Dear Parents,
I am delighted to invite you to a very valuable presentation for the parents of our pupils happening later this month at our school. A leading figure in British education, Mr Andy Buck, will be speaking on strategies that can be used by parents to support their child in his or her education. This really is an opportunity not to be missed and is equally applicable for parents of pupils from any year group across the junior and senior school.


Andy Buck’s influence on education and schools in the UK has been immense over the last twenty-five years. After headships of two schools in the UK, Andy was designated as a National Leader of Education, so outstanding were the improvements in his schools. In 2009 he was appointed as a Director of the National College of School Leadership in the UK, which is the premier training provider for UK Headteachers.


In addition, Andy was appointed as the Managing Director of one of the UK’s largest academy chain of schools, United Learning, and was responsible for setting up the UK government’s Teaching Schools programme – where new teachers are trained, assessed and gain full teaching qualifications while employed in schools.


Somehow, Andy has also found time to set up two educational organisations which support school leaders, ‘Leadership Matters’ and ‘#honk’ and has written five influential books on education and leadership. True to his roots as a Geography teacher, Andy is currently the Honorary Vice President of the UK Geographical Association and is Education Advisor to the Duke of Edinburgh/International Award.


Clearly Andy is a very busy man and so I am thrilled that he is able to visit St. Lawrence College for two days and work with senior leaders of the school, middle leaders, pupils and parents.


Andy will speak to and answer questions from parents in the Cultural Hall at 09.00am, Friday 29th September. The session will last approximately 90 minutes and as I anticipate this will be a very popular event, I ask parents to contact the junior or senior school by phone (210 8917000) or email (juniorschool@slc.gr or seniorschool@slc.gr) to tell us you will be attending and to help us plan the event.


I strongly urge you to come as firstly Andy’s advice to you will be very valuable as you support your child in their learning, and secondly because you will find the experience highly rewarding and entertaining – Andy is a fascinating and engaging speaker and will really challenge how you think about education and learning! I look forward to seeing you at this exciting event.


Sincerely,
Phil Holden
Headmaster