Woolston Brook School

By Mark Cullen 5/3/25

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Martin Hanbury as our School Improvement Partner. With extensive experience as a headteacher at a school similar to ours, Martin brings invaluable insights that will help us set ambitious targets and effectively address areas for improvement, steering us towards our educational goals.

Martin’s collaboration with our school is built on a strong commitment to continuous improvement. He aims to support our dedicated staff, empowering educators to inspire students on their learning journeys. During the Autumn term, Martin conducted a comprehensive learning walk, assessing classroom dynamics and engagement, which allowed him to identify specific areas for refinement.

On 3rd March 2025, Martin Hanbury, returned to deliver a twilight training session entitled "My Role In The Learning Process", designed for all staff, including teachers and teaching assistants. This session highlighted the importance of collaborative dialogue, encouraging small group discussions to define what 'Learning' means to us. The diverse perspectives shared reinforced our commitment to student-centred approaches.

Martin also led conversations around 'Teaching', helping educators articulate effective methodologies aligned with our school's vision. He emphasised the interdependence of learning and teaching, underscoring how both need to flourish together.

As the session progressed, Martin shared key elements of effective lessons, including clear objectives and engaging materials. He also guided staff in developing detailed lesson plans, ensuring a collaborative environment for sharing ideas. The subsequent presentations of lesson plans fostered constructive feedback and rich discussions.