THE new headteacher of a Wirral primary school is seeking to "reignite the passion and joy of learning and teaching".
Headteacher Tom Wallace at St. Peter and Paul’s Primary School in New Brighton has brought about "renewed inspiration and excitement for the next generation of game changers".
Mr Wallace, who joined the school in September 2022, has instilled a new ethos to the school.
Tom Wallace (Image: La Vida Liverpool)
During the past 12 months, the school has implemented new policies and practices into the classroom to help tackle the workload crisis in schools, to allow teachers to focus on what they do best.
Leading with a philosophy of "happy teacher, happy pupil", a big focus has been on teacher wellbeing.
The school has invested in integrating new teaching methods — leading with a more interactive approach and encouraging role play and debate.
A new behaviour policy has been implemented throughout school, based on research into the human brain, bringing consistency and security into children’s lives to help children self-regulate and take ownership of their actions.
Classes taking place in school (Image: La Vida Liverpool)
Collaborating with education figure, Ruth Swailes, the PTA invested £4,000 in Early Years Development and a recent refurbishment has seen a new outdoor space, filled with outdoor provision areas to further develop children’s growth, including ‘chill out’ spaces with sensory tables, construction sites and a garden in bloom thanks to a partnership with New Brighton in Bloom.
At St. Peter and Paul’s there’s a "big emphasis on the local area", instilling a wider sense of love, appreciation and understanding of their community, and the school now works with local companies and charities, such as Vale Park Cafe, Neo Community who offer free meals and essential items to families, Caritas and Rockpoint Leisure.
The school is in the process of building a new Community Room which will offer toddler classes, stay and play groups, parent classes, coffee mornings with Charlotte’s Brightside and healthy cooking classes for families.
The school is also working to make school dinners cheaper and healthier by managing them in house, using freshly prepared local produce, and has been awarded a Green Flag with Merit as an Eco School.