EDITORIAL WE N A T I O N A L P R E S I D E N T
W
elcome to the beginning of another school year. For BERNADETTE HUNTER many of us, this will be a time when we are welcoming new families into our schools and helping children and parents to settle quickly into routines in order to make a good start to learning. Managing the transition to new year groups and teachers also provides opportunities for us to engage with parents and help them at www.naht.org.uk/familyaction. to give their children the best support they can with learning. Sadly, This is going to be another demanding year, particularly in the we all know that there are children in our schools who are not ready areas of curriculum and assessment, but the NAHT will continue to learn every day, often because their families have been unable to to provide you with high-quality advice and guidance on all current provide them with the physical and emotional resources they need issues. You can read about how the NAHT is leading the way with a in order to access learning. profession-led approach to assessment in Russell’s article (page 21). The NAHT is working closely with Family Action, a charity that Finally, in the face of all the challenges we are grappling with, it supports some of the most disadvantaged families in the country, is good to remember to celebrate the successes that happen every to raise awareness of the impact of family life on learning. An day in our schools. You can read about many examples in this article on page 24 explains how schools can support this valuable edition of Leadership Focus. Ranging from the smallest learning work by holding a fundraising ‘Dressed down, ready to learn’ step for an individual child to transforming schools, school leaders day. You can also read more about the series of joint leaflets we make significant and positive differences to the lives of students, to have produced and an exciting set of assemblies to help children families and to the system. We should be proud of that achievement. understand the importance of being ready to learn on our website
WELCOME
LEADING CHANGE
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ASSOCIATION / EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES NAHT 1 Heath Square, Boltro Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1BL www.naht.org.uk Tel: 01444 472 472 Editorial board: Russell Hobby, Bernadette Hunter, Gail Larkin, Steve Iredale, Stephen Watkins, Lesley Gannon, Magnus Gorham, Paul Whiteman, Clare Cochrane and Caroline Morley @nahtnews
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Leadership Focus is published by Redactive Publishing Limited on behalf of the NAHT 17 Britton Street, London EC1M 5TP www.redactive.co.uk Tel: 020 7880 6200 Email: naht@redactive.co.uk
EDITORIAL TEAM Managing editor: Steve Smethurst Sub editor: Carly Chynoweth Redesign: Mark Parry Senior picture editor: Claire Echavarry Production manager: Jane Easterman Cover illustration: Giles Mead Columnist illustrations: Lyndon Hayes Printed by: Wyndeham Heron
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ISSN: 1472–6181 © Copyright 2013 NAHT All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication, neither the publisher nor the NAHT can accept responsibility for any inaccuracies or changes since compilation, or for consequential loss arising from such changes or inaccuracies, or for any other loss, direct or consequential, arising in connection with information in this publication. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the publishers. The views herein are not necessarily those of the publisher, the editor or the NAHT.
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