Headteacher Michelle Benton gave Caroline Flint a personal tour of Rowena Academy this week, as the MP visited to congratulate the school on becoming a national teaching school.

Said Caroline:  “National teaching schools are vital to raising standards across all schools and there will be few better examples than Rowena Academy.  Rowena is now tasked with teaching the teachers, passing on the best ways of helping children to learn.

PHOTO RIGHT: Fierce pirates – Caroline plays pirates with Corey (front), Mitchell and Nancy.

“Despite working in an area with a lot of social challenges, Rowena has a ‘no excuses’ approach and build’s the confidence and involvement of parents from the day their child walks into the Academy.   Everything I saw today said ‘outstanding’.  I hope it is a challenge and an inspiration to other schools to see that we have national teaching schools here in Doncaster.”

Ms Flint saw how even the school’s fantastic play equipment helped the children to learn.  “From the giant Hobbit house to the pirate ship, play and learning are inter-twined.  Today I met children who love their school, were all involved in creative projects and all equipped with their book bag to take work home from school.

“Rowena has a fantastic approach to family learning and they listen to and involve parents from the off, showing them how to play and help their child to learn.”

Said headteacher Michelle Benton: “The children and staff were delighted to welcome Caroline Flint MP to Rowena Academy. During her visit Caroline went on a tour of the Academy and spent time talking to pupils about their current topic work based around “Conisbrough - Where we Live”. The children thoroughly enjoyed sharing their learning and showing her some of the amazing activities they had completed linked to Conisbrough Castle. Caroline also spent some time with the younger children in the outdoor learning area. The children were delighted when she dressed up as a pirate and joined in with their role play on the pirate ship!”

Rowena Academy, part of the School Partnership Trust Academies, was rated outstanding in Ofsted in 2013.  In May, Rowena became one of 500 national teaching schools.

PHOTO LEFT: We built a castle with a jail! – Caroline give a thumbs up to pupils creating their own castle.