Eaton Bray Lower School - Your Village School

Posted on March 17, 2006

I wrote my last piece for Focus at the end of my first term as 'acting' Head. Amazingly, my first 'anniversary' as permanent Head has now passed.

The news is all good! Our School is thriving; the whole School team (Staff, Governors and HSA) are working harder than ever. A particularly pleasing aspect of development has been our increased contact with the village and the community. Thanks to Ross Bagni and Nick Boyes, our children are being given the opportunity to become the next Henmans! In addition, the children also have the opportunity for further variety in their PE activities through parent volunteers coaching extra football and rugby sessions. Orienteering is the next new activity on the agenda that makes use of our ample grounds, and is good practical use of Geography skills.

Following guidance from the county council and information from the government, we have held meetings with the village Playgroup to discuss a longer term strategy. They voted to move and join us on the School site, when contracts and funds make this possible, as this was viewed as being in the best interests of the children and families of the village. This is not something that will happen immediately, but would lead to better educational options in the years ahead.

As we are always looking for things to improve further, we are pleased to be leading the way in school meals. After all the national publicity of the past year, new nutritional standards for school meals are due in the autumn. Eaton Bray is pleased to be catering to those higher standards six months earlier than planned, with an improved and much healthier menu from February half term onwards.

The make-up of our recently re-constituted Governing Body reflects broader village life. We have representatives from the Parish Council, Playgroup, the Church, Parents, Staff and "Mr Green" himself, our Chair of Governors, Shaun Haydon, who also organises the village conservation volunteers. Indeed, the season is upon us when the children will be planting trees, and they are also increasing their overall environmental awareness through composting, recycling, and water conservation. Our HSA is working with the Village Hall to hold an Auction on Friday 31st March to help raise funds for both School and the Hall - two important aspects of village life.

Source: Focus, March 2006