I am one of the Foundation Years Consultants with responsibility for the Bristol Standard. I first came across the Bristol Standard when I was teaching in Reception and my headteacher asked if I’d like to go to a launch of a new reflective framework called the Bristol Standard. From that evening onwards I was a firm advocate and started using it straight away with my team. It helped us to become reflective and to really get things done. One of our big targets was to develop our outdoor area. This became a five year project moved along by our Bristol Standard targets.

I am very proud to be now leading this wonderful framework in Bristol and with other local authorities. The Bristol Standard can be accessed at so many levels. I have seen settings in dire straits on the cliff edge being brought back with increased quality and confidence through using the Bristol Standard. Our outstanding settings also use the framework year on year as we all know that when working with young children there is always more we can do to improve. The Bristol Standard is also a step on the ladder to becoming a researchful practitioner and several people have gone on to do Master studies as part of their Bristol Standard journey.

The Bristol Standard never stands still and we are always developing something new. This includes helpful guides and booklets which work alongside the main document and our recent digitalisation which enables settings to complete their submission online. In addition, we are members of the National Quality Improvement Network which is led by the National Children’s Bureau. This ensures that we keep up to date with all new initiatives and research.

The Bristol Standard has a dedicated team which includes the central team and the mentors and validators. I hope you will enjoy reading about the other members of this dynamic team here. We all feel very privileged to share in your Bristol Standard journey and to read the wonderful things in your submissions. We look forward to helping you to ‘improve on your previous best’.