Page 99 - She's One Crazy Lady!

Ofsted team, we soon received an improved report – standards were rising; the new team was working well. We became known as the ‘skip school’ as enormous quantities of out-of-date books, furniture and objects were removed and replaced – to put it mildly! Despite the hard work, the changes and so many new initiatives, the morale and support of both children and parents were high which was so encouraging for the staff. Parents could see that we were trying our utmost to make improvements – our enthusiasm was infectious.
However, not everything was ideal. As Acting Head, I still had a full time teaching commitment and was responsible for Special Needs, which was a big issue in the school. I was virtually living at the school, so it was decided that an experienced Consultant Headteacher should be brought in to spearhead our team, to support and help get us through the next phases of getting the school out of Special Measures.
Enter ‘Des’!
Originating from Australia (and very proud of it),
Des was, indeed, a very experienced ‘trouble-shoot-
ing’ Headteacher and immediately put us all at
ease by his unassuming ways of introducing change
and methodically working through the issues. Des had been briefed. The long meetings continued, but everyone was included, and every individual was valued for what they could bring to the school. Des, with his charismatic ways, actually made it exciting with everyone wanting to get the school back on track and give the children an education they deserved. His sense of humour and his overall charming personality appealed to us all and the parents really took to him, as did the children – he brought fun back in to the school and eased the pressure. The positivity was electric.
For me, it was uplifting and so reassuring to be working with a Headteacher who was so supportive and who valued me and believed in me. Des restored my faith in education and with the LEA. He and I spent many hours talking through what had to be done – we spoke of my previous situation. He didn’t pass judgement but completely understood my need to do what I was best at and completely respected my commitment to do the very best for the school. We shared so much trust and respect which filtered out to all staff and the community. His sense of humour, his wit, and his willingness to have fun with the children, and staff, whilst receiving utmost respect, came to the fore when we held a Book Week in school – a time when children and staff alike dress up as their favourite book character. I had warned Des and
“
Des, with his
charismatic
ways, actually
made it exciting
with everyone
wanting to get
the school back
on track and give
the children an
education they
deserved. ”
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