Earlier this term I was privileged as the Executive Principal to be able to represent Bushey Meads School and The Bushey St James Trust at a national conference in London. Held at Regents Hall on Oxford Street, the venue welcomed senior leaders from across the country to hear a number of presentations about the latest educational research and leadership ideas and also share best practice. At the time many delegates were very complimentary about our exciting journey of school improvement here at BMS over the last 4 years.

Soundbites of best practice related to our embedded culture of learning and achievement and ideas to create strong networks within and across our Multi Academy Trust highlighted the work of so many excellent practitioners and leaders here at BMS and certainly put our school and MAT on the national map. The conference was hosted by the national network ‘By Leaders for Leaders’ in which Bushey Meads is a key and leading player and at the time we offered the opportunity for conference delegates to attend a mini sharing best practice at Bushey Meads and spend a whole day at our school.

This mini conference took place on Friday last week and over 20 senior leaders and Headteachers attended from across the South East region – travelling from as far afield as Weston-Super Mare and Birmingham. Presentations were given by our key staff and outstanding student leaders and all the delegates took a tour of the school to see first hand all the learning and achievement taking place; for many of them this was the highlight of the day!

At break and lunchtime many other staff also spoke to our visitors about the exemplary work that they are doing across our wonderful school. It was a great success and I would like to thank all the staff and students involved.

Delegate Comments:

Great day. Lots of practical advice and reassurance.

Great day learning about creative ways to inspire and motivate teachers as well as students.

Great day many thanks.

Outstanding day, great atmosphere around the school where achievement is really celebrated.

So inspiring! Thank you – looking forward to future collaboration.

Great day, loads of ideas, inspirational staff and students.

An excellent day – lots of ideas. Great atmosphere in the school. Thanks.

Fab! Really useful, thought provoking day. Thank you!

Amazing feeling and clearly, learning is taking place! Well done!

Wonderful community. Thank you so much for the hospitality and generosity.

Outstanding pupils make the school exceptional. Thank you for being so warm!

Fabulous day! Lovely school, brilliant students and professionals who really care. Thank you.

Wonderful day. Brilliantly planned. Many thanks to all staff and students.

Wonderful experiences, very impressive. Staff are so professional.

Jaw dropping day! Thanks for the ideas.

Great day. So impressed by pupil leadership at Bushey Meads. Lots of ideas taken away.

Dear Jeremy,

Thank you for organising and running a fantastic day of training at your school on Friday. It’s great to see other schools really progressing year on year and I have a few takeaways that I will be feeding back to our SLT on Weds.

Thanks very much

Mr A Tamplin – Assistant Headteacher of the Upper School (Standards & Culture – Year 9 & 10)

Good morning Jeremy,

It was truly an inspirational day and has really helped shape the way I view my vision for our school. So many quick wins to implement in the very near future, longer term strategies to consider for the future too. I was so impressed by the school (staff and students) but mostly the generous, open and collegiate hosting of the event by yourselves. I haven’t stopped talking about it since I returned, highly energised from my visit.

I am hoping it might be possible for one of our Assistant Headteachers to visit at some point in the future to have a look at the stunning student leadership opportunities at Bushey Meads.

Very best wishes,

Sam Jones

Mr Sam Jones – Deputy Headteacher – Kelmscott School

Dear Jeremy,

Thank you so much for the fantastic day on Friday. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have come away with so many good ideas. Please pass my thanks on to all your staff and students who contributed to make it such a worthwhile day.

I hope to work with you again in the future

Mary Morris – Deputy Headteacher – Prospect School