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Community<br />
Victoria Park resident, Claire Murdoch, is the new Head Teacher at<br />
Faraday Prep School at the iconic Trinity Buoy Wharf. Here, she<br />
offers insight into her new role.<br />
Images courtesy of Faraday School<br />
What is the best thing about working in primary schools?<br />
I have been lucky enough to work in some really remarkable schools; ones that have lead the way in their<br />
educational beliefs and creative approaches to learning. Faraday is no exception. It is packed with eager, bright<br />
and interested young children who are encouraged to follow their own path whilst exploring a knowledge-based<br />
curriculum. As a teacher, the best thing is seeing the progress made by the pupils and witnessing their successes<br />
when the hard work pays off!<br />
What are you particularly looking forward to at Faraday?<br />
Everyone at Faraday has been incredibly welcoming and the staff team has<br />
a clear drive and common goal. Working in an environment with passionate<br />
educators is vital when providing a first class education and being<br />
surrounded by diverse, engaged children ensures that this is possible. I feel<br />
very privileged to be joining such a supportive and close-knit community.<br />
Faraday School must have one of the most unusual locations of any<br />
primary in London, with a rooftop playground and views to the O2, what<br />
inspires you about the location?<br />
The location truly is awe-inspiring. I recently ascended the steep, spiraled<br />
staircase of the lighthouse at Trinity Buoy Wharf with my young niece<br />
- what a unique experience! It has spectacular views across the docks<br />
and is currently filled with the enchanting sound from the Longplayer art<br />
installation. Like many places in and around the wharf, it is like stepping<br />
back in time and offers a great juxtaposition between the old and the<br />
new. You can imagine why the scientist Michael Faraday chose this space<br />
for his famous experiments all those years ago, and with regular scientific<br />
investigations taking place at Faraday School, we hope the area will inspire<br />
the new, young scientists of the future!<br />
What is your favourite book/story for primary school children?<br />
A good book can be a really fantastic tool for discussion, investigation or<br />
debate. Stories such as Dandelion by Lizzie Finlay for example, can help<br />
to empower very young children to embrace who they are and support<br />
them in exploring their feelings. Alternatively, The Girl with the Ponytail<br />
by Laurence Anholt, remains firm favourite of mine and I would happily<br />
recommend this series to parents who want to share stories of artists with<br />
their little ones.<br />
We hear you have an arts background. How important are the arts in<br />
schools?<br />
The arts allow children to explore all areas of the curriculum in a practical<br />
and ‘hands on’ way. You can teach discrete technical skills alongside<br />
the importance of freedom and experimentation, allowing the pupils to<br />
experience how these skills work together to drive creativity and success.<br />
Finding links between art, maths and science can also be really exciting.<br />
At Faraday, they have a very popular animation club after school, mixing<br />
technology and art, where the children make fantastic short films. There is<br />
one about Michael Faraday and his lighthouse that is really worth a watch!<br />
Faraday School, Old Gate House, 7 Trinity Buoy Wharf, London<br />
E14 0FH Tel: 020 77199342 | faradayschool.co.uk<br />
LOVEEAST AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2018 9
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