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By quarter past nine the children were on our school field. Warmly dressed in their tracksuits, rugby shirts, duffle coats, kagoules, wellies, scarves, gloves and hats they charged out with enormous enthusiasm. As the saying goes, “there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothes”.

Those who wanted to throw snowballs had a lesson on ’safe snowballs’. Those who wanted to build snowmen or make snow angels spread to the corners of the field. One of the staff had brought in a sledge and the children took it in turns to slide down our ‘hill’.

The children worked as teams to roll enormous bodies and heads for the snowmen. Then Mr Rob, our site agent carefully lifted the heads up. Mrs Parry provided us with carrots and apricots for eyes and noses.

Red cheeks and sparkling eyes were dotted all over the field. “Is it holiday club?” asked Miguel.

At half past ten I persuaded the last wet and happy stragglers to come back into school for steaming mugs of hot chocolate.

Refreshed and rejuvenated the children went back to their classrooms to write about, draw and paint their memories of the snow.

As I write I can smell lunch about to be served, after that I think we will be back on the field …

Today will give our children memories which will last for a lifetime. For those who missed it have a look at our photographs on our website

www.pilgrims-school.info

Maxine Shaw
Headteacher, Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School

The children were ushered in through the front door and the excitement was palpable as they surveyed their ‘outdoor pool’. There was no point in pretending that the children were going to achieve anything productive so my brave Deputy Head put on her waterproofs and took her class outside to wade, splash and jump in the enormous puddle. Others followed suit, my nursery teacher in a particularly fetching in a Minnie Mouse waterproof cape!

Laughter and learning filled the playground. Why was the water deeper in one place than another? Why did it feel so cold when it flowed over the top of your wellies and then why did it warm up so quickly? Why did fresh drops of water make circular ripples on the surface? Where had it come from and where was it going to go? Why was it so much harder to walk through the water than across a dry playground?

The caretaker didn’t have quite the same enthusiasm for the puddles and rang the drain busters. Luckily for us it rained so heavily that they had to stop working several times and take shelter inside.

Afterwards with steaming clothes drying and children warm and dry in their tracksuits one of the children (who is five years old) said to his teacher,

“Please can we write about it? Please? Please? Please?”

The resulting writing was outstanding. The children were desperate to share their ideas and learning with no encouragement needed from the teacher.

We could have sat them down to a literacy hour, trying to focus their attention when something so much better was happening outside. Sometimes you need to recognise when nature is offering you an opportunity and jump in with both feet (on this occasion quite literally!) The results may well surprise you.

One of the hardest decisions you will make is the school you choose for your child. Education is the gateway to life. If you get it right your child will thrive. They will enjoy school and develop a thirst for knowledge. They will be encouraged to develop and excel in the subjects they are talented at. They will receive support and encouragement to allow them to succeed in the areas which are more of a challenge. If you get it wrong they will be disappointed by what is on offer, they may be frustrated by the lack of challenge or overwhelmed by the enormity of it.

Over the past fourteen years I have visited almost 100 schools, both in a professional capacity and as a prospective parent. They are two very different hats to wear but whichever role I am in I always get an overwhelming feel for a school which is based on two key thoughts. Would I enjoy working here and would my children enjoy being here? Sometimes I get a different answer for each question!

During the autumn term I visited 7 schools with my parent hat on, some maintained and some independent. I was staggered by the differences between them. At one school I listened to the Head Teacher talk about excellent results and facilities but with little mention of the children he was educating. In another the Head competed with a firework display which appeared to be directly outside the window on the school playground. In a third the only adult who spoke to me was the school secretary who introduced me to a Year 8 guide who then showed my husband and I around the school. I have to say that her explanation about why children were not in classrooms was probably more honest than that we would have received from a teacher!

In another school I heard how the Head took a real pride in the achievement of his pupils and in another there was a celebration of the fact that it is acceptable to want to be the best and to strive for success.

My advice to parents who are looking for schools is this:

• Look carefully at each prospectus and school website.
• Visit all of the schools you are considering.
• Consider the way the school looks; Are the displays stimulating? Do they value the children’s work? Do the children look after the school buildings and grounds?
• Read the most recent inspection report.
• Talk to the Head Teacher and the children; if possible observe the way the children interact with the Head.
• Are they happy and focussed in their classes?
• Find out about the school’s policy on discipline, does it match your views?
• Talk to friends about their children’s experiences but do not be overly influenced by the views of others, remember you know your child better than anyone else.
• Consider the schools’ academic results and their other achievements.
• Discuss the range of extra curricular opportunities available.
• Discuss the school’s provision for gifted and talented children and for those who need extra academic support.
• Don’t be scared to take a list of questions with you or to request a second visit to discuss any issues you may have.
• Listen to your child’s view - if they are old enough to express one.
• Listen to your heart as well as your head.

So which of the schools I visited was the best?

That is the tricky part because there is no right answer. In the same way that every school is different so is every child. The school I choose for my eldest daughter may not necessarily be right for my son, or my youngest daughter (who is a real individual (beware if a teacher describes your child in this way!).)

I looked for the school where I felt my daughter would be the happiest. Where her strengths would be celebrated and where there would be a range of opportunities for her to explore her creative talents and her passions for sport. The academic results are important and so are the facilities but it is the ‘feel’ of the school that really makes a difference.

One of the prospective parents who visited Pilgrims said to me that it was a bit like buying a house. You walked in and you just knew that your child would be happy. After all if your child is happy then all the other pieces have a much better chance of falling into place.

My mother chose wisely for me, she also coped remarkably well with my purple hair and motorbike….!

Mrs Maxine Shaw
Headteacher, Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School, Bedford

7.45 My pride and joy, a 1972 Beetle has decided that today is not the day to start. After several attempts to fire the engine, which culminate in me flooding it, I give up and head back into the house for my bicycle.

8.00 Having dressed in a straight knee length skirt and having not had time to change I discover on arrival at school that I cannot dismount from my bicycle with any degree of decorum. As I swing my leg over the frame I catch my heel and fall into the bicycle next to mine on the rack. The car park is full of parents who smile politely at my performance. The children are not quite as restrained in their responses!

9.00 It is the day of the school photographs which is a logistical nightmare at the best of times. We have decided to use a new company who will handle all of the orders online. The photographer is late and the parents are disgruntled as some of them have brought part time children in specifically to have their pictures taken. He finally arrives half an hour after he was due but he is not as experienced with young children as the previous photographer and the day looks set to be a long one.

9.30 I observe a teacher as part of the school monitoring programme. She is teaching her class of six year olds where and when to use commas. The children are quick to understand the idea and are soon settled peacefully completing the tasks they have been set, sharing ideas and generating lists to punctuate.

10.30 It is the children’s favourite assembly of the week, ‘Open the Book’ are visiting and the children, as always, are mesmerised by the story being told.

10.45 I watch as one of my wonderful classroom assistants takes the parachute out for playtime. It is like a magnet and before it is fully unfolded she is surrounded by children all eager to join in with the games she organises. No squabbles this playtime as the children are so engrossed in the activities on offer.

12.00 Having dealt with my correspondence I am delighted to work with my little group of Owls, children who have been identified as gifted and talented readers. They visit me once a week to discuss a selection of books they have read over the week. One child has learnt the Greek alphabet and another is keen to tell me the capital city of every European country. We explore the new books together and talk about which ones they want to read first and why.

12.30 It is no good, the children will have to have lunch before the photographer finishes. This does not bode well as there is gravy and custard on the menu. I have a working lunch with my deputy and hope that the children’s aim when eating miraculously improves.

1.30 The school is calm. The youngest children are having naps and the older children are enjoying their lessons. In the toddler room Jacob takes me to see his garage and shows me how to shut the doors and use the sounds effects. In kindergarten Ethan tells me all about having his photograph taken. One Reception class is in the ICT suite, engrossed in drawing pictures and adding words. Year One are writing stories with a beginning, middle and end. The Year Two children are having their art afternoon, working on some fabulous repeating designs based upon the work of William Morris. I spot one or two pictures to add to the collection of the children’s work that I have in my room. The photographer continues…

2.00 I start to tackle my urgent tray but a knock at the door allows me to stop and admire Henry’s fabulous writing. Back to the urgent tray and Elliot comes to tell me that he has fallen over and hurt his knee, but I don’t need my cement mixer as he hasn’t made a hole in the playground. I check on the photographer, he has nearly finished the Reception children.

3.00 A member of staff comes to see me; it seems unlikely that the photographer will finish today….My PA reminds me that I need to complete the newsletter today as I am in a meeting on Friday and I will therefore need to proof read the final copy tomorrow. Rob the site agent tells me in his wonderful Irish accent that he will need his ‘turmals’ tomorrow. After several minutes of confusion he explains that it is due to the cold.

3.15 Tom brings me his newly completed hand puppet and is delighted with his sticker which he insists I place on his back.

3.30 I join the parents on the playground as they wait for their children to tumble out of school and fill them in on their busy days. The last class are a few minutes late as they are… having their photographs taken.

4.00 The school is still busy as children start their after school clubs and activities.

5.30 I sweep the papers off my desk back into the urgent tray. I check that no one is watching and clamber on to my bicycle to head off home. A quick turn around and out I head to drop my eldest daughter off at Brownies for 6pm.

8.00 The children are in bed. My husband is cooking supper and I am writing my newsletter. Just a normal happy day really!

Mrs Maxine Shaw
Headteacher
Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School