Rutherford School

Letter from the head

06/09/2024
Dear Parents and Carers

I wanted to write to you early in the term to introduce myself as the Interim Headteacher of Rutherford School during Suzanna’s maternity leave. I have already met some parents and carers and I am looking forward to meeting with those I haven’t already met. I am also looking forward to leading Rutherford School during this academic year.

Below is my pen portrait which tells you about me:

Diane was initially trained as a secondary school teacher but throughout her career she has worked in all educational sectors from early years to further education. Diane has studied educational management and leadership at masters’ and doctoral level and has been a senior leader and headteacher in Nottinghamshire, Birmingham, Derby, Leicester and Kettering. She was an executive headteacher of three schools in Milton Keynes, one of which was a special school for children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) and cognitive and learning difficulties. Diane’s subject specialism is design technology although she has also taught business studies, health and social care, travel and tourism and construction. Diane has worked as a school improvement officer/inspector for CPD for Staffordshire County Council supporting schools in challenging circumstances as well as beacon/outstanding schools. Since leaving Milton Keynes, Diane has carried out a consultancy role supporting a school to prepare for their Ofsted inspection and a teaching school hub as the strategic lead for initial teacher training.

Diane’s husband is Tony, and her son is Christopher. She also has a daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren. Her family is really important to her. Her home is in Leicestershire so she will be living in Croydon during the week. In her spare time, she reads, plays musical instruments and badminton and enjoys dressmaking, cooking and international travel.

The forthcoming year

This year will be particularly busy given the building works are due to start in October and continue for over a year to provide us with improved hydrotherapy facilities, a new reception and an additional teaching space. Other priorities I shared with the team on the training day include preparation for our next inspection, developing and implementing a communications strategy for students, developing and implementing a new IT system, expanding the MOVE programme to include more students, developing the class teams and leadership capacity within teams, streamlining student assessments, building an online safety culture and further developing parental engagement and community links.

Staffing update

There have been several staffing changes this term. Lindi Paterson is our new Teaching and Learning Lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). We now have a senior teaching assistant in each class. Four of our agency/bank staff have moved into permanent roles within the school and we have recruited three staff who are new to us. Jade Hallam from our nursing team, is now our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL). Hopefully these changes will have a positive impact on the student experience at Rutherford School.

Discussion topics

Following the parental meeting organized before the summer break, parents who attended suggested that it would be useful to have parental meetings which focus on post-25 provision and the employment of a personal assistant. To accommodate these, I have penciled in a meeting on Thursday 3rd October at 10.30am to discuss the employment of a personal assistant followed by a meeting on Thursday 17th November at 10.30 to discuss post-25 provision. There will be additional meetings arranged each half term to discuss topics of interest. If you would like to suggest a topic for the focus of a meeting, please let me know.

Updates

You will be aware that our students entered a national singing competition before the summer break. We came in the top 50 for this competition.

In July 2024, the creative focus of “My Wellbeing” involved students participating in an art workshop facilitated by two resident artists from the Wandle Art Society. During the workshop, students explored the creation of silk screen images using a specialized dye activated by sunlight. The resulting artworks are being showcased at Canon House in Mitcham from September 7th, 2024. Students will also be presenting art pieces on the theme of “Framed Fantasies” at the Ripley Arts exhibition held at the Charterhouse in Colliers Wood/Merton Abbey Mills from September 13th 2024.

The summer school took place from 25th July to 31st July 2024 for 12 students from Rutherford School. Approximately 12 staff supported this event including staff from the teaching team, nursing team and physiotherapy team. The students who attended were able to take part in an offsite bowling experience. All other activities were delivered on the school site and included swimming (with music and lights), a baking competition when the students made cakes, art sessions on the theme of the Olympics, a cinema experience, Tac Pac sessions, time in the sensory room, ball games, wheelchair races, football and basketball. Sports coaches from disability sports coaching supported the event and provided excellent feedback. The summer school culminated in a party to which parents and carers were invited and where food and drinks were provided. During the celebrations, the students received certificates and medals. A really good time was had by all!

Other forthcoming events include a pantomime, activities for mental health day based around wellbeing, Sensory Cinders, Colourscape, Clapham Common and a Christmas fayre. Once these dates have been confirmed I will share them with you.

Contact and absence

During COVID, I believe that parents and carers used the teachers’ personal mobile numbers to contact staff. Can I ask that these numbers are no longer used but all contact is made either by email or through the school office on 02086887560? I am currently looking into getting a school mobile phone for each class to ease communication between parents/carers and the teachers.

Student absence – If your child is going to be absent for any reason, please phone the school before 9:15 am. Failure to notify the school of any absence will be recorded as unauthorised.
Phone: 020 8688 7560 Email: rutherford@rutherfordschool.org.uk

I trust this letter has provided you with an update about what has happened and what is due to happen during the coming weeks and months. Should you have any issues which you wish to discuss with me, please don’t hesitate to contact me through the school office or via email – my email address is diane.elleman@rutherfordschool.org.uk.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Diane Elleman
Interim Headteacher
Rutherford School
Melville Avenue
South Croydon
CR2 7HZ
Tel 02086887560

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