Inspirational learning
1. What do you like best about working with students at Cramlington Village Primary School? I really enjoy seeing the children learn in a fun and engaging way. 2. What is your favourite thing about being a Headteacher? There are always lots of fun things to do with the children. 3. Have you done any other jobs before? I have previously been a class teacher, I managed the Little Angels nurseries, and when very young I even worked in McDonalds. I’m a governor too in another school. 4. Can you describe for us a typical day in the life of a Headteacher? There isn’t a typical day! That’s what makes my job interesting. There are always lots of things happen that you don’t expect. 5. Which is your favourite event of the school year? We have so many exciting events in school! But my favourite is the school sports day that we have out on our field. 6. Have there been any highlights of stand-out moments for you in your time at Cramlington Village Primary School? There are too many highlights! It was a big moment when we officially opened our school entrance, however we also took our Year 5 class to London last year, which was very exciting. I also really enjoy the fireworks that we do every year. 7. What would be your favourite lesson to teach? Religious Education. 8. Have you ever taught in another school? I have taught in two other schools that are in Cramlington. 9. Why did you want to open a school? Whilst I was managing Little Angels, lots of parents wanted a school that would provide the same care. That’s when we started work on opening our own free school. 10. Is it hard being a headteacher? Why? It is very hard, because sometimes other people want things to be done in their own way. My job is to help everyone to put the children’s needs at the centre of what we do. THIS YEAR, our school has been using a new approach for our learning, and it has been a great hit with the pupils. This approach lets children do one large project for the term, which is opened with a big launch. Our big school topic for this half-term was “Who do we think we are?”. All of the classes have worked to create a commemorative book all about where we come from.
Years 1 and 2 have been looking at the local history of Cramlington’s railway, with a focus on the 1926 derailment of the Flying Scotsman, after they launched the year at York Railway museum. Local coal-mine workers derailed the train in Cramlington over issues with pay, and children met with a family member of one of the men involved, Ray Derrick.
Year 3 and 4 have been learning all about the local coal-mining history, as well as what mining looks like today. They visited Woodhorn Colliery to launch their topic, and have been working hard to recreate work from the Pitmen painters, and examined how to create perspective in their pieces of artwork.
Year 5 and 6 have been learning all about cells and DNA, and how this makes us who we are. They have also looked at the transport history of the area, and created models of boats and aeroplanes for their homework.