Monday, January 9th 2023 (Day 1)
- Introduction at the Breakfast Club
- Meeting the Community
On my first day as headteacher at Willaston School, I started off by joining the busy breakfast club and introducing myself to the students and staff. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Michael, the lollypop man, who is a well-known member of the community. The rest of the day was spent getting to know the school by visiting classrooms, meeting staff and students, and getting a feel for the overall environment. I will admit to feeling very nervous, but I settled in as the day progressed. The friendly children certainly helped put me at ease.
Tuesday, January 10th 2023 (Day 2)
- Site Walk with Caretaker
- First Staff Meeting
I began the day by taking a site walk with the caretaker to identify any issues, learn the fire escape routes, and explore the building. That afternoon, I led my first staff meeting, introducing myself, my background, my vision for the school, and identifying next steps, with a focus on improving the learning environment.
Wednesday, January 11th and Thursday, January 12th 2023 (Days 3 and 4)
- Staff Meetings
I spent Wednesday and Thursday conducting 1-2-1 meetings with staff to discover their views, ambitions, and career targets. It is always important to take the time to meet your new team properly as it helps you understand the soul of the school. People can relax, open up about the positives and share their ideas about the next steps the school should now take. By Friday, I had met with all staff and published my first newsletter of my tenure.
Friday, January 13th 2023 (Day 5)
- Staff Meetings
- First Newsletter
In my first 100 days as headteacher at Willaston School, my focus will be on improving the learning environment and getting to know the pupils, staff and community. As the weeks and months pass, no doubt I’ll turn my attention towards learning, teaching, and curriculum, too. My first week was spent getting to know the school and its community, and I am excited to continue this journey and make a positive impact at Willaston.