The head teacher of a Swadlincote school has lifted the lid on preparations for the new academic year and explained about the hard work which goes on behind scenes as youngsters get set for their first day back for a new school year.
Viv Sharples, head teacher of Pingle Academy, in Coronation Street, has spent the last few weeks getting ready for the new term and is excited to welcome a new batch of youngsters into the fold.
Mrs Sharples, who has worked at the school for 15 years, said the support she receives from the whole school network makes the long days and hard work worthwhile.
She said: "It is a great school to be at; the staff are amazing and completely committed to the students and all of the parents and carers are so caring."
After stepping into the role as head teacher four years ago, Mrs Sharples' motto "Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail" has seen her school go from strength to strength and she hopes this year will be no different.
She said: "So much hard work goes in behind the scenes to get ready for the new school year and there is a lot to think about.
"Every week, there has to be 25 hours of subject teaching and quality learning for every class and all the staff must be ambitious and push the children to work to their best.
"We work hard to anticipate the needs of the new students who will be coming into the school for the first time and prepare a first assembly that will address the importance of education and the new start for those who are returning to the school.
"I also have to arrange a parents' evening for the mums and dads of new students, so that they can see how their child has settled in and hopefully help answer any questions and help with any difficulties and concerns they may have.
"This is a really important stage of any young person’s life and it is our duty to be with them every step of the way to give them the best opportunities possible."
The school may be void of children during the six-week summer break but it is still a hive of activity, with teachers going in and out and workmen getting to work on refurbishing areas within the school including the main reception area and the common rooms, both recently been completed.
Mrs Sharples remains at the school for four weeks of the six weeks holiday, to liaise with contractors or just be there for the staff, who can come in and discuss any concerns.
After spending the first week planning the curriculum and the teachers’ schedules, she then switches her phone off for two blissful weeks of holiday, just in time to return for results weeks – the biggest moment of any student’s life.
When A-level results are dished out in week four and GCSE results follow in week five, Mrs Sharples works to review her plans for the new academic year and make sure preparations are in hand for any special requirements which may be needed; sending out emails to all parents to remind them of the school uniform dress code to be sure all pupils will be kitted out correctly from day one.
To allow the pupils to get to grips with senior school life Mrs Sharples organised a special open day, where pupils embarking on Year 7 will be able to go along to the school and have a look around, see where their new classrooms are going to be and meet their head of year and teachers.
The school, which is the second largest employer in Swadlincote, has 80 teachers, more than 70 members of support staff and boasts more than 1,050 students, also held a special induction day for new staff on the first Monday back.
Mrs Sharples said: "All staff were in for 8am for an informal meeting to give the new staff chance to get to know who their department heads are and help them feel like a new member of the team."
Mrs Sharples then holds an inspirational meeting, with all the staff and discusses plans for the new term before putting posters up in every classroom displaying the school’s motto: "Every student…Every person…Every minute…No time to lose in every class."
