Principals Weekly Update
Final Vlog of the Half Term
Hi everyone, and welcome to the final vlog of this half term.
Hopefully, when we return after the break, we’ll be stepping into brighter spring weather as we move closer to Easter. Today, I’m filming in an IT lesson, and there are three key themes I’d like to talk about: internet safety and IT, safety more broadly, and the staff training that has recently taken place and how that links directly to what students are doing in lessons right now.
High-Quality Teaching and Making Learning Stick
Behind me, we have a fantastic group of Year 8 students working incredibly hard on their ‘Do Now’ activity.
Last week, our staff CPD focused on how we help students make links between prior learning and new knowledge. When students can connect what they are learning today with what they have learned previously, it strengthens their understanding and helps move knowledge from working memory into long-term memory.
This is particularly important for our Year 11 and Year 13 students currently completing their PPEs. The stronger those knowledge connections are lower down the school, the more confident and successful students will be in their examination years.
Students may not realise it while they are completing their ‘Do Now’, but teachers carefully design these activities to revisit recent learning, learning from further back in the term, and even knowledge from previous years. It is fantastic to see staff already embedding the strategies from last week’s training so effectively.
IT and Internet Safety - Mr Haji
Being in an IT lesson today also allows us to highlight the importance of internet safety.
Technology plays a huge role in young people’s lives, both in school and at home. Through our curriculum, students learn not only how technology works, but how to use it responsibly. We teach them about digital footprints, cyberbullying, strong passwords, protecting personal information and thinking carefully about what they share online.
Our students also develop valuable skills such as research, communication and problem solving, all of which prepare them for future education and employment.
You will hear shortly from both staff and students about why ICT and e-safety are so important, particularly as so much of daily life now takes place online.
Safety in Our School Community
Finally, I want to address safety more broadly.
Many of you may have heard about the tragic incident that took place at a school in London this week. My thoughts are very much with that school community, their staff and families.
As a principal, I feel it is important to reassure you that schools are incredibly proactive when it comes to safeguarding. Internet safety is one aspect of this, but so too are our mobile phone policy, metal-detecting wands, regular police presence and safety arches and the lockdown and shelter procedures we practise in school.
The Metropolitan Police have also shared information about a parent webinar, which I will circulate in case families find it helpful.
Safety is strongest when it is a shared responsibility. When students understand risk, when staff remain vigilant, and when parents and school work together, we create the safest possible environment for our young people.
While we always hope such events never occur, it is our duty to be prepared, proactive and preventative. The well-being and safety of our students will always remain our highest priority.
For now, thank you for your continued support this half term. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable break, and I look forward to seeing everyone on the other side.