At the virtual WE Inspire event on 12th January 2022, Headteacher Andrea Curran and Assistant Head Alex Borrill spoke about using the structure of ‘CREW’ to develop a positive and inclusive school culture at Stockbridge Village Primary School.
Stockbridge Village Primary School is a one form entry primary school with pupils from Nursery through to Year 6. The school is built on the core belief that ‘there is more in everybody than we think’. They call this belief ‘learning without limits’ and everything they do and say in school is aligned to this way of thinking and being. Stockbridge Village Primary School have been using ‘CREW’ since 2019 to develop relationships between the children and staff, to make sure their children are supported socially, emotionally and academically and to empower their children to live life well and be a success.
The idea of ‘CREW’, which originates from Expeditionary Learning, is a research informed approach to developing a school culture. The analogy of a ship with no passengers is used to describe how staff and children work as a crew. They work together, they support each other and this contributes to the overall success of the crew. Individual success is not enough.
At Stockbridge Village Primary School, upon request from the children, each year group is a “Crew” rather than a “Class”. The crew has three structured meetings across the course of a week. On Monday’s, they have a check in meeting. The second session on Wednesday works as a social, emotional or academic check up. Then on Friday, their third session is called “Acknowledgements and Apologies”, where the children have an opportunity to reflect and discuss what has happened between the crew in the previous week.
Elements of a Crew Meeting from EL Education on Vimeo.
Andrea Curran described ‘Crew’ as “basically an advocacy system in schools for us. Equity starts with advocacy…We know we have to form really good relationships with our children and it’s through forming those relationships, teachers can advocate for them and they can be supported to develop as crew members.”
Stockbridge Village Primary School has seen great impact from adopting the ‘Crew’ culture within the school. The academic mindset of the children has improved as have their outcomes. Relationships amongst children and between children and staff have grown stronger and with that they have seen fewer issues with behaviour. Furthermore, the school has become more inclusive with the ‘Crew’ culture of everyone working together.
Thank you to Andrea Curran and Alex Borrill for taking the time to present at this WE Inspire event. One of the great things about being in a network is being able to hear best practice and great ideas from across the country.
Director of Primary, Jo Corrigan reflected on the session:
