Getting a school out of Special Measures is not just about Data

At break time on Friday 10^th November 2017 at Sandown Bay Academy the whole school came together on the school playground to hold a 2-minute silence at 11 a.m., listen to a poem on Remembrance and the playing of the Last Post. 

As Associate Headteacher, recruited to help bring the school out of special measures, Colin was extremely proud to have organised and led the event. It was an example of what can be achieved when every member of a school community collaborates and acts collectively with a common goal in mind.  It demonstrated how undertaking an activity in such a way can have a powerful effect on everyone present and help in the work to create a different culture in a school. 

In this case, it was justification of a leadership decision aimed at “raising the bar” and having the highest expectations of the students.  Such an approach to the Remembrance silence had never been undertaken at the school. Previously, the 2 minute silence had been observed during lesson time by teachers and students, in the middle of a lesson - to some extent as a "stop what you are doing - remembrance 2 minutes silence - back to where you were.." resulting in limited impact in some cases.  There were staff who were sceptical about the proposed arrangements but subsequently acknowledged they had got it wrong when all the students were reflective, fully engaged and the silence and the Last Post were undertaken immaculately. It was commented by one teacher that “It showed just how far the school had come in a very short period of time.”

It is hoped that this example of having high expectations is a catalyst for further raising standards and aspirations in many other aspects of the life of the school.

The poem read out is below:

Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?

Selling poppies in town today.

The poppies, child, are flowers of love.

For the men who marched away.

But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?

Why not a beautiful rose?

Because my child, men fought and died

In the fields where the poppies grow.

But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?

Why are the poppies so red?

Red is the colour of blood, my child.

The blood that our soldiers shed.

The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy.

Why does it have to be black?

Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.

For the men who never came back.

But why, Mummy are you crying so?

Your tears are giving you pain.

My tears are my fears for you my child.

For the world is forgetting again.

(Anon)