Our Work
Windmill Cluster of Schools is a partnership of 11 schools in Brixton, South London working together to enhance the life chances of our pupils. Our schools work closely together and with a wide range of community organisations in support of pupils and families. Our collaborative work with other local clusters has strengthened local connections and networks to maximise opportunities for children and young people. Windmill Cluster is part of the Local Cultural Education Partnership, Walcot Foundation Peer Support Network and works in partnership with Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity initiatives combating air pollution, childhood obesity & adolescent mental health. We work to promote positive mental health & wellbeing across the partnership and are committed to the continued development of an inclusive, supportive and safe place for the whole community
Working with the Windmill Cluster has enabled us to connect with more schools and reach more families in practical ways.
Jackie Sear, Business & Funding Manager, NOPA – creative therapeutic services for children & families
Staff Development
We support staff development at all levels to impact on high quality Teaching & Learning across the cluster. We regularly coordinate shared CPD, including an annual shared training day, to enhance staff expertise, confidence and improved wellbeing. We have hosted Race & Education training for Lambeth senior leaders, funded by London South Teaching Schools Alliance. We have developed externally evaluated Action Research projects, including a two-year programme, ‘Confident Creators’ with Brixton Learning Collaborative (BLC), involving 20 teachers each year incorporating the arts into curriculum though Growth Mindset approach, (funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation Teacher Development Fund) and ‘In My Own Words’ with BLC, a programme of inclusive creative writing and story-telling (funded by Laurel Trust). We have been invited to make presentations about our work at conferences and events.
I have more creative ideas for planning lessons now and make time for creative lessons
Teacher, Windmill Cluster of Schools
Programmes
The cluster works to collectively enhance the unique curriculum of each school ensuring equity & diversity is reflected throughout. Heads, senior leaders and teachers meet regularly to share resources and ideas across the curriculum and identify opportunities for developing further enrichment activities for pupils. Our shared programmes include sports tournaments, science fairs, art exhibitions, poetry slams, maths challenges and masterclasses, author visits, creative writing workshops, school council conferences and a cluster bake-off!
We have devised projects with national and locally based organisations, including Royal Institution, Southbank Centre, Pegasus Opera and Black Cultural Archives. Our cluster Outdoor Learning programme links with local facilitators, landscape designers and gardeners and also involves parents in family outdoor learning days, including family overnight camping.
This has been such a brilliant day – I never normally get to do this type of things with my kids – it’s been amazing. Would love to do it again!
Parent, Windmill Cluster of Schools
windmillcluster.com 