At Rookesbury Park School, the Head, Pippa Harris-Burland is creating a learning environment where each individual is listened to, valued and respected. She states, ‘We are creating a school where children and adults communicate with respect, where each pupil is treated individually and where we have high expectations of ourselves and of each other.’ She goes on to say, ‘Maria Montessori talked about the prepared environment. This is a place conducive to learning, where we feel safe, stimulated and happy. Rookesbury Park School provides a learning climate that is challenging, supportive and accepting. In this way we aim to foster the very best development of young people. Look at our website where one of our aims is ‘Watch your child flourish!’
At Rookesbury Park School, who and what we surround ourselves with affects our own happiness and fulfilment. Come and look in our classrooms. See the bright displays, hear the music playing, the buzz of happy children busy and engaged. See the learning environment working. Our classrooms, library, laboratory, Art Studio, Gym, Dining Room, Ceramics Studio, Music Rooms, Drama Studio, Common Rooms, our dormitories are colourful, busy, stimulating places to be. Our lessons are interactive with a crisp pace and with high expectations.
Come and see us in action and see for yourself HOW we teach and HOW we communicate with our pupils. We challenge ourselves, as well as challenging the children, we try something new. See HOW we use our voices and eye contact to connect with the children. Listen HOW we set a learning objective at the beginning of the lesson and explain what the children will be learning. Seen HOW we leave time at the end of the lesson to revisit the objective. See HOW we use open questions to gauge the learning and level of understanding. Children need to know: WHAT they are aiming for WHY they are aiming for it and HOW to go about it.At Rookesbury Park School we facilitate a learning environment that creates a school that recognises when someone does something special, academic or pastoral and is celebrated. The senior children in Years 7 and 8 lead by example; they act as peer mediators and leaders for younger pupils. Seniors have the chance to practise their leadership skills, their listening and their use of language, tone and eye contact to communicate and to earn respect. We listen to our pupils and we talk to them about their goals and how to achieve all they deserve to be. We show personal interest in their successes and we recognise that growing children, just like ourselves make mistakes and it is in this learning that so much growth takes place, naturally.
Come and see for yourselves – Open Day Friday 15th May 11.30 – 3.30pm.Pippa Harris-Burland is the co-author of Daily Brain Teasers, Thinking Skills for Ages 7-9 year olds, published by Scholastic. She is Headmistress at Rookesbury Park School, Wickham, Hampshire PO17 6HT Age 2 ½ -13 yearshead@rookesburypark.co.uk www.rookesburyparkschool.co.uk Tel: 01329 833 108 back to list
