SCHOOL FOCUS
Lighting fires
“The roots of education
are bitter, but the fruit is
sweet.”
Aristotle
A story of success
“History is a race between
education and catastrophe.”
HG Wells
“Failure is instructive. The
person who really thinks
learns quite as much from
his failures as from his
successes.”
John Dewey
“Remember that our
nation’s first great leaders
were also our first great
scholars.”
John F Kennedy
“Education is the most
powerful weapon which
you can use to change the
world.”
Nelson Mandela
“Education is when
you read the fine print.
Inclusive: Forest Gate Community Experience is what you get
School’s headteacher Margaret
Wheeler is pictured below (right) with
if you don’t.”
PA Pam Waters after she won the
Pete Seeger
SecEd PA of the Year Award 2008
deep intervention project for year 9, which identifies more students stop to talk to Pam. When we walk
the students who are not making the expected level of into the canteen, at least four hands shoot in the air to
progress for key stage 3. say hello. It is clear why Ms Wheeler nominated Pam
These students are then supplied with extra tuition, for the SecEd Headteacher’s PA of the Year Awards in
a laptop computer, and the necessary support to take 2008, and why Pam walked away with the Gold Award
Headteacher's
them up to the next level. that afternoon.
It is not just the less able that are nurtured. Across the The school’s friendly atmosphere is also evident
whole school there are real efforts to ensure teaching is between year groups as well, thanks to an innovative
carried out in the most relevant way for the students. house structure. The change was made in 2002, and
PA of the Year
Ms Wheeler continued: “When I first came, perhaps the most important aspect of it was the introduction
some of the teachers were still teaching at the front of of vertical tutoring. This sees tutor groups formed of
the classroom, while the students sat in rows learning students from each year group. It means that complex
from a text book. This is not really a good way to learn, friendship networks are formed, which are close-knit Awards 2009
so we have been working hard on different styles of and spread across all year groups.
teaching. We aim to provide a much more engaging Ms Wheeler said: “What’s special about this is
curriculum and interactive style of learning.” that it creates a family atmosphere that is allowed
An opportunity to recognise and celebrate the people
At Forest Gate Community School you certainly to permeate and filter down throughout the school.
hear the kids before you see them. As you walk the Another advantage is that it allows older students to
who are at the heart of a successful school
corridors, the din in the classrooms of interactive be on hand to give advice and support to the younger
learning can be heard. years.”
One of the most vital jobs performed in
This not only creates students who are eager to In each tutor group, a year 10 student is identified
any secondary school is that of the PA to
learn, but it also results in an excellent relationship that would make a good peer mentor. These students
the headteacher. The PA is invariably the
between the staff and the pupils, which is evident are then given training by an outside agency to equip
confidante of the head and a key link with the
throughout the school. them with the skills to deal with younger students’
staffroom, the governors, parents and pupils. Good PAs are
Nowhere is this more apparent than with Pam problems. Having a peer mentor in each tutor group
Waters. Although her main role is PA to Ms Wheeler, ensures that any problems are swiftly aired and brought
an invaluable asset and few schools can operate efficiently or
Pam often acts as an intermediary between teachers and to staff attention.
effectively without them.
the students. The change to the school structure has been in
“Without it being written down anywhere, she has place for more than seven years, but now other schools
In acknowledgement of this essential and important role,
developed a rapport with the students, particularly nationally are starting to take notice. As a result, Forest
SecEd is proud to organise for the fourth year running, in
with the older and the more troubled ones,” Ms Gate is often used as a model for others nationally who
association with the DCSF International School Award,
Wheeler continued. “Because of this, she has also been are looking to change to the same system. which is managed by the British Council, the SecEd
appointed as deputy child protection officer, alongside Working in inner city schools often presents unique Headteacher's PA of the Year Awards 2009, which will
her PA duties. She is only tiny but doesn’t stand any challenges, and because of this, they often get a bad celebrate the achievements and success of the modern
nonsense from them!” reputation. However, Forest Gate proves that there is
headteacher's PA.
Throughout the day, students pop into her office for no room for preconceptions in modern education. SecEd
a chat, or to tell her about their trip to the theatre the
Only personal assistants to the headteacher of a
night before. As we walk around the school corridors, • Susie Sell is a freelance education journalist.
secondary school, state or independent, may be
entered. Nominations will only be accepted by the
‘
head or deputy head. To enter, a statement
At Forest Gate Community School you certainly of not more than 700 words must be
written, explaining why the
hear the kids before you see them. As you walk the
nominated PA deserves
the award.
corridors, the din in the classrooms of interactive
Nominations should be
learning can be heard. This not only creates students
sent to Pete Henshaw by
no later than October 1, 2009.
who are eager to learn, but it also results in an
For information and guidance for
nominators is also available.
excellent relationship between the staff and the
Email pete.h@markallengroup.com,
write to SecEd, MA Education, St. Jude's
pupils, which is evident throughout the school
Church, Dulwich Road, London, SE24 0PB
’
or visit www.sec-ed.co.uk
pa 2009.indd 1 23/3/09 15:49:07
SecEd • June 18 2009 9
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24