Cullingworth Pages Press - 00129

Parkside School News May I take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Principal of Parkside School, having taken up position in September (2024). I am extremely privileged to have been appointed to this role as Parkside School is an exciting place to be and there is much to celebrate and look forward to. As a part of the Wellspring Academy Trust, at Parkside School, we seek to influence culture, thinking and behaviour through building strong relationships at all levels. We are passionately committed to our goal of making a positive difference to the lives and life chances of all our children and young people. We work to ensure that we make a positive contribution to our local community with an impact that is meaningful, considerable and lasting. There are several things that we do or are developing that provide evidence of our drive to achieve these goals. From September 2024, several changes happened that signify the next phase in the school’s journey. Firstly, we introduced a new school uniform. Each year group in school has a different colour of polo shirt (replacing the previous shirt and tie). This is to help build community but also to support comfort alongside an eye to help minimise costs to families by reducing the number of items as part of the uniform. It has been well received with students commenting on how much more comfortable it is, and visitors remarking on how well the new uniform is being worn. The school day has been changed significantly to allow several different changes. The first is our approach to Pastoral support. We have replaced the previous, traditional, approach of a Tutor group in year groups, with Coaching ‘circles’. Each circle includes an adult and around 12 students made up from each of the different year groups. The focus is on helping to build a sense of belonging and community across the school. It is a significant change. Almost every member of staff, whether teaching or associate/support staff, is now a Coach and has a group of students. This helps reinforce the key point that all adults in school are there to support the outcomes and wellbeing of students, no matter what their role. It also means that each child is in small group of 12, rather than a form group that could often be over 30. The cross year group aspect is important as it helps to break down the traditional boundaries of a ‘year group’ and support the idea that we are one Parkside Community. It also provides the opportunities for older students to take more of a lead in the coaching activities. The idea of sitting in a circle is important. It changes the dynamic to one of equals and the activities that happen during this time are focussed on all students in the group participating and having their voice heard. With our new Year 7s being placed in one of over 90 coaching groups, their first day in school (and my first day with students in the building) was marked by a fantastic welcome where every member of staff was in the main hall to greet them on their first morning. That was a wonderful first experience not only for them, but me also, demonstrating the power of community within a school. A second change that the school day has allowed is the inclusion of Enrichment as part of the core school day a couple of days a week. There are a wide range of activities that are happening across the school, whether related to textiles, local walks,