I need to start this blog with an apology as I’ve not submitted a blog for some time. I have quite a simple explanation – I’ve been so busy (more about this later). The time for us to leave Dean Street is fast approaching and as a team, we are beginning to think about what that will be like. Personally, I’m going to miss all the students and the Upper staff and I am really going to miss working with Miss Rodgers as we’ve been together for 2 ½ years!!!!!

So here we go …… the events of the past month. Just before Easter Miss Rodgers, Mr Coiffait (from Hawthorns) and myself went down to London to an Ofsted conference at Lords Cricket Ground. It was an interesting day as we looked at the new framework and how several schools really improved their schools – in many cases from requires improvement to outstanding. Luckily for Mr Coiffait, he was able to put this knowledge to the test this week as Hawthorns received the Ofsted call and were inspected on Thursday.

Conlons our building contractors have been busy working away at the new building, which is set to be completed in August. I will be writing to all parents and carers to confirm the transition plans and what our first week will look like. We will also be organising visits when the builders tell us that it’s safe to go and have a look. For the minute though, although the pictures don’t really do it justice, I can begin to see the classrooms and specialist areas really taking shape..

At Easter we hosted our Holiday Club. Mr Molloy and the staff team organised the group to cook breakfast and then burn off the calories at MAHDLO..

When we returned to school, we had some brilliant feedback from Corey’s placement at the Proud Trust. It was brilliant to hear,

Steph was really happy with him and has said that if he ever wants to return, they would love to have him back. Also, she has said if we have any other pupils who would like to do a placement there, they are more than happy to have them. 

Well done Corey !!!!

At Dean Street we are always thinking about others and this week we donated some coats to the homeless. The Cold Nights charity is a group we are hoping to work with when Springboard opens. Miss Mellor took some students up to Medtia to take the boxes. We just hope they are useful to someone.

Finally, this week Miss Rodgers and I had the privilege of taking some students to watch ’The Greatest Show’. The show was a Trust wide production and our boys opened the show with an amazing display of their trampolining skills. They were amazing – well done Mark, Connor and Leo and to the students who created the amazing animal costumes and props. It’s safe to say both myself and Miss Rodgers were blown away by the production (well done Performing Arts team!) but we were also really proud of the Dean Street boys who watched in appreciation of all the performers. So lunch with the heads came early to Daniel, Mitchell, Jacob, Nick and Levi.

As we move towards May there are lots of things to look forward to including parents’ evening on Tuesday, a tag rugby competition and Duke of Edinburgh’s residentials, not to mention a trip for me down to the Department for Education.

Happy Bank Holiday!

Mrs Tootill
Head of Springboard Project

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