St Nicholas Primary School in Radstock recently hosted Dave Harris, Business Director of Independent Thinking, for a day of leadership reflection. Mr Harris, who has published five books on leadership and education, has been working closely with the Bath and Wells Multi-Academy Trust, providing invaluable training and advice to school leaders over the past few years.
Throughout the day, Mr Harris immersed himself in the school’s vibrant environment, spending time in classrooms, meeting children, speaking to parents and engaging with staff and the school’s leadership team. He even enjoyed a delicious cooked lunch with the children, experiencing the warmth and inclusivity that St Nicholas Primary embodies.
Impressed by what he witnessed, Mr Harris made some glowing remarks about the school. He said, “The model of senior leadership is impressive, and the Executive Head and co-heads collaboration seems really effective. The resource bases, especially the KS1 one, were impressive, with highly skilled and motivated staff delivering well-differentiated and personalised learning.”
Mr Harris also commended the school’s Early Years provision, highlighting its well-structured approach while still allowing flexibility and creativity in the learning offered. Furthermore, he noted that the school building itself is a beautiful setting, clean, and well-ordered, consistently maintaining high levels of behaviour for learning.
What stood out to Mr Harris the most was the dedication and positivity of the staff. He remarked, “All the staff I met were very positive, with excellent subject knowledge and strong relationships with their pupils. The care and love they have for the pupils and the community are clear.”
In addition to these accolades, Mr Harris praised the school’s initiatives to involve parents in their child’s education. He mentioned the Year 1 family lunch, which was well-attended and highly appreciated by parents. He also highlighted initiatives such as ‘Feedback Friday’ and ‘Everyday Is An Open Day’, which demonstrate the school’s commitment to becoming the center of a positive community.
“St Nicholas Primary School is thrilled to have received such high praise from a renowned educational expert like Dave Harris,” said Executive Headteacher Joe Beament. “The leadership team and staff are proud of our accomplishments and we are eagerly looking forward to the next phase of our journey, where we will focus on further enhancing the exceptional learning environment for their students and families.”