(We have cut
the comment as it was one and a half pages, but we hope have not lost
the sense of it. Jane is an excellent head teacher and we know we cannot
take all the credit, but it is a really positive comment from a truly
independent source and Jane is delighted).
"PSHE underpins the whole curriculum and pervades all aspects of
the school's work. Standards achieved are high ….the teaching and learning
is very good .. for example Year Six pupils showed a very mature understanding
of the effects of racism in our society and in Year Four they could
discuss the importance of feeling safe in different situations... older
children were able to articulate that everyone is unique and everyone
is special. They showed a good understanding of the cultural diversity
of the school and the importance of everyone being included in all
activities. The school has been involved in the national development
of the internet-based Miss Dorothy programme of learning which aims
to raise the self esteem and self worth of children. This is a programme
intended for Year 3 but the excellent resources provided have been used
by staff in all year groups where appropriate. Year 4 children who went
through the programme last year, were enthusiastic, engaged and very
excited when discussing "missdorothy.com".
Marilyn Toft, National Co-Coordinator Healthy Schools Standard
(HDA):
"We're delighted that missdorothy.com is raising the profile of
the vitally important area of personal safety for young children through
the development of learning materials for use in the classroom. The
essential issue for the National Healthy School Standard is that for
the Dot Com learning materials to be used effectively, there needs to
be a clearly defined support structure in schools that involves all
staff, including senior managers, as well as parents and carers and
specialist agency workers. This will enable teachers to respond appropriately
to the concerns and problems identified by children as and when they
arise.”
Gill Frances, Director Children’s Development, National Children’s Bureau:
“What is really important
is that it’s safe for children to learn in school... I think that these
resources produced by missdorothy.com make a remarkable contribution
to creating a safe school environment in which children can learn.”
Sheila Clark, Consultant Active Citizenship:
“The missdorothy.com Learning
Programme is a fantastic opportunity for all teachers and all adults
working with young people to help them to have dialogue, to open up
their thoughts about things, to help them to feel more confident.”
Sandra Fletcher,
DfES Attendance Adviser, commenting on results from the first pilot:
”missdorothy.com has inspired
the children to talk about their feelings and teachers are thrilled
with the response. Heads tell us that every morning the children want
to learn with Dot and their classrooms are filled with the most vibrant
posters, artwork and materials inspired by Dot. The programme fits all
the aims of the National Curriculum and we can measure its success in
real terms – increased self-esteem, improved literacy and social skills,
full attendance, no bullying and opening the child’s eyes to good citizenship.”
Ann Nelson,
National Vice-Chair, Association of Citizenship Teachers:
“The fact that the children
can use the Miss Dot materials to transfer between home and school is
important. I love the way they are excited about their learning because
it’s not just the learning of emotional literacy. I can see this
as the start of a huge piece of work that goes through history, geography…all
the rest of it …because it’s such a stimulating starting point. The
whole object of citizenship education is to prepare them for life. But
they are citizens now and they do have their rights. I think the Missdorothy.com
Learning Programme is basic human rights stuff. I am very excited about
it.”
