Ickford News

We have arrived at the end of the academic year and, as usual, the school is filled with mixed emotions. Although, writing the weekly newsletter does give me some time to reflect, it is often written in a very short time between other tasks and it will be a few days before I really get the opportunity to take time to reflect properly on the year that is now over. Nevertheless, I already know that it has been a very positive year in so many ways and I believe it marks a turning point in our direction as a school.

The number of children on role has grown steadily in the past five years and we find ourselves oversubscribed. The trend for academic results has been upward for the past three years and this year they have been the best. The standards of teaching and support for learning are very high and I am very proud that teachers who began their careers here have stayed and flourished. Our curriculum is broad and we try to ensure that every subject is taught to a high standard. Our children play musical instruments, learn to read and compose music, enjoy and develop in a variety of sports, learn to speak and write at least one other language and to master technology without becoming slaves to it. An impressive list but it would have been impossible to achieve all this without the support of parents and the dedication and hard work of our staff.

When I addressed our ‘Leavers Assembly’ this morning, I spoke about the ‘suffocating culture of having to have everything instantly’ that pervades our lives and is in danger of ‘eroding childhoods’ and whilst our school can celebrate the list of successes above, I hope that we will be remembered most for helping children to grow into young people who recognise the importance of traits such as humility, tolerance, generosity and kindness.

Working with children makes one very aware of our failings and our inadequacies and there is not a day that passes when I do not learn something just from observing the actions of the children I work with. As I have said many times, my role is to be spokesperson to the children in the school and to represent their best interests. I believe that there will always be lots of work to do in order to maintain our high standards but I am also confident that this will be achieved.

We will always be faced with change and next year we welcome new teachers and new support staff but this will not lessen our expectations or dilute our determination to get better and better.

It is most likely that we will move further towards becoming an Academy. The Governors and I feel that this may be the direction we have to take in order to secure our future in such a way that permits us to offer excellence, but I can assure you we will only take this route if it is the best for the children.

We will continue to expect good behaviour, punctuality and full attendance and I make no apologies for this because it helps to make us great. I know that there are other schools who do not challenge parents about these things but that is their choice and your choice if you wish.

We will also ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop and succeed against their own starting point rather than in comparison to others but, we will also continue to compete on the sports field and to celebrate our successes if we achieve them. This year we have had many and winning the Aylesbury Vales Primary Schools Athletics at Stoke Mandeville was, to coin a phrase, the icing on the cake.

A big thank you to :

  • Mrs Reynolds who came back in our time of need but leaves again now and will be replaced by Mrs Addis in the office.
  • The PTA led by Miss Millan who have worked hard to fundraise and to ensure that the money was spent on the children.
  • Mrs Davis and Miss Scott who did so much manual work to improve the outside space.
  • Mr Campbell, Mr Pearce and Mr Parsons for helping with the football each week.
  • Mr Campbell again for his unwavering enthusiasm for our school.
  • Mrs Gleed, Mrs Wootten and Miss Baker for supporting and coaching netball.
  • Mrs Stow for coming in to help Mrs Shackleton in music lessons.
  • The parent reader group who have listened and helped children with patience and kindness.
  • Mrs Snell for chicken club and chicken locking up.
  • Mr Gleed for his generous sponsorship.
  • Mr Calcutt for Latin and Classics lessons.
  • Mrs Peirce for keeping the books balanced and being a smiling face at reception.
  • Mr Walker, Mrs Pearce, Mrs Campbell for coming in to share their professions with the children.
  • Mr Chadbone for the new tap.
  • Boardman Windows for their sponsorship.
  • Intuitiv for their sponsorship and website.
  • Miss Sharon and Miss Lisa from Claydons Academy for the brilliant dance clubs.
  • Our Governing body for their hard work and counsel and especially Dr Johnson (Martha Class 3) who leaves us for the West Country and will be missed!
  • Mrs Winfield for the library
  • All of the midday supervisors and teaching assistants without whom we could not carry on.
  • Every class teacher for their hard work, professionalism, patience and humour!

Finally, on behalf of the staff I would like to thank every parent who has supported us this year and helped to make it a success. The attendance at events and assemblies has at times been overwhelming and it has made a huge impact on the children.

Thank you all and have a lovely holiday

Mr Ronane