Support Edmund Waller School

Much criticism has been heard recently about the management of our school. Perhaps it is a symptom of difficult times. Without passing judgement on any specific issues involving individual children - because for every parent, the welfare of their child is what matters most - this might be a good moment to reflect on what a special school Edmund Waller is.

The school has an inclusive ethos, actively embracing many cultures but also reflecting the extremely wide socio-economic range of its intake. Pupil performance is on an upward trend. The latest SAT tests (taken at Year 2 and Year 6) showed improvement in both age groups, with Key Stage 1 scores now above the national as well as the Lewisham average right across the board. Not bad for an inner city school.

Facilities are the envy of many other schools in the area - extensive outdoor space, including the football cage, the ‘green’ and the tree walk, with gardening, vegetable growing and chickens cared for with the involvement of the children. A dedicated science facility opened two years ago, sports teaching and performance are excellent and music provision continues to improve with the active involvement of parents. A wide range of free clubs and after-school activities are available.

A school-led programme of volunteer readers directly targets children who need support with reading and may not have had the advantages of some of the more able readers among their peers. Drama therapy is offered to those children with the most to gain from this kind of help, either on a one-to-one or group basis, and the benefits extend to the whole school. The popular breakfast and after-school clubs help many working parents who would otherwise find it hard to combine work with child-rearing.

None of this would be possible without the hard work of everyone who works at the school, and the management in particular. A school is a community, and any community is strongest if it stands together. Please sign the petition in support of the school, the head and all the staff.

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