Week 3

This week has brought some challenges, but plenty of progress too. The honeymoon period of the first few weeks has given way to a more concerted effort at sizing me up, by some pupils, which I expected, of course.

However, some of the strategies I implemented are already starting to pay dividends, particularly in the use of data as a tool to motivate and monitor KS4 pupils. Pupils are much more focused and independent when managing their progress, and seem so much more engaged.

Tentative discussions have taken place with local feeder schools regarding implementing a local PLN that will work towards implementing the DCF. There has been a promising uptake on ClassDojo with my year 7 and 8 classes, which is pleasing, as I find this an excellent tool in involving parents in the learning experience. I am really interested in removing the distance between the classroom and parents, and am deliberating the possibility of live-streaming one of my lessons. What better way of giving them a true sense of what we are offering than to let them actually watch a lesson? This might as foolhardy as it is brave, but I've always believed that we are only as good as we dare to be bad.

Next week, I'll be making my first visit to BETT, with a focus on investigating the potential of 1:1 devices for the school, which is a very exciting opportunity for the school.