“Thank you for the opportunity to express my views on the Sedgefield Hardwick Primary School (SHPS) becoming a partner in the Laidlaw Schools Trust. It is reassuring to know that the Board of Governors have identified the Laidlaw Trust Schools as a forward-looking trust whose core values align strongly with those of SHPS. This sharing and alignment of core values is key to any decision. SHPS is a forward-thinking school who strive to prepare and inspire all pupils (and staff) to achieve, in all areas of learning and development (social, emotional, personal, physical, Intellectual) to the highest standard. The proposed sharing of expertise with increased (substantial) financial investment and extended, meaningful community and school to work/career partnerships, will provide SHPS an opportunity to grow with confidence, in a far reaching and dynamic way, that will impact positively on its pupils, staff, stakeholders and the local community. The outlined advantages for children, people, infrastructure, and the community laid out in the supporting information are clear and far outweigh any potential risks. This includes the possibility (an investment of £2 million to build a bespoke inclusion centre) to enhance the provision for SEN children. In my opinion, SHPS is near to reaching the limit at what it can (and does) currently provide for children with significant SEN needs, with the lack of space, being the main issue. The proposed investment provides a real opportunity to develop real and sustainable excellence in SEN provision, not only for SHPS but for the local community. It is crucial that the essence, culture and ethos of SHPS remains intact – a fully inclusive school, where every person is valued for who they are, and where an individual’s potential is recognized and developed so that true potential can be achieved. I believe that the Governing Body and the Senior Leadership Team at SHPS are well placed to ensure that the commitment to ‘Instill, Inspire and Innovate’ will continue and being part of Laidlaw Trust will provide opportunities to go from strength to strength.”
“The continuation of the children’s extremely high-quality education at Hardwick must be maintained whatever the outcome of the consultation. Hardwick (unlike other primary Academies with Laidlaw) is OFSTED Outstanding and this must not be compromised in any way. The Academy conversion process can be stressful, particularly for staff, and the staff of the school must be reassured that their futures will not be compromised, or this can have a negative impact on the teaching and learning environment. As an OFSTED Outstanding school, Hardwick Primary and Nursery are in a very strong position (unique unlike other school who are sometimes forced down the Academy route) and Laidlaw schools Trust must demonstrate that they acknowledge and respect this. The values of the Trust and Hardwick must be aligned and the Trust should demonstrate this.”
“I believe that joining Laidlaw Schools Trust is a great opportunity for the team at Sedgefield Hardwick, but most importantly, the children. To have the opportunity to create an additional space for children to explore is something I feel very passionately about and believe would help pupils at Sedgefield Hardwick in so many ways. On a day-to-day basis I see the importance of having a safe space for children to self-regulate. The fact that Laidlaw Trust can offer this as well as specialist learning pathways for children and believe firmly in social as well as academic outcomes, is something that excites me.”
“I think it is a fantastic opportunity for the school to further enhance the environment, learning and ultimately the overall experience students, staff and everyone involved with Sedgefield Hardwick have. The potential development of areas, including a provision for SEN children, is something that would further set the school apart alongside the innovative way of teaching. I believe due to the SEN needs of some of the children coming through the school on a more regular basis, this opportunity would allow the school to continue providing the best possible education for these children, not only academically but also emotionally.”
“My main concern regarding the consultation process would be when parents are asked for their views. From the outside looking in, some may feel our school is performing well on its own and therefore be resistant to change. I feel the school needs to ensure that parents are fully aware of the benefits, particularly when it comes to transition into Sedgefield Community College, the potential development of Character Education when the children need it most during their early years in secondary school and also that Sedgefield Hardwick will not lose the identity it has worked so hard to build.”
“The partnership with the Community College will help those children with the transition and enable them to continue to learn to the best of their ability once they have left us. I like the idea of expanding the school to accommodate 2-year olds however, I would be apprehensive working with them.”
“The prospect of a new building to accommodate the social, emotional and special educational needs of our children and beyond KS2 is amazing and I for one can’t wait to see this take shape and provide opportunities for our children.”
“I think the self-regulation unit is an important part of the offer. It would have a huge impact on pupils, and I believe that, it would help us develop the learning journey of the younger children .”
“I think the transition from Year 6 to the Community college will be smoother and more reassuring to children and parents.”
“Prospect of developing own teaching expertise by working with other schools and staff in the trust – widening and enhancing our current teaching role.”
“Initially, I feel the only change for me will be who pays my wages and Mr Taylor will take over the day to day running of the school. Of course, there is the ‘fear of the unknown’ but I believe that the senior leaders and the Governing Body want, and know, what is right for the school (pupils and staff) and therefore trust in them that this is a great opportunity for all involved.”
“After qualifying as a teacher in 2019, collaborating with other teachers and schools is something that I have always wanted to do. I would thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to work alongside other teachers, whether that be during teacher workshops, supporting trainee teachers or working alongside a wide variety of senior leaders. The fact that the Laidlaw Schools Trust can offer opportunities like this and allow teachers to trial and use innovative methods in the classroom, is again a huge positive, to me personally. Relating to this, courses to further my professional development is also something that I would be interested in to allow opportunities to take on more responsibility.”
“I believe it is an exciting opportunity that could provide lots of chances to achieve things that the school have been wanting to do for a while. I feel more comfortable knowing that pay/rights etc. will be transferred over if we join the trust. I feel it is important that we have the chance to keep our identity when we have worked so hard as a school to develop our individual teaching skills and the curriculum. I have some concerns that some of our parents won’t appreciate the benefits and may choose to avoid changes. I think the emphasis on improving the transition and character/pastoral elements in the comp is important. I think the teacher development opportunities are exciting and I look forward to hearing how these will be put into action or delivered.”
“I like the idea of Hardwick keeping our identity as it would be a shame for the school to become robotic and generic like others.”
“I feel conflicted about the potential academisation of our school. On one hand, I see the benefits and opportunities that this would bring to us as a collective and, also, as individuals. On the other hand, I feel concerned about the potential ‘drawbacks.’ It worries me that the strength within leadership team has may be diluted as the strongest staff members pursue opportunities at other schools within the academy. I worry that this may lead to standards slipping as we may be left with a need to quickly train new staff up to the standards that have been established over many years.”
“Ultimately, I love Sedgefield Hardwick and feel dedicated to the school, children and their families. It has been a privilege to work under a leadership team which has taken the school from strength to strength. I have lots of faith in our leadership team and know that any decisions made would be in the best interest of the school and the staff team.”
“Having recently completed my NPQSL course, I feel qualified and ready to take the next step in my professional career. Having worked in my current capacity for a number of years, and fully appreciative of all the opportunities afforded to me by the school leadership, I feel that there is currently limited opportunity for further progression with the school in its current form.I am extremely proud to work at Sedgefield Hardwick, having arrived as an NQT and progressed into positions of responsibility. I feel that having to leave the school to further my career would be a huge decision made with a heavy heart. I have a real sense of loyalty and gratitude towards our SLT for the support they have provided not just professionally but personally too, and trust them entirely to make decisions in the best interests of staff and school. “
“The opportunities this would provide for staff, if they want it, could help the school to retain the staff it currently has. I am personally excited by the opportunities that could be available in developing teachers of the future. I believe this opportunity would allow the school to smash through the ‘glass ceiling’ that could come in time through lack of financial power.”
“I feel this is an amazing opportunity for staff, pupils and community, and I can only see the positives in joining Laidlaw School Trust. I have every faith in our leadership team and in our Governors to make the right choice for Sedgefield Hardwick Primary School. I won’t say I am not a tad nervous about the conversion but I am equally excited about the way the school is moving forward.”
“Having the opportunity to make a positive difference to the community is something that I would thoroughly enjoy and would love to be involved in. The fact that the Trust can offer this is something that I also find very exciting. “
“I think this will be an exciting and beneficial opportunity for Sedgefield Hardwick Primary School and the local community to come together to improve the lives of pupils, staff and families alike. I am looking forward to collaborating with other professionals and enhancing the opportunities for our pupils.”
“I feel development within the community is incredibly important and the proposed “community hub” could breathe new life within some children in the community.”
“Having grown up in the areas surrounding Sedgefield, I believe the community hub will be extremely popular and beneficial to young adults in Sedgefield.”
“Exciting opportunity to develop a building that can facilitate the growing social, emotional and special needs of children which can then continue to be accessed as they move onto secondary school.”
“I think having the funding to build the unit to support children with additional needs would be very beneficial. It will become a crucial part in their development and journey throughout the school. “
“I like the idea of the regulation unit and think it will be very beneficial to those children who need it.”