From The Head - Friday 17th November 2023

From The Head - Friday 10th November 2023

Julia Langford, Headteacher of The Ryleys School, a private school in Alderley Edge, Cheshire

With a mere four weeks left of the term, our school community is entering our busiest time of year with multiple events to attend and enjoy with The Winter Soiree being the first big event of the calendar on Saturday night.

A school community is a unique environment with the coming together of a diverse range of people and families who share the common purpose of wanting the best for their child, both educationally and personally. Like all communities, the success of it relies on its members having the same shared values, vision and goals. Actively cultivating respectful, supportive relationships among pupils, parents and staff is a vital part of achieving this success.

Often in life, people don't always agree with each other and may hold different views - that is what makes us unique and makes life interesting; it is how we learn and grow as individuals. Helping children to understand this can be quite challenging as they are naturally egocentric and can often find it difficult to accept an opposing viewpoint. Teaching about respect in school is one way of enabling children to develop tolerance, compassion and empathy. Being respected by the important people in our lives while growing up teaches us how to be respectful towards others, and it is imperative that these key adults in the children's lives model this if the children are to learn and develop.

Supportive relationships are at the heart of any community and there is the potential to achieve so much when we work together - we need to ensure that we make the most of this wonderful opportunity.

Julia Langford
Headteacher