OFSTED School Inspection surprise!

Despite receiving a monitoring letter stating that we would not be inspected until Summer 2014 at the earliest, we received 'the call' on Wednesday 9th October. Ten minutes into the telephone call, I asked the Inspector if she had meant that she was going to be inspecting the Children's Centre rather than the school. However, the answer was no!

The next 19 hours were extremely busy, updating the school Self Evaluation documents, printing off data sheets, preparing timetables/case studies/evidence trails. 

A week later, we still can't quite believe that the process and team have come and gone. The draft report has been approved and now we await the final version. 

We hope to have the full and final report by Friday 25th October. 

Interesting lessons from Finland - at odds with UK Education direction

Pasi Sahlberg at Seizing Success 2013 from NCTL on Vimeo.

Escaping education's death valley

Sir Ken Robinson always speaks with such eloquence!

Come and join our team

We are looking for new, dynamic and successful teachers to join our growing team.  We have a particular desire to appoint a new music teacher - who will be able to build on the music strengths already established in the school.
If you would like to find out more, please visit our website.

www.woodmansterne.lambeth.sch.uk/vacancies

Warming up for Young Voices

What a terrific experience for the children to come to the O2 to perform in an 8000 strong choir! The children gain so much confidence and are so proud to take part.

Although current empty, it will be awesome when full!

Lambeth Achievement Awards

We were delighted today to have so many of our children present at the Lambeth Achievement Awards which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre.

Pupils who achieved Level 3 in Reading, Writing and Maths and our most improved child were invited to attend.
They were:

• Aliya 
• Nanette 
• Suhayb 
• Omar 
• Tom
• Ananya  
• Polly 
• Thomas
• Toma - Most Improvement

In Key Stage 2, pupils who achieved Level 5 in Reading, Writing and Maths also were invited to attend.  Our award winners were:

• Gene
• Arwa
• Berey
• Omar
• Simona - Most Improvement

Huge congratulations to the children, their families and of course the super team of staff at Woodmansterne.

Parent and Carers Guide to the Internet

New Chair of PTFA (and treasurer) needed

I would like to thank Kirsty Jenkinson (and many other mums and dads) for their hard work, time and dedication in supporting the Parent Teachers and Friends Association. The PTFA has raised valuable funds for the school which have bought bonus equipment and items which ensure the children have an even better experience at the school. This has included the climbing castle next to the entrance, new books and furniture for the library, a new surface for the Multi Use Games Area (cage) as well as paying towards a Christmas treat for the children, supplementing school visits and school rugby shirts.
I would also like to thank Deborah Millar who been the treasurer for two years, giving her time and expertise following two years as PTFA secretary. We really appreciate all that she has done in her roles.
The PTFA is more than just raising money – it is about building a school community where families from across the school can get to know one another, staff members old and new spending some ‘social time’ with one another and the families within our community. Therefore, I see the PTFA as an integral part of the school and the future development. Many schools have lost their PTAs due to lack of support and instead they have requested that parents contribute to a school fund to help raise additional funds. However, this would totally miss the point of what we are committed to – working together at the heart of the community to transform lives.

After five years, Kirsty (and Deborah) wishes to stand down and I would ask that you would seriously consider if you would be able to take over the reins. Kirsty has agreed to work in partnership with a new chair for the year – which would enable you to learn from her experience. Or perhaps you could become the new treasurer? Have a think about it but do come along to our AGM on Thursday 18th October.

Non-stop summer at Woodmansterne

A busy summer at Woodmansterne on PhotoPeach

To bulge or not to bulge... that was the question

You may have been aware that over the last few years, London has been facing a shortfall of school places for children, particularly in the primary sector.  Over the last three years, many Lambeth schools have been asked to accept additional children to help deal with the shortfall e.g. accepting 60 children into Reception rather than 30.  


Just before the half term holidays, we were asked by Lambeth Admissions Team to consider expanding our school to accommodate an additional 30 Reception children in September 2012.  This would mean that we would accept 90 children into Reception rather than 60.  A new temporary building would be placed on the KS2 playground next to the staffroom and the current Reception outdoor area expanded to create a new Reception space.  


We had an emergency governors meeting on Friday 1st June to discuss the proposals.  Some of the questions and answers we had are listed below


• Will this just be a one year bulge or will it be a permanent expansion?
At this stage, we are only committing to a one year bulge however, in Autumn 2012, there will be a consultation process about the possibility of Woodmansterne Primary permanently expanding to a three form entry school.  
There are a number of difficulties with a one year bulge moving through the school but this will be reviewed annually.  The Governing Body considered the impact this would have on the rest of the children in the school.  Further questions were raised about the year on year management of a bulge.


• Will it be ‘all too much’ for the children… who may already be finding it a challenge starting school?
The governors and staff of the school have already identified that children entering Reception (or any class for that matter) may find it quite stressful – moving from for example a small nursery to a large school.  The school is working very hard to ensure that the transition for the children is as smooth and stress free as possible.


• I did not get my first choice of coming to Woodmansterne.  Does this mean that I will now be offered a place?
Yes it may.  The admissions team will now carry out a re-shuffle of school offers.  Any parent who had Woodmansterne as a higher preference choice, but were unsuccessful will be put back into the system and new offers made following standard admissions procedures e.g. Medical Social, Siblings and then distance from the school.  You will be notified by post with a new offer if this is appropriate.


• Who pays for the building, resources and extra staffing?
Lambeth provides additional funding to cover the extra children, new furniture and staffing


• Why were we not considered before?
Lambeth Admissions Team carries out a review annually to consider where school places are most needed.  A variety of financial and other risk assessments are then carried out to determine the feasibility of the process. This year, there has been an increase in the number of Lambeth children in the south of the borough who have not been accommodated with a school place.


Following lengthy discussions it was agreed that we will accommodate the local children who did not get their preference school (Woodmansterne) and other local children who did not have any school place.


I shall be working with Lambeth over the next few weeks to agree and finalise design plans and working with my senior team to consider staffing and other related implications to ensure all children continue to experience a first class education.

Amazing free digital resource

Reading and sharing books with your children is a guaranteed way to support their progress and overall achievement; exploring imaginary countries, understanding someone's point of view, unlocking vocabulary etc.


If you have an iPad, iPhone or access to a computer, why not visit the International Children's Library.  Here you can read a variety of international books, in various languages.


'The ICDL Foundation's goal is to build a collection of books that represents outstanding historical and contemporary books from throughout the world. Ultimately, the Foundation aspires to have every culture and language represented so that every child can know and appreciate the riches of children's literature from the world community.'


International Children's Library


Search for 'icdl' in the Apple App Store to downland the free app 

New Streatham Leisure Centre needs sauna, steam room & solar panels

I have been asked to put out the following request...

 If you plan to use the new Streatham Leisure Centre when it is built, you need to act NOW if you want it to have a sauna, steam room and solar panels.

Local people were promised that the Streatham Hub development would be sustainable and would have a modern health and fitness leisure centre.

However, local residents were told at the public meeting organised by Tesco and Lambeth Council on 22^nd February 2012 that there will be no solar panels, no steam room or sauna.

Please join the 173 people that have already signed this petition and spread the word to your networks. We have no resources to get this out to people other than online.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/streatham-development-3s-solar-panels-sauna-and-st.html

March at Woodmansterne on PhotoPeach

Nursery Development

Over the last twelve months you will be aware that we have been working hard to redevelop our school nursery.  In the summer of 2011, we carried out extensive internal modifications to the space; providing a more practical, purposeful learning environment.  However, that has only been phase 1!  We have lots more planned for Spring 2012. 

Phase 2: External works

After creating an additional doorway, our intention is to improve the look and sustainability of the building by recladding the exterior with a hard wearing, low maintenance finish and add a number of canopies to provide all year shelter.

Phase 2b: Extension of the playground

HOPEFULLY our planning application to move the fence next to the Nursery will be granted within the next few days.  This will allow us to extend the Nursery place space out into field – providing 350m² of new playground.  We are currently meeting with designers to create a fantastic, multi-surface design.

Phase 3 (will require a funding miracle) would be to replace the existing wooden canopy with a new office, group room and store.

Help! My Supply Teacher is Magic

Following on from filming in September, some of our pupils will be appearing on the BBC show, 'Help! My supply teacher is magic'

Welcome 2012

And so commences a new year and new term at Woodmansterne Primary School & Children's Centre. Our term started on Tuesday 3rd with professional staff training on developing and improving teaching mathematics throughout the school. We were delighted to have the Lambeth CLC here to suggest new ideas, resources that teachers can use to promote learning maths. Our Nursery and Reception team also spent time reviewing, planning and creating new maths activities and resources. On Friday, I shall be holding a briefing for any parents who are interested in becoming a school governor. The purpose of the meeting is to answer some questions about what the role entails, what you might achieve, the extent of the commitment and any other arising questions. The team have planned a variety of exciting trips, visits and visitors to enrich the curriculum including a night on the Cutty Sark (yes, the ship on the Thames) Greenwich Observatory, Roman Theatre to name but a few. Our School Council are continuing their work of providing the leadership team with views and opinions. This term, they shall be discussing pupil requests for shirts and ties! (I could not believe it either) As usual, we love to hear from you with any views, opinions or suggestions which can help us to continue to work towards our school vision - working together, at the heart of the community, to transform lives.

Happy Christmas

Wonderful Woodmansterne... today at school!

Wonderful Woodmansterne on PhotoPeach

Family Learning for EYFS

This morning, we are delighted to have parents and carers from children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EFYS) who are spending time with our Children's Centre Teacher, Mrs Jo Smith and our Reception Teacher, Mr Adam Walker. Adam and Jo are supporting parents and carers develop 'creativity' with their children - giving practical examples of activities that can be carried out at home.

Our amazing world

Throughout our visit to Tanzania, we have had the opportunity to further explore our world.  This video shows how wonderful our world is.... and is a tribute to the scientists who help us see the world in a new way.

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

Time lapse sequences of photographs taken by Ron Garan fragileoasis.org/​bloggernauts/​Astro_Ron and the crew of expedition 28 & 29 onboard the International Space Station from August to October,2011, who shot these pictures at an altitude of around 350 km with a high ISO HD Camera developed by NHK Japan, nicknamed the SS-HDTV camera. All credit goes to them.