There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a child discovering something for the first time and we fully support children doing this themselves, through an engaging interactive environment. But what about all the other stuff, as teachers, we need to get them to achieve? Quite often you’ll find learning that focuses on everything children can’t do, rather than strengthening what they can do and encouraging children’s engagement in learning through following the children’s interests. I’m sure everyone has been challenged on formal based aspects - “Can they read?” “Can they write?” “Can they count?” But what about all the things that matter to them? I fully recognise that children need to meet certain expectations but if children aren’t ready, then how can this really instil a long term love for learning?
We set up our environment at the start of each term with the current cohort of children in mind. This means looking at the resources we have and tailoring them to the needs of the group. Not only…
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Whilst I thoroughly enjoy writing my Headteacher’s blog, I thought it might be nice to mix it up with a few guest blogs, an opportunity for you to hear from other people who are involved in the day to day life here at our unique little school. At a recent curriculum evening, I was overwhelmed by the willingness of parents to share what they think is special about our little school. Receiving positive feedback from parents is always reassuring. After all, they trust us with their most precious gifts 5 days a week. When this blog landed on my desk, I was so moved I couldn’t resist sharing it as the first guest blog…. So enjoy….
Our son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was age 3. Although it wasn’t a shock to us we were still worried about what this would mean for the future. He was a summer baby so that meant he would also be very young going to primary school.
We chose a school with…
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What is the difference between a forest and a wood? I was asked this question on our latest visit to our “forest”. Technically a wood is a smaller area with less density of trees, a forest is a larger area and may encompass several woods in that area. In reality it does not matter, for no matter how small your wood is, once the exploration and fun begins, it opens up into a great big forest.
One thing that I have learnt when we head down to the forest on a Friday afternoon is, never have a concrete plan for activities. The children will see or hear something that needs exploring and nature being nature you have to explore it there and then. For what you see or hear will be gone in a matter of minutes, if not seconds.
Over the years that we have been in the forest we have had the privilege of seeing deer, buzzards, wild hares, crayfish, frogs, cows, sheep, plus a variety of bugs and insects.…
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