read them.
  • I’ve been in school for Sports week to help with archery…unfortunately, I’m not as good as Robin Hood, but we have some talented youngsters who really are good and I think we should encourage them to join the local club at Cranberry.
  • I’ve been on a couple of visits to West Park and Christ Church with junior classes in Summer. As always, our children were a credit to the school with their behaviour and the way they asked questions and engaged with opportunities offered.
  • I attended the Carnival and trundled around behind the float on Walter, my trike. Some of you will have seen me looking a bit daft, but sometimes those are the things we will remember most about our journey through school – those extra activities which were different and when the staff are just being themselves! (Oh and for those who wonder why he’s called Walter… I feel a right “Walter” riding a trike at my age, but he’s very convenient and I can fit a whole week’s worth of shopping in his basket! – and he’s eco-friendly!)
  • I’ve attended the leaver’s service at the end of Summer. It’s always a lovely experience because you remember what our children were like when they joined the school in Reception and compared to how they are when they leave us as fully fledged Juniors ready to fly the nest and ready to start a new chapter in their lives. To have been a part of that journey is a pleasure and a privilege.
  • We took part in One World Week and performed several songs for Excalibur. It’s wonderful to share our talents with our community, even though we did have technical problems.
  • I’ve met with Mrs Jones to trawl through more Data… I’ve got a much better understanding of how valuable that information is so we can ensure every child is learning to the best of their ability.
  • I’ve spent time in school learning about the exciting learning that is happening around school. Our new curriculum is working well and although we still need to make a few improvements as we work with it, the learning opportunities are more exciting and broader with skills being at the heart of the curriculum. I have been working with Mr Hancock, looking at the Science curriculum and the changes the staff have made to make it more exciting and cohesive. There are lots of lovely activities planned to raise the children’s enthusiasm with science and upskill their learning.

For a few weeks I taught Music to some of the Junior classes, which was great. However, from now on, I’m just in to help with the

  • singing or when Mrs Jones needs an extra pair of hands for something.
  • I’ve attended lots of meeting regarding SEND and how to support children with specific educational needs to ensure they are getting the help they need.
  • School is also looking at ways to increase learning by providing children with more  challenge, especially in English and Maths. We have had fantastic KS1 & 2 results over the years, but are now working to improve even further by raising our expectations for those who are capable of even greater depth of learning.
  • I recently walked around school to look at our Environment and do a Health and Safety check with Mrs Hilditch and Mr Pickin. We are fortunate to have staff who can make improvements to our school grounds and buildings and I was delighted to see that our new before and after school facility, “Treetops,” has had a major facelift. The room is bright, welcoming and a lot of effort has been put in by everyone concerned to make this a lovely space to be in.
  • My next visit to school will be to complete the Health and Safety tour… we’re looking at the inside of school next! Then, some Governor training from Mrs Houldsworth and Mrs Jones about the new Curriculum and how we, as Governors can support the teaching and learning to ensure what we do is always the best we can offer our children.

Being a Governor at Excalibur shows me how important it is for us all to work together for the good of the children we teach and care for. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the staff for the wonderful work they do day after day, week after week and year after year. The school is lucky to have so many dedicated staff throughout the school, every one of them plays an important role in keeping the “Good Ship Excalibur” on track.

I look forward to updating you in Blog 3 with more information about our new curriculum and how it is progressing and also, with Christmas coming up soon, I’m sure there will be many activities to attend and report back on.

Excalibur Primary School

Ivy Lane, Alsager, ST7 2RQ

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