Today parents across the UK found out where their children would attend school come September

Parents experienced a range of emotions as they realised it is now just four and a half months

Four and a half months until their babies start school

We now have four and a half months until our babies start school again

I am feeling blessed to have one last summer of play with the twins

Before they go off … again … to school

We chose Esther and William’s school the day we bought our house

Our beautiful family home

At the heart of a rural village

Opposite a tiny idyllic school

When I was training to be a teacher in Cumbria

I worked in tiny schools

Schools with two classes

Schools with four

Schools that sold milk and bread, stamps and papers in their reception every morning

In lieu of a village shop

Schools that held a termly quiz night

In lieu of a village pub

I had seen first hand how a school can be the heart of a community

I was very disappointed to learn that our little church school

Was not like that at all

As a teacher and a parent

Now as a governor

I know as Ofsted do

That this school requires improvement

It is clear to see that this is not a school at it’s best

And yet I choose to send my children there anyway

Why?

Because it is our local school

And it deserves our support

It is a school with enormous potential

And

How can a school ever improve

Become the beating heart it should be

Without the support of the families around it?

It may not be the best school in our local area

It may not have the greatest, most up to date resources

The level of teaching may not always be good let alone outstanding

But

The school is on our doorstep

Literally

I can stand at my window and watch my children play

The school has a passionate and professional leadership team

Who want things to improve

The school has passionate and caring parents

Who want to drive the school forward

The staff and the parents care not only about stats, figures and results

They care about developing the whole child

As part of a true community, family school

And in our personal situation it has been clearly shown

That this is a school that puts the needs of the children

And their families

First

I believe in local schools for local families

And here are some of the reasons why

1.We do not leave our house until 8.45 in the morning and we are home by half past three

2. We walk to school every day and every day we walk home

3. I can see my children play on the playground

4. I can be with my children within minutes if something goes wrong

5. I can pop over to school to help in class, talk to teachers and other staff, join assemblies, have lunch

6. All the staff know my children and talk to me about them when they see me. They know who we are, where we live and what our family history is

7. The children Esther and William go to school with all live close by and are part of a wider community beyond the school gates. I hope they will find friendships that last for life

8. I believe that children who are supported at home, with parents who respect and value our state education system, will do well at school

9. Education is about so much more than school

10. I believe the whole community benefits when local children grow up together in the local school

11. I want to be able to contribute to the school as a parent, a governor and a local resident

12. I believe in my children and am certain they will do well no matter what school they attend

13. I know that they will learn at school but they will learn much more at home and from the world and people around them

14. I want my children to understand society, to mix with children of all races and classes, to be prepared for the world outside of the classroom, to be in a school that reflects the community we live in

15. I believe that good parenting is more important than a good school

I am looking forward to our education adventure

I am looking forward to Esther and William starting school

I am looking forward to playing my part as a parent and a governor

I can’t wait for class assemblies and school plays

I want to go into school and hear children read

I want to help with lessons and homework

I want to take an active role

In developing a love of learning in my children

As their education adventure begins

David and I are both keen to do all we can

For Esther and William

In memory of Tilda

For Bea

We are keen

Not just to keep the school alive but see it thrive

We want to do this for our children

But also because we truly believe in the state school system

Because we can see the potential that a good / outstanding village school can offer

On a selfish note, when my children are older

I would very much like to teach at the school

And continue to help the school achieve its potential in that way.