Before joining Meadow High School, I worked at Longdean School, a large mainstream Secondary School in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire for 18 years. Longdean attracted a large number of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, with over 100 having an EHCP. The opportunity to work in a school that focuses solely on these students was the main attraction of joining Meadow High School and my first few days here have already confirmed it was the right choice to make. I have managed to get a good feel for the school and I have met and spent time with lots of students and staff. There is a really positive buzz around the school and the staff all work tirelessly for the students who attend. Their hard work has ensured that Meadow High School is a very good place to work and to learn. The students I have spoken to all feel safe, enjoy being in school and work very hard in order to learn and develop important life skills. We are fortunate to have a fantastic learning environment and the new building, opened this term has added to this, as will the new site at Northwood Road, where works will be commencing shortly.
My aim is to make sure that whatever your child is interested in and enjoy, they will have an excellent experience of it at Meadow High School, whether this is in the classroom or outside of it on trips and visits, or through extra-curricular clubs. Over the first few weeks of term, we will all be focusing on ensuring that all students are getting the basics right and are back in the routine of being at school after the summer break. We want students to be on time, look smart, work hard and are kind to all members of our community. To that end, I am requesting the support of all parents and carers in ensuring they get their children to school on time and that they are wearing a uniform in line with our dress code. Can they also remind students that they should not be using mobile devices in school unless they are in the Sixth Form and then only at break and lunch. As a staff we will be making sure lessons start smoothly and that activities are relevant and purposeful.
I will spend a lot of my first half-term listening to what staff, students, parents and Governors say to me about how we can improve Meadow High even further. This feedback will form the basis of our priorities and School Improvement Plan for the year ahead. I will shortly be sending you all a survey to complete to assist in this process and I will arrange some slots for parents to meet me in person to share their thoughts on how we can improve the school further.
Apart from my job at Meadow High School I have lots of other interests. I have been married to my wife Alex for 25 years and I have two sons, Tom and Matthew. I really enjoy watching rugby, and I am a supporter of Wasps, having played for them when I was younger. I also coach a junior rugby team, enjoy reading and going to the theatre and concerts. I am a fan of espionage stories and biographies. I also enjoy history books and books on leadership.
I hope this letter gives you a brief introduction to me and my aims for the school in the future. Young people only have a total of 2660 days in formal education and by the time they reach Meadow High School 50% of these have gone. It is vital that we maximise the days they have left in order for all the students to leave with the knowledge, skills and character to contribute and influence the communities they will be part of when they leave. You have my word that I will always place students at the centre of the decisions I make at Meadow High School and that all the staff will work tirelessly on their behalf.
I look forward to working in partnership with you over the days, weeks and months ahead.
Yours sincerely
Mr Cunningham
Headteacher
Attached: School Uniform Policy
