Now, working in central I’m used to the fire alarm being tested and our practice evacuations, so I was interested and curious as to how an evacuation of the school would go as this was not a pre-planned test, the alarm kept ringing. The afternoon classes were well under way so everything was disrupted, all routines were broken, favourite activities stopped, and for some young people the noise could’ve been very stressful, but it was time to leave the school.
What I then witnessed made me really proud of our MacIntyre Wingrave staff, and I wanted to share it with you. Everyone was calm; I saw fantastic student centred interactions all around. Everyone knew what they were doing and where they were going. There was no anxiety, just Great Interactions everywhere.
I saw positive positioning which was never overpowering as staff guided students outside to the safe meeting place; there was joking and good humoured banter to encourage people to keep moving out. The students took it all in their stride because of the excellent facilitation of the staff team.
Once outside I observed how the staff used different ways of engaging the students to ensure they stayed happy, calm and in the designated area. Some clapped, some sang, some chatted and laughed, but nobody was left out, confused or frustrated.
Well thankfully it turned out there was no fire, but I’m still smiling about the Great Interactions I saw at Wingrave…and to think Ofsted were also there that day!
Sue Martindale
Head of HR and Recruitment