
Rydal Penrhos Daily Notes – May 14
Day 39 of Rydal Penrhos’ keyworker childcare provision – 16 pupils, 9 staff
Another busy day in Rydal Penrhos keyworker school! Lots of rushing (sensibly) up and down corridors to get to various online lessons on time.
This has become increasingly tricky as teachers have adapted their timetables and added more slots here and there.
When supervising teachers arrive in the morning they stand aghast as I reel off the timetable for each pupil and point out where they need to be and when.
I have taken the approach that talking quickly will get it over with and simultaneously impart all of the necessary information.
I am generally greeted with a baffled silence and a bit of chin rubbing to which my automatic teacher voice responds with, “Don’t touch your face!”
At this point, the teacher admits defeat and sinks heavily into the nearest chair staring at the morning’s timetable and wondering what on earth is about to happen.
Pupils, on the other hand, have mastered the art of cheery smiling in the morning and nodding enthusiastically as I let them know when their lessons are and what they will be doing.
They bounce around on the spot, looking over my shoulder and then rush off shouting, “ Yes I know!”. 100 per cent of the information is guaranteed not to have been understood whatsoever!
However, at the other end of the scale, the concentration applied to decorate exercise books is very high.
This activity has not diminished through the generations; I remember very well writing song lyrics onto the covers my English exercise books…how many other adults out there did the same I wonder?
It’s true… we can concentrate very well when we want to.
Lucy Davies
Head of Rydal Penrhos Prep









