Lucy Gregory, Head of Frensham Junior School
A new year brings fresh opportunities, and at Frensham Junior School, 2025 promises to be a year of exploration, curiosity, and achievement. We remain committed to fostering a love of learning and providing an environment where every student can take ownership of their education, build confidence, and strive for their personal best. This year, our focus is on further developing student agency in learning—empowering students to take an active role in their growth and success.
What is student agency?
Student agency is the ability of students to take ownership of their learning, acting with independence and confidence within a structured environment. As Fullan and Quinn (2018) describe, student agency empowers learners to engage deeply with their education and take meaningful steps toward their own growth. Similarly, Rudolph (2018) defines student agency as the level of control, autonomy, and power a student experiences in an educational setting. By nurturing student agency, we equip our students with the skills to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and active participants in their own education.
Inventive Minds Program
To bring this vision to life, we are excited to launch the Inventive Minds Program. This initiative enables students to explore individual interests through elective-based learning experiences. Students are encouraged to choose their own adventure—from electives such as ‘make it,’ ‘build it,’ ‘decorate it,’ ‘play it’ or other. With teacher facilitation and opportunities to collaborate across year groups, students get to be inventors who create, design and think originally.
Schoolbox Learning Moments
Schoolbox Learning Moments play a key role in developing student agency by giving students a voice in their learning journey. When students actively reflect on their work, set goals, and share their progress, they take ownership of their learning.
Schoolbox Learning Moments provide an authentic, real-time snapshot of student learning, allowing students to actively engage through expression, explanation, and interaction. This platform keeps parents connected with real-time insights, ensuring they are regularly informed about their child’s academic journey. By celebrating learning, Schoolbox Learning Moments foster meaningful conversations at home, strengthening the partnership between school and family.
Looking Ahead
As we move through 2025, our focus remains on cultivating a school environment where students feel empowered, engaged, and excited about their learning. By fostering agency, we not only prepare students for academic success but also instil in them the confidence and capability to navigate the world beyond the classroom.
I look forward to another year of inspiring learning at Frensham Junior School and thank our dedicated teachers, staff, and families for their invaluable support.