A calm HEAD

Q How long have you been Head of Eton End School?

A I’ve been in post since September 2022. I was attracted to the role as being part of a real community is important to me as a school leader. Eton End has a strong heritage of being a caring and nurturing school, I could see opportunities to enhance this further and create a Prep school with a di erence.

Q At an early age, how do you look to inspire a love for learning?

A We are passionately committed to preserving and celebrating childhood while o ering an academic environment in which children feel psychologically safe to embrace challenge and be the best that they can be. Young children have a natural curiosity and desire to learn; too often the school system eliminates that over the years as they are driven down a knowledge, assessment-based curriculum. At Eton End, we believe that children’s interests should be harnessed to create active, enquiry-based learners who aspire to challenge themselves.

Q How would you say the curriculum evolves through the year groups?

A In The Nest (our Nursery), pupils discover the sheer joy of learning and finding out through play, supported and encouraged by sta to ‘have a go’. In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, a child’s learning will be supported in our calm classroom environment. Communication and creative thinking skills are developed alongside key academic learning around an exciting, well-planned and richly resourced theme-based curriculum with specialist teaching including art, robotics and coding, gym, swimming and games. Moving into Prep, our broad curriculum engages and enthuses the children to discover new talents and interests. They have the opportunity for sport, music, drama, technology, art, history, geography and languages – all within an environment that actively supports their health and wellbeing. etonend.org

Q What would we find in a class?

A Children will always achieve their best when they have a sense of emotional and psychological safety as well as being physically comfortable. You would see happy and confident students in a creative, inspirational, safe environment. At Eton End, it is more about what you won’t see that makes us di erent; the traditional classroom is no longer the norm here.

Q Tell us about the new ‘calm classrooms’...

A Designed and created by a team of professional child therapists and based on research which shows that children learn best in a calm, comfortable environment, the calm classrooms are decorated in neutral colours, with comfortable seating, ambient lighting and a feeling of space. Inclusive and supportive of mental health and wellbeing, work is celebrated in a unique way through scrapbooks or frames on the wall. Round tables support collaboration and interaction, replicating the world outside the school building that we are preparing our children to enter. Classrooms all have an area where the children can relax, read and self-regulate.

Q Why were these changes needed?

A Since becoming Head, I have been conducting a listening exercise involving children, parents and sta , looking at how we can improve the school environment. When I spoke to the children about their learning environment, the thing they wanted to change most of all was the chairs. It sounds like a small thing, but it was obviously a big thing for them. It made me go back and completely re-think how we organise our classrooms and learning spaces. Our world is changing, the way we educate our children needs to change to keep up and ensure they are equipped for a world beyond our school gates.

Q What else do you o er outside of the classroom that aids a pupil’s wellbeing?

A We developed our Sunny Selves initiative, focused on the importance of enjoying solid sleep, fabulous food, a love of learning, real relationships and mindful moments. We also do Weekend Walks, Saturday Socials and West End family theatre trips o ering families and sta the opportunity to spend time together in a way that builds our school community.

Q When pupils leave you at 11, what are they prepared for?

A Many of our pupils are awarded scholarships in the independent sector. We are proud of our reputation for careful, thoughtful preparation that is designed to reduce stress and promote a healthy approach to this next stage of life. We work closely with parents to advise on future schools and prepare each child for the school of their choice. More importantly, our core philosophy is to foster in each child the confidence that allows them to think and act independently, preparing themfor the future. It’s always a joy to see this process in action.

Q What are you looking forward to?

A Even more spaces at our school will be refurbished as calm classrooms over the summer. I’m looking forward to seeing the pupils after the holidays – inspired by and settling into their new learning environment.