BLOG #3

Welcome back and Happy New Year! I hope that you had a great time during the festive break. 

On behalf of all staff, I would like to pass on thanks to all parents that sent in gifts of appreciation to staff at the end of term. It was very much appreciated by all concerned.

We have started the year considering the word ‘impossible.’ The first assembly back reflected on the many things we now have, or do, that are taken for granted but were once thought impossible. Staff shared with pupils their own historic ‘impossibles.’ We also discussed some challenges that we all have in our future that may seem very daunting or impossible. The main message of the start of this new term is that anything is possible! Hard work, reflection and support where needed, means that whatever goal or challenge we each may set for ourselves, we can do it!

BLOG #1

Welcome back. It’s the start of a new academic year and a chance to be successful in lots of different ways. This has formed the basis of my first assembly back, where we discussed what success is and what it may look like. I was shocked that nobody recognised Jayden Ashman as part of this assembly, bearing in mind how popular Fortnite is, and that he had recently won £1.8 million in the Fortnite World Cup Finals. Please note I am not a player or fan of the game but came across this in the news! Our definition of success was not rooted in fame or fortune. It was firmly grounded in making a small change in the right direction, which can then lead to another and another etc. With this type of attitude, you can quickly become a great reader, artist, mathematician or be great in a sport of your choice.

As it is the start of the year please I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that just as in previous years, we do not expect you to take pupils on holidays (unless truly exceptional circumstances and agreed with us). This is detrimental for your son/daughters learning you do have the extended October break where better value holidays can be sourced. In similar fashion to last year, Mr Van and I will be personally seeing any parent that takes this course of action.

Thanks you for your support with this matter. 

BLOG #7 

Imagine the scene when all of the staff at Larwood School had to suddenly take a quick English and Maths test as part of an application process during a training session. This did actually happen and it was to enable staff to access and complete the Level 2 Certificate of Awareness of Mental Health Problems. So that pupils could see that we feel very similar to them when doing tests, all staff were asked to tick either a happy, O.K or sad face about how they felt when they had to do the tests. Unsurprisingly most ticks went into the sad face area, some in the OK and just one in the happy face area! The point that has been emphasised to pupils in assembly this week is that there are tests that we all have to complete in life. Most of us do not enjoy them however, we are all bound together by trying our best when we do have to complete a test. Pupils have been reminded this week to do their best and if they do, we will be very proud of them for doing just that.

Please note that a range of supportive measures have also been in place for this week and next week to help our pupils prepare for SAT’s.

BLOG #5 January was busy and packed full of fun things, and February looks the same!  

A cold and snowy day arrived on Friday! It is always a very difficult decision to close the school on such a day, but I do hope that all concerned appreciate that for many pupils, long taxi journeys on a variety of roads may lead to all sorts of issues. It is safety for all concerned that is the moist important aspect of such a decision.

As always there continues to be lots of activity here! The new Chris Quigley curriculum, is being used by staff and pupils and is being developed fantastically! You can find out more about by using this link:

Chris Quigley

There is also lots of information on our website here:

Larwood School: Curriculum 

If you would like to ask any questions about this, please do contact us and we will be happy to obliged.

During the last few weeks, we have seen some of our KS2 pupils take part in mini Olympics, Year 6 pupils visit London and see how the Police and their horses work and are cared for, a visit for younger pupils to Tring museum and a ‘rapid fire’ sporting event. We like to keep busy!

BLOG #3 This week started with a surprise announcement and moved onto a planned change.

Please see our release on the website with information about Sandra Barr winning the Governor of The Year Award, from Herts4Learning. This was fantastic news and was announced at the Hertfordshire Governors conference on Saturday. Sandra has and continue to be a key part of our schools development and always ensures that the very best quality of teaching, learning and development is being provided for our pupils.

Following confirmation that our residential unit is now closed, we have moved swiftly to change the space that was the residential area, to enable more pupils to join our school. Staffed by Mrs Williams, Mrs McKeever and Mrs Otero, The Space Hub, officially took off on Thursday 22nd November. To start with, it has been populated with five of our current pupils. Other new pupils will join the Hub in due course. This is a new area for our school and it will be an area, whereby pupils with autism will be taught in a different way to the rest of the school. This does not mean that every pupil with autism has to be part of the Hub. I am sure it will develop very quickly and no doubt, we will see some excellent progress form our pupils whilst they are there.

BLOG #1 Welcome back to all returning pupils, new pupils and to all of our families, working partners and members of our governing body.  The start of this year equals new opportunities, a new curriculum and many changes for our school as the year proceeds. My assembly on the first day back this year reminded pupils about such opportunities, but I also the link to the history of our school. Therefore, I told the story of Harold Larwood and the many qualities that he displayed as top cricketer in challenging and changing times. Our school motto of ‘achieve, believe, expect and enjoy’ would be something that I think Harold would have great empathy with. I am sure it will be another fantastic year ahead for all concerned.

Please note that I am sending out a letter at the end of the week beginning Friday 7^th September. It will provide you with information about a range of events and activities that will take place over the coming weeks and months. Please read!