February 6th 2025
We have been asking some of our new staff members to reflect on their first term at Durlston. They share their thoughts and observations about the Durlston difference.
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| Ms Stephenson, Head of Maths | Mrs Daish-Handy, English Teacher |
| “What I love about Durlston is that the children are so engaged, they have a ‘give it a go’ attitude and are not worried to get things wrong. It’s clear that the school’s ethos helps to build confidence so that the children are happy to take on challenges. The small class sizes here mean that teacher pupil relationships are formed much quicker and I have time to give everyone one to one attention. The great teacher/pupil ratio also means I am able to give more detailed feedback and learning interventions can be made quickly. The longer school days create a less rushed atmosphere, allowing more time for experimenting and practical activities. At Durlston it is really nice to see the children mixing between the year groups, making friends and seeing positive role models.” From a personal point of view- I really like working in a school that is so near to the sea and is set in such beautiful grounds - I often take five minutes in the day to walk outside and appreciate the surroundings. A particular highlight from last term was when a Year 10 pupil presented an assembly to the rest of the school on his charity work in Africa. He was so engaging, funny and inspiring, his confidence and maturity was brilliant to see”. | "When I joined in September, I instantly felt part of the team. I felt really well supported and I felt comfortable to suggest new ideas and try different things. I can honestly say that I genuinely look forward to coming to school and seeing the children. I notice a great sense of pride from the children and there is an ethos of respect for each other. The small class sizes here make such a difference. I get to know the children really well and have the time to talk through feedback on a personal level. I love that we get to know not only the student but the whole family from the moment they start at Durlston - a true home school partnership which means that parents’ evenings and feedback is effective in helping the children to make fantastic progress." |
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| Miss Hannah Siuda, Head of Science | Mr Tim Stickley, Science Teacher |
"One of the first things I noticed when I started working here was the welcoming family feel where everyone is willing to help without even being asked! Our children are very considerate and polite- they hold doors open, stand when a visitor enters the classroom and thank teachers at the end of lessons. It has been a great time to join the science department as we extended to GCSE. It’s wonderful to have an extra, new science lab and we have invested in many new resources. I’m really enjoying running the Science Learning Clinics for our senior pupils. These drop in sessions give pupils dedicated time to complete homework, catch up with learning, and get help with resources and revision. I’ve also enjoyed getting involved in wider school activities such as the Big Sleepover, Year 7 Pantomime and it has been a pleasure to share my love of bird-watching with the children during the RSPB Big Garden Watch." | "The first thing I noticed when I joined the school was how friendly and polite Durlston children are, it’s clear that this is a key part of the school’s ethos. The small class sizes means that specialist help is on hand and you really get to know the children very quickly, learning what makes them tick. This in turn helps to individualise their learning. The pastoral care at Durlston is phenomenal - there is no chance of any child feeling lost in the system. A personal highlight last term was the Carol Concert at Christchurch Priory; it really showcased the children’s passion and talent. I can’t wait to see more!" |
