Noticeboard

Keeping pupils’ learning at the heart of everything we do

This week, the government announced amendments to the Year 6 SATs for May 2021 and stated that, until April 2021, Ofsted monitoring visits will take place for category schools only. Both of these changes have been welcomed by our heads. Obviously, accountability remains paramount and internal moderation across the trust will remain unaffected. In fact, on Wednesday evening, I was lucky enough to witness first-hand our internal moderation process in action via Teams.

As I listened in, I was (once again) awed and inspired by the energy and professionalism of staff as they focused on discussing and moderating pupils’ work from across the trust whilst sharing ideas and specific examples with colleagues from all trust schools. It was a fantastic opportunity for our new colleagues from Summerhill Primary Academy and Jubilee Park Academy to meet staff from our other schools (albeit virtually) and to contribute to this rigorous process.

At the end of a long term, the enthusiasm of staff on Wednesday evening was wonderful to see - a reminder to us all that, whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, pupils’ learning remains at the heart of everything we do.

Have a good weekend,

This week has been anti-bullying week. On Monday, pupils wore odd socks to school as a fun way of encouraging them to express and celebrate their individuality. We have spent time discussing and thinking about the fact that we are all unique and should be free to be ourselves without fear of being bullied. Across the trust, pupils have engaged in numerous activities including poster competitions, assemblies, class worship sessions, visits from community police officers and our KS2 pupils have been writing poems, which will soon become a Rivers video poem – watch this space!

On Thursday evening, we held another of our successful live briefings for all staff across the trust. I was able to update everyone on the support that we have put in place for staff, ranging from providing PPE and access to free and confidential counselling services to regular weekly meetings with heads and a staff wellbeing questionnaire.

I cannot praise staff highly enough for the amazing job that they are doing in these very challenging circumstances. My message to them, and to you all, is to work together, be kind to one another and to yourself and look for the little positives in every day.

Have a good weekend

Thinking of others

This week, we have spent time thinking of others. On Wednesday, our schools joined the nation in a two-minute silence at 11.00am on Armistice Day. Poignantly, our Director of Operations made a surprise appearance at NWPA wearing his own and his great-grandfather’s medals. Other schools made poppy wreaths and displays and even a poppy garden.

Today, our schools have had fun wearing something spotty and fundraising for Children in Need. But, of course, there is a serious side to all the fun and we have all spent time thinking about the disadvantaged children and young people across the UK whose lives will be made a bit easier by our fundraising efforts. As always, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, particularly during this challenging time for us all.

Thinking of others is definitely the positive side of this pandemic and the numerous thoughtful acts of kindness going on in our schools and local communities are something we can all be proud of.

Have a lovely weekend,

Kate Brunt

CEO