Report on Lee Common SchoolBy Alison Lawes, Head Teacher
January began with an Inset Day at Denham Village School with the Cluster group of small schools. The heads made me feel very welcome and all offered their support for the ‘new girl’.
I and four members of staff began an Autistic Syndrome Disorder e-learning training programme at Great Missenden School which we have all successfully completed.
During the spring term we had a number of visitors in school including a drama workshop and a local author – a report of which made the Bucks Free Press.
We also had a theatre group performance and an environmental presentation in an assembly. Our children celebrated World Book Day by dressing up as characters from books and sharing poems and stories throughout the day. We contributed to Red Nose Day by wearing something red and each donating a £1. Also, thanks to kind donations from our parents, the children were able to buy a ‘surprise’ gift and have it wrapped for Mother’s Day. We held two parents evenings in March to discuss children’s progress.
I am working closely with the incredibly supportive LCSA to draw up ‘wish-lists’ from the staff. Over Easter, Alison Stanley co-ordinated the garden area project which has been tidied up and provided a superb outdoor space for our children to play and plant seeds, bulbs and flowers.
Our focus for the spring
and summer terms is behaviour – there has been a considerable improvement
recently, remarked upon by several parents.Another issue has been punctuality and at 8:55 am I ring the bell and the children line up to be collected by their teachers and taken into school. Lessons now begin promptly and calmly.
Our Easter service was well attended by parents and I was very proud of all our children as they sang, read poems and contributed to Mrs Oldham’s Easter story.
Mrs Dean has worked tirelessly with the maypole dancers and their performance on 1st May was truly excellent, well enjoyed by our parents and village members who turned out in force to support us. The LCSA provided a feast of tea and cakes which were enjoyed by all.
Our curriculum areas for these two terms are reading and PE. As a staff we are committed to raising standards.
At the moment we have 53 children: 10 Nursery, 14 Reception, 15 Year 1 and 14 Year 2. There is good news for September with 10 more children joining to bring next years Reception up to 20. There are two other children likely to join further up the school following family relocations.
On a more personal note perhaps I could say something about my background.
Prior to joining Lee Common School I had taught at Hughenden Infant School, now Hughenden Primary School, for seven years. Hughenden is where I grew up and the school is the heart of the community.
Despite the excellent and thorough hand-over that I received from Mrs Richardson, my first term was a steep learning curve, finding out what happened when and why! I teach every class during the week which is a wonderful experience as I feel I really know all the children.
I knew that Lee Common had a reputation for being a successful village school with supportive enthusiastic parents, governors and staff. My time at the school has only confirmed this. I am looking forward to working closely with everyone to raise standards even further and to take Lee Common forward to fulfil its potential.
A sincere thank-you to everyone at Lee Common who has supported me in my first few months and made me feel so welcome.