Over the summer, our teaching staff worked hard to get classrooms ready—tidy, welcoming and set for learning. Our support staff were busy too, cleaning, fixing and improving our school site to make sure everything is safe and looking its best.

Fielding achieves high academic results year-on-year. But we know school is about more than just academic outcomes. Our pupils enjoy a wide range of opportunities in music, sport and character development. Our values-based living approach guides everything we do. It helps us all to be the best people we can be, in school and beyond.

However, there’s no room for complacency. Our governors and leaders are always looking for ways to improve. This week, staff took part in two days of training to launch our priorities for the year ahead. These priorities are based on what we know about our school’s strengths and areas to grow. They’re likely to match the new Ofsted framework, expected soon, reflecting national priorities for schools.

This year, we’re focusing on:

• Improving curriculum and teaching in computing, geography and RE
• Deepening adaptive teaching in all lessons to better meet the needs of all pupils
• Sharpening support for pupils with special educational needs through focused plan–do–assess–review cycles
• Using AI to help us work smarter—doing things better or quicker, and easing teacher workload
• Embedding and deepening the impact of our I Am A Clever Writer approach
• Refreshing and strengthening our understanding of Values-based Living—how it shapes our attitudes, choices and behaviour

To inspire us, we welcomed Dr Neil Hawkes and Jane Hawkes to lead part of our training. Dr Hawkes is a former headteacher, Oxford University researcher, and founder of the Values-based Education movement. His work has helped schools around the world build cultures of respect, honesty and compassion. Jane Hawkes is a skilled educator and trainer, working alongside Neil to help schools embed values deeply and meaningfully. One new member of staff said, "In my 12 years of being an educator this was the most useful, relevant, enriching and inspiring training I have had. It’s made me reflect on what I do and given me goals for this year. I hope I can do right by the children and make the school proud."

We're looking forward to an excellent year ahead.

Peter Dunmall