Head’s Blog

Preparing children for the world they’re growing up in 

Remember waiting?
How long did you wait for a favourite film to reach the video shop? And when it finally arrived, was there even a copy available? Long enough to develop some patience, I suspect! 

I’ve been thinking about how differently children experience the world today. Films, answers and conversations are available almost instantly. If you’ve grown up with that, waiting for something understandably feels rather unfamiliar. 

Yet we can still expect young people to arrive with skills that we developed through years of having to wait. I think it’s worth asking ourselves whether we’ve given them the opportunities to learn those skills before becoming frustrated when they struggle. 

Making space for life skills
As a Headteacher, I want pupils to achieve academically and feel proud of the effort they’ve put in. I also want them to leave school able to manage a disagreement, recognise when something online is misleading and ask for help when they need it. 

These things take practice. So do concentration, patience and perseverance. Telling a child to “be more resilient” doesn’t give them much to work with. Helping them break a difficult task into manageable steps, encouraging another attempt and recognising their progress gives them somewhere to start. 

There’s a role for us as adults here, too. When something goes wrong, do we let children see how we work through it? I’m certainly still learning things, and I think it’s helpful for pupils to know that. 

Connecting learning with life
So how closely does education reflect the world children are growing up in. We use technology to navigate, communicate and solve problems every day. Young people need opportunities to think critically about those tools and use them thoughtfully. 

I want pupils to understand how their learning connects with everyday decisions, whether that’s managing money, weighing up information or communicating an idea clearly. 

At Hollygirt, our tutorial and House programmes, work experience and opportunities to volunteer help pupils put those skills into practice. Meeting different people, taking responsibility and contributing to a community can teach lessons that stay with them long after that lesson is finished. 

Knowing the individual
One of the things I value most about Hollygirt is that our small classes and strong relationships allow us to get to know each pupil. We can notice when someone needs encouragement, when they need a different approach and when they’re ready to be stretched. 

Success will look different for each child. For one, progress might mean tackling a challenging question independently; for another, finding the confidence to speak in front of others. 

I want our pupils to remain curious, have the courage to try and develop the judgement to make their own choices. Working together, parents and teachers can give them plenty of opportunities to practise. 

Ever Onward and Upward,
Ms Purdy