Head's News

An interesting term! We began the term not knowing what to expect from the new form of Inspection, and then before we knew it the Inspectors were in and out and it was all over. Apart from the grilling they gave me at times it was relatively painless!

You should by now have a copy of the report and you will see that it is very good – it is certainly a report that we are all proud of. There are three bits that we have to do:

  1. Increase our Inclusion links with mainstream schools – which we were planning to do anyway, and have in hand.
  2. Some minor issues to do with assessment – and I have to say that Inspectors’ comments were helpful to us here.
  3. Accommodation – if you read the report carefully you will see that this comes up again and again – it is the big issue at Dorothy Goodman – which of course we knew anyway. Hopefully the new school will solve our problems in this respect.

I was very pleased with many parts of the report, but in particular it was the fact that all those who work at or who manage the school were singled out for praise:

  • Senior leaders
  • Teachers
  • Support Staff
  • Governors

That’s basically everybody! because the Support Staff include Office staff, Classroom staff, Premises Officer and cleaners. And everybody is said to be doing a very good job! This confirms my own view, but it is very nice to have it said by outside people. The Inspectors commented particularly on the team work that they saw, and said that they were very impressed. The ethos of hard work and support that exists in school is very special, and it is good to know that this is clearly seen by people who are only here for a short while.

And of course the main thing – the thing that we are all here for – Achievement of the pupils rates as “Very Good! – the top category. And that is a tribute to all of us – staff, parents, pupils and governors alike – because without that basic team work you cannot get results like this. So – well done everybody! And thank you!

New School

I know from talking to you that some of you have anxieties about the new school. So do I. Indeed it would be strange if we didn’t have those feelings – times of change are always difficult until things become clear and settled. What I hope we will do is to continue working positively with the Local Education Authority so that we can achieve a school that we will all be proud of; that will give our pupils the proper accommodation and facilities that they deserve (i.e. first-class!); and that will meet the needs of the children of this area for a long time to come (possibly even after I retire! – which I hasten to add is not yet – in case anyone gets the wrong idea!).

Exciting times ahead – I am confident that if we work together we can make them very good times as well. Thank you,

Tony Smith

page updated : 2nd July 2004