Matthew Norcott recently took over as the headteacher at Weston All Saints School, Bath’s biggest primary. We called around to say hello and find out more about his plans for the coming year…
Hello Matthew. It’s great to learn that you have taken up the headteacher’s post at WASPS. Can you tell us where you were teaching before, please, and what attracted you to the role at WASPS?
I come to WASPS having been the Headteacher of Hanham Abbots Junior School from 2018 to 2022. This was my first headship and it certainly was a challenge, especially after having taken over the school soon after it received an RI judgement from OFSTED. Whilst difficult, after having navigated the disruption of COVID and securing a ‘Good’ judgement in May 2022, I was ready for a new challenge. Having a background in large schools, WASPS appealed to me as a school deep in its own OFSTED cycle and looking for fresh leadership. Naturally, being a part of the rich history of WASPS and its stunning location also appealed.
WASPS is the largest primary school in Bath. What challenges does this provide to you as an incoming headteacher?
With any large, multi-form entry school, there is an immediate challenge in terms of establishing and maintaining consistency. In schools, you are only ever as strong as your weakest class and, with three classes in each year group, that creates a challenge in terms of ensuring that there is a shared expectation throughout the school. This term we have been working hard on establishing those expectations, ensuring that each and every child at WASPS enjoys a ‘journey’ through the school that is consistent both in terms of the educational experience they receive in-class as well as the systems, structures and processes which underpin this.
Can you tell us about any changes or new developments that you are looking forward to bringing to the WASPS community?
We have been working on developing our relationships with the school community and have run several sessions aimed at engaging parents and carers. A key feature of this has been the establishment of a new parent forum group through which direct, open and honest communication between parents and school leaders is encouraged.
In addition, we have been focused on improving our curriculum offer through investing heavily in training for teachers and TAs. We have also focused on establishing an approach to monitoring school improvement that is both rigorous but also people focused and respectful of the individual skills and approaches that exist in our school community. Staff need to feel included and valued alongside the need to hold them accountable for the quality of education they provide.
WASPS is part of The Partnership Trust. What benefits does this give to the WASPS community?
Being a part of a Trust is hugely beneficial. As a newcomer to WASPS, I have been able to draw upon the experience and expertise of leadership partners and curriculum experts who, on the Trust’s behalf, have been working with the school for several years. This has helped me ensure there is a sense of continuity to our school improvement efforts as well as ensuring that, in the often solitary world of headship, there are experienced, skilled people I can turn to for advice and support.
Likewise, being in a Trust allows access to expert advice in terms of Facilities, HR and Finance. All of this has been hugely helpful this term as we have had significant staff turnover, especially in our administrative team.
How are you looking forward to working more closely both with your local community and other schools across the Bath region?
Being in a Trust allows us to share our success and learn from a number of local schools within the Trust. For example, were are currently embarking on a project with Moorlands and Roundhill schools focused on developing writing across our schools. I am keen for WASPS to be outward looking in its approach and will constantly be on the look out for schools to engage with.
As a CofE school, it is imperative that we forge strong links with our local faith community. I had the honour of being present at the licensing of Weston’s new rector recently and our relationship with All Saints Weston will be of vital importance to the school going forwards. Perhaps above all, however, is our desire to meaningfully engage with our parent community. This is off to a great start but I feel we’ve only begun to scratch the surface in terms of how we can learn from and support one another.
Will you be teaching in the classroom as well as running the school?
Absolutely and I’m proud to be able to say that I already have! I strongly believe that nothing undermines a school leader’s credibility quicker than the perception that they have removed themselves from classroom practice and are no longer able to ‘walk the walk’ in terms of delivering high quality teaching and learning. Central to my leadership style is a commitment to never expect my staff to do anything I would not do and getting into classrooms and demonstrating what I believe teaching and learning should look like is the best way I know of illustrating that commitment.
Can you tell us one funny story from your career in teaching – it’s always good to hear about the fun side of being a teacher?
School life is full of humour and funny stories! The more we engage with the children and allow ourselves to be led by them, the more fun we ALL have. An example of this would be the riotous celebration assemblies I used to lead at Hanham Abbots. Drawing heavily on input from children, these assemblies grew to include more and more weird and wonderful elements including Puzzle Pangolins, (Doodle Maths) Streak Skunks and, ultimately, the inclusion of a 3 foot tall cuddly goose which oversaw behaviour expectations in the hall. These were assemblies full of laughter and genuine enjoyment from both the adults and the children, yet still retained their educational purpose – to celebrate achievement and promote hard work. This was picked up by OFSTED who cited celebration assemblies as something that had particular impact on children’s behaviour, attitudes and personal development!
To find our more about Weston All Saints Primary School, www.wasp-school.org.uk