R. J. Mitchell Primary School in Havering to receive International School Award for school improvement
After moving from the brink of closure eight years ago to producing great results now, R. J. Mitchell Primary School in Hornchurch Essex will receive an international award at 11am on Wednesday 13 February from EdisonLearning, specialist in school improvement strategies and support
R. J. Mitchell Primary School, a community school with 200 pupils, was under threat of closure and had received a low “satisfactory” rating from OFTSED. But after teaming up with EdisonLearning in 2007, the school is now among the best schools in the Havering area, achieving 97% in both English and mathematics.
But this is only part of the story. Along the way the school has put in place new strategies for staff team working, partnering with parents, tracking pupils’ progress, developing pupils’ personal, social & thinking skills, and monitoring & improving classroom teaching- a set of initiatives designed to work in combination to ensure sustainable school improvement.
Tim Nash, CEO of EdisonLearning, specialists in school improvement, will present the award. He comments: “The staff, pupils and parents at R.J. Mitchell Primary School all thoroughly deserve this award. Back in 2005, the school had some serious issues that we have worked hard together to rectify and members of the school community now have confidence in themselves. We are delighted to celebrate their success.”
Key issues addressed at the school include staff cohesion, systems of leadership and assessment, and pupil and family support. Leadership has now been distributed more widely with greater accountability, and assessments are used to inform teaching and planning to accelerate pupil progress. The needs of every child are central to the way the school operates, and the views of pupils and parents are taken into account to meet individual needs.
Barry Read, Headteacher of R. J. Mitchell Primary School, comments: “Receiving this award is absolutely fantastic. We have a great team here and it’s recognition of all the hard work we’ve put in. There is no doubt that the input and guidance from EdisonLearning has made a big difference. Solutions such as Student & Family Support Systems and Achievement Team Meetings have ensured that no child or family falls through the net. The input of the Achievement Advisers has also been crucial in moving the school forward. Their ability to analyse key data and keep the school informed of educational changes has helped us to keep on top of a shifting system. We used to spend much of our time fighting fires, but now we are planning strategically for the long term. We are hopeful with all the improvements that we will move towards our next goal of an outstanding OFSTED rating.”
The presentation of the award will take place at 11am on Wednesday 13 February 2013 at the school in Tangmere Crescent, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 5PP. Tim Nash and Barry Read are both available for interviews.
For further information about EdisonLearning, visit www.edisonlearning.net or call 01376 562953.
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