The Importance of Creative Education

The Importance of Creative Education 

With Clare Walsh: 

Head-Teacher at Mount Carmel 

Catholic Primary School

Each time I visit Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School, I am in awe of the positive learning environment and the desire for progress from teachers and pupils alike.

Head Teacher Clare Walsh has replicated her passion for the highest standards of education within every facet of her school.  

How did you get into teaching? 

“My father was a teacher, who was totally against the thought of me becoming one! However, when I was 7 years old, a teacher was not doing a great job of reading a story to the classroom, and I thought I could do better! I was offered a chance to read the same story back to the class, and I was hooked!

I then became focused on other school activity, and in time this lead down a path to become a qualified teacher eventually of over 10 years. I was then appointed in 2012 as Head Teacher at Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School”.

What do you most enjoy from your leadership role?

“The ability to be allowed to shape and support the lives of teachers who can in turn offer more opportunities to pupils.”

What do you find most challenging?

“Constant change within education, and trying to keep up these changes, as well as being able to adapt to what is best for my school”.

Mount Carmel Catholic Primary has had Music and Spanish Language provision since 2014. How did you found out about J and C Academy?

“I was on a teaching course at St Gregory’s RC Primary School (Ealing), and I saw a PE lesson taking place. I asked one of the senior leadership team at the school which company they used. The process itself was very easy! I phoned up during the holidays, and everything was arranged very well.”

In 2015 you agreed to a 3 year service agreement for both Music and Spanish. What reasons were behind this decision?

“Because I know I will get 3 years of consistent teaching, and the reduced fees from a 3 year agreement fall in line with our budgets in a difficult period for schools. J and C Academy have provided what I need, and I was happy to sign on.”

How would you describe the impact made by your specialists Gemma Garcia (Spanish) and Filippo Sabatini (Music) this year?

“I see Gemma and Filippo as integral members of the Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School teaching team. I highly value both of them and I know pupils adore them too!”

Why is creative education so important to you?

“Because these subjects offer children a chance to develop even more in addition to just literacy and mathematics”

“J and C Academy are not a supply agency. They invest a lot in to their teachers. Their strength is they continually train their teachers on the best classroom practice and current changes. They even come and observe their own teachers to ensure their high standards are being met.”

We are always delighted to partner with schools who are looking to organically raise standards and provide a well-rounded education for their pupils.

To find out more about how J and C Academy can help, please simply get in touch:

E: alex@jandcacademy.com

T: 0203 291 4387 

W: www.jandcacademy.com

12 Success Stories

                         

I recently came across an article focusing on the recruitment crisis facing schools, and how it is causing extra pressure on senior leaders in terms of being able to access consistent high quality teaching, and “budgetary busting” recruitment advertising and recruitment fees.

It’s the reason why primary schools find our service invaluable! Below is a snapshot of 12 success stories which will give you an overview as to how we add significant value to our ongoing partnerships with primary schools:

                                                       #1: Reliable

"All of the J and C Academy Staff (PE, French and Music) are very professional, reliable and hardworking. They are also very adaptable to the needs of the school"

 Daniel Gristwood, Deputy Headteacher, 
St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School

              #2: Inclusive

“Our P.E teacher Greg really is wonderful. He is an inclusive and valued part of the team here at St Luke’s.” 

Barbara Dunn, Headteacher,

St Luke’s Primary School, Westminster

                            

                                             #3: Opportunity

"Tracey always gives 110%, and has developed music across the whole school, and provided many opportunities where music 

is shared with the whole school community."

 Valerie Britnell, Headteacher, 

Wingrave CE Combined School

                                                    #4: Impactful

"Scott has had an excellent impact on staff confidence and enthusiasm in delivering PE.”

  Sam Froggett, PE Coordinator, Bramley CE Primary School

                             #5: Long Term Relationship

"We are very pleased with the PE and French services provided by J and C Academy. We look forward to continuing working with you in the future."

   Ashley Walker, Deputy Headteacher, Newport Primary School

                                                  #6: Flexible

"We enjoy having the (PE, Music and Spanish) Teachers around as they fit in very well with our ethos. We really appreciate the company's flexibility in providing us with the best staff for the job and accommodating us."

Junaida Bana, Deputy Headteacher, 
Avanti Court Federation Primary School 

                                          #7: Quality of Delivery

“All year long I’ve had terrific feedback from staff in all different year groups about the engagement of pupils and also the quality of PE lessons.”

       Dave Woods, Headteacher, Beaconsfield Primary School

                   #8: Child Centered Approach

“I’m reluctant to recommend suppliers, but I would always recommend J and C Academy. You go above and beyond by putting the needs of children first.”

         Karen Doherty, Headteacher, Drayton Green Primary School

                                         #9: Professional

"You are always quick to answer emails, and always polite and professional. You have worked with us flexibly to sort out keeping (PE practitioner) Wayne on and the teachers always turn up ready and prepared to deliver their PE and Music lessons

     Jamie Maloy, Headteacher, Viking Primary School

           #10: Enthusiastic Teachers

“We love Music Teacher Adrienne’s enthusiasm and hardworking nature. The children absolutely adore her!” 

        Lavinia Spong, Headteacher, 
St James the Great RC Primary & Nursery School

#11: Proactive

“Thanks for being so proactive regarding quality assurance of the teachers you place in our schools…. Thanks also to Jazz Rose for attending so many of our school events.”

        Lisa McIntyre, Headteacher, Dawlish Primary School

    #12: Continual Career Development

“J and C Academy are not a supply agency. They invest a lot in to their teachers. Their strength is they continually train their teachers on the best classroom practice and current changes.”

    Clare Wash, Headteacher, Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School

If your school(s) would benefit 

from a partnership with 

J and C Academy, 

simply contact our friendly team on:

E: alex@jandcacademy.com  

T: 0203 291 4387

Effective Head-ship

Effective Headship

with Prudence Barnes-Kemp, Executive Head-teacher, Opposum Federation

Prue Barnes-Kemp fell into teaching because she was 'fascinated by children's literature and the pure joys of reading to a group of children while seeing the expressions on their faces…'

Since arriving to the UK in 1993 from Melbourne Australia, Prue has had and a remarkable impact

on education across Essex, and Waltham Forest, not to mention preparing new leaders for Head-ship in Australia, Chile and various other countries.

Prue rides her bicycle between 3 schools, has a dog called Robert (who appears to be an embedded part of school life) and has successfully created clear systems & structures that help her schools embody what I would describe as 
‘Effortless Effectiveness.’

As Executive Head of the Opposum Federation, Associate Lead Adviser for School Effectiveness Plus for Essex Education Services (EES) and Head of the Virtual Leadership Academy for Essex, Prue attunes much of her success to;

“Having a highly skilled team of staff who are all attuned to the core aims of the federation; To work in partnership and ensure all pupils in their care receive the best education possible.”

I was inspired to meet with Prue this month to discuss her routes to success as an executive head of a cluster of effective schools:

Tell us about Newport, Dawlish and Oakhill in terms of where they were when you started working with them and where they are now in terms of their progress.

Newport was in the bottom 5% of the country and in special measures. However, in 2013 we were the first school either primary or secondary, in the south of Waltham Forest, to become Outstanding.

Dawlish was federated and was on a serious downward data trend however we are aiming to be graded outstanding on our next inspection. The combined attainment when we arrived for level 4 was 48% and in a year we have moved it to 75%.

At Oakhill; I worked with the previous head-teacher to support him in moving the school from Good to Outstanding. We soft federated with the school and I have been Executive Head teacher since September 2014.

What have the key benefits been of the federation of schools?

Being able to have a wider impact on education and seeing the direct impact of that. As a result we’re able to strengthen what we can offer to Newport, Dawlish and Oakhill Schools and thus have a deeper impact on the learning and development of the children and parents we serve.

For example, as a result of the consultancy work that I do with various schools, we are able to fully fund MAs for members of leadership, in addition to offering various benefits such as travel allowances to teaching staff.

We’ve been in education for 12 years and there has been a lot of adaptations… What do you think has been biggest change in education over the last 12 years?

Autonomy of school leaders once they demonstrate effective leadership. Although I report to the various bodies, I very much manage my days and my time.

You’ve been working with J and C since 2013 – tell us about what you enjoy about working with J and C and why the partnership has been important to your schools…

“I love the absolute professionalism and the passion for the subjects taught is enthused upon the children. Having skilled practitioners who absolutely love what they do is vital for children to develop the skills to their full potential.

I’ve never had staff contracted from an external organisation that have been so professional in their attitude and work ethic. The team are always punctual, fully committed to the school vision and go above and beyond to ensure pupils make continuous progress.”

How do you feel J and C Academy have supported in terms of raising attainment?

Ah! The impact has been significant. The range of sports is excellent and the pupils are actively engaged; which shows in our success at sports competition and our AFPE accreditation for outstanding PE.

What advice would you give to a new head-teacher say who wanted to follow in your footsteps and become an effective executive head-teacher?

Avoid u-turns… Have a clear vision and set of values that you work within and ensure everything delivered by yourself and your team fall within that vision. It’s all about knowing what’s best for the children in your school and ensuring complete compliance towards the achievement of that goal.

To find out more about the Opposum Federation or Prue’s Consultancy work; contact

school@newport.waltham.sch.uk

Find the Opossum Federation on LinkedIn

  

To find out more about J and C Academy’s PE, Music and MFL services for primary schools, simply contact;

E: alex@jandcacademy.com | T: 0203 291 4387 | W: www.jandcacademy.com