Summer 2018 | issue 12 NEWS

Leigh Academies Trust was LATfounded in |2008 10 with the union of The Leigh and Longfield Academies in Dartford. It was one of the first-ever multi- trusts in the UK. This year, it will be ten years old.

The Trust will comprise eighteen Recently, the Trust celebrated the academies from this September, opening of its latest new school evenly balanced between primaries building, Inspiration Academy@The and secondaries. In addition, the Trust Leigh UTC, in Dartford. Trust Chairman runs a very large special school called Bob Findlay planted a fruit tree to Milestone. With nearly 12,000 pupils mark the occasion, followed by a studying at its academies across , balloon release for pupils and staff Medway, Bexley and Greenwich, the at the Trust’s head office at Strood Trust is having a powerful impact Academy in Medway to celebrate the on the lives and future prospects of Trust’s first ten years. young people throughout the region.

LAT | 10 continued on back page...

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities W

A message from the Chief Executive professional development long-established educational Leigh Williamson barriers by encompassing opportunities to 80 schools - a powerful academies of all types: locally. Together, KMT and primary, including nursery; MTSA will offer all-through new educational secondary, including post- professional training for the partnership for 16; all-through; UTC; special; education sector from trainee teachers to executive leaders. children and families selective; and non-selective. There are precious few MATs in Medway. in the UK that can lay claim to This groundbreaking, such diversity, inclusivity and game-changing project In June, directors of Leigh educational richness. reinforces the potential of Academies Trust (LAT) and both organisations to shape The Williamson Trust decided Overall, the trust will serve the lives of young people and to start due diligence and more than 15,000 pupils, transform the communities consultation regarding employ nearly 3,000 staff and in which they live by combining their academies benefit from considerable combining their operations. into a single trust. If this goes resources, including an Together, they will be greater ahead later in 2018, it will annual budget of over than the sum of their parts, be one of the first voluntary £100m. Its academies will be constituting a potent force to mergers of significantly-sized organised across four clusters continue raising educational multi-academy trusts (MATs) covering four local-authority standards in the region. This in the UK. LAT is used to regions: exciting merger secures the pioneering new initiatives, future of both trusts, their but this is probably the Leigh North West Kent; staff, parents and pupils. We biggest in its ten-year history. Leigh Williamson Medway; look forward to updating you Leigh South East London and more in the autumn once the This proposal would bring Leigh Central Kent. initial work is well underway. together twenty-three geographically close, The proposal also brings operational academies together LAT-managed across Kent, Medway, Bexley Kent and Medway Training and Greenwich, plus three (KMT), the largest school- additional academies in centred initial teacher the pre-opening stage of training (SCITT) provider in Simon Beamish, development. The combined the region, with Williamson’s Chief Executive charitable trust, retaining the Medway Teaching School Leigh name, will break down Alliance (MTSA), extending

2 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Welcome to the summer edition of our newsletter!

T-Levels. The leigh UTC Ambition School • Teaching, learning and curriculum; and Earlier this year The Leigh UTC Leadership (NPQH) • Pastoral leadership. expressed interest in supporting the LAT is excited to be launching our delivery of T Levels as part of its wider The NPQH is suitable for deputy heads first-ever Trust National Professional post-16 offer from 2020. ‘T Levels’ is who are aspiring to headship and who: Qualification for Headship (NPQH) the name given by the government as part of our alliance with Ambition • Are already in a headship role; or to its planned overhaul of technical School Leadership. Our first-ever LAT- education. Between now and 2023, • Aspire to be in a headship role in only cohort will begin the programme 15 new pathways will be developed the next 12 - 18 months; in July of this academic year. So far, ten in 15 sectoral areas where substantial • Have completed at least one year senior leaders from our academies are technical training is required to at deputy-head level; registered. prepare students for employment. • Are a deputy or associate The main focus of this programme is headteacher in a secondary The Leigh UTC is delighted to confirm to ensure all participants increase their school, or a deputy, associate that we have been selected to take confidence and capability in the core or assistant head in a primary. part in the national pilot. The DfE/ skills and responsibilities of effective Assistant heads in secondaries ESFA received many expressions school leaders. Participants will be whose roles are commensurate of interest from schools, further- assessed through a written assignment with those of deputy heads may education (FE) colleges and free to ensure they have reached the also be eligible; schools across the country wanting qualification requirements, plus a viva • Have evidence of having made to be involved in the development interview to assess them against the substantial positive impact on a of T Levels. It is a validation of the more challenging Ambition bar. school. current work being undertaken at our UTC that only two UTCs nationally The NPQH comprises a series of This is another really exciting have been asked to take part and training sessions, along with pre- and opportunity to develop our talented that we are the only provider in the post-reading, a nine-day secondary leaders across the Trust. southeast. The Leigh UTC will use T school placement and an in-school Levels to promote its digital pathways impact project. The programme For more information contact: in software applications, design and consists of six full-day sessions. The Marion Jones – cyber-security to provide entry to training sessions will include the [email protected] degree apprenticeships following six core areas: • Leadership skills for headteachers; • School self-evaluation and school improvement planning; • School culture and vision; have a great • Operational management of a school, including finance and HR; Summer! WHAT’S INSIDE:

• LAT | 10 ...... 1 • Ofsted: Longfield Academy & KMT...6-7 • Academic Improvement Team • The PCA Charity Gala 2018 ...... 15 • Message from the CEO ...... 2 • Hartley Primary represents (AIT) developments ...... 10-11 • Trust sports days ...... 16-17 • T-Levels: The Leigh UTC ...... 3 Gravesham in gymnastics ...... 7 • Career learning across LAT ...... 12 • Langley Park Primary Academy • Ambition School Leadership ...... 3 • Roundash Pre-school to join LAT ...... 7 • LAT students attend Apprentice 18 .12 phase II ...... 18 • Knowledge organisers at Mascalls ...4 • Michael Rosen visits LAT ...... 8 • Redevelopment of Hartley and • Winner of the Leigh Prize ...... 18 Milestone Academies ...... 13 • Celebrating 10 years at The Leigh • Staff Awards 2018 ...... 8 • Cherry Orchard Primary Academy Academy ...... 5 • Bookclub launch ...... 9 • International Baccalaureate at LAT...14 update ...... 19 • Blackheath launch....5 • Congratulations to our NQTs ...... 9 • LAT & The Stationers' Company • KM Teachers of the Year ...... 20 sign new MoU ...... 15

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3 'In order simply to process a text (let alone enjoy it) one must B LEA E I RN H E T R

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L vocabulary within it.' E Hattie, Visible Learning for Teachers, P51

Aspire Believe Achieve

Knowledge organisers at Mascalls

Knowledge organisers (KOs) represent KOs operate between the long-term At , students will the knowledge that you need for later memory and the working memory. receive KOs at the start of each learning to make sense - in effect, Content is committed to long-term module, for every subject that will ‘core knowledge’. They represent a memory and drawn upon within make explicit the knowledge that will raising of standards in what we expect the working memory. It is the job underpin future learning. Parents the student to be able to retain, of the teacher to create a learning will be fully informed of and involved underpinning the ten International environment that draws from the in what needs to learned, how it Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile working memory, enabling students might be learned and when it will characteristics. to apply knowledge to changing be assessed through an assessment scenarios and to draw the retention schedule. A common criticism of KOs is that of information into the learning memorising this information is environment. This connection Students will be assessed frequently pointless, as we can look it up and becomes a physical neural pathway, on their knowledge in lessons and should be concentrating on “21st hard-wired into the hippocampus underperformance identified early. century skills”. However, without (the area of the brain responsible for Testing in subsequent modules will be fundamental knowledge, the memory), and is flexible and adaptable cumulative. The results from all testing attainment gap could widen as the to new situations. This physical will be recorded centrally and will more knowledgeable exploit research change following intense learning in form part of a knowledge checklist, more easily. The IB Middle-Years the brain has been observed in black- which can be referenced in parents’ Programme (MYP) provides a structure cab drivers: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ evenings and reporting, and used for demonstrating and developing news/health-16086233. to support students to achieve their 21st century skills through the learner potential. Students will be provided profile. As for memorisation, the KOs provide a formative, summative with support sessions in departments students’ reading and writing skills assessment of what students have where underperformance occurs and are still at the foundation stage. If retained and contribute to one quarter given opportunities to re-test. Parents the purpose is for them to write an of the assessment criteria for the will be asked to support this learning informative text, they need to have eight subject areas in the MYP. New- and invited to meet teachers, who will the knowledge at their fingertips, so specification GCSEs rely increasingly direct them to the exact content that all of their cognitive effort is focused on the retention of key information. needs to be addressed. on crafting a piece of writing. If they While KOs are not the sole method of need to go and read a text each time assessing knowledge - other methods Detentions and some advisory time they want to write a sentence, they are rooted within pedagogy - they are will be used as opportunities to will stumble each time they attempt to likely to give a key indication of future continue learning the content required write something down. success when essential information using KOs. is not retained. As a discrete source of information, they also provide Several case studies during the a tangible resource with which to current academic year have provided address gaps in knowledge earlier on anecdotal evidence that, together with in the learning process. external research, has facilitated the decision to roll out the KO strategy throughout and 4 in an You can view the case study at attempt to sustain improvement. http://bit.ly/2K8KeSN

4 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Celebrating ten years at The Leigh Academies Board governors, for their hard work this year and their including the Chair, Dr Ash Lawrence, dedication to improving our young The Leigh Academy and LAT’s Deputy CEO, Neil Willis. people’s lives. In particular, it was a great chance to thank the thirty-eight Leigh The Leigh Academy opened in The Leigh Academy is the founding staff who have been working with us for June 2008 on its existing site in an Academy of Leigh Academies Trust, all of the last ten years. Their loyalty and innovative building costing £37 which now has eighteen academies, commitment has had a positive impact million. Before that, it was known as including secondary, primary and on thousands of young people and The Leigh City Technology College. special academies within its family. families in our local community. There This month we have celebrated ten are several more celebratory events years of The Leigh Academy with a Principal Julia Collins said: already planned. Here’s to the next ten staff celebration afternoon, joined by “I was pleased to be able to thank staff successful years!”.

Leigh Academy the proposed building design for our new academy in Old Dover Road. It Blackheath was an extremely positive afternoon, launch with huge support shown for LAB by local families and residents. Over the last few weeks we have enjoyed sharing the final plans for We are delighted that Ravensbourne (LAB) University will be hosting our very with colleagues at the Department first ‘Head Start Day’ in July. We for Education and Ofsted ahead of know that spending the day in such opening in September 2018. a creative environment, and having the opportunity to work alongside In early June we joined Bouygues, the undergraduate university students building contractor appointed by the with their new teachers and peers, will Education and Skills Funding Agency be an inspiring start to life at LAB for (ESFA), at their public consultation on our founding students. Emma Smith, Principal, Leigh Academy Blackheath with students modelling the new uniform

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 Longfield Ofsted inspection

Following an Ofsted inspection on Tuesday 17th and The report recognises that leaders of the Academy are Wednesday 18th April 2018, we are delighted to report that highly ambitious for all of the students, but also that they Ofsted has judged Longfield Academy to be ‘good’, with an do not limit that ambition to the outcomes of public ‘outstanding’ sixth form. examinations: preparing our students for life is equally important to everyone at the Academy. Mrs Alex O’Donnell, Principal of Longfield Academy, said: Relationships between students and staff have been “I am thrilled to be able to share the identified as a key reason that students at our school feel results of our recent Ofsted inspection secure and pupil behaviour is so good. Our students ‘... and the fact that they have recognised show care and respect for others as they move around the what a special learning environment school’ and their ‘...behaviour at break times and lunchtimes we provide for our students. I would is good, even when they are not being directly supervised.’ like to take this opportunity to thank We are pleased that the inspectors noted that staff work everyone in our school community hard to form strong links with the families of our students publicly - teachers, support staff, our site and our parents agree that our students feel safe and happy team and governors - for demonstrating at the Academy. Students reported to inspectors that they to Ofsted the fantastic work that goes on ‘..trust the adults in school’ and said that their concerns within the Academy on a daily basis. I would especially like to are taken seriously. They reported that bullying is rare in congratulate our students. Each of them makes us extremely our school and, if it does occur, it is dealt with swiftly and proud on any given day but they made our guests feel very effectively. welcome and their excellent behaviour was something on which Ofsted particularly commented. It is particularly Inspectors recognised that Longfield’s curriculum enabled gratifying that in their conversations with inspectors the the students to pursue their interests and prepared them students stated that they are as proud of their school as we are well for their next steps, while providing them with valuable of them. extra-curricular opportunities that the students value, especially in sport and performing arts. Our teachers have We are justifiably delighted to have one of the top-performing been recognised in the report as hardworking and having sixth-form provisions in Kent and receiving the ‘outstanding’ great enthusiasm for and knowledge of their subjects. recognition from Ofsted is the ultimate accolade. The report They are therefore able to ‘...engage pupils in learning well’ has recognised that our focus on ensuring that students are on and create a learning environment where students feel the post-16 courses best suited to their specific needs results in confident enough to share their ideas. their making excellent progress.” As always, Longfield takes particular pride in its work with The inspection team were not the only people to recognise the pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and exceptional quality of our sixth form. The post-16 students that Ofsted has recognised that this enables SEN students to they spoke to during their visit were ‘highly positive about their continue to ‘...overcome difficulties that act as barriers to sixth form and would wholeheartedly recommend it to others’. their learning’. This reflects the positive culture developed by leaders and sixth-form staff, who are consistently supportive of students Simon Beamish, CEO of Leigh Academies Trust, and prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ whilst also having very high congratulated Mrs O’Donnell and the staff and students at expectations. In return, ‘...students’ behaviour in the sixth form Longfield on the outcome of the inspection, saying: “This is is exemplary. They are punctual, attend well and have excellent Longfield’s third strong Ofsted outcome in a row since it joined personal and social skills’. Leigh Academies Trust as the Trust’s second academy back in 2008. This time, we are especially pleased with the top marks Ofsted awarded Longfield for its sixth form. Post-16 results at Longfield have been among the best of any non-selective school in Kent for several years so this accolade is much deserved.”

6 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Summary of Kent and KMT would like to thank all the staff During the visit the inspection team and pupils at and commented on many positives, Medway Training Ofsted Mascalls Academy for hosting the including; the commitment and Phase 1 inspection - inspectors and demonstrating what investment in ITT of schools within the the inspectors described as exemplary partnership, high-quality, consistent May 2018 practice in ITT. Special thanks go to mentoring and coaching, outstanding Kim Gunn and Charli Napier at Strood support for trainee teachers and very All teacher-training providers have and Wayne Barnett and Jenny Gray at successful and rigorous recruitment to be inspected on a six-year cycle so Mascalls. processes. They also left us with some KMT was fully prepared for the arrival clear areas for development that of the Ofsted inspection team in May During the visit, the inspectors also they will return to during phase 2 in 2018. During the three-day visit, the met with every member of the KMT the autumn term. During phase 2 team of three inspectors visited 11 Strategic Board, including a bespoke the inspectors will again be visiting KMT consortium schools and observed meeting with Simon Beamish (Chair consortium schools to observe the over 22 trainee teachers. Following the of KMT) and Sharon Waterman trainees as newly qualified teachers observations they also sat in while the (Chair of KMT QA Committee). As our (NQTs). mentors gave feedback to the trainees. single legal entity, we also took the The inspectors were also able to meet opportunity for the lead inspector to Huge thanks in with every single head teacher and meet with members of LAT who have advance to everyone professional tutor whilst in the schools. a direct supporting role with KMT. This in LAT who will They deemed this a real strength enabled us to demonstrate clearly how be involved in the and could really see how schools LAT has been an integral part of KMT’s process. Stuart Russell, were investing in the ITT partnership. recent and rapid growth. ITT Director, KMT

Roundash Pre-school to join LAT

For several years the idea of Hartley Primary students represents merging Roundash Preschool with Hartley Primary Academy has been Gravesham in gymnastics competition considered and explored. Roundash is a preschool located in the middle On Friday 8th June, four Year 5 children of the Hartley Primary Academy represented Hartley Primary Academy at the (HPA) grounds and, whilst sharing Key Step Gymnastics, Step 3 competition. the same location, has existed as an entirely separate organisation. They had worked hard in an after-school After much hard work by the gymnastics club, coached by our talented Trust Executive and the Roundash Year 1 teacher Miss Gould and her sister, both Committee, we can announce the qualified gymnastics coaches. The children exciting news that a merger will be learned a floor routine focusing on gymnastic going ahead and is most likely to skills, a body-management routine and a be completed by the beginning of through vault. August 2018.

They performed each of their routines A merger between the Academy independently and without prompts in front and the Preschool brings a wealth of all of the other competitors and coaches of opportunities for pupils and staff and their hard work and determination paid at both settings and we are all very off, resulting in victory! excited about our future together!

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 Michael Rosen visit

Leigh Academies Trust is thrilled to announce that the much- loved, celebrated author, Michael Rosen; Children’s Laureate from 2007-2009, will be headlining an event for all staff and their friends in the world of education. On the 23rd November 2018 Michael will present a keynote address and then lead a practical workshop for all attendees; the chosen theme is one that will cover the importance of promoting a love of reading in the children in our lives.

Following the event there will be a book-signing ceremony and an opportunity to relax and network with professionals from both inside and outside the LAT family. This is a rare and incredible opportunity for staff to meet and work alongside one of the greatest children’s writers of all time.

This is another LAT-sponsored, literacy-focused event, which aims to enhance the professional development of our dedicated staff and the life chances of our students.

Leigh Academies Trust 2018 The categories are: • Outstanding Governor Award • Digital Technology Award Thursday 12 July • Leadership Award for Support Services • Leadership Award for Teaching, Learning and Curriculum • Mentor/Coach of the Year This year’s annual LAT staff awards, the second event of its kind, took place • NQT of the Year on Thursday 12th July at Strood Academy. The number of staff and governors • Primary Teacher of the Year invited this year was over double that invited to attend last year and included • Secondary Teacher of the principals of all academies. Music was provided throughout the evening by Year a year 11 pianist from called Donnell. He is entirely self- • Special Recognition Award taught, requires no written music and - unbelievably given his level of skill - has only been playing the instrument for about two years. • Support Staff Award for Operational Services Awards this year were given in each of the categories (shown in the box on the • Support Staff Award for right) and were presented by directors to some of LAT’s top talent. It was a Student Engagement magnificent evening of celebration.

8 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Bookclub launch

Eight LAT primary and secondary academies, four coaches, eleven authors, a temperamental visualiser, a BBC camera crew and Tom Fletcher... what could possibly go wrong??!!!

Nothing, of course! On the 21st May 2018 WHSmith launched their long-awaited Tom Fletcher Book Club 2, which was hosted by ; hundreds of lucky students and staff from across the Trust were also there to join in all the excitement and drama of the day.

Tom Fletcher compèred the event student at Dartford Primary Academy, teacher on returning to school: "I don't and the magical world of reading was commented: “I loved the extra filming... enjoy reading … because of my dyslexia brought to life by a host of talented it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I find it really hard. But the trip today writers and illustrators; pirates …!” Misa, also in Year 4 at DPA, added: has made me want to read. I've chosen a fought on stage and then, even more “It was the greatest pleasure of my really exciting book and I'm determined dramatically, walked the plank off the entire life to meet Tom Fletcher; it was to read it." stage, fearsome mythical creatures fabulous!” were created and Poppadom Pete was One of the greatest gifts we can give born! The entire event was captured If the measure of the success of the our children is teaching them to read by a BBC film crew and, following day was that it should ignite a love and inviting them into worlds that are the main presentation, a group of of reading, inspire our students and beyond their wildest imaginings, with students from Dartford Primary, encourage the most reluctant reader fantastical creatures and breathtaking Longfield Academy and Wilmington to pick up a book… it exceeded all adventures. As Dr. Seuss said: “The Academy was filmed discussing the expectations! This success was most more that you read, the more things you books they had read alongside the eloquently summed up by Alfie, a Year will know. The more that you learn, the authors, including Tom. Elisha, a Year 4 7 student from the UTC, who told his more places you'll go.”

LAT, which funded the event, is Congratulations to our newly-qualified teachers! absolutely committed to providing opportunities for children to 38 newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) have successfully completed experience the extraordinary, as a their induction year across Leigh Academies Trust schools this means of widening their horizons year, and we’d like to congratulate each and every one of you! Your and developing their confidence and commitment to your students, resilience and determination to creativity. Providing this opportunity succeed have been demonstrated in abundance and whilst you are was evidence of this commitment; as at an early stage in your teaching careers, the talent you bring to the Swapna Haddow’s Dave Pigeon might say, LAT have made a solemn Trust is overwhelming. “Pigeon’s Promise” to support Thank you for your ongoing hard work and we look forward literacy and, as all fans of to seeing our NQTs continue to flourish in years to come - Dave Pigeon know … congratulations, Class of 2018! a Pigeon’s Promise cannot be broken!"

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 9 Academic Improvement Team (AIT) developments

Academy Improvement and workshops at the LAT Conference to announce that Stewart Dearsley in February. This role also provides will be joining the AIT as a full-time Team an excellent opportunity for Director of Improvement for Modern Improvement Co-ordinators to work Foreign Languages (MFL). Stewart Increasing the capacity of the with colleagues outside their own has been filling this role on a part- Academy Improvement Team (AIT) academies and we look forward to time basis alongside his position as during this academic year has enabled expanding the team in September. Director of Learning for MFL at The support for individual academies to be Leigh Academy for a number of years more targeted. The AIT has developed effective and is looking forward to joining the subject forums and utilised Google AIT to extend his reach across LAT. Jack Ritchie (Director of Improvement technology to ensure that staff He will play a key role in supporting for Mathematics) and Sarah Reardon are able to network and engage in academies to increase the number of (Director of Improvement for Early training without having to leave their students who continue to study an years foundation stage (EYFS)/KS1) own academies. Introducing a subject additional language to GCSE level. both joined the AIT in January and forum for both history and geography have made a positive impact in their has ensured that leaders of all EBacc We are also looking forward to first six months in post, developing subjects meet regularly to share welcoming back to the AIT Abby key projects across LAT and providing ideas and resources and to engage Harvey, who will be returning from support tailored to the needs of each with examination boards. As a result maternity leave as part-time Director academy. of collaboration in the geography of Improvement for Science. Another forum, LAT provided funding for over new addition to the team is Faye We welcomed 12 Improvement Co- 200 students from across the Trust McGill, former Principal at The Leigh ordinators to the AIT last September. to attend a examination workshop Academy who, following the birth of They were released from their own hosted at Strood Academy. her daughter, has taken the decision academies for twelve days throughout to continue to share her experience the academic year to provide As we plan and commission the and expertise as an outstanding leader coaching, develop resources and support the AIT will offer academies of English within the AIT when she deliver professional development next academic year, we are delighted returns from maternity leave.

10 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk triig or cellece eeloig tars

Over the last quarter, the Leigh Aspire A forthcoming Leigh Aspire event programme has been extremely busy, to be delivered in July is the oracy delivering for its students even more programme. This two-day interactive, transformative experiences to inspire experiential course will develop them, develop their cultural capital confident communication skills and raise their aspirations to progress and enhance the personal impact to prestigious universities. From March of our year 12 students through to June, some of these events have three sessions at Wilmington, included: Stationers’ Crown Woods and Strood The workshop themes for each year Academies covering students from group are: Year 9 – Create a vision March – June: five academies, who will learn how to for yourself; Year 10 – Develop a • Cambridge University roadshow – present themselves more confidently professional mindset; and Year 12– Year 12; with poise, credibility and conviction. Life after school. Development of the programme has required each • Scholars’ programme graduation The new structure of Leigh Aspire has academy to select the workshops ceremony at Goldsmiths been universally adopted across the to be delivered to their year 9, 10 University – Year 12*; Trust, with all secondary academies and 12 students and to make the • Cambridge University admissions participating in the process to create logistical arrangements necessary. roadshow – Year 12; a bespoke, onsite, workshop-based Through this process, Leigh Aspire has programme to meet the needs of been embedded into the academic • Mousetrap Theatre confidence the culture and students within each timetable and has evolved into a Trust- workshops – Year 9; academy. wide programme. • Mousetrap Theatre trip – Wicked – Year 9.

* 23 students completed the scholars’ programme, with 26% securing final assessment grades of 1, 65% achieving a 2.1 and 9% gaining a 2.2. All marks achieved reflect the commitment, determination and resilience of our Leigh Aspire students in completing this extra- curricular activity alongside their main academic studies.

The Brilliant Club The Brilliant Club’s Scholars' Programme is designed to Scholars' Programme increase the aspirations of our with Leigh Aspire most academic students, give them the skills and knowledge to achieve A/A* grades and Leigh Aspire is a character-enrichment increase their confidence to programme that inspires its students apply to the most competitive through transformative experiences, universities in the country. During the Scholars' Programme, developing their cultural capital whilst Leigh Aspire students participated raising aspirations to progress to a From January to April 2018, as one of in a number of challenging activities prestigious university. its transformative experiences, Leigh designed to develop their critical Aspire funded and delivered The thinking and analytical, evaluative The Brilliant Club is an award- Brilliant Club’s Scholars' Programme and independent learning skills. They winning, non-profit organisation, to its year 12 students from The Leigh, visited a number of universities and that exists to widen access to top The Leigh UTC, Mascalls, Stationers’ were mentored by PhD tutors from universities for students who clearly Crown Woods, Strood and Wilmington leading universities. The students’ final display outstanding academic ability, Academies, in order that they develop assessment was a 2,500-word essay, demonstrated by consistent high- a deeper academic understanding which was marked by their PhD tutors, quality work throughout the academic required to complete a university as if they were first-year university year. standard assignment successfully. undergraduates.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 11 Leigh Academies Trust students attend Career learning across LAT Apprentice 18 We have long aspired to centralise career learning across LAT to ensure consistent, coherent approaches Groups of year 10 and year 12 students from Stationers’ that will enable academies to tailor career learning to Crown Woods Academy, The Halley Academy, The Leigh the needs of their own pupils. Governors on the Trust’s Academy, Longfield Academy and Mascalls Academy Academic Standards Committee have supported this attended Apprentice 18 on Wednesday 27th June. development and were delighted to hear that, from September, LAT will bring its own careers service in Hosted by Ravensbourne University and organised by house, with no further need to contract out these The Stationers’ Company, the event boasted a range of services to third parties such as local authorities. high-calibre businesses including the BBC, Capgemini and Google. In all, an impressive 30 businesses from print, This will enable us to strengthen and coordinate our digital and related creative-media industries exhibited to career-learning programmes further and ensure that engage with students and to explain the valuable offerings our primary pupils also benefit. The three careers with regard to apprenticeships within their sector. professionals appointed will be line-managed by Sharon Waterman, Education Director, who will be During an opening address, delegates were welcomed by working with the team to ensure that our provision is the Vice-Chancellor of the University and members of The of the highest quality and meets the standards set by Stationers’ Company and witnessed a brief panel interview the Gatsby benchmarks. of current apprentices; students were then able to meet these apprentices at their respective industry stands. Joining LAT’s Engagement Team, the following careers professionals will make a strong contribution to its Modelled on a speed-networking format, students split into work: small groups visiting each stand. Ruth Evans brings over twelve Also attended by Leigh Academies Trust, CEO, years’ experience in careers support Simon Beamish, Education Director, Sharon Waterman and through her work for Connexions. Executive Director, David Millar, this was the first occasion Replacing Lesley Tannock, she has on which more than one Trust academy has worked already started working to support alongside The Stationers’ Company and we look forward to the secondary Dartford academies; many further opportunities. Thank you to The Stationers’ Company, Ravensbourne Lynn Baylis has over ten years’ University and all exhibiting businesses for providing such a experience as the Business and valuable experience for Leigh Academies Trust students. Careers Link Manager at Mascalls Academy and we are delighted that she will share her expertise across LAT from September;

Jasbinder Mato is an experienced careers-support practitioner and has previously worked for Connexions in Kent and Medway. She is currently working for Bexley Council and will join LAT in September.

The career learning team will join the well-established LAT Engagement Team, including Working with Business and Leigh Aspire.

the Halley academy STATIONERS’ CROWN WOODS ACADEMY

Aspire Believe Achieve

12 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Redevelopment of Hartley and Academy Milestone Academies

Nationally, local authorities have been tasked with developing plans to enable more houses to be built to meet demand. The development process also takes into account the need for support services - including education - within the local area. At Easter the Billings Group, who are seeking to develop an area adjacent to Hartley, approached the Trust to explore how Hartley Primary Academy and Milestone Academy might benefit as part of a future scheme. It is anticipated through the plan, both academies would be relocated to a new joint site.

Three form entry (3FE) primary, pre-school nursery and special educational needs (SEN) Academy

The masterplan shows provision of The need for a new academy has been Hartley Primary Academy. The Trust a purpose-built 3FE , established via the needs of Leigh also wishes to increase and improve nursery and SEN academy covering Academies Trust. The existing primary the Roundash pre-school nursery mainstream pupils, nursery places and school is heavily oversubscribed and provision for the residents of Hartley, special needs pupils. The academies the demand for 3FE provision is clear. but is currently limited by the existing would be located within the southern temporary facilities. part of any development as shown on The Trust is very keen to find new, The existing Milestone Academy is in up-to-the-minute accommodation for the map (below). need of significant investment to bring it up to date. Discussions with the local Illustrative Masterplan (South) authority have therefore clarified the benefits of a shared primary and SEN Health and community school in Hartley in order that students In addition to a new school and may benefit from shared facilities. enhanced sporting facilities, An illustrative layout shows south- the masterplan promotes the facing, formal and informal play and inclusion of a new community recreation areas, a multi-use games centre, a neighbourhood area area (MUGA) pitch and potential for for play, community allotments dual use of the adjacent Corinthian and a satellite GP health centre. sports facilities. The relocation provides an opportunity for ample parking and dedicated pupil drop-off/ collection access, thus minimising disruption to the academies and surrounding residential areas.

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Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 13 International Baccalaureate (IB) at LAT

Middle Years Programme (MYP) Career-related Programme (CP)

We are delighted that the MYP journey As the first cohort of post-16 students for our secondary academies has studying IBCP complete their first continued to gather momentum. year of study, academies continue Colleagues from across LAT have come to report the tremendous impact together on a regular basis to plan this programme is having on their how we will deliver this programme students. from September. All nine secondary academies have recently become Students have approached this candidate schools for the MYP and are flexible programme, which combines Primary Years Programme (PYP) now pursuing authorisation as an IB academic and vocational learning, World School. personal and professional skills The primary curriculum has received development, service learning, considerable media attention recently, IB World Schools share a common language acquisition and a with the criticism that schools focus philosophy—a commitment to reflective project, with a high level solely on preparing pupils for tests at improve the teaching and learning of of commitment. Both teachers and the end of KS1 and 2. This has led to a diverse and inclusive community of students have commented on how a narrowing of the curriculum, with students by delivering challenging, much more confident they are as foundation subjects receiving minimal high-quality programmes of learners and on the skills they are time during the academy day. international education that share a developing, which are preparing them powerful vision. for further study or employment. This has not been the case in LAT primary academies as what we offer A real strength of all IB programmes Having seen the success of this reflects LAT’s commitment to the is the high-quality professional programme at The Leigh Academy, The curriculum being an entire learning development provided by trained Leigh UTC and Wilmington Academy, experience provided to children workshop leaders. In June over 80 two further academies, Strood as soon as they pass through the delegates from across LAT took part Academy and The Halley Academy, academy gates every morning, rather in the workshops for the following have become candidate schools than a range of subjects taught in subjects: for the IBCP and are now pursuing isolation. In our academies we truly • language and literature authorisation as IB World Schools. believe in the development of the whole child. • mathematics • language acquisition • individuals and societies

Year 7 students joining LAT in September will benefit from this new programme, which delivers a broad LAT is committed to all pupils next stage in their learning. All the and balanced curriculum, encouraging developing the skills and attributes skills taught via the IB are essential independence and deep learning. of the International Baccalaureate building blocks to enable students to The MYP will also provide a structured learner profile, as expressed in the extend and enrich their learning in a approach to teaching, learning and LAT Excellence Charter. Primary wide range of subjects. assessment across the Trust. academies began their journey in looking at how this aligns with Having taken the time to reflect on their own academy values. They what we are trying to achieve for have watched with interest as the our pupils in LAT, we are looking to secondary academies across LAT embrace the PYP as the curricular have begun to implement the IB framework for appropriately-paced MYP with all nine submitting their learning in our primary academies. applications for candidacy in April This is still in the early stages of of this year. development, with all primary academies now on the journey of While there will be no deviation from exploration into the PYP and some the national curriculum, this provides aligning their curriculum from a framework of skill development September. which prepares our pupils for the

14 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk LAT and The Stationers’ Company sign new memorandum of understanding (MoU)

LAT and The Stationers’ Company employment opportunities for pupils signing ceremony in the garden at (SC) signed their first MoU in March at SCWA, helping to make SCWA Stationers’ Hall. The MoU cements the 2013 and Stationers’ Crown Woods one of the most popular schools in commitment to continue working Academy (SCWA) in Greenwich joined Greenwich, and this was a factor in its in close partnership to provide LAT in September 2014, with SC as its ‘good’ rating in all categories by Ofsted outstanding opportunities for pupils strategic partner. in summer 2017. at SCWA and, where possible, across all LAT academies. Considerable progress has been made This spring saw the since then, notably the opening of signing of the new the brand-new Stationers’ Digital MoU. Bob Findlay, LAT Media Centre which develops pupils’ Chairman, and Simon interest and skills for future careers Beamish, LAT CEO, in the content and communications joined the Master, sector. SC works tirelessly to provide Nick Steidl, and Clerk, enhanced educational, cultural and William Alden, at a

ENGLAND MASTERS

The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) Masters Charity Gala 2018

On Friday 29 June Leigh Academies in Las Vegas and countless items of with several players, reaching 20 or Trust once again hosted the PCA signed sporting memorabilia. more with the bat, but we ended up England Masters for a charity cricket falling just 11 runs short on a total of match at Bexley Cricket Club. A The PCA Masters team this year 186-9 from our 25 overs. A really great fantastic charity lunch preceded the featured some true greats of the game: day was had by all and the 2019 event game, with 400 guests enjoying a Mark Ramprakash, Matthew Hoggard has already been pencilled in for Friday superb three-course meal cooked by and Dominic Cork, to name just a 05 July. our own team of Cucina chefs. The few. The 25-overs-a-side game guests were entertained by former commenced with the PCA England fast bowler, Ed Giddins, who Masters batting first and they hosted the lunch, and they were also wasted little time in rattling lucky enough to hear some hilarious up a daunting score of 197-6. anecdotes from former England Deon Baillie from Longfield Chairman of Selectors, Geoff Miller. A Academy and Dan Stone from silent auction, raffle and live auction The Leigh Academy were the also took place, with some superb pick of the bowlers, with Dan prizes and items available for purchase, picking up the prize wicket including a trip to the Monaco Grand of Dominic Cork. The Leigh Prix, a holiday in Barbados, a holiday Academies Trust XI battled hard

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 15 Trust sports days

Secondary sports day

On Monday 9th July 2018, the Leigh High standards were evident from Academies Trust secondary-school the opening 1,500m race, with sports day took place, attended for the outstanding individual performances first time by nine academies, including from Bethany Panton (Longfield The Halley Academy, which joined the Academy) and Cayden Foley Trust on 1st March 2018. This exciting (Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy), event coincided fittingly with the who clocked impressive times of 5.22 tenth anniversary of Leigh Academies and 4.49 minutes respectively. Talent Trust. To celebrate, a Trust relay event was spread evenly across the track and Milestone Academy also took part for boys and girls was included in the field events, with only a few points and, thanks to consistent training programme, with a commemorative separating the top three teams until and exemplary attitudes on the day, trophy and medals for the winners. lunch time. performed extremely well. You can see the final standings below: Athletes from the nine academies The Halley Academy, which finished already had a lot to be proud of, second overall, boasted some Overall standings having succeeded in their respective impressive performances and was 1st The Leigh Academy 515 points academy sports days to qualify for this close to taking the lead after an 2nd The Halley Academy 451 points event. Each academy competed in a excellent sprint from Kola Salami series of sprints, long-distance and in the 200m race, clocking 23.63 3rd Stationers’ Crown Woods relay races, and throwing and jumping minutes. However, The Leigh Academy Academy 390 points events in the hope of being crowned managed to retain its championship 4th Mascalls Academy 364 points Trust champions for 2018. title, helped by individual ‘outstanding 5th Longfield Academy 361points athlete’ award winners Charlotte Earle 6th Wilmington Academy 273 points and Raul Zanfir. 7th Strood Academy 228 points 8th The Leigh UTC 73 points

16 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Cherry Orchard Primary Academy's sports day

Cherry Orchard Primary Academy held its first sports day this year on 6th July.

It was a fantastic day and the children had a great time in their races and competing against each other.

Here are a selection of photos from this event.

Primary sports day

The Trust-wide secondary sports day has been an established tradition within Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) for some time. 2018 is the second year we will be hosting a similar event for our primary academies thanks to our dedicated staff teams that make it possible. This event is held for all primary academies with sufficient competitors in Key Stage 2 and will be held again this year at Dartford Harriers Athletics Club on Friday 13th July. The results of this event will be announced following the publication of this newsletter. Look out for this on the Leigh Academies Trust website under 'latest news'.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 17 Langley Park Primary functioning school. Needless to say, given the presence of provision for Academy phase II autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we were nervous - but we shouldn’t have Langley Park Primary Academy has been; they have been fabulous. now been open for almost two years and continues to strengthen and Our recent peer review cited the ‘... adapt to new circumstances. cohesive team in place that have created a calm and purposeful environment, Phase 2 opened on June 22nd, where children are well-cared-for, allowing all of Key Stage 1 to be articulate and confident learners.’ located on the ground floor with designated external learning areas. A We now look forward to our third year, purpose-built nursery with a covered moving into the new building and a area will enjoy its own play space and successful Ofsted inspection. enough classrooms on the upper floor for it to grow over the coming years. The new library will be on the upper floor, along with the technology room with two induction hobs and ovens. The local community will finally be able to see the finished article.

Shiny new sign for our shiny new phase 2 build. The builders for Phase 2 are Baxalls, a local construction company based in Paddock Wood, who have worked with the academy team from July. We have been impressed with their communication, drive for perfection The Key Stage 1 outside learning areas taking and care not to avoid impacting a shape.

Winner of the ‘Best OF LAT’ - Leigh Prize Award The Leigh Prize is an essay competition We are pleased to announce that the less intrusive open to teachers both nationally and winner of the inaugural 2018 Leigh and that honesty within the Trust and was launched to Prize for the Best of LAT is ...... should be at the showcase innovative thinking across Sophie Dickinson, who took home heart of everything Sophie Dickinson the education sector on the important the winner’s cheque for £2,000. we do in school, issues of the day. This year, the rather than setting theme of the Leigh Prize was teacher Sophie commenced her teaching unrealistic expectations that cause wellbeing and entrants were asked to career in 2010 at Longfield Academy teachers to feel inadequate or sacrifice submit an essay that contributed to and, over the last eight years, has risen the time that they should spend with our understanding of the issue and within the Trust to her current role their families. gave us insight into how to tackle the as Director of Learning for English at problem within the sector. The Leigh UTC. The judges thought Sophie argues that teacher wellbeing Sophie’s entry was both creative and is not an add-on activity for schools The top five entrants for the ‘Best of perceptive to the real challenge of and can’t be fixed with the odd yoga LAT’ award recently attendance the teacher workload and wellbeing. class. Instead, schools need to look LAT Awards dinner. Our shortlisted at wellbeing as an integral part of candidates were: In her essay Sophie argued that, to their culture, as this is the only way Rachel Mann - Wilmington Academy tackle wellbeing, we need to rethink real change will happen. If teachers Sophie Dickinson - The Leigh UTC the way we look at education and are given support and autonomy to Lillian Drysdale - Wilmington Academy accept that the pressures on teachers prioritise their workload then they will Louise Knapp - Mascalls Academy have changed. She made a strong case be able to manage it much better than Kyle Marsh - Milestone Academy that monitoring of teachers should be they do currently.

18 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Julie Forsythe, Principal, Cherry Orchard Primary Academy update Cherry Orchard Primary Academy

Cherry Orchard Primary Academy from Aardman Animations, who led there is now a waiting list of up to four opened its doors for the first time on a workshop on animation modelling, years as places are now highly sought Wednesday 6th September 2017. Our and Taylor Wimpey, who visited with after by local families. first group of 60 children settled in their mascots, Handy Andy and Millie immediately and, by the date of our Mortar, to talk to the children about The Cherry Orchard Parent-Teacher official opening celebration at the building-site safety. The children have Association (PTA), formed during end of September, they were full of also been involved in the local Edible term 1, has worked hard to organise confidence in singing our new school Ebbsfleet campaign, creating a garden fantastic events like our Halloween song to our special guests. area on our KS1 patio, tended by our ball, Christmas fair and Easter egg very keen gardening club pupils. hunt, all of which the children have Since September, our numbers loved. These events have been hugely have grown steadily. We now have Our after-school and breakfast clubs, successful in raising funds for the full classes in years 1 and 2 and are established in term 1, have continued school and allowing us to purchase a expecting a maximum intake of 60 to grow, providing an essential service stage and sound system in time for our children in reception this September. to working parents and a source of first Christmas production, Whoops-a- additional income for the school. Daisy Angel. The PTA also organised its We have enjoyed a very busy and biggest event of the year, our summer enjoyable year of getting to know each Cherry Pips Nursery has enjoyed great fair, which took place on Saturday 7th other and our fabulous new building, success and has established itself as an July and proved itself a great way to with lots of exciting events along the excellent childcare provider. Places celebrate the end of our first year. way. Early on we enjoyed visits were all filled by Easter this year and

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 19 LAT | 10 continued from front page... Tia Wright, a Year 10 student, asked leaders for their most-treasured Later, three students from Strood memories. Theresa Davies recalled Academy had an opportunity to the recent day when 20 students interview three Trust Directors from Milestone Academy, one of the about their past experiences and country’s largest special schools, future hopes for the organisation. had performed Shakespeare’s ‘A The answers to their questions were Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to a rapt revealing and intriguing. audience.

Josh Wright, another Year 10 student, asked about the inspiration behind Simon Beamish, Chief Executive, the Trust. Frank Green replied that commented: he had been challenged by a piece “Leigh Academies Trust has enjoyed of Government-commissioned shaping lives and transforming research in 2000 showing that only communities through high-quality one-third of schools and principals education over its first decade. The were good or better. His seminal idea multi-academy trust sector is still a very had been to group three schools new phenomenon and LAT’s experience under one outstanding principal makes it one of the most mature groups to drive improvement across the of schools nationally. It is our very great educational sector. However, the mix privilege to serve so many young people Olivia Lopez, a sixth-form student, of personalities and skills needed to and their families across Kent, Medway, wanted to know what leaders believed run three schools was not the same Bexley and Greenwich. We look forward to be the Trust’s single most successful as that required for only one, and it to plenty more success in our second achievement over the past decade. took courage to invest in the best even decade and have a range of bold new Bob Findlay, Chair of the Trust, when funds were not yet available. plans for the future." expressed pride in the Trust’s ability to He thanked Simon Beamish, who had maintain and improve standards while taken over from him as CEO in 2014, continuing to grow. for continuing to build the Trust while honouring its founding principles.

triig or cellece eeloig tars Kent Messenger (KM) Teachers of the Year

Leigh Academies Trust is delighted to announce that two of its teachers were recognised at the KM Awards in May this year. Jade Wells of Strood Academy http://www.lat16.org.uk received awards for Teacher of the Year, Medway District’ and ‘Overall Secondary Physical Science Teacher of the Year’. She also received an invitation to a forensics day for a class of students at the University of Kent. http://latworkingwithbusiness.com Wilmington Academy teacher Aneela Govender won ‘Secondary School Teacher of the Year, Dartford District’ and ‘Overall Kent Secondary School Teacher of the Year’. http://venuehirekent.com

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