As a Head teacher I have always been principled about learning. I am a learner, I love to learn and I am delighted to lead a school and staff team which is happy to explore new ideas and to continually develop our practice.
Thistly Meadow is a creative school because I believe that learning happens when children have to think hard. I ensure that within our curriculum there is time and space in which they can be creative. Learning and achievement are recognised in the widest possible sense and our pupils have all kinds of talents and skills, personal goals and interests and these all have value. Our curriculum is exciting and one which seeks to develop character, creativity and aspirations, helping every child to achieve their best based on high quality teaching and good pupil-teacher relationships. We include pastoral care and have a strong individualised SEND provision ensuring all pupils’ needs are met. My challenge continues to be to help my teaching staff to design opportunities for pupils to build on their knowledge in creative ways at an appropriate point where their knowledge is deep enough for this to be a meaningful process with some rigour and substance.
A variety of teaching approaches are used at Thistly Meadow and we continually use research to evaluate and contextualise our learning approaches. I do consider that homework is a vital element in the learning process and aim for homework to help pupils to learn to become independent learners. I also believe it reinforces the interaction between teacher and pupils, between home and school.
Throughout their time at Thistly Meadow, I want our pupils to be compassionate, considerate and kind and always looking out for those who haven’t been give the same opportunities in life. This is part of our character education where children can also develop the character traits of resilience, kindliness and tolerance. At Thistly Meadow we respect one another, ourselves and our environment; we strive to treat everyone equally. We champion diverse voices and different ideas. We are kind and we show empathy for others. We show resilience when it is needed. We reflect on our wellbeing so that we may all be healthy and happy. We act with integrity - our actions are our values. We aim to live our values, every day.
Starting school is a life changing time for children and here at Thistly Meadow, we will strive to do our best to make every child’s time here inspiring and memorable. We are a committed and talented staff who share the goals of wanting to give each child the best possible start in life.
Mr Bowpitt
Executive Head Teacher