Values-conscious schools have seen improved behaviour, increased confidence and capacity, and better spiritual, moral social and cultural education. These underpin effective learning and higher standards.
The sun is streaming in the window at the back of the hall. The school staff are smiling, suntanned and relaxed, bearing witness to the long days of summer sun. What a different energy from the one I felt in this room 3 short months ago. We are here to look forward to the coming year, determined to hang on to all that is special about this school, in the face of the challenges and opportunities of a new school year which includes the start of a 2-year re-build and whatever new initiatives Mr Gove identifies next. For me, this is the culmination of 9 months’ work supporting this school to re-define its values.
‘Bother’, I thought; ‘I can’t see how to open this to check the fuse.’ The 4-way adapter had died. The on-light was not illuminated, so I wanted to open it and check the internal fuse. No time at the moment. I left it 2 days. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t mend itself. ‘ A trip to Argos’, then, I thought, mildly irritated. Then, ‘Hang on’, I said to myself; ‘what about changing the fuse in the plug?’ Hey presto! It worked and I have to confess I felt rather smug at having saved myself time and money by replacing the fuse in the plug (time 2 seconds; money: approx. 10p) rather than walking (happily, I can) to Argos (time 15 minutes; money about £15.00).