Walthamstow School for Girls

              It has been another of those weeks where numerous extracurricular activities have taken place, a sample of which you saw in our most recent Greensheet Plus. In conversation with some colleagues yesterday, I was struck yet again by what makes our school such a valued place in which to both study and work and why we receive so many applications for vacancies.

               Yes, of course, we focus on supporting all our examination candidates to do the very best that they can in their examinations. But the support we give to students begins from the point at which they and their families decide to choose Walthamstow School for Girls as their preferred destination. We are an inclusive school in which equality and diversity feature strongly. These factors are taken as a 'given' in our school. We teach both in mixed ability and setted classes- but the fundamental principle, irrespective of the organisation of the groupings, is that we strive to offer the highest possible provision for each of our students, irrespective of background, ability, interest etc.

         I am, on a daily basis, in awe of our staff and their commitment to this fundamental principle on which we base our work and to you, our parent and carer community, who have opted for a comprehensive education for your daughter in these changing times. It is important for us all to remember that the young person remains at the heart of what we all do. Perhaps that could be a reminder to the powers that be when fundamental changes to the curriculum and the assessment pathway are being introduced despite the concerns of many in the education profession.

        I would like to congratulate our newest parent governor who, undeterred following a recent hotly contested election, decided to resubmit her application. This time Kay Larkin has been successful. This was her statement:

 I have 2 daughters – one at WSFG and one starting next year. I am keen to help the school manage planned changes to the exam system and curriculum without impacting our daughters' enjoyment of school or future prospects. My background is educational publishing. I have spent 20 years managing teams in the UK, Greece, India and USA to develop the best possible educational resources. I now work for Pearson in the area of digital learning to help schools provide services that best suit the needs of learners of different abilities and assessing what ways of learning are most effective.

       Thank you, Kay. We have one more parent/carer governor place to fill – please contact the school if you are able to give some time to supporting your daughter's school and are interested in becoming a governor at this challenging yet exciting time for education.

Best wishes   

Meryl Davies