"Noticings" of a new Head Teacher 2

Every child deserves a champion

As I waited at the school gate last week welcoming children  into school two thoughts came to mind. The first was; what a relief it is after all our planning and preparations to have the children -the real heart of the school- back again. The second was to be reminded of the wise words of Rita Peirson a recognized Educationlist . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFnMTHhKdkw

She said that “every child deserves to have a champion” As I watched the wide ranging diversity of children walking through the school gate, all with their own individual needs and personalities it became even clearer to me about our duty as “Champions” for the children in our care.  To me that means noticing the little stuff as well as planning the big stuff. When you are three it matters if you are allowed to bring your cuddly rabbit into school. If you are 8, and desperately waited 6 months for “stand-up comedian club” it is really important that the club is there so you can sign up.

It’s easy when we are up and running, with so much to do, to skim over the small stuff that really matters, forget to follow through on a promise, make assumptions about what a child is able to do, or how they think without taking the time to ask.  A question I need to constantly ask myself is ....Who will I believe in, who will I be a “champion” for today?