HEADTEACHER'S BLOG - 5th SEPTEMBER 2025

PM’s Letter: Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life 

Literacy Highlights

From Ms Russell, Assistant Principal

Voice 21 - Talk the Talk! 

We are proud to share that this year our school is becoming a Voice 21 School, strengthening our commitment to giving every child the skills, confidence and opportunity to find their voice & use it effectively. 

This week, it has been fantastic to see our students really getting stuck into using their Talk Tactics across different lessons. From exploring influences in PSHE, to diving into the life and works of Charles Dickens in English, and even debating the benefits of renewable energy in Science, pupils have been practising how to communicate clearly, listen carefully, and build on each other’s ideas. 

Teaching & Learning updates

From Ms Bunger, Assistant Principal

Teaching and Learning at Lordswood: KRAFT Principles to Drive Progress

At LBS, our aim is simple: to provide every student with the very best learning experience. Everything we do in the classroom is underpinned by cognitive science and evidence-based KRAFT teaching and learning principles delivered by our expert staff.

The KRAFT teaching and learning principles are:

•  Knowledge Retrieval – the practice of bringing information back to mind to strengthen memory and build understanding through regular recall and retrieval practice.

•  Responsive Teaching – the ability of teachers to respond flexibly to the needs of their pupils, ensuring that every learner can thrive by making small but powerful adjustments that support progress so no student is left behind.

•  Active Modelling – showing students how to succeed by making thinking visible through our ‘I Do – We Do – You Do’ approach for pupils to build confidence through challenging tasks that they can replicate independently.

•  Feedback – giving precise and actionable guidance that fuels improvement so pupils take ownership of their learning, develop resilience and a growth mind-set towards success.

•  Thinking Perspective – encouraging learners to articulate their learning to us, to each other and to you as parents. Research shows that talking about learning is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen memory and understanding. Simply put: if a student can explain it clearly, they truly know it.

Each principle on its own is powerful; but it is when they work together that the real impact is seen. We want our students not only to achieve excellent academic outcomes but also to develop the confidence, independence and resilience they need beyond school.

Our five KRAFT teaching and learning principles ensure consistency across our school where teachers bring them to life. Together, they represent our promise: to empower every member of our community to succeed.

The Importance of Homework 

Homework plays an important role in supporting your child’s learning, helping them to practise key skills, develop good study habits, and take responsibility for their own progress. Working on tasks at home also strengthens the link between school and family, ensuring the best outcomes for our students.

Please see the homework timetable below:

Behaviour & Attitudes updates

From Ms Davis-Musabayana, Assistant Principal

🎶 A Fantastic Start to Music at Lordswood Boys’ School! 🎶  

It’s been an inspiring first week in the Music Department, with students showing energy, enthusiasm, and creativity in every lesson.

👉 Key Stage 3 began with a ‘Music and Me’ questionnaire, sparking great discussions about how music shapes our daily lives — from films to video games.

👉 Year 11 GCSE Music students got straight to work on new ideas for their composition coursework, refreshing key skills for the projects ahead.

👉 A highlight came from 9.2, who dived into a Samba and Calypso percussion project. They learned a full Samba piece in one lesson, with two students confidently leading a call-and-response section.

👏 Well done to all our students — a brilliant start to the year of music-making at Lordswood Boys’ School!

🎻 Instrumental Lessons Begin at Lordswood Boys’ School! A Fantastic Start to Music at Lordswood Boys’ School! 🎶  

We’re delighted to announce that instrumental lessons start on Monday 8th September. Teachers from Services for Education will visit weekly to deliver high-quality lessons.

📢 Information for parents and students:

• Lesson times and days will be confirmed and shared from today.

• The first lessons on Monday 8th September will include:
  🎺 Brass | 🎻 Cello | 🎶 Double Bass

• Other instrumental lessons will take place on different days — details to follow.

• 💰 The first instalment for September is due next week. Full payment details are included in the parental information letter.

We can’t wait to see our students begin their musical journeys on these fantastic instruments — a brilliant way to build confidence, skill, and creativity!

🎶 Music Clubs Open Launch Event! 🎶  

📅 Monday 8th September
🕒 3:00 – 4:00 pm
📍 Music Department (G15)

All students are invited to our Music Clubs Open Launch!

Here’s what’s on offer:
🎤 Meet Mrs Lowndes-Ford and Miss Jeffs
🥁 Try out instruments for fun
🎼 Discover our new Music Clubs Timetable
📝 Sign up for clubs
❓ Ask questions
🍫 Enjoy cakes and chocolate!

✨ All music clubs are free and lead to amazing performance opportunities in school and the wider community. With exciting new projects ahead, there’s no better time to get involved.

Bring your friends, drop in anytime, and enjoy — we look forward to seeing you there!