In his role as NAHT (National Association of Headteachers) Branch President for Barking and Dagenham, Mr. Huntingford was proud to share through the Bauer Radio Network (Magic FM, Absolute Radio, Greatest Hits FM.....) about this important campaign affecting many schools across the UK.

Schools need access to timely mental health support for its pupils (staff and parents too). And it’s far too late to wait until secondary school. Primary-aged children face anxiety over friendships, bereavement, body image, domestic abuse, loneliness, anger, separation anxiety… the list goes on.

At William Ford School, we invest heavily in mental health provision, from KICK mentoring, Place2Be counselling, and Hamish & Milo - Wellbeing Emotional Literacy Resources to extensive staff training. But this comes at a cost—tens of thousands of pounds each year—with no additional funding.

Mr. Huntingford was proud to speak on Global LBC News yesterday to raise awareness, but the conversation must continue. Schools can’t do this alone.

Mr. Huntingford is pleased to have been interviewed live on BBC Radio London Drive Time show to discuss the urgent need for Ofsted reform.

"Following my recent appearance on Channel 4 News, I made it clear—through by role as Barking and Dagenham branch president of NAHT - The school leaders' union —that one-word judgements must go. No school’s work, impact, and complexity should be reduced to a single word. Summarising ten areas of inspection in this way is not just reductive—it’s damaging.

We are not against accountability, but it needs to be fair, developmental, and reflective of the true work happening in schools. A system built on genuine school improvement will serve pupils, staff, and communities far better than the high-stakes, headline-driven model we have now."

Hoping that these conversations play a small part in driving the change our schools deserve.

Our pupils are becoming quite used to welcoming film crews, and today was no exception. As ever, an hour of filming was condensed into about thirty seconds, but the experience was invaluable. Well done to all the pupils and staff involved! No facial shots of children were captured, ensuring their privacy was protected.

A special thank you to the Channel 4 camera operator, who has kindly offered to return to William Ford to share more about his job—a fantastic opportunity to further promote our careers focus and inspire our pupils.

The segment on Channel 4 News can be viewed here: Ofsted reforms will bring ‘more misery’ to schools, union says – Channel 4 News

For more pictures, click here: William Ford Junior School - Channel 4 News film at William Ford

William Ford School Featured on ITV News, Highlights Funding Challenges in Education

Today (Wednesday 30th October 2024), William Ford Church of England Junior School received national attention as ITV News filmed on-site, featuring the school in a segment discussing the financial challenges affecting schools across the country. This comes as part of William Ford’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the urgent need for increased funding in education—a mission led by Headteacher David Huntingford, who has been speaking out at national events and across educational media.

In recent years, William Ford has been at the forefront of advocating for additional financial resources for schools, highlighting the pressing need to improve facilities and, crucially, to support the rising number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). "Investment in education is not just about today; it’s about securing the future," Mr. Huntingford said during his interview with ITV. "Without adequate funding, we risk limiting the potential of young people and the vital services they require."

The school’s selection to comment on the government's budget reflects its growing role in the national conversation on education reform and funding. William Ford has seen firsthand the impact of limited budgets, and Mr. Huntingford has consistently used his platform to champion the cause of all schools, particularly those facing significant financial constraints.

In his role as a headteacher, Mr. Huntingford’s recent contributions to educational publications and high-profile speaking engagements have drawn attention to the severe limitations many schools now face, from essential building improvements to providing tailored support for SEND pupils. This ITV feature marks another important step in the school’s commitment to ensuring every child has the resources they need to thrive.

As William Ford continues its mission, the school hopes this segment will resonate with policymakers and the wider public, prompting a renewed focus on the value of investing in education for future generations.

This should be shown on Wednesday 30th October 2024 at 6:30pm and 10pm on the ITV news.

To access the links or to read this article online, please click here: Nurturing Creativity and Aspiration in Primary Schools (google.com)

William Ford pupils and staff are proud to have supported the Ben Kinsella Trust and to be part of their latest promotional film.