On Wednesday 18th January the governing body met via zoom for this month's scrutiny meeting which focused on Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion.

Mr Staples spoke to us about the "Great Representation Project" which the school is participating in with thirty primary and secondary schools in Hertfordshire, focusing on eliminating systemic race inequity.

Following training sessions and school visits, Fairlands have identified three key themes to focus on:

• Reviewing the curriculum and barriers to learning
• Strengthening leadership of equalities, diversity and inclusion within the school
• Recruitment and retention of staff with protected characteristics

At the end of the project Fairlands will be publishing a reflective journal in an eBook!

Miss Brooker (Y6) and Mrs Herron (Y4), the appointed leads for Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion, joined the meeting and shared the journey Fairlands are on, to make long lasting improvements to inequalities.

All staff participated in "No Outsiders" on the January INSET day which is being embedded through weekly assemblies in classes to prompt conversations around the Equality Act, focusing on the nine protective characterises encouraging the children to understand the differences they will experience in the world.

If you want to learn more, the school are running a "No Outsider' Information evening - you can find more information in the letter which was sent to all parents and carers, and available in the downloads section..

If you would like more information on becoming a school governor, please get in touch: claire.peacock@fairlands.herts.sch.uk

The last few months have absolutely flown by!

How is it almost time for the Christmas Break? Like most parents and carers, I’m not sure I’m ready but I am certainly ready for the elf to return to the North Pole on Christmas Day!

December is always such a fun time of year at school, from carol services, nativity plays, talent shows to the whole school visit to the Pantomime. I had the pleasure of helping reception this year and thoroughly enjoyed the Pantomime (I think I did six toilet trips in the end lol), especially Mr Holgate being the victim of the Ugly Sisters…I’m voting for Mr Staples to sit in the front row next year!

As we look forward into January we return back to school on Monday 9^th January, which does seem like an awfully long time but I am looking forward to a break from work and spending time with the children.

We have a packed agenda for our first meeting back on the 18^th Jan 2023 looking at:

• Workload
• Wellbeing – pupils and staff
• Equalities

If you would like more information on becoming a school governor, please get in touch Claire.Peacock@fairlands.herts.sch.uk.

Warm wishes,

Claire Peacock, Chair of Governors