It has been quite a week! I’m overjoyed to have been appointed as Headteacher from September and want to thank all the children and their families for the support, kind words, cards, flowers and chocolates! I feel so privileged to be part of such a wonderfully kind community.

I thought you might be interested to find out a bit more about the interview process. The two days were intense! I taught a Y6 science lesson, led an assembly and presented to the staff my vision for the future of Southill Primary. There were also 5 different interview panels made up of Governors, the Local Authority and also some children. The interviews each focused on separate areas of leadership such as safeguarding, teaching and learning and leadership and management. They really put me through my paces!

Throughout the whole two days I felt confident that I am ready to take on leadership of the school. I am sad that my time as Mr Mason’s Deputy is coming to an end because I absolutely love working with him. We are an excellent team and I’m proud of what we have achieved together.

My vision for the future of the school is quite simple – every Southill Primary pupil will receive an exceptional education and a joyful learning experience. Children should wake up in the morning excited to come to school and go home at the end of the day buzzing with all the brilliant things they have learned and done. If they don’t, then we haven’t got it quite right for that child and I promise that alongside the amazing SPS staff we will do our best to get it right for every child.

We will continue to develop our curriculum to ensure that children get very high quality learning experiences every single day and we will enrich this learning with inspirational trips and visitors. We’ll continue to teach children how to be kind and caring to one another and to celebrate our differences and develop our talents.

Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success. I believe that every child can become a confident, discerning reader and that reading will be a joyful experience that aids their learning and enriches their lives. As Headteacher, I will continue to lead Reading and will work with children and their families to ensure that everyone gets the support, resources and encouragement they need.

There’s lots to do and I can’t do it on my own. I’m thankful for such a dedicated, talented and experienced staff team, supportive Governors, wonderful parents and awesome children! If you would like to become more involved in any way (or you know someone else who does) –  supporting FOSS with fundraising, volunteering on a trip, running or supporting a club, hearing readers, odd jobs around the school including painting or gardening – then I would LOVE to hear from you. It can be as little or as much as you like. Please contact me anytime on cwood@southill.dorset.sch.uk or pop in for a chat.

Exciting times and new adventures ahead!

Mrs Wood 🌈