Foxdell Junior School

I’m a children’s author, who’s visited 100s of schools, and this is one of the very best. Why? What was immediately striking about Foxdell was the fantastic spirit that’s spread by the staff – such care, such empathy, such passion! Just sitting in the lobby, I was struck by how warmly and respectfully staff greeted each other. The Dep Head set the tone – carefully managing my day, with enthusiasm and sensitivity. This culture had spread to the pupils. I’d been asked to do a 45 minute assembly at the end of the day to read out children’s writing – which would be a disaster in most schools, since children are often restless at this time. But not at Foxdell. I was amazed to arrive to find 300 staff and pupils sitting alert, but totally quiet. Their writing was excellent – and I was struck by how generously pupils commented on each other’s work. At the end of the day, it turned out I’d elected as prize winners two pupils who’d only reached the school within the year, from countries where they spoke in different languages – and how glad for them were the staff. This seemed to summarise all that was admirable about this school: they’re taking a multicultural mix of influences, and building a school culture that is very special and vibrant and inclusive – and yet calm. How? My sense is that the teachers are treating the pupils with the respect and calm and intelligence that they showed me, and the pupils are responding by feeling trusted and confident, to grow into their own talents. What more do you want for your child? Trust, intelligence, care – you’ll find these qualities in abundance at Foxdell, and I felt privileged to have been able to work with them for one very special day.