FEATURE: VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM


being across both schools and having the opportunity to be part of our children’s Oldfield Park Schools journey is wonderful. Our parents/carers see this – they know I am that stick of Oldfield rock and fully trust and support the journey that we’re on.


The feedback from all was overwhelmingly positive and, for me personally, reassuring as there were challenges at times. I have always been a very visible head and make sure I spend plenty of my time away from my desk. Therefore, I see parents/carers on a daily basis. I also live locally and purposely walk between the two sites – which means I am always running into parents and happily share a bit of banter (ie that I need a pair of running trainers or e-scooter) and they are often complimentary and happy with the new arrangements.


Our PTA from each school have merged and now undertake not only individual fundraisers for each respective school (such as the separate Christmas Fairs) but also joint events. These have included a joint car boot sale, family quiz night and Parents Silent Disco. There is a joint Summer Fair planned and will be taking place at OPJ with a Wild West theme, Yeehah!


How did staff cope with the changes and what did you put in place to enable them to manage the transition?


As part of the process of the Exec Role becoming permanent, a thorough consultation and interview process was undertaken by our Trust. Indeed, staff and parents/ carers were consulted with regard to how the first six months of the role had gone and I undertook an interview with governors, Trustees and our CEO.


Given the familiarity and closeness of both schools and staff, the transition was smooth. Initial teambuilding and coming together under the ‘Oldfield Schools’ umbrella was effective as was the revision of our values whereby we merged both schools’ values set to six shared ones. These dovetailed nicely with our Trust’s values (Respect, Trust, Courage, Curiosity) as well as two OP specifics of kindness and, of course, community.


To help me find my feet in my new role, I have had the benefit of being able to access support from our Trust’s Exec HT training. The group, comprising of three Exec HTs in the Trust and our CEO, has provided invaluable support. Indeed, the opportunity to access this network, share ideas and challenges faced with emphasis placed on our wellbeing, has enabled me to grow in a safe, supportive and collaborative environment. I believe that reflection is key to improvement and this group encourages me to do that.


Although we are nine months in, the transition continues. Indeed, although we continue to foster the hearts and minds, we are now looking at operational improvements ie further primary alignment, joint policies, joint observations of teaching and further TA integration between the two schools.


Creating opportunities to come together as a whole staff team, whether socially or work-based ie joint INSETs, are really important to me. These will continue and there will be further opportunities this and next academic year – suggestions of what these will be, will be pitched and decided by the team.


How did your families react to the changes? As I mentioned previously, our families were involved in the consultation process. We are incredibly fortunate that the families of Oldfield Park have always held both schools in the highest regard - before and after the changes. This has been reinforced by feedback through the usual questionnaire to the status it holds within the community. As mentioned previously, I really do see it as a privilege


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Without their dedicated hard work and support for both schools, the extras (ranging from equipment through to funding trips as well as individual support), would not be possible and we are all incredibly grateful. Indeed, they raise over £20k a year, which is immense!


What has the impact been on the children? Consistency and further primary alignment have been the big winners for me. We’re not fully there yet, as I believe we should always be on an improvement journey. However, the impact of children having that consistent journey, sharing of values and approaches and siblings, (approx. 30% each year group share siblings) are under the same OP umbrella is powerful. Furthermore, taking the best from both schools and putting them together has created a powerhouse of talent and a collaborative culture, which helps us to identify and tackle areas of development together and embrace shared challenges!


What were the biggest challenges?


Depends how you look at it, to be fair! Bringing two schools together, the children and staff, was a tad daunting for me, initially- mainly as my EYFS and KS1 experience was limited. However, I turned this into an opportunity and decided to get stuck into teaching at OPI and show the staff that I was up for the challenge. Indeed,


I have learnt so much from being at OPI and, it’s fair to say, that the penny dropped in terms of how important those early years are. From this I could also share with both sets of staff their respective challenges, successes and how we’re in this together. One powerful number at OP is 418 which is the number of children across both schools and the number of children that we are all responsible for. The staff and community have bought into this, and I do feel that grows on a daily basis.


How do you measure success?


Linked to the above, the big thing for me is to have ‘the journey’ in place and that view of Reception through to Year 6. In essence that primary alignment, that can be taken for granted in a primary school, is there in our setting and is something that we continue to strive for. At the same time though, have that individuality of being OPI and OPJ but also being strong together. Yes, standards are important, however if we continue with our work of a stronger curriculum, sharing of resources and people, effective use of our budget and shared CPD, then further success will come and is there already for our community of Oldfield Park.


What advice would you give to other schools going through the same process?


Embrace it and the opportunities it can provide and bring! The big thing for me is the hearts and minds and belief in what you’re trying to do – above all, it has to be for the benefit of the children. If everyone is on board, can see the vision of alignment, sharing of what is good, supporting and addressing of what needs to be developed can only be a good thing. It is not an overnight process and will take time. We’re by no means there yet, rather on a journey - and an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding one at that! The support of your Trust is key and we have been empowered by Palladian to ‘crack on’ so to speak! This is important as it provided that confidence and support as it could have been quite easily seen as something negative. However, with the Trust, and our fabulous community, support it continues to be a positive journey. Finally, for me, be strategic. ‘Let go’ and empower your leadership teams. This has been key for me both professionally and personally. It continues to be a work in progress; however, I can appreciate how far we have all come together, me, my team, our schools and our Trust.


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