The Nutshell w/e 1st May

Dear Parents,

Following my end of Spring Term letter and the staffing update shared within it, I am now able to confirm the internal appointments to two of the roles that were still in process at that time. I referred to these broadly as our data roles, and I am pleased to now share some detail.

From September, Diane Watanabe will take on the role of Head of Assessment and Learning. This role leads the translation of assessment and data into improved teaching, learning and pupil outcomes across the school, working directly with teachers to raise standards and support progress.

Alongside this, Roma Phillimore will take on the role of Head of Data and Performance. This role leads the analysis and interpretation of pupil performance data, ensuring that attainment and progress are clearly understood and used to inform teaching, intervention and decision-making across the school. Roma will also continue in her current role as Head of Maths, now as Director of Maths.

These appointments now complete our Education Leadership Team for September 2026. It is a strong and well-balanced group, bringing together a wide range of experience, perspectives and expertise. We are excited about what this team will bring, and the difference it will make for our pupils as we continue to strengthen all aspects of school life.

In the meantime, we find ourselves in a familiar period of waiting for a phone call. This term, we are due for our three-yearly inspection, this time under the new framework. As you may be aware, this framework no longer includes graded judgements; instead, it focuses on how well schools meet the required standards, alongside the quality of education, leadership, and pupils’ wellbeing and development. Reports are framed around whether these standards are met, with clear next steps to support ongoing improvement, and, where appropriate, recognition of particular strengths.

As I have been preparing for meetings with inspectors, I have found myself reflecting on just how much has taken place over the past three years. It felt timely to share some of this with you, as part of that reflection on what we have developed together as a community.

This includes the continued evolution of our educational approach, from our work around the Learning Wheel to increasingly adaptive classroom practice. Alongside this, pupils have taken a leading role in initiatives such as our SDG projects and the Kindness Collective (formerly the Hygiene Hub). We have also continued to build connections with families through Parent Insights, and to strengthen partnerships with organisations such as the Orpheus Centre, the Lucy Rayner Foundation and other charities.

We have also made a number of developments to the school environment. These include the addition of Reception at the Hazelwood site, the expansion of the Nursery with enhanced leadership and refurbished spaces, and wider improvements such as outdoor play areas, flexible classrooms, the Ruth Bourne Building, the redevelopment of the pond area, and enhancements to DT and Food Technology provision, alongside the Wellbeing Hub and Hazelwood Assessment Centre.

We are also very grateful to the Hazelwood Parents’ Association (HPA) for their continued support. Their funding this year has played a significant role in moving forward our SDG work, from outdoor learning spaces and Forest School development to the Kindness Collective, extending opportunities for our pupils and the wider community.

Alongside these developments, our pupils continue to move on successfully to a range of senior schools, with recent outcomes reflecting the progress made, particularly in Years 7 and 8. We have also continued to invest in the development of our leadership team and to think carefully about how best to evolve our approach to education.

We will, of course, let you know when the call comes. With just 24 hours’ notice, we are ready and very much looking forward to showcasing our work, as well as reflecting on our next steps as we continue to refine and improve what we offer our children and wider community. The inspection will take place over two and a half days, and the children’s experience in school should continue very much as normal.

Wishing you all a lovely bank holiday weekend.

With best wishes,

Lindie

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