Praise for village school’s lessons in real world issues
THE headteacher at a primary school near Ashbourne has been reflecting on her first 12 months in charge as she looks forward to the new academic year.
Elise Piper-hadfield has been a teacher at Longford Cofe Primary School for six years but, in September 2021, she took over the headship from Philip Searson.
The school became part of the Embark Federation, which oversees 15 schools in the county, in August 2019 and Mrs Piper-hadfield and school staff have worked hard to diversify the curriculum taught at Longford over the past year, attracting praise from other schools in the county for making pupils aware of real-world issues.
“The subjects covered at our school centre around topics such as the current refugee crisis, female activists, Pride month and environmental issues,” said
Mrs Piper-hadfield, who also leads on mathematics, humanities and the curriculum at Longford Cofe Primary School.
“During October, we’ll have assemblies on Black History
Month and, earlier this year, we took part in the Faith Trail initiative – visiting multiple places of worship – organised by the Derby Open Centre. That was fantastic; we welcomed them into school, and the feedback from the children was really positive. I’ve had a few headteachers contact me asking to visit and for advice on how to make the curriculum in their schools more diverse.
“We love having visitors into school. Since last September, we’ve welcomed the High Sheriff of
Derbyshire and Gogglebox star Baasit Siddiqui into school, and our weekly ‘Commando Joe’ sessions are always popular.” Commando Joe is a company that has ex-military personnel delivering programmes within a school setting, that helps children develop their communication and leadership skills. They also focus the sessions around our core school of empathy, resilience, kindness, respect and co-operation.
“It’s important to me that we make the most of our external links with outside organisations and celebrate events, especially after two years of disruption due to Covid.”
There are currently 50 pupils on roll at Longford Cofe Primary School – their neighbours are cows in a field adjacent to the school - and Mrs Piper-hadfield says that this means that teaching is personalised, and that the school is very much part of the community in the village.
Mrs Piper-hadfield is currently inviting any parents who wish to visit the school or enquire about places (both in-year and for Reception
2023), to contact her personally – headteacher@longford.derbyshire. sch.uk.
Parents in Derbyshire can apply for a primary, infant or junior school place for their child through the Derbyshire County Council website from 9am on November 7. They have until January 15, 2023 to submit an application.