Visitors to School

On Wednesday we welcomed 12 senior leaders from Hampshire who visited with the National Education Trust. Alongside some leadership training courtesy of Mr Steward we asked the delegates to visit lessons, talk to students, look through books and observe teaching. We also asked them to observe a break and lunchtime. Roy Blatchford who heads up the NET calls it a BLINK inspection and we value the fresh pairs of eyes within the school.  

During the afternoon colleagues reflected on what they had seen. They were overwhelmingly positive about the school commenting in particular on:

·      The calmness and courtesy of the students, core values displayed on the walls and in the behaviour

·      Absolute engagement in learning during lessons

·      Pride in the school including smart uniform

·      Excellent progress noted during lessons

·      The display around the school including the feature of A* work

Inevitably we asked them to consider what we could do to improve. As a result we are trying to make sure staff wear hi-visibility jackets on College Square and we are going to look to put a one-way system in place in the canteen.  A helpful day for all!

Curriculum Changes

Thank you to teachers and parents for what seemed to be a very useful year 8 parents evening this week.  We also had another very successful sixth form open evening.  

A number of parents asked me questions about the curriculum, in particular if it would be possible to introduce or reinstate various subjects. As an academy we do have some flexibility as long as our curriculum is broad and balanced. As a faith school we have a statutory obligation to offer RS at KS4 and as a music specialist school I am of course keen to encourage music. In selecting the subject offer we have to make sure that:

1.    We have the staff with the subject expertise to teach them

2.    We can afford it

This affordability issue is becoming increasingly important as schools work out what to do in the face of significant cuts to budgets. In all schools the average class size decreases from KS3-5. State schools of course have to ensure that class sizes remain high and have to be careful not to offer too many subjects, bringing the average class size down.

You may have heard about the introduction of the EB with a consultation launched earlier this month.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/473455/Consultation_on_implementing_the_English_Baccalaureate.pdf

This will place greater pressure on all schools, academies or otherwise to ensure that as many students as possible take history, geography and a language. Additionally the changes in league tables to include progress 8 measures make it inevitable that schools will make alterations to their curriculum, not necessarily in the best interests of their students!

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/456438/Progress_8_school_performance_measure_2015_updated_August_2015.pdf

I will be happy to discuss these challenges at the parent consultation evening tomorrow evening.