Headteacher’s Blog February 10th 2012

Welcome to my first blog! Communication styles have changed beyond recognition since teachers and parents were at school. More and more people now have mobile phones which they text their friends on, use email and access Skype accounts. Keeping up-to-date with modern technology and communication styles is really important for schools and I hope that you will find my quarterly blog helpful and also informative. As Headteacher of Hydesville Tower School, I value engagement with all of our stakeholders and I hope that this ‘personal diary’ will succeed in reaching out to many of you as Hydesville continues to develop and grow.

Do we need to ask ourselves what a blog is? I think we do as blogs represent a social phenomenon which is in constant evolution. So let’s begin with a definition – “A blog, (a portmanteau of the word ‘weblog’) is a personal journal published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete entries, (posts) typically displayed in reverse chronological order so the most recent appears first.

The Spring Term is one characterised by the re-growth and renewal that we often see around our schools and this term is particularly significant for members of the Hydesville family. I am delighted to say that Cognita has now authorised a significant refurbishment to the parts of our school which we consider need it the most. Work begins during next week’s half term holiday with new flooring in the Year 5 classroom, re-decoration of the Senior RS classroom and new lockers for Senior pupils. The entrance to the Gym will be redeveloped and significantly improved to offer a warmer welcome to visitors.

However the most visually striking development will be seen in our Nursery Department which will undergo an exciting transformation during the Easter holidays. Better use will be made of space and this is designed to enhance the teaching and learning environment and also improve the outdoor learning environment for our 3 and 4 year olds.

Looking further ahead, major investment will enable us to redevelop the Senior Library to ensure alignment with our commitment to raise the profile of reading for all pupils. The Library, situated as it is in the heart of our school, will be extended and renovated to provide a purposeful yet calm sanctuary which will support both reading and independent study. Also during the summer break, our Infants Department will undergo a significant redevelopment to develop our teaching and learning setting.

By the end of this academic year, I am sure that our school surroundings will both look and feel very different! The final chapter in our development journey this academic year is of course for us to share the excitement of our school community by raising our kerbside appeal. Many of you have commented favourably on our new frontage, completed last summer. This will now be extended and progressed across all four buildings which constitute Hydesville Tower School. Its combination with new signage will make a dramatic visual impact and herald our continued commitment to a rich educational experience for all.

The overall intention of this significant development is to continue in the provision of a teaching and learning environment which encourages the active engagement of pupils combined with meaningful approaches to studying which will lead to all pupils achieving high quality outcomes of learning.

My next blog will report back on our eleven plus successes and offer an update on how our Senior School pupils are getting on with their GCSE examinations. We are looking to improve on last year GCSE results which were 97% A* to C and feel confident we can achieve this.