As you know, we like a busy week at Lyonsdown and the past couple have been even more full than usual. After last week’s excitement of a visit from the Good Schools Guide, this week the inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) visited Lyonsdown as part of their programme of regular inspections.
As an inspector myself, I see such weeks from both sides and know the level of detail such an inspection goes in to. It is also a wonderful opportunity for a school community to come together and work towards a common goal – further development. The children were all stars, not that I would expect anything less, and made the inspectors feel very welcome. Thank you to parents and pupils for filling in the surveys which form part of the inspection, and apologies for any disruption to your schedule. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our governors and my colleagues at Lyonsdown for their tremendous efforts, both before and during the inspection. Well played all round. I would like to highlight the work of my Senior Leadership Team in despatches, and pay specific thanks to Mrs Brodie, Mrs Windsor and Miss Telford. Due to the summer holidays, ISI have told us that the report may not be published until the Autumn Term 2019, and I will update you all when the document is available to read.
However, a school week does not end on Friday afternoon, and this is no more so the case than tomorrow. As I write, the final preparations for the annual FLS Summer Fete are taking place. The children are all very excited about coming to school on a Saturday, although I think the prospect of ice cream, candy floss and a bungee run are great draws, if the chance to see your teachers in jeans (“teachers wear jeans?” one girl asked me recently) was not incentive enough. Thank you in advance to all parents, and the FLS Committee, for organising what I am sure will be a great success.
All the best for a relaxing weekend.
Mr Hammond