Thinking outside the box!

Jane Frankish Headteacher

Broadheath Primary School

Coventry, UK

About me and about my school: Broadheath Primary school

Head of a Community School in Coventry for 10 years

170 children in 2003, 510 children in 2013 and growing

Ethnic groups include Afghans, French, Polish, Pakistani, Romanians , Libyans and many others

So there are more than 25 languages spoken at home

Sometimes there are tensions in the community between these groups. We must make sure that this does not come into school and hinder children’s learning.

Ofsted (inspection service) 2010- judged us to be good with outstanding features

Our community – children, parents, governors, staff, the Local Authority and the wider international community from lots of different countries

BUT…… I have much in common with all of you here today.

What do leaders have to do to gain inclusivity?

What is your vision, what do you want to see happening?

Broad Heath’s vision statement is quite simply based on 2 simple words “To Gain”

The values of the school are clearly expressed and understood all over the world : Respect, tolerance, harmony

We make sure that socio economic and domestic circumstances are not barriers to learning

Have professional courage

We have a behaviour system that is uniform, clear and understood by all .

We make sure ALL children are valued

We make sure ALL parents and stakeholders understand their role

We respond positively to ALL concerns expressed by children or parents

We care, we want all to succeed.

Structures we have……include:

Home School Contract

High profile contact in the community

Using our budget to target groups that need additional support

Reviewing the quality of people and the quality of delivery

Induction meetings in groups

1:1 meetings

Timetable of community events

Accessible web page that parents are taught how to use

Everyone – staff, pupils and parents understand what will happen if the rules are not kept. What do we do?

Key Personnel in the BH Team My staff- have all signed up to the vision that includes: affection,

stability and a purposeful and structured experience.

Behaviour Manager-Graham

Learning Mentor- Ranjit

Parental Support- Rehana and Ani

Learning/SEN- Head/Laura

Besides this responsibility, all are also teachers or teaching assistants. Nobody does just one job!

The role of the child

They have to believe in the vision and the values and they have to want to be at your school

Their contributions have to be valued

They have to be listened to- have a voice (School Council, blogs, post box, circle time)

School uniform has to be worn with pride

Learning has to be fun

They have to be noticed, everyone has a voice.

Clear learning targets

High quality student feedback

Peer mentoring when it is needed.

An international curriculum

We have a national curriculum with prescribed standards but every 6 weeks we have project weeks.

We do things such as:

Learning about various countries

Artists around the word

Famous global scientists

Us and anti-bullying options

We want to be part of Coventry, the UK and the wider international community. Next Year we are hoping to visit Spain.

Harmony?

You have to be passionate and want to believe that you can achieve

The journey is not quick, it takes time

It takes planning and clear targeted outcomes

Reviewing impact and progress is essential

Make sure that you praise and celebrate success

Everyone’s opinion is valued

Things can be sorted through the power of the word and not the power of the sword!

Broad Heath

Have we got harmony? Let’s now look at evidence.

510 children with no exclusions (children sent out of school for bad behaviour) in the last 3 years

Children who come to school- 97.8 attendance rate

A waiting list to join the school

Children who tell me daily they love coming to school

Less than 5 racial incidents over the last 5 years

Staff attendance exceptional

Parents from the last survey telling us they are very happy with the school

Individual children making progress

Academic results getting better year upon year.

Standing on the edge of forever at the start of whatever…….over to you!