Autumn 2019 | Issue Four

Leigh Academies Trust Review of the Academic Year 2018-19

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities A message from the Chief Executive Vision 2025

The academic year 2018-19 has been one of the most remarkable in the history of the Trust. We have overcome Major social, economic barriers, crossed frontiers and continued to innovate. and technological LAT’s response - Importantly, we have entered our second decade and are challenges facing the Vision 2025 determined to make the next ten years even more successful world today than the first. Since 2008 we have become one of the largest, strongest and most ambitious multi- trusts in the UK, but our desire to get even better and make a positive Develop environmentally difference never stops. conscious young people who feel empathy, act We are now ready to think on an even bigger scale and look Modern lifestyles are compassionately and outwards to new horizons. We are educating thousands of destroying our planet and behave ethically. Create young people who will be the adults of tomorrow, helping to creating inequality. social entrepreneurs with a shape our world for the better. That is a huge responsibility sense of service to others, and is why our next set of goals - called Vision 2025 - will have future generations and to at its centre the major social, economic and technological the planet. challenges facing the world today. Based on our strong moral foundations, it is our duty to educate pupils to face these challenges and to help make the world a better place. Develop young people who think critically based on a secure knowledge Vision 2025 will be shared with our community soon and Humans are overloaded will draw heavily upon the philosophy of the International and understanding. Enable with information. Baccalaureate and Learner Profile. Its focus can be summarised them to apply insight and in the table on the right. determine the significance of information. These major challenges facing our world today will be the starting point for the next phase of our work. We accept our Develop pioneering young responsibility to shape the world for the better by developing people who respond a generation of young people determined and able to make Traditional jobs are being innovatively and creatively a positive difference. All of our futures depend on it and our replaced by automation to find solutions. Ensure aspirations are sky-high. As Steve Jobs said, “People who are and artificial intelligence. crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that they can harness the who do”. power of digital technology.

Develop internationally Globalisation and the minded young people pace of technological with a wide range of change are leaving many perspectives, who are people behind. adaptable, flexible and appreciative of difference.

Simon Beamish Develop young people Chief Executive who have a positive can-do attitude and strong work ethic, able to collaborate A lack of employment and work as part of a team. skills, especially in STEM, Focus on the importance is a risk to UK wealth and of STEM and employer productivity. links wherever possible to increase the volume of well-qualified young people entering the workplace.

2 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Contents

›› A message from the Chief Executive ...... 2

›› LAT Primary Results 2019...... 4-5

›› LAT GCSE Results 2019...... 6

›› LAT Post-16 Results 2019...... 7

›› Ofsted Inspections...... 8-9

›› LAT Ofsted Table 2019...... 10

›› New Senior Appointments ...... 11

›› New Academies joining LAT...... 12

›› Williamson Merger...... 12

›› Free Schools...... 13

›› IB Review...... 14-15

›› Trust Conference...... 16

›› LAT Awards...... 17

››  Blackheath’s First Year...... 18

›› Our Values...... 19

›› Trust Excellence Charter...... 19

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3 LAT Primary Results 2019

LAT primary academies improved across all main measures of performance in 2019. In nearly all cases, consolidated LAT primary results exceed national averages, sometimes by some margin.

Early years

Once again, LAT pupils got off to a great National start in the early years. 10 out of 12 LAT LAT LAT Average primaries exceeded the national average 2018 2019 for the proportion of pupils reaching a 2018 good level of development in the early years. 7 out of 12 improved on their % pupils achieving a good level of 72 76 78 performance in 2018. In 3 primaries, development early years outcomes were especially high at over 80%.

Phonics screening test

8 out of 12 LAT primaries exceeded the National national average for passing the year LAT LAT Average 1 phonics screening test with 5 out of 2018 2019 12 improving on their result in 2018. 2018 Phonics outcomes were especially high % pupils passing phonics screening test in at three LAT primaries where more than 83 83 86 90% of pupils passed. year 1

Virtually all LAT pupils passed the % pupils passing phonics screening test in phonics screening test by the end 92 94 94 of year 2. In two LAT primaries, 100% year 2 of pupils did so.

Key stage 1

LAT key stage 1 primary outcomes rose National across all subjects in 2019 and exceeded LAT LAT Average national averages in all cases. Outcomes 2018 2019 at several academies were especially 2018 high with over 80% of pupils meeting or exceeding the national standard. Five % pupils reaching expected standard in 75 75 78 primaries exceeded 80% at expected reading standard in reading; two did so in writing; seven did so in maths. % pupils reaching expected standard in 70 70 73 writing

% pupils reaching expected standard in 76 77 78 maths

4 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Key stage 2

Nine LAT academies received key stage 2 results in 2019 as Outcomes exceeded 80% and were especially strong at 3 out three do not yet have pupils in year 6. 5 out of 9 exceeded of 9 LAT primaries for reading, 8 out of 9 for writing and 4 out the national average for the percentage of pupils achieving of 9 for maths. The stand-out performance was at Oaks Primary the combined national standard; 5 out of 9 improved on their were 40% of pupils achieved the combined higher standard performance in 2018 against the same benchmark. versus a national average of 10%. Also at Oaks, progress scores for all subjects are likely to exceed +5.

National LAT LAT Average 2018 2019 2019

% pupils reaching combined expected standard 65 66 69

% pupils reaching combined higher standard 10** 9 12

% pupils reaching expected standard in reading 73 70 74

% pupils reaching higher standard in reading 28** 23 27

% pupils reaching expected standard in writing 78 82 88

% pupils reaching higher standard in writing 20** 27 29

% pupils reaching expected standard in maths 79 74 81

% pupils reaching higher standard in maths 24** 22 26

% pupils reaching expected standard GPaS* 78 73 76

% pupils reaching higher standard in GPaS* 34** 33 31

* Grammar, punctuation and spelling. ** 2018 averages included as 2019 not yet available.

LAT Key stage 2 vs , and Medway (2019)

England Kent Medway LAT

Average Average Average Average

% expected reading 73 76 71 74

% expected writing 78 82 78 88

% expected maths 79 78 77 81

% expected combined 65 68 63 69

NOTES: ›› Data given in tables includes all primary academies which have been part of LAT since 1st September 2018. ›› Colours indicate comparison of 2019 outcomes versus those in 2018.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 LAT GCSE Results 2019

Our academies recently celebrated the achievements of their students in GCSE examinations. The proportion of pupils achieving 9-4 grades in English and maths has risen to 62% across the Trust this year, up by 9 percentage points. 36% of pupils achieved grades 9-5 in English and maths which is up by 7 percentage points. Attainment 8 has risen from 40 to 42 points overall. These improvements are the most has experienced in any 12-month period in its eleven year history.

9 out of 10 academies matched or improved their attainment at 9-4 in English and maths this year compared to finalised results in 2018; 6 out of 10 academies did so at grades 9-5. Attainment 8 improved in 8 out of 10 academies.

The column entitled “equivalent academies” compares the performance of academies in 2019 with the same sample of those included in overall LAT results in 2018. The column entitled “all LAT” also includes academies which are new to LAT in 2019, i.e. , Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School and The Hundred of Hoo Academy.

In the table that follows, green colour coding indicates where results are the same or better than a year ago. It should be noted that 7 of LAT’s 10 secondary academies receiving results this year are non-selective schools in Kent and Medway where roughly 30% of the highest attaining pupils attend from the age of 11.

LAT consolidated GCSE results

LAT 2019 LAT 2019 National LAT 2018 (Provisional) (Provisional) 2018 Actual Equivalent All LAT Academies

9-4 English and Maths 59 53 60 62

9-5 English and Maths 40 29 31 36

Attainment 8 45 41 42 43

The Trust is responsible for ten secondary academies receiving Our students and staff have worked tremendously hard this results this year across Kent, Medway and South-East London. year to achieve these improvements against a backdrop of Seven of these ten academies are non-selective schools in ever tougher GCSE examinations. Their efforts have been justly Kent and Medway where 30% of the top-performing students rewarded. We are now looking forward to students returning attend grammar school from age eleven. to our various post-16 centres to study A Levels, IB Diplomas and vocational qualifications. We hope you enjoy reading about their many successes in the academy-based information that follows.

6 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk LAT Post-16 Results 2019

Students, parents and staff celebrated the strongest set of post-16 results in the history of Leigh Academies Trust this year across ten secondary academies in Kent, Medway and South East London. Average point scores (APS) per qualification compared to last year are given in the table below.

The column entitled “equivalent academies” compares the performance of academies in 2019 with the same sample of those included in overall LAT results in 2018. The column entitled “all LAT” also includes academies which are new to LAT in 2019, i.e. The Halley Academy, Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School and The Hundred of Hoo Academy.

In all table that follows, green colour coding indicates an improving trend on results achieved a year ago. It is worth noting that the average academic grade for non-selective sixth forms in Kent and Medway, equivalent to most of LAT’s centres, is a D.

LAT 2019 LAT 2019 National LAT 2018 (Provisional) (Provisional) 2018 Actual Equivalent All LAT Academies

Academic (inc. IB) 34 (C+) 25 (D+) 27 (C-) 30 (C)

Applied General 28 (Merit+) 26 (Merit) 29 (Merit+) 29 (Merit+)

Technical 28 (Merit+) 31 (Distinction-) 31 (Distinction-) 30 (Distinction-)

This was the first year in which students at three of our academies studied International Baccalaureate Diplomas and the results are very encouraging.

We are delighted to see so many students achieving their preferred destinations as they enter university, advanced apprenticeships, further training or employment. We wish them well for the future and hope you will enjoy reading about all of their achievements above.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 Ofsted Kent and Medway Training Inspections (ITT Frameworks) “Good in all areas” January 2019

As usual, LAT has been subject to “Leaders, in close cooperation with the hub schools, work very hard to a number of routine inspections again attract quality trainees. Selection processes are thorough and demanding. this year. There have been several Employment rates are above sector averages, with the majority of trainees outstanding outcomes with more to staying on in partnership schools.” follow in the year ahead. 100% of all academies inspected as part of the Trust “Trainees and NQTs have strong subject knowledge. They demonstrate are now good or better. The national positive attitudes and contribute considerably to the wider life of the comparison is around 80%. This is despite school. They are skilled at developing purposeful and productive working the fact that many of LAT’s academies relationships in the classroom and across the school community.” serve challenging communities and were in serious difficulty when they joined the “The quality of care, concern and support which the partnership offers for Trust. There are very few large trainees’ welfare, health and well-being is a particular strength. This enables multi-academy trusts in the UK with such trainees to complete their training successfully, and many go on to take up an impressive Ofsted track-record. management positions. Centre-based staff’s support for partner schools, trainees and NQTs was widely acknowledged.”

“You have established an appropriate sense of urgency in this work and there are clear signs of improvement. Improving outcomes for pupils and their well-being Tree Tops Primary are rightly at the heart of all developments. Pupils themselves recognise this Academy (section 8) positive change, saying the school is now an ‘optimistic’ place.” October 2018 Denise White, Principal “The MAT continues to provide timely and focused support to you and senior leaders for all aspects of the school’s work. The training provided for staff by Leigh “You show determined leadership and model Academies Trust, since the last inspection, has helped to improve the quality of the school’s mantra, ‘Be kind, work hard and teaching and learning and pupils’ outcomes. You sensibly use the extensive and expect the best’. You are uncompromising in your helpful services that the MAT can provide wherever appropriate. The MAT’s close expectations for high standards in all areas of the work with senior and middle leaders, including regular quality assurance visits, school’s work.” is supporting improvement effectively.”

Tree Tops Primary “The principal leads a committed team with one vision for the school. Senior Academy (section 5) leaders are uncompromising in their work to improve the quality of education “Good with outstanding leadership and that the school provides.” management and personal development” “Support from Leigh Academies Trust is of a high quality. Because of this, June 2019 the school has made rapid progress since the last inspection.”

“Provision for pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding. Pupils’ behaviour has improved dramatically. As a result, poor behaviour rarely impacts on learning.”

“Since becoming part of Leigh Academies Trust in 2015, the school has gone from strength to strength. Standards and attendance have risen considerably. You Oaks Primary and your fellow leaders have a passionate commitment to securing the very best Academy (section 8) provision for the pupils of Oaks Primary Academy. You have a clear vision, which November 2018 is built on a comprehensive understanding of your pupils and your community. Jane Tipple, Principal Initiatives to promote improvement are well researched and ambitious. They are sharply focused on what your pupils need to be happy, successful learners.” “Based on the evidence gathered during this short inspection, I am of the opinion that the school “Pupils and parents value the positive environment throughout has demonstrated strong practice and marked the school, which focuses on pupils’ learning. Pupils value the improvement in specific areas. This may indicate productive and supportive relationships they have with their that the school has improved significantly overall. teachers. They relish the regular challenges that stretch their Therefore, I am recommending that the school’s learning and thinking….Standards are rising rapidly.” next inspection be a section 5 inspection.”

8 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk “Leigh Academies Trust and governors provide exceptional support to and Eastcote Primary oversight of the school. Their wide-ranging expertise provides very effective Academy (section 5) guidance to staff, leading to a high quality of education.” “Outstanding in all areas” April 2019 “Pupils’ behaviour is impeccable. Pupils are immensely caring of each other David Ball, Principal and have extremely positive attitudes to their learning.”

“Leigh Academies Trust, governors and leaders are highly committed to all pupils achieving their very best. Together, they have developed a culture of high expectations and a nurturing environment in which staff and pupils thrive.”

“When the school joined the Leigh Academies Trust, trust leaders quickly strengthened the leadership capacity within the school. They utilised a wide Allhallows Primary range of skills and expertise from across the trust to support leaders and Academy (section 5) teachers. As a result, there have been rapid improvements across the school.” “Good overall” May 2019 Lucie Wilson, Principal “The executive principal and the principal have recently introduced a new approach to the curriculum. While this approach is not yet fully embedded, it has been very positively received by staff and pupils.”

“The executive principal and the principal have taken effective action to bring about improvements in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.”

Langley Park Primary “Since the school opened, leaders have demonstrated a resolute Academy (section 5) determination to provide the very best educational experiences for pupils. “Good with outstanding The principal is held in extremely high regard by parents, staff and pupils. Her vision is shared and understood widely.” leadership and management, personal development, “The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare behaviour and welfare and is outstanding…. Children get off to an outstanding start in the early years early years” June 2019 because of the high-quality care and provision that they receive. They settle Libby Fidock, Principal into school happily and form positive relationships with staff.”

“Leigh Academies Trust provides effective support to the school. The trust has been instrumental in ensuring that this new school has the necessary resources and systems in place for it to be successful and flourish.”

The Hundred of Hoo Staff establish outstanding relationships with children and their level of trust Nursery and Kids Club and security is incredible. Staff get to know their individual personalities exceptionally well. Children are extremely happy and have amazing levels (early years framework) of well-being.” “Good with outstanding personal development, “Staff are inspirational role models. Children are extremely polite and their behaviour and welfare and behaviour is impeccable.” early years” July 2019 Hayley Clark, Head of Nursery “All children develop excellent communication skills. For example, children are extremely excited to make up their own stories and share them with their friends with incredible levels of confidence.”

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 9 LAT Ofsted Table September 2019

Date joined Date of last Ofsted grade on Academy Latest Ofsted grade the Trust Inspection joining the Trust

The Leigh Academy September 2008 November 2017 GOOD GOOD GOOD with OUTSTANDING Longfield Academy September 2008 April 2018 GOOD sixth form GOOD with OUTSTANDING September 2010 February 2017 INADEQUATE leadership and management Stationers’ Crown Woods September 2014 June 2017 GOOD GOOD Academy GOOD with OUTSTANDING The Leigh UTC September 2014 March 2017 Not yet inspected leadership and management, and personal development September 2015 November 2016 GOOD GOOD January 2017 January 2017 GOOD GOOD Milestone Academy September 2012 April 2016 OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING Dartford Primary Academy April 2012 January 2018 INADEQUATE GOOD Hartley Primary Academy June 2013 March 2016 GOOD OUTSTANDING Molehill Primary Academy March 2015 January 2018 INADEQUATE GOOD Oaks Primary Academy March 2015 November 2018 (s8) GOOD GOOD GOOD with OUTSTANDING Tree Tops Primary Academy March 2015 June 2019 INADEQUATE leadership and management, and personal development Eastcote Primary Academy February 2016 March 2019 GOOD OUTSTANDING GOOD with OUTSTANDING Langley Park Primary Academy September 2016 June 2019 Not yet inspected leadership and management, PDBW and early years Allhallows Primary Academy January 2019 May 2019 GOOD GOOD The Hundred of Hoo Nursery & GOOD with OUTSTANDING January 2019 July 2019 GOOD Kids Club PDBW Kent & Medway Training September 2008 November 2018 GOOD GOOD Academies not yet inspected as part of the Trust

The Halley Academy March 2018 N/A Not yet inspected Not yet inspected September 2018 N/A Not yet inspected Not yet inspected SJW Mathematical School January 2019 November 2008 OUTSTANDING N/A GOOD with OUTSTANDING The Hundred of Hoo January 2019 January 2018 leadership and N/A Academy management and early years Cherry Orchard Primary September 2017 N/A Not yet inspected Not yet inspected Academy High Halstow Primary January 2019 January 2018 GOOD N/A Academy REQUIRES Stoke Primary Academy January 2019 September 2017 N/A IMPROVEMENT Primary September 2019 September 2016 GOOD N/A Academy Horsmonden Primary September 2019 September 2016 GOOD N/A Academy

Outstanding Good Satisfactory/Requires Improvement Inadequate Not yet inspected

10 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk New Senior Appointments

The Trust has an enviable record of retaining its most talented We are delighted to have made a large number of high quality staff whilst at the same time attracting new talent to join our appointments across the Trust this year. This strengthens the team. Over the last three years, senior staff retention in the leadership of the Trust by adding to its capacity. It also helps central Trust and across academies has been over 95%. With those keen to develop their career within the Trust to have the growth of the Trust over the last few years, over 100 staff a positive impact on the lives of even more children. Those now fall into this category. promoted to senior positions in the Trust this year are listed below.

Will Monk Rebecca Roberts Neil Willis Principal Principal Chief Operating Officer Mascalls Academy Dartford Primary Academy

Tracey Trusler Wayne Barnett Academies Director Principal Stuart Mitchell (North West Kent and Stationers’ Crown Vice Principal South East London) Woods Academy Dartford Primary Academy

Debbie Biggenden Academies Director Maria Kemp Nicole Galinis (Medway and Head of College Principal Central Kent) Mascalls Academy Hartley Primary Academy

Mike Etheridge Carl Guerin-Hassett Vice Principal Jack Taylor Principal Designate Langley Park Primary Deputy Business Director Academy

Charlotte Barnden Janet Tidmas Principal Designate Lorraine Mottram Vice Principal Bearsted Primary Deputy People Director Milestone Academy Academy

Sarah Goosani Mike Gore Executive Primary Principal Charli Napier Principal (North West Kent and Director of Improvement Wilmington Academy South East London) (English)

Steph Goodall Karen Major Karen Davey Head of College Executive Primary Director of Improvement Wilmington Academy Principal (Medway) (Science)

Matt Stevens Clare Green Lorna Rimmer Head of School Principal Director of Improvement The Halley Academy Eastcote Primary Academy (Primary, KS2)

Ben Russell Katie Hall Angela Carpenter Head of School Vice Principal Director of Improvement The Halley Academy Eastcote Primary Academy (Primary, KS1 and EYFS) www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 11 New academies joining LAT

Following a range of positive conversations and much hard The two primary academies will be led by Scott Opstad work to make it happen, we are delighted that Paddock as Executive Principal. Commenting on their membership Wood Primary and Horsmonden Primary in Kent joined LAT of LAT, he said, on 1st September 2019, becoming the Trust’s 24th and 25th academies. The Trust now has 13 primary academies in total. “This is the right decision for both schools, taken at the right time. We have long focused on the breadth, depth and quality of More than one-quarter of Mascalls Academy’s intake of pupils education we offer. From September this will become a defining in year 7 comes from one of these two schools meaning that measure for all schools. We are very excited to cement our there are very considerable community connections to deliver relationship with Mascalls and Leigh Academies Trust, to drive the Trust’s objective of all-through education. Paddock Wood together a new era of even greater ambition and opportunity is already performing strongly and Horsmonden is improving for Paddock Wood and Horsmonden”. rapidly. Both Ofsted “Good” schools will offer much to the Trust and gain much in return. Together they are responsible for 120 pupils per year group (4-forms of entry).

Paddock Wood Horsmonden Primary Academy Primary Academy

Williamson Merger

In January the merger of Leigh and Williamson was completed, creating a group of twenty-three academies in Kent, Medway and South East London. This was the first merger of two medium-sized multi-academy trusts. The resulting academy group is now one of the largest in the UK Stoke with a combined income of £100m, educating about 16,000 Primary Academy pupils and employing nearly 2,500 staff.

The advantages of this merger have been clear from the outset to all concerned. These include:

•• Combining the best practices of both trusts •• Achieving economies to redirect more money to teaching and learning •• Ensuring strong and effective central services •• Sharing an expanding school improvement team •• Linking Kent and Medway Training and Medway Teaching Schools Alliance to provide professional development for staff at all levels •• Creating a powerful network of 23 open academies and assuring their long-term future

Since January, relationships have been built very effectively across academies based on shared understanding and strong cultural alignment. LAT is now one of the most diverse academy groups in the UK with nurseries, primaries, secondaries, an all-through school, a UTC, a special school, non-selectives, a grammar, a teaching school, a maths hub and an initial teacher training provider. Opportunities for pupils and staff have been much enhanced with the full potential of this merger still to be fully realised.

12 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 9 Free Schools Leigh Academy Rainham

This academy is scheduled to open in September 2021 The academy will enable 180 places to be available to the local community, the application period for which will be in September - October 2020. The Principal Designate, Carl Guerin-Hassett, will be leading a series of events for interested parents and students through this period which will highlight the excellent opportunities that will be available through this new academy.

The final design work related to the new academy buildings has been completed. The academy will embrace the small schools model with each of the three colleges having their own dedicated area within the building.

The academy will have its own specialist areas, including significant sports facilities which will also be available for community use. The contractors B&K are soon to begin the formal planning consultation process, with an anticipated start Carl Guerin-Hassett of construction later in the autumn 2019. Principal Designate Leigh Academy Rainham

Free Schools Update Bearsted Primary Academy & Snowfields Academy

Charlotte said of her new appointment:

“I am thrilled to have been given such a unique opportunity and look forward to working as part of Leigh Academies Trust in the opening of a brand new school, at the heart of its community. It is an exciting new challenge; I can’t wait to see what the future brings, both within Charlotte Barnden LAT and my new role as Principal.” Principal Designate Bearsted Primary There has already been considerable Academy interest from parents for places in both academies. Bearsted Primary Academy will open with pupils in Years R, 1 and Following a protracted consultation period, planning 2, as well as places within its nursery. permission was granted in early May for the construction of Formal applications will be accepted the two schools. Building work is scheduled to start on 22nd from late autumn through to mid- July 2019 and will be completed in August 2020, ready to open January. Snowfields Academy will be at the start of the new school year in the September. admitting students in Years 7 - 9, and Principal (Designate) Dee Pickerill is The Trust has recently been successful in appointing the currently working closely with KCC Principal (Designate) for Bearsted Primary Academy. There and parents to confirm admissions. was significant interest in this post and a large number of applications were received. Ultimately, Charlotte Barnden was Dee Pickerill appointed to lead the academy. Charlotte is currently Senior Principal Designate Assistant Headteacher at Horsmonden . Snowfields Academy

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 13 IB Review

Over the last 18 months or so, LAT has developed a very clear, “We value our hard earned reputation for quality, for high all-age curriculum vision based upon the International standards and for pedagogical leadership. We achieve our Baccalaureate (IB). Our shared mission is a balanced curriculum goals by working with partners and by actively involving our that gives equal weight to all subject areas and encourages stakeholders, particularly teachers. young people to appreciate the connections between them. The IB sets out to create knowledgeable young people who are “All of this is captured in our mission statement: motivated, engaged and enquiring. It is a rounded programme which cannot be interfered with by national governments “The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, causing endless swings of the education philosophy knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create pendulum. The IB is most often found in grammar schools, a better and more peaceful world through inter-cultural fee-paying schools and some of the best international schools. understanding and respect. We have calculated: if it is good enough for their pupils, it is good enough for ours. “To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging For the Trust, IB programmes have the added benefit of not programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. being overly prescriptive. This is an important aspect of how the Trust operates. High levels of prescription would be “These programmes encourage students across the world impossible in any case as IB programmes operate across the to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who world. They do not prescribe content or pedagogy, but have understand that other people, with their differences, can also the significant benefit of providing a framework that allows be right.” all of our academies to collaborate to provide a high quality curriculum for all of our pupils from ages 4-19. Much work has been done already, but there is still more to do. Across our secondaries, we are one year into the Middle The ultimate goal of the IB is bigger than all of us and Years Programme (MYP). Results at the end of the summer is captured in the section of text below: for year 7 pupils were encouraging. LAT averages for end of year 7 assessments is given underneath and compared to “The International Baccalaureate is more than its educational international averages for MYP programmes that apply at the programmes and certificates. At our heart we are motivated end of MYP5 (equivalent to the end of key stage 4). As you by a mission to create a better world through education. can see, we are firmly on track, with certain subjects already exceeding international averages for much later in “We promote inter-cultural understanding and respect, not the programme. as an alternative to a sense of cultural and national identity, but as an essential part of life in the 21st century.

LAT Average International Average Subject IB Curriculum Area (Scale 1-7) (Scale 1-7)

English English 3.6 5.0 Maths Maths 3.3 4.3

Science Sciences 3.6 4.2

History Individuals and Societies 3.8 4.1

Geography Individuals and Societies 3.7 5.1

RE Individuals and Societies 3.8 4.5

Art Arts 3.3 4.0 Drama Arts 4.2 4.1 Music Arts 4.1 4.3

Design & Technology Design 3.7 4.4

ICT Design 3.8 4.4

MFL Language Acquisition 3.2 5.0 PE Physical & Health Education 4.2 4.0

Note: international averages apply to MYP5 (i.e. end of key stage 4)

14 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk IB consultants have begun MYP visits to our secondary academies already with more visits planned across the autumn term. The goal is for all secondaries to achieve World School Status in relation to the MYP by September 2020. From feedback so far and as a result of everyone’s hard work, we are firmly on track.

Meanwhile, all of our primaries have applied for candidacy to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Many started to deliver the programme as early as September 2018 and all will do so this year. Primary academies which are already embedding the PYP report higher levels of teacher job satisfaction and better engagement, achievement and attendance amongst pupils. Ofsted visited several of our primary academies last year and their early feedback on our IB curriculum programmes is encouraging.

At post 16, three of our academies received IB Diploma results this year as part of the IB Career-related Programme Oaks Primary Academy (CP). Results are really encouraging. At Wilmington Academy, Ofsted, November 2018 for instance, which had the highest number of IB Diploma entries, students achieved 32 points on average across “All pupils, including the most able, benefit from a myriad of academic programmes, up from 27 points the year before. opportunities across the curriculum for them to connect their This is equivalent to a C+ grade, the same as the national learning and demonstrate their understanding. For example, average for all academic programmes, including A Levels. In pupils learning about global issues wrote poetry about plastic a county where large numbers of pupils choose to pursue waste on beaches and expressed their ideas through design.” post-16 academic study in a grammar school, this is a hugely impressive outcome for a non-selective sixth form centre.

Allhallows Primary Academy Following successful accreditation processes, Strood Academy and The Halley Academy will now join Wilmington, The Leigh Ofsted, May 2019 Academy and The Leigh UTC as IB World Schools offering the IBCP in the year ahead. “Leaders have recently implemented a new curriculum. While this is not yet fully developed, it has already begun to deepen and extend pupils’ knowledge and skills across a range of subjects.”

Tree Tops Primary Academy Ofsted, June 2019

“The curriculum is evolving. Leaders have been courageous, making significant changes at a time when the school may have been vulnerable. Although there is more to do to embed and further develop the successful changes to date, it is clear to see that pupils are now benefiting from a curriculum that has more breadth and is meeting their needs increasingly well.”

Langley Park Primary Academy Ofsted, June 2019

“The curriculum is balanced and interesting. Pupils learn a broad range of subjects which are enhanced by creative activities, trips and visitors. For instance, pupils learn about the importance of Martin Luther King in world history and show an impressive understanding of ‘Brexit’.”

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 15 Trust Conference

The eighth LAT Conference took place on Friday 15th February with 2,000 staff from across LAT, who came together to network and take advantage of the quality professional development opportunities on offer. This also provided an excellent chance for staff from the Medway academies, who joined LAT in January, to meet LAT colleagues and participate in their first conference.

The 450 primary teachers and teaching assistants focussed on the PYP, as we welcomed IB educators from the IB Organisation, independent international schools and a Kent primary headteacher.

These visitors helped colleagues develop their understanding and the benefits of the programme, supplemented by a wide range of workshops. Over 1,000 secondary teachers, teaching Allowing specialist staff time to network among themselves assistants and pastoral support staff were inspired by keynote is a common feature of our conferences and, through speaker Chris Edwards, who shared his experience of leading our effective partnerships with examination boards, a diverse range of staff teams. As in previous years, colleagues representatives of Edexcel, AQA and OCR delivered sessions were provided with a wide choice of additional workshops to support our preparations for the forthcoming summer delivered by both LAT staff and external providers. For the first examinations in fourteen subjects. time, these included sessions specifically aimed at teaching assistants and pastoral-support staff. Support teams from the finance, IT, HR and business- management departments also undertook dedicated training The world-renowned author Daniel Sobel, from Inclusion sessions, creating opportunities for greater collaboration and Expert, shared a wealth of experience in SEN and closing the knowledge-sharing in these areas. attainment gap for disadvantaged pupils, introducing practical strategies for colleagues’ use in their own academies. Mike Gerson once again provided newly-qualified and trainee teachers with an excellent session to help them stretch and challenge the pupils they teach.

Through The Leigh Academy’s Healthy Minds Programme, LAT has developed close links with Bounce Forward, which provides practical resilience training for teachers and parents. Lucy Bailey, the founder and CEO of Bounce Forward, has featured regularly at the LAT Conference for the past five years. After delivering a morning workshop on developing resilient teachers, she turned her attention to tier 2 leaders across LAT, encouraging them to reflect on what it means to be a resilient leader. This is of particular interest as LAT and the Medway Teaching School Alliance work with Bounce Forward and the University of Kent to develop our own Leadership Masters’ Level qualification.

16 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk LAT Awards

On Thursday 11th July, Leigh Academies Trust held its annual staff awards evening at Strood Academy, attracting a record-breaking number of nominations. The winners were:

›› Primary Teacher of the Year ›› Leadership Award for Teaching, Thomas Moore Learning and Curriculum Oaks Primary Academy Maria Kemp Mascalls Academy ›› Secondary Teacher of the Year Jordan Tebbutt ›› Leadership Award for Leigh Academy Blackheath Support Services ›› Newly-Qualified Teacher Katie Petts LAT Head Office of the Year Jake Sanger ›› Outstanding Governor Award Hundred of Hoo Academy David Mead Strood Academy ›› Mentor/Coach of the Year Sarah Goosani ›› Trainee of the Year Award Hartley Primary Academy Ellen Le Brunn The Hundred of Hoo Academy ›› Support Staff Award for Pupil Engagement ›› Special Recognition Award Sandra Hammond Debbie Kennedy, Wilmington Molehill Primary Academy Academy and Greg Keating, Mascalls Academy ›› Support Staff Award for Operational Services Katy Daniels The Leigh UTC

Performances were given by students Charlie Bell, James Fromow, Isaac Woodman, Darragh Skerritt, Frankie Finch and Lucas Carlyon of Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School, together with Amelia Hankin from High Halstow Primary Academy.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 17 Leigh Academy Blackheath’s First year

With a highly successful first year completed, Leigh Academy Blackheath (LAB) begins the 2019-2020 academic year at its permanent site on Old Dover Road, Blackheath. Staff and students are delighted to be moving to their new campus, a bespoke designed modular building, allowing them to watch the final stages of building work as it takes place on their permanent home next-door.

LAB’s inaugural year has been one of They held their first Literary Festival in growth, where founders have worked June with a range of authors, publishers, together to build a strong community illustrators and writers visiting classes with shared values of Respect, Integrity, to work with the students. They enjoyed Ambition, Scholarship and Resilience. visiting Greenwich Theatre to watch a The academy has established itself performance of ‘Lord of the Flies’ and quickly as a highly popular choice of Greenwich University to work with a local for local families, with author. Students performed, wrote and a healthy waiting list for current year 8 created their own work, and the week places, and a full complement of year ended with an evening of celebration for 7 students for this academic year. LAB the students and their families. received well over 700 applications for its 180, 2019-2020, year 7 places. LAB’s founding students have embraced every opportunity this year to build links At LAB every physical classroom has with the local community, working with a virtual classroom where learning an Age Concern group in Woolwich, resources, support materials and tasks feeder primary schools across Greenwich can be accessed by students at any time and various local sports groups. Through and in any place on their chromebook, a number of their own initiatives and issued by the academy to every student events students raised over £1,000 at the start of the academic year. This for charity. initiative has proven highly successful in developing independent learning skills The entire LAB community is looking and reducing teacher workload. Students forward to another exciting year and have access to a virtual library, supporting moving forward together on the next LAB’s 1-hour a day reading strategy. stage of the academy’s journey.

18 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk OUR VALUES

WE CARE about our pupils through our human scale approach to education, our staff and their well-being and the communities that we serve, driven by our high ideals and strong moral values.

WE HAVE BOUNDLESS AMBITION to achieve excellence for all and create confident young adults with high levels of resilience and integrity.

WE WORK TOGETHER as one team in the belief that we are greater than the sum of our parts. We foster an enterprising culture through collaboration and in close partnership with industry and other educators.

WE KEEP GETTING BETTER using our ‘can-do’ attitude towards continuous improvement and innovation.

EXCELLENCE CHARTER

1. We will provide outstanding 4. We will develop pupils’ characters 7. Through our “Business leadership and governance at and attributes in line with the Promise” we will guarantee every level so that all pupils International Baccalaureate strong engagement for all pupils attend an academy judged to be Learner Profile so that all LAT with industry and employers. at least good overall by Ofsted. alumni obtain a collection of desirable qualities before they leave school. 8. We will provide all pupils with 2. We will ensure a rich, engaging a high-quality careers learning and inclusive curriculum with programme. effective teaching and high- 5. We will ensure that pupils are quality learning resources across well-behaved, confident and all subjects and year groups. respectful in a safe and secure 9. We will grow to support more environment. schools in the region so that our pupils and theirs benefit and that 3. Regardless of their ability or standards improve across the personal circumstances we will 6. We will ensure a high-quality board. ensure that all groups of pupils workforce and prioritise make at least good progress staff retention, professional and diminish differences in their development and well-being. 10. We will work with our own and attainment. other primaries to ensure smooth transition to our secondary academies.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 19 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

Our academies

Paddock Wood Horsmonden Primary Academy Primary Academy

Stoke Primary Academy

Leigh Academies Trust, Carnation Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 2SX Leigh Academies Trust t: 01634 412200 is a registered company, Please contact us: e: [email protected] company no 2336587. t: 01634 412227 w: www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk An exempt charity. e: [email protected] www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk