Pott Shrigley Church School

A Message from Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett, followed by Pott Shrigley Church School's best practice article

The ability to listen and learn from one another has always been vital in parliament, in business and in most aspects of daily life. But at this particular moment in time, as national and global events continue to reiterate, it is uncommonly crucial that we forge new channels of communication and reinforce existing ones. The following article from Pott Shrigley Church School is an attempt to do just that. We would welcome your thoughts on this or any other Parliamentary Review article.

Rt Hon The Lord David Blunkett

Rt Hon The Lord Eric Pickles

www.pottshrigleycs.co.uk

1POTT SHRIGLEY CHURCH SCHOOL |

BEST PRACTICE SPONSOR 2020

Headteacher Joanne Bromley

A school and a

village hall

Pott Shrigley Church School is situated within the beautiful

surroundings of the Peak District National Park. It has

been a small rural school for over 400 years, and its school

building doubles as the local village hall. It also houses a bar in

the basement and has close links to St Christopher’s Church.

According to Headteacher Joanne Bromley, it is “a school truly

at the heart of the community”.

With a current school roll of 24 children, the unique environment feels more like an

extended family. The children themselves advertise our school simply by stating: if

you come here, you will feel loved.

In the beginning

Starting as headteacher in September 2018, I inherited the legacy of a school

which had faced closure and was held together by staff who, alongside parents,

governors and the local community, had fought to keep the school open. Children

in year 6 had already experienced four different head teachers. It was clear that

some calm management, consistency and strong direction was required. Very early

on, we worked with the children on their behaviour and treatment of each other

to reinforce Christian values – treat each other as you would wish to be treated, be

kind always. This is our second golden rule and my personal favourite.

Over the course of the year, we explored a number of different Christian values and

decided on three that we would live by: koinonia, compassion and respect. Our

vicar, Reverend David, played an important role in this process as our connection

with St Christopher’s Church is so strong. Parents and governors helped to choose

REPORT CARD

POTT SHRIGLEY CHURCH

SCHOOL

»Headteacher: Joanne Bromley

»Founded in 1492

»Located in Pott Shrigley,

Cheshire

»Type of school: Village school

»No. of pupils: 24

»www.pottshrigleycs.co.uk

Pott Shrigley

ChurchSchool

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

Highlighting best practice

2| POTT SHRIGLEY CHURCH SCHOOL

a new mission statement: “Be kind

and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other, just as in Christ,

God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

A different way of working

Staff worked together to establish

ways of teaching which would fulfil the

demands of the national curriculum

while also catering for the needs our

children. Teaching four different year

groups in one class requires great

skill and creativity on the part of the

teacher. It also builds on our Christian

values of compassion and respect

as older children work with younger

children and develop mentoring skills

which they can carry forward to later

life. Younger children are exposed

to a wider range of language and

experiences than they might otherwise

be. Consequently, the impact on their

progress is remarkable. Age is not a

limitation here.

Over the past year, we have embedded

good learning behaviours so that

children can gain the skills they need to

be able to deepen their understanding.

Facing challenges and being able to

explain their methods was something

which the children struggled with

at first. A combination of rewarding

perseverance and engagement, giving

children the right vocabulary and clever

use of technology has enabled our

children to become more proficient at

problem solving and reasoning. We are

privileged to be able to teach children

according to what they need, including

those with SEN, in order for them to

reach their full potential.

Inside and out

One of the challenges we face is that

the building we work in isn’t actually

our own – it is the village hall. This

presents opportunities and challenges.

We enjoy collaborating with the village

for the annual Christmas Fair and

Rose Queen Fete and benefit from

the use of technology when Flix in the

Stix enable us to have our own movie

nights. However, the building isn’t just

old and difficult to maintain: it is not

designed for purpose. Consequently,

our toilets are downstairs, and the

children have no access to a wet area

Forest School at New

Hey Farm

The children

themselves

advertise our

school simply

by stating: if

you come

here, you will

feel loved

“

3POTT SHRIGLEY CHURCH SCHOOL |

BEST PRACTICE SPONSOR 2020

upstairs. We are continually mindful

that our environment is used for other

village purposes. We are fortunate that

the chair of the village hall trustees is

an advocate and therefore our alliance

is based on true partnership and

mutual respect.

We make the most of our location

on the edge of the Peak District, by

committing to learning outside the

classroom. Every Friday afternoon,

the whole school leaves the building

to learn in a different environment

and in a different way. Forest school

is our favourite activity, but we also

go climbing, practise yoga and enjoy

water sports in the beautiful Goyt

Valley. During the autumn term,

we have been visiting a local farm

learning about trees, using a night

vision camera to see mammals and

learning about the sheep on the

farm. As a school, we believe that

this kind of experience enhances

the children’s social, emotional and

mental wellbeing, teaches them how

to manage risk, builds resilience and

bravery and encourages cooperation.

Not least, it gives them an appreciation

of their place in the world, increases

their environmental awareness and

helps them to build a sustainable

relationship with the outdoors.

Moving forwards

The most pressing challenge we face is

the cuts to school budgets and the new

Fairer Funding Formula. It is not fairer

for small rural schools and we do not

have enough money to run the school.

We rely on funding from grants,

our fantastic PTA and a reduction in

basic services, such as cleaning the

school, to avoid a deficit budget. Our

local authority acknowledge that it

is difficult to manage with such low

pupil numbers. It will continue to be

so unless the government properly

supports rural schools financially,

acknowledging that they are vital to

the communities theyserve.

As the new Ofsted framework

changes the focus to a broad,

balanced curriculum and expert subject

leadership, this presents yet another

challenge for small schools. With only

three teachers, including myself, we

intend to work with governors to

develop our curriculum and a rolling

programme of subject leadership.

This way, we can give each area the

attention it deserves while maintaining a

work-life balance for staff. We also hope

to continue our excellent relationships

with other rural church schools to share

expertise and CPDopportunities.

Age is not a

limitation here

“

Inspiring a love of

learning

www.pottshrigleycs.co.uk

This article was sponsored by Pott Shrigley Church School. The Parliamentary Review is wholly funded by the representatives who write for it.

Rt Hon Michael Gove's Foreword For The Parliamentary Review

By Rt Hon Michael Gove

This year's Parliamentary Review comes at a momentous time for parliament, as we collectively determine the destiny of the United Kingdom.

On October 31, the UK will leave the European Union. The successful implementation of this process is this government's number-one priority.

Three years after a historic referendum vote, we will deliver on the decisive mandate from the British people. Trust in our democracy depends on it. Until that final hour, we will work determinedly and diligently to negotiate a deal, one that abolishes the backstop and upholds the warm and close relationship we share with our friends, allies and neighbours in the EU. But in the event that the EU refuses to meet us at the table, we must be prepared to leave without a deal.

As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, it is my job to lead on this government's approach, should that scenario happen. Preparing for Brexit is my department's driving mission. But while I am leading this turbocharged effort, the whole of government is committed to this endeavour.

Ministers across Whitehall are working together to ensure that every possibility is considered, every plan is scrutinised and every provision is made. A daily drumbeat of meetings means that we are holding departments accountable, so that preparations are completed on time.

The chancellor has confirmed that all necessary funding will be made available. And we have mobilised thecivil service, assigning 15,000 of our most talented civil servants to manage our exit from the EU.

We will make sure that on November 1, there is as little disruption to national life as possible. Our trade relationships will continue to thrive, thanks to agreements with countries around the world worth £70 billion. Our country will remain secure, thanks to nearly 1,000 new officers posted at our borders. And the 3.2 million EU nationals now living and working among us can remain confident, with absolute certainty, of their right to remain in the UK.

Above all, our goal is to be transparent. Soon, we will launch a public information campaign so that citizens, communities and businesses are ready and reassured about what will happen in the event of “no deal”.

In my first few weeks in this role, I have travelled to ports and tarmacs, borders and bridges, all across the UK –from the seaside of Dover to the rolling green hills of County Armagh. I have heard from business owners and border officials, farmers and hauliers. They are ready to put an end to uncertainty. And they are ready to embrace the opportunities ahead.

Our departure from the EU will be a once in a lifetime chance to chart a new course for the United Kingdom. Preparing for that new course will be a herculean effort. But this country has made astounding efforts before. We can do it again.

Rt Hon Michael Gove
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster