VES Team End of Week Update | Spotlight on Feedback
Dear wonderful VES team,
Hope you are well - and thank you for a really strong first week back together!!
I felt like something “clicked” a little further into place this week. There was a calm, steady rhythm across the mornings - and even with unexpected challenges (including unavoidable last-minute team gaps), our system held up pretty well - enabling dozens and dozens of student sessions and many opportunities for good next steps. That’s no small thing - thank you for your part in that!!
This coming Thursday (23rd April) we're due to host a visit from one of our local MPs, Natasha Irons, (subject to the usual last-minute changes!) - an encouraging moment of recognition for VES if it comes off!
VES Easter Party Photo Booth: Fatima, Chris, Anthony & Dadulina
Spotlight this week: Feedback
Over the years at VES, we’ve sometimes used the phrase “building the aeroplane whilst we’re flying”
I think it’s fair to say we’re now in a slightly more established phase than that - but we are absolutely still committed to improving what we do, session by session, week by week, term by term.
Possibly the single most important input into that ongoing improvement is team feedback.
Thank you to everyone who has already completed the team feedback form (around a third of you so far). The responses already received have been hugely helpful (and we've already made some changes in response to them). If you haven’t yet had a chance, I’d really encourage you to take a few minutes to give your feedback - it genuinely shapes how we develop VES from here. I will share the anonymized feedback in full with all of you, and it will direct our Team Training morning in early May. The link to complete is here:
VES Team Feedback Form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv0KcLZ2DvTmE3t0JCg9VK1Sug1MtlAdwvpWS5XthNi23eFQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114063639280629095028
Alongside that, we’ve also introduced a very short Session Feedback Form available after each session. The aim here is simple - an easy place to capture:
What worked well?
What could be improved (quickly and practically)?
These small, regular inputs help us spot patterns early and keep raising the quality of what we offer - both for students and for you as a team. "Need more small whiteboards"; "section 2 on the worksheet is too hard for this level"; "really encouraging feedback from a student" etc The VES "Front of House" is always happy to hear these things direct, but if you're in a rush - take 2 minutes and send us the info via the link below (also available via QR code next to the door as you exit the ACH)
VES Session Feedback Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScd3_wfGQVsDhwi8Cdsfu5HorEAZRWmUY5T8YtQe_T0Gyjxyw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114063639280629095028
And yes, we are also serious about capturing student feedback. We do that towards the end of the academic year in a 'survey' session - and I am looking at easy ways to do it on a more regular basis.
VES Dashboard - Week at a Glance
● 18 classes delivered across 4 days (plus 3 creche sessions and 1 youth drop-in)
● 239 student sessions enabled
● 68 team sessions given
● Weekly participation number: 352
● +81% increase on this time last year
Behind each of those numbers is a person being welcomed, taught, and encouraged - thank you for making that possible.
VES Easter Party Photo Booth: Samba, Libby & Oumar
Dates - a few to keep clearly in mind
A slightly unusual few weeks ahead, so just to keep things really clear:
Two “Short weeks” coming - NO classes on these days:
● Monday 27/04 (due to Vineyard Leader's Gathering)
● Tuesday 28/04 (due to Vineyard Leader's Gathering)
● Monday 04/05 (Bank Holiday)
● Tuesday 05/05 (Team Training Morning)
VES Team Training Morning (all team invited):
Tuesday 05/05
We’d really love to have as many of you there as possible --these mornings are a key moment to invest into you as a team.
Half term:
Week commencing 25/05 (no classes)
Save the date:
Welcoming Well Conference - Monday 01/06 (morning)
It’s been a very encouraging start to term. Thank you for the way you show up - with consistency, generosity, and care. It really is making a difference in people’s lives.
Looking forward to serving together over the coming weeks.
Much love,
Andy Brims
ps - you can find all the previous team update emails, along with other resources, on our VES team page - https://www.vineyardenglishschool.org.uk/team-updates