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2020 09 Speaker Headmaster


               Rotary Meeting over Zoom Monday 14 September 2020

     Johnny Culley:  Headmaster Easebourne Primary School

Johnny was introduced by Ian Goodall from whom we all anticipated a range of probing questions relevant to education in Easebourne Primary school. However as detailed below such a cross examination turned out to be quite different.

After briefly outlining his career which included an early foray as a creator of stained glass windows (evidence to be found in a small window in Lodsworth church).  Johnny trained for his career in education prior taking up a position in the independent sector where he remained for some 17 years. He was then encouraged to take on the role of headmaster at South Harting before being headhunted to apply for Easebourne.

Sensing that he would be quizzed over last year’s donation by our club of 6 Chromebook computers Johnny had prepared a bullet point presentation outlining how they had been introduced to school and how they were being utilised to benefit accelerated learning.  Using the Chromebooks individual reading ages are identified to assist book selection to match pupils reading ability.  Both staff and pupils are on a steep learning curve over their adoption but their robust nature has convinced staff much was to be gained from their introduction. Time prevented all aspects of computer use to be highlighted but Johnny spoke encouragingly of how some of the basic educational needs can be satisfied rather than leaving young minds to learn from their siblings through the likes of social media.

COVID 19 was then summarised setting out how lock-down had affected the school. Initially there were only two bubbles operating for pupils who were entitled to educational support. By the end of the summer term school attendance had risen to over 90% across the four full year groups back at school, demonstrating how a visionary programme gives pupils a desire to learn and socially interact within their class groups.

Johnny also gave examples of some of the practical problems that he has to routinely deal with. The current one relating to Covid testing system. The school has been given ten test packs to be used only as a last resort when potential candidates can’t access a test. Lack of testing and the slow delivery of results mean that pupils and staff must isolate for a minimum of 14 days (often needlessly)

Overall this was a fascinating insight into life from within primary education today.  It was clear that Johnny and his staff must have devoted a huge amount of effort and time redesigning systems for our very youngest school children to enable them to get what is only the basics. A brief presentation but excellent thought and work had gone into its presentation for which made the hour memorable. Thanks to Johnny for his time in sharing the work of the school.

Postscript Johnny indicated that it may be possible for Rotarians to consider acting as email “pen pals “ for a number of pupils. This will be followed up by the Youth committee

Robert Morrison

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