With three half-terms already over, we’re now over half-way through the school year.
In the last year or so, much has changed in the education system nationally… The government has changed content of the National Curriculum, for example, which means that from September 2014, schools (except academies and free-schools) must follow a new curriculum. New attendance guidelines were introduced at the start of this year, as was performance-related pay for teachers. There are changes to assessment in Early Years and in the end of Key Stage 2 SAT tests. These are just four of many changes which take a great deal of time and effort to ‘iron out’ in order for governors to agree a school policy.
Locally, the landscape of education is also changing. There continues to be a significant demand on school places – in this area, that demand is high. Talk of school expansions in the Roundhay – Moortown area is commonplace. Pertinent to Moortown Primary, the field at the rear of the school has been sold to developers for housing and some land for community use. Mrs Rush, our Chair of Governors, has worked hard to try to secure land for us for a dedicated field for sports. Sadly, the needs of our children do not appear to be high on planners’ list of priorities – very frustrating in what is supposed to be a child-friendly city.
On a more positive note, the changes within our school have been great. Our three new teachers are doing a fantastic job. Thank you to all parents who take the trouble to comment favourably about Miss Rushbrooke, Miss Valentine and Miss Curry. The continued improvements to Reception have paid off, with local authority consultants judging teaching and learning to be outstanding. Again, thank you if you have provided us with feedback, in this case in the mid-year Reception survey. We’ll be acting on some of your suggestions, too. Another obvious change is the refurbishment of the ICT suite into the much more flexible ‘Space’ – and once again, thank you, this time for your support of PTA who have helped to fund all the kitchen equipment.
I’m confident the rest of this school year will be just as good.