It was the beginning of the 18^thCentury; walking over the rich arable land of Strensall, Robert (a yeoman farmer) gazed over the horizon at the far off city of York, with the Minster glistening in the summer haze. He was pondering over the current political news: who would be Queen Anne’s successor? Would there be an act of union between England and Scotland? Would they improve the road system (there was a desperate need to replace that dirt track with a modern ring road)? But his biggest dilemma was what to do with his wealth when he passed on.

Well history took its course: Robert Wilkinson set up a charitable trust in his will. Through the endowment a school was established in 1718 and has grown to be one of the biggest schools in York. Thanks to Robert Wilkinson the school has continued to benefit from the generosity of the current trustees. Last year they funded the upgrading of the ICT system. As a result our children benefit from technology worthy of the 21^st century. Another project funded by the trust was the purchase of a wide range of musical instruments. Although families have to fund the instrumental lessons we are able to lend instruments to children to ‘try before they buy’. This has encouraged a greater number of children to take up the opportunity to learn an instrument and enjoy making music. A concert before the Easter holiday of Woodwind players under the expert direction of Mrs McCartney and Mrs Bayliss, was an example of the outstanding outcomes of this initiative.

We are also looking forward to the Jubilee Concert whereby the Orchestra, Rock Band and Choir will be performing in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of our current Queen, Elizabeth II.

I can just imagine the spirit of Robert Wilkinson, leaning gently on his farmer’s crook in the middle of one of his fields (probably someone’s back garden) and musing over the changes. He would be proud of how far the school has developed and the achievements made by the children of Strensall and how his endowment has contributed to the education of young people for so many generations. He may also be amazed by the road system, oh and the congestion caused by those futuristic contraptions that don’t need horses to pull them!

Mr Richard Ludlow (Headteacher)

Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School prepare to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

“I see trees of green (well very soon), red roses too (will Yellow Daffodils do?)”

Lyrics of a song can evoke emotion and can tell a story. I love listening to children singing in assembly. They always sing with great gusto and joy when the song engages them. There are those songs that seem to spark a collective response. We, at school, have experienced two such songs released during the past two decades. The come back single ‘Patience’, by Take That (2006) and ‘Dynamite’, sung by Taio Cruz (2010).

To celebrate the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee each year group at school are looking at a decade leading up to 2012, starting from the 1950s. Our 569 children will be taking part in an enormous street party on Thursday, 31^st May dressed in fashions from the past and present. During the street party there will be songs from the previous decades, with rewritten lyrics.

The Sixties crooner (no not Mr Ludlow!), Englebert Humperdinck, is representing the U.K.in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. We wait in excited anticipation to see what songs are chosen from other decades to be represented in the Robert Wilkinson Jubilee Song Contest. Could it be Englebert’s ‘I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You’ or as we have just hosted on Spanish visitors recently it could be “Quando, Quando, Quando“(I think that’s Spanish!)? Whatever songs are picked, fun will be had to celebrate this once in a life time event.

The school would also like to invite those senior citizens in our local community to a Jubilee Tea. This will be taking place on Monday, 28^th May, at 1.30pm. Our Pupil Council will be organising the event. There will be an opportunity to look around the school, followed by tea, light refreshments and the chance to be serenaded by some of those songs from the past.

“I see children (a small change of lyrics!)  bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world”

Mr Richard Ludlow (Headteacher)

How things have changed since I was young! I can see you more senior members of our community thinking the same. I remember my grandmother telling me about her sister, who immigrated toAustralia(by choice, I was assured). It took weeks by ship. Now look at how quickly we can travel to the other side of the world.

As well as being able to travel further and faster, our children are living in a multi media world where they can communicate instantaneously with people across the seas. Computers and the internet have revolutionised how we communicate to each other. Yes Ethel, I know you have fond memories of sitting around a wireless set, and you Gladys, with memories of The Coronation being screened on your brand new 7 inch TV screen, with half of the neighbours inviting themselves in to watch. Well it’s a different world nowadays!

Two members of our teaching staff have spent a week in our partnership school inSingapore, working with colleagues from the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Our Lady Queen ofPeacePrimary School. They have been undertaking a study on effective strategies to engage our children in learning (I suppose it is more interesting than going to a school in Skegness). What a great opportunity for our teachers to share practice and to gain first hand, a cultural understanding about education in another part of the world. As a result of our partnership, we have also embarked on talk face to face video conferences between the schools. See Ethel, you wouldn’t be able to do that with your old wireless set! With the benefit of new technology, a group of our pupils arrived in school at the crack of dawn (well 7am) and had a live video link with children in Singapore. How exciting it was to hear the children converse and ask questions about each other. Similarly, the two classes of children from our school held a video conference with their respective teachers, who because of time difference were in their hotel enjoying a warm Singapore evening.

We are so fortunate to have established this partnership. Together with our Spanish Partnership, we will give our children a small but significant insight into the world we live in.

Richard Ludlow (Headteacher)

        It was like a scene from Robin Hood. Ice lay like a blanket over the playground. The trees were still, the noise of excited play filled the morning air. Robin Hood (Mr Ludlow) had sent a message to the Merry Men (Pupils), to meet in the gathering place (School Hall) to receive two important visitors. Little John (Mr Evans) briefed the band of men (Pupils), as they waited patiently for the Queen’s representative to arrive (Sheriff). Pots boiled in the kitchen, as Friar Tuck (Mrs Tottie) stirred the bubbling cauldron and prepared goblets ready to serve our illustrious guests. Oh and Maid Marian (Mrs Forde) hid the treasure, just in case the visitors were of ill thought and wanted to collect more taxes!

           There is a tenuous link to my ramblings so far. If you hadn’t already guessed, the scene set was for the visit of the Lord Mayor of York and the Sheriff of York. Rather than arriving in a horse drawn carriage they drove to the front of the school in the Mayoral car, registration DN1 (the first registration plate in York). It was a fascinating morning. Maid Marion, I mean Mrs Forde, needn’t have worried, the Sheriff wasn’t coming to collect taxes! The Mayor, accompanied by the Sheriff of York had come to talk to the children about our rich history and particularly to bring to their attention the roles our Mayor and Sheriff play in the governance of our City. On the 9^th July 2012 York celebrates the 800^th anniversary from when King John signed a charter allowing the city to become self-governing. To mark his term in office the Mayor has pledged to visit as many Primary Schools as possible.

          The children enjoyed seeing our guests in their robes and full civic regalia. The Mayor showed pictures of the Mansion House, the Mayoral residence. There was great interest in the role when he announced the location of the Mansion House was near McDonalds! After a presentation in the hall the School Pupil Council invited the Mayor and Sheriff ofYorkfor morning tea. I was very proud of the children as I sat back and listened to their questions and discussion. Tea with the Mayor and Sheriff will be a memory not to forget.

           Our grateful thanks go to the Mayor and Sheriff for their time in visiting and bringing an understanding of these Civic roles into the heart of our community.

           I didn’t even have to get my bow and arrow out!

            Richard Ludlow (alias Robin Hood!) Head Teacher

School development planning (SDP) should be a method by which schools can implement and manage change effectively. In order for this to be effective schools need to establish collaborative systems by which they review the impact of the actions undertaken. By doing so they are involved in an ongoing evaluative process, always questioning whether the steps taken are driving the school to the desired objective.

One definition of school development planning (David Tuohy 1997) is “a series of steps that help a school achieve its preferred future”

The SDP is like a road map, as long as the preferred destination is arrived at, the route taken can change. Using this analogy we can say that the route towards some identified objectives is clearer than others. Having a clear vision (objective) and desired future (success Criteria) is essential, however, the steps to that desired future may be less clear.

DON’T MAKE ACTION PLANNING COMPLICATED you may get lost in the woods!

For some desired objectives, staff are able to map out those steps they intend taking over a longer period of time. However, for some action plans there may be only ONE STEP. 

How often do schools write elaborate School development Plans and put them on the shelf in a nice file? Schools need process driven systems to ensure School Development is ongoing, collaborative and effective.

HAVE A SYSTEM TO REVIEW THE SERIES OF STEPS.

The system we use in our school is www.seform.org, a simple tool that enables staff and governors (optional)  to view all action plans, whilst individuals taking a lead having the access to add and evaluate the steps towards the ‘desired future’.

Example:

LAYER 1

LAYER 2

This system, whilst simple, creates a process driven School Development Plan and promotes distributive leadership.

GET ON THE ROAD AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

Richard Ludlow (Headteacher)

Our Headteacher

 He may be Robert Wilkinson’s Head,

But a visit from him we do not dread.

He really enjoys visiting Singapore,

Whilst laying down our school law.

In assemblies he likes to have fun,

But when he’s late he has to run.

He always wears a very smart suit,

And likes us all to eat lots of fruit.

He walks around wearing his glasses,

When he visits all our classes.

He helped to create our first school blog,

Whilst sometimes sitting on the forest school log.

He doesn’t have very much hair,

And in his office is a cuddly bear.

He’s the excellent head of our school,

And thinks he’s really really cool!

Out of all the Headteachers we think he’s the best

And certainly beats every one of the rest.

If you’re in assembly and see a show

It must be the one and only Mr Ludlow.

By:  Eleanor Clarke, Lewis Inkster, Amy Jackson, Jemima Pinkney, & Erin Wilkes

(Year 5 Miss Davids class)

October 2011

Sitting on a large wicker chair on the veranda of Raffles Hotel in Singapore, Noel Coward (1931) recalled in his autobiography:

 “There was a thunderstorm brewing and the airless heat pressed

down on my head. I felt as though I was inside a hot cardboard

box which was growing rapidly smaller and smaller….”

Eighty years later Mr Ludlow sat in the same spot (September 2011), the fans in the ceiling whirled cooling the air around him, whilst he was sipping a Singapore Sling (that’s coloured juice and ice children! Wink, Wink!). The air was heavy and humid as he reflected on the week past.

As part of an International Project he was invited to visit Singapore with the Head teacher of Manor Secondary School. What a great opportunity to look at Global Education first hand. Global Education is a term used these days to encourage studies of different cultures and countries and the issues that face them, developing an understanding by children of the world we live in. The week was spent visiting Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Teacher Training Institutions. The purpose was to explore the aspects of education that work well and to consider the possibility of developing a school link. 

Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School already has a good working partnership with a school in Madrid, which has resulted in an annual pupil exchange. Developing a link with a school in Asia would be a great opportunity to expand children’s understanding of the world we live in further. Singapore has a successful education system on a scale that is very different to that in the UK. Most Primary Schools are of a similar size to their partner Secondary Schools. We have the exciting opportunity to partner up with a culturally diverse primary school of over 1000 pupils. Although English is the second language for most children, it is interesting that all children are taught in English and have their mother tongue lessons as a secondary subject. As part of the international link we hope to initiate a teacher exchange and to involve our children in developing communication links through the use of new technologies. This exciting global project will stimulate curiosity and develop skills and attitudes which enable children to view their own lives in terms of global citizens.

Well who knows, in another eighty years time someone else will be sitting in a wicker chair in the Raffles Hotel recounting the day Mr Ludlow visited and started the educational link between Singapore and Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School. Maybe they will be having a glass of something, a Singapore Sling or could it be a new cocktail, ‘The Lusty Ludlow’?

Mr Richard Ludlow (Headteacher)

Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School

September 2011

 “Kon ni e chi wa. Genki desu ka?” “Mr Ludlow the summer holiday is over. I know you went to Japan, but do we need to suffer your poor attempts at speaking Japanese?” Mr Ludlow’s face looks sad and dejected, but then a smile breaks through. “Hola Friendlios!” “Ah not Spanglish now! Come on sir, get back to reality, you are back at school!”

Well the summer is over. Old friends seen, more tales to regale of adventures and new people met. Some people may smile when I say it’s nice to be back at school. But it’s true. Ok we all enjoy a holiday, time with family and friends. But what do I really mean when I say it’s nice to be back? Well it’s about the people. Just observe the smiles and interaction of adults and children as they meet again, as if long lost friends; the buzz of excitement and expectation as another school year begins another journey of challenges, fun, highs and lows. The first day back was filled with the buzz of expectation, the chat and excitement of seeing familiar faces. It is the people that make this school such a unique place, a secure friendly community and as such a happy learning environment.

As a new year begins we welcome new staff, children and their families into our school family. Every Friday afternoon the whole school gather in the school hall for our celebration assembly (all 565 of them) a time when the school community come together to share and celebrate the successes of the children: the child who has passed their grade 1 recorder exam; the child who was ‘man of the match’ in the local football team; sporting successes; academic achievement; the child who was particularly polite or cared for someone. Like a family we encourage a caring ethos, where children respect and care for each other in order to grow into independent, confident and caring individuals.

Our school aims:

CARE – we will Consider And Respect Everyone in the school community

SUCCEED and ENJOY – we will do our best to Succeed and Enjoy in order to reach our potential.

HMB – we will create opportunities to develop Healthy Minds and Bodies

A child’s experience at school is one that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. As educators we will ensure that it is one that they will cherish and when they grow older will regale stories as much as Mr Ludlow did about his summer holiday!

Happy New Year (school year) Richard Ludlow – Head teacher

Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School -Moving On!

 Another morning, the sun shining, Mr Ludlow surveying the playground as if he was Gandalf viewing the enchanted world of Middle-earth. (Here he goes again! What will he be on about this time?). He stands pondering in deep thought as another academic year passes. So many memories, like Mr Chips sitting in his armchair with pipe and slippers, his mind wonders back to the events of the year. A smile breaks through as he thinks about the Key Stage 1 staff and children dressed as super heroes, The Early Years team dressed as book characters from Cinderella. The many trips the children went on, RAF Linton, Eden Camp, the Castle Museum to name a few. He also remembers the excitement of welcoming our Spanish Exchange visitors again this year, our friends from Madrid. This was another year of sporting success, Yorkshire athletics finalists, swimming champions, National golf finalists. The music and arts have also been well represented culminating in a Community Orchestra concert and Creative Arts exhibition. So many happy events and memories, as Maurice Chevalier would say,  “Ah, yes, I remember them well”.

NEWS FLASH!!!

1982: Hollywood princess Grace of Monaco dies. British recapture the Falklands.

1986: Mike Tyson becomes the youngest heavy weight champion. The Challenger spacecraft explodes after lift off

1998: Northern Island Peace agreement reached. Lewinsky does something naughty with President Bill Clinton!

But what other significant events happened in these years? Well these were the years that Mrs Castle, Mrs Raine and Mrs Zillessen joined the illustrious staff of Robert Wilkinson VC Primary School. Mr Ludlow may be recalling events of this past year but collectively these members of our team, as they move into retirement, take with them so many other memories. They have lived through so many changes in education, the implementation of the National Curriculum, the National Primary Strategies for Literacy and Numarcy teaching. Oh! And they even remember when teachers used a piece of white stuff called chalk! But most of all they will remember the children.

We say a sad farewell to these three teachers who have dedicated their selves to the education of the young people of Strensall. Not only do we thank them for their work but also the seeds they have planted in the minds of the young people they have taught.

Thank you and good luck. Have a great summer everyone and we look forward to another interesting year when school starts again in September.

Mr Richard Ludlow (Headteacher)

Personalised learning in action. This is an short article written for the local news magazine. It recounts how a comment made by a student resulted in a real living history lesson.

Local News Article:

Misty watercolour memories of the way we were.

“Look at this Mr Ludlow!” exclaims James in an enthusiastic tone of delight. With hands diving into the school history box he pulls out several old photos and documents. “Who is Dougie Lister?” he asks holding up an old photo.

“I know Dougie Lister,” replies Mr Ludlow. James looks in amazement and admiration at his Headteacher who seems to know everything (a bit of artistic license!). “He is a trustee for the Robert Wilkinson School Trust” replies Mr Ludlow.  Without further ado an invitation is dispatched to see if the great man could meet the children himself.

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind, smiles we give to one another
for the way we were.

Agreeing to a visit, Dougie Lister, an ex pupil who joined our school in 1925, proudly entered his old school, although, the site of the school has changed several times in its history. Being greeted by James and Karl he started to recount his association with the school. As a trustee he is one of the custodians of the legacy left by Robert Wilkinson in 1712. He told the children how the trust has funded many projects over the years, one of which is our fantastic swimming pool.

Can it be that it was all so simple then or has time rewritten every line? If we had the chance to do it all again tell me would we? Could we?

Young and old sat around the table looking through memorabilia from the past: school photos; children dressed in smocks; photos of Strensall; newspaper cuttings. Was life so simple then? Surely in those days children knew their tables! Piles of inspection reports gave an insight into the life at school. 1908: ‘The Arithmetic of the Upper Standard is still poor’. 1906: ‘unless discipline improves the inspectors will not be able to give a satisfactory report’. Wow!  Look at us now, ‘Outstanding’.

Memories, may be beautiful and yet what’s too painful to remember we simply choose to forget.

James and Karl were fascinated by the tales of Dougie’s Second World War experiences. Joining the army as a young man he served in the African campaign and was captured just outside an airfield in Tobruk, Libya. For two and a half years he was held prisoner. During this period he was moved from place to place, finally ending up in Prague where he stayed until being freed at the end of the war..

Seeing two different generations in intense conversation and laughter was a joy. A big thank you to Dougie for his time and to the two children who were so interested in memories from the past

So it’s the laughter we will remember whenever we remember the way we were.

Oh and thank you to Barbara!

Richard Ludlow (Head teacher)