Parklands- A School built on love with Chris Dyson

Naylor's Natter Podcast 'Just talking to Teachers'

If anything can bind together nearly 400 pupils and 100 school staff in challenging circumstances, it’s love. And love is in plentiful supply at Parklands.

The pupils at Parklands Primary School, located on the Seacroft estate in Leeds, often face significant hardship. Children start at the school significantly behind their peers nationally, especially in terms of their language and literacy. Yet the school is famed for outstanding learning – both in terms of Ofsted judgement and, more importantly, in achieving amazing outcomes for its learners.

In this inspiring book, head teacher Chris Dyson shares the story of how he has steered the school towards the seemingly impossible educational dream of high achievement, personalised support and complete inclusion. He explains how the school setting can be a place where there is love but also hope and relentless ambition for children, and reflects on the steps that he and his staff have put in place to make this a reality for Parklands’ pupils.

Chris delves into how this culture and climate of love drives behaviour and decision-making throughout the school – and, as a result, how this creates a safe, loving environment in which all of its learners can thrive.

Chris also provides insights into how the leadership team goes about raising funds for the school, and how they choose to spend it on both curricular and extracurricular projects. And, furthermore, how the school broadens its pupils’ experiences and cultural capital by means of residential trips, in-school productions, and sports and arts provision.

An uplifting read for all teachers and school leaders.

Chapters include:

• Chapter 1: Love
• Chapter 2: Leadership
• Chapter 3: Learning
• Chapter 4: Fun Day Friday and the Best Seats in the House
• Chapter 5 Looking After Your Staff
• Chapter 6 Achievement
• Chapter 7 Parents, Community and Family
• Chapter 8 Taking Care of Business

Naylor's Natter- the book:

Inspired by interviews from the popular education podcast of the same name, Naylor’s Natter brings together a wealth of advice from the most influential voices in education today.
In this exciting, one-of-a-kind book, Phil Naylor revisits the very best interviews from four years of education podcasting, drawing on the advice and opinions from some of the world’s most innovative educators, including Doug Lemov, E. D. Hirsch, Pritesh Raichura and Mary Myatt.
Divided into five key areas – behaviour, leadership, pastoral care, CPD, and the future of teaching and learning – this book is perfect for primary and secondary ECTs, teachers and school leaders looking for new takes on hot topics, as well as tips and strategies to improve their practice. There are QR codes throughout linking to the episodes discussed, so you can listen to the interviews and explore the topics in even more detail. Full of valuable insights into the current state of education, and what the road ahead may look like, this is an indispensable tool for starting conversations and transforming the way you teach.