It was a privilege to attend the 2023 Camden Takeover challenge last week. Pupils from Kingsgate, Edith Neville, Argyle, Torriano & Brecknock, Acland Burghley, and Parliament Hill presented to a panel that included the Mayor of Camden. Despite the potentially intimidating audience of fellow pupils and Camden dignitaries, pupils spoke brilliantly about the challenges that are facing them including those presented by social media, mental health, and well-being. In each presentation, there was ample evidence of young people who had a growing sense of their place in society and the personal impact that they could make. Building Back Stronger outlines our shared ambition to build a generation of changemakers who will work with impact in their communities and here Camden pupils spoke with passion and confidence, drawing from learning in the classroom to evidence their calls to action.

Amanda Spielman’s final HMCI report that was published last week included recognition of the pressures from the rising number of pupils with SEND and changed relationship with parents impacting on attendance that are so familiar in Camden. There is also comment that teaching in areas such as spoken language is less effective, with most schools not yet having developed a well-sequenced curriculum for spoken language and writing. There was no evidence of this last Friday. The recently launched Kidstalk initiative for nine Camden Primary schools and the oracy initiative resulting from five Camden schools collaborating to create a learning journey for early years pupils are both examples of how oracy remains high profile in Camden. Opportunities to develop confidence in speaking and communicating are achieved through teachers having the confidence to facilitate pupil talk and discussion in lessons every day and this is only achieved through school leaders as well as teachers giving it the weighting it needs.

We have reached December and it is a very busy and tiring time of year so make sure that you keep warm, well, and enjoy the weekend.

Stephen Hall

Chief Executive Officer, Camden Learning