North West London

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW Highlighting best practice

Allfarthing Primary School

The wider curriculum plays an important part A llfarthing Primary School is a two-form entry school in the heart of Wandsworth, London. A school that ten years ago had been “outstanding” needed to reinvigorate itself and find its love of teaching and learning again. Pupil premium is around the national average, 20 per cent, with a higher proportion in Key Stage 2 than Key Stage 1 as a result of mobility. Head teacher Tom Holmes discusses the changes that have been implemented and how they have contributed to the school’s recent turnaround. Having worked in “outstanding” schools previously, I was seeking a school that fitted my skill set and was ambitious to improve. I joined in January 2017, having been appointed in July 2016. The consultant head teacher informed me in the early part of the summer holidays that the school was not on the right path. There were numerous issues that needed ironing out, both strategically and at ground level. The perception of the school in the local community needed to change and it quickly became apparent that the school needed to redefine itself. I had to do a lot of listening to staff and parents as it was important to listen and digest a range of views. Transforming management and teaching and learning When I joined the school, there were four supply teachers and two classes without teachers. From the start, the recruitment of staff, in particular class teachers, would be crucial to school improvement. I focused much of my first term recruiting hard for the following September; together with the supply teachers

Tom Holmes, head teacher

REPORT CARD Allfarthing Primary School » » Head teacher: Tom Holmes » » Based in Wandsworth » » Type of school: Community primary school » » No. of pupils: 406 » » No. of staff: 65 » » 15 classes, including a nursery » » Children leave to a range of schools in the state and independent sector » » The school houses were named after local roads – the children even voted on them » » www.allfarthing.org.uk

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