Leigh Academies Trust NEWS Summer 2020 | Issue 18

Lockdown Special

Showcasing how has continued to shape lives and support communities throughout Covid-19.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities A message from the Chief Executive

It has been quite a remarkable year: one we shall never forget. This newsletter contains an article from every one of our academies showcasing how they have battled bravely during the last few crisis months, emerging never diminished and with heads held high. Their valiant efforts have been nothing short of inspiring. We hope you enjoy reading the stories in this newsletter, the likes of which I doubt we will see again. And as the academic year draws to a close in LAT we end with two very significant pieces of news to bring to you all.

The second significant piece of news is a decision taken by the last Trust The first is the retirement of Bob Findlay as Trust Board to be chaired by Bob in July. Chair, a post he has held ever since the Trust got Directors agreed to purchase nearly underway in 2008. Bob has worked tirelessly as 7,000 Chromebooks to distribute to Chair and given extremely generously of his time. year 7-11 pupils across LAT. This will He will be well-known to many of you as he was significantly enhance the Trust’s digital always keen to visit academies to meet with staff one-to-one device strategy following and pupils. His dedication to our mission, vision and the lessons of Covid-19. We have all values is beyond question. We thank him for his very made considerable progress in the considerable contribution and wish him and his use of new technology during the family the very best for the future. Bob Findlay pandemic because we have had to. But virus or no virus, we must now At their July board meeting, Directors elected capitalise on the significant gains we have made so that the legacy Frank Green as the new Trust Chair. This follows of Covid-19 in LAT is not one solely very careful succession planning at board level about school closure and learning over a number of years. Frank will also be very well- loss, but about massively enhanced known to many of you. He has held the position of access to technology for children of LAT Vice-Chair in recent years, chaired the Trust’s all backgrounds because it cannot Standards Committee and been the main board link be right that children’s education is to its South-East London academies. Before all of hindered by a lack of access to basic that, he was the first CEO of the Trust having created modern equipment. it himself in 2008 and holding the post until late- Frank Green 2013 when he became Schools’ Commissioner for Trust Chairman This is a true zeitgeist moment for the . We very much look forward to working with Trust. The pandemic has prompted us Frank as the new Chair, a position which takes effect to take a bold step forward which will immediately. strengthen and enhance the education of our young people. At the same At the same time, Theresa Davies has been elected time, the Trust has already purchased the new LAT Vice-Chair. Theresa is currently Chair over 400 Chromebook devices that of Milestone, the Resources Committee and Audit have arrived in our primary academies Committee. She also takes a lead for the Board on targeted at year 6 pupils. All of these its academies in North-West as well as being new devices will not replace other a governor on the Maidstone Primary Academies teaching methods entirely, but will Board. Theresa has a very deep knowledge of the enable all of us to become better Trust and is dedicated to the success of its staff and resourced and more efficient in how pupils. She is an excellent new appointment to this we deliver the curriculum. They will role and the first woman to hold this post. She and accelerate our recovery from Covid-19 Theresa Davies Frank promise to be a very strong team to help and insulate us substantially against Vice Chairman oversee LAT’s continued development as one of the the impact on learning from a second largest and most successful MATs in the UK. wave outbreak. Continued on next page...

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 2 Contents

2 | A message from the Chief Executive 4 | Latest Senior Appointments 5 | Cherry Orchard Primary 6 | Primary Academy 7 | Hartley Primary Academy 8 | Horsmonden Primary Academy 9 | Primary Academy 10 | Langley Park Primary Academy 11 | Oaks Primary Academy All leaders are now finalising the enhanced Chromebook strategy for launch in September. Purchasing the devices 12 | Molehill Primary Academy is the easy part in many ways, it’s how we use them that 13 | Tree Tops Primary Academy will have the greatest impact for our children. 13 | Eastcote Primary Academy To end, let me convey once again my heartfelt thanks to 14 | High Halstow Primary Academy the whole of the LAT community for your response to 14 | The Hundred of Hoo Primary Academy Covid-19. We can go into the summer holidays knowing that we have done our utmost and could have done 14 | Stoke and Allhallows Primary Academies very little more to support each other through the crisis 15 | The Hundred of Hoo Nursery of 2020. We look forward to all of our pupils returning to school in September and it promises to be another 16 | Milestone Academy busy year ahead. Some of our colleagues will be hosting 17 | The Leigh UTC pupils at summer schools throughout July and August to help them to catch up with lost learning. I am seriously 17 | grateful to them for their additional efforts. Whatever your 18 | The situation, please make sure you have some good rest over the holiday period and see you all in September. 19 | Longfield Academy 20 | With my very good wishes, 21 | Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy 22 | 23 | 24 | Simon Beamish Chief Executive 25 | The Hundred of Hoo Academy 25 | Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School 26 | New Schools 27 | LAT myON Digital Library 27 | Vision 2025

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3 Latest Senior Appointments

It is always one of my great pleasures to see talented colleagues promoted through the ranks to senior positions within the Trust. It is encouraging also to see how we have attracted fresh talent to join us from elsewhere, offering new ideas and approaches.

Please find below all of those appointed to tier 1 and 2 leadership positions since the last Trust newsletter. Many congratulations to all of them. A number of colleagues have also gained promotion to Assistant Principal positions this year. I look forward to watching their careers develop as they too continue to rise through the LAT ranks.

We wish all of these colleagues well as they take up new positions in Lorna Rimmer September. Principal Stoke and Allhallows Primary Academies

Carl Guerin-Hassett Alex Millward Brendon Dutton

Secondary Principal Principal Designate Vice Principal The Hundred of Leigh Academy Hartley Primary Hoo Academy Rainham Academy

Steven Flower Jo Brooks Numera Anwar Head of College The Hundred of Head of College Head of College Hoo Academy Mascalls Academy Strood Academy

Lacey Austin Hannah Sharma Director of Improvement Deputy Principal Science The Halley Academy (Joins us from Hadlow Rural Community (Joins us from Trinity Academy, Brixton) School, Kent)

Samantha Simmonds David Kelly Director of Improvement Director of Improvement Key Stage 2 Science (Joins us from Hoo St Werburgh Primary, (Joins us from Westlands School, Kent) Medway)

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 4 Cherry Orchard Primary Academy

It is a sad fact that, during these difficult times, Cherry street dancing sessions for all the bubbles. Orchard Primary Academy has been unable to celebrate its The virtual sports day on Thursday 25th June was a scorcher usual social and physical events, such as ‘golden afternoon’ but the heat did not deter our mini-athletes from Nursery, activities hosted by teaching and support staff, sports Reception and year 1 from throwing themselves into the day, clubs and workshops. Undaunted and in true Cherry activities with great enthusiasm. The day started with Orchard style, staff were determined to create virtual events motivational video clips from each of the House Captains for those learning at home as well as physical events for of Ebbsfleet, Stratford, Ashford and St. Pancras, followed those learning in school, so that the children didn’t miss by a demonstration of the events by a couple of COPA’s out. Children have a choice of a dozen activities for golden dedicated support staff to allow children learning at home afternoon on the last Thursday of every term, from solving to take part. Activities were chosen carefully so that those the mystery of ‘Who Stole the Chocolate Cake?’ to step-by- learning at home and at school could compete on an equal step instructions on how to make waffles and pancakes. basis. Races included frying-pan sock-ps, a pillowcase jump race, an egg and spoon race and a multi-skills course and, as school-based teaching staff entered the scores live on Tapestry and Google Classroom, competitors taking part in their gardens, parks and other outdoor areas, were able to enter their own scores and upload a video clip at the same time.

Overall winners in each of the four disciplines for each year Who Stole the How to make group were awarded medals, both physically and virtually, Chocolate Cake? waffles & pancakes and a great day was had by staff and pupils alike!

PE lead Mr Barnard, who returned to school with EYFS and year 1 students, has continued to teach PE on the playground as well as posting activities on Google Classroom for those learning at home, while dance teacher Sofia rocks the playground every Friday afternoon with

Nursery taking part in Virtual Sports Day

Cherry Orchard Virtual Sports Day

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 Dartford Primary Academy Every Cloud has a Silver Lining

While the world kept its distance, at Dartford Primary Academy they pulled together more strongly and more determined than ever. With hours to spare, the staff moved an entire way of learning onto Class Dojo and WOW - what a great job they did. Never before have they had such parental engagement and support. Never before have they captured the imaginations of the children with reading of new books and creative tasks. Never before have they faced such adversity and risen proudly in a stronger, better place to support the local community.

The motto at Dartford Primary Academy is ‘Determined, Persistent, Achievers’ who are learning to change the world. This has never been more evident than during lockdown. Staff have put their learning into action and children have been very busy indeed.

Staff have provided opportunities for the older children to take part in university-style lectures with huge success using Google Classroom The year 2 children have been learning and live video-feeds, all proving that about the Great Fire of London and adversity makes us stronger. the impact it had on how we build our homes, and some beautiful houses Staff have danced to Justin Timberlake, were made from recyclable items found the way to Amarillo with Peter around children’s homes. Kay and made collages to send out to our community, ensuring that every The sports event has coincided child continues to feel a part of it. with National Sports Week. Despite A great deal of fun was had by all. scorching temperatures, the children had great fun, participating from home Principal Miss Roberts remarked that and competing on behalf of their she could not be prouder to lead such class teams. a great body of adults and children, who have proved that nothing The children have also been can faze those at Dartford Primary continuing with their learning in year Academy. They are the creators of 1, focussing on bugs, bees and plants, their own success, stronger and more creating their own flowers and naming determined than ever to use their their parts. learning to change the world.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 6 Hartley Primary Academy

Hartley Primary Academy’s vision is to create ‘Happy Positive Achievers’, something that staff have remained committed to during the entire lockdown period. It has been their aim throughout to ensure that the children were safe and well, and that staff were not only taking care of the children’s education but also being mindful of their well- being. Staff rose to the challenge and very quickly learnt how to use Google Classroom to provide home learning for children in years 1 to 6, and Tapestry for the nursery and year R. Activities ranged across all areas of the curriculum and included those designed to support children’s physical and mental health. Staff read stories and posted videos of The staff have been remarkable in their dedication and these for the children to watch. Who knew we would all end resilience at a time when many of them are feeling nervous up with YouTube channels because of Covid-19?! about being back in school. However, HPA’s vision is always at the forefront of their minds so they are determined to help everyone be ‘Happy Positive Achievers’, despite the difficult circumstances. Mindfulness, well-being, outdoor activities and communication are key focus areas, as staff believe it is essential to support children as they reintegrate into the world of school and to enable them to rebuild their relationships and refocus on what school is all about. Hartley Staff Read Aloud

Relax Kids has been used to support children suffering from anxiety and numerous calls have been made to check on them. If a child seemed to be struggling at any point the staff were there to offer support, providing advice, work packs, SEN resources and sometimes just an ear to listen. The staff sent a message to the children to raise their spirits and teachers of some year groups even received similar messages back!

The children have been real troopers during this time, working hard on their online learning activities and sharing their work with their teachers, as well as sharing all the other fun things they have been doing at home. The academy is very grateful to its amazing parents who have supported their children and stepped into the role of teacher at very short notice. We know it has been really hard for many but the HPA community has pulled together, like never before, during these unprecedented times. After several weeks of being based at Milestone, running a hub for key-worker children, staff were delighted to return to Hartley for the start of Term 6. While very appreciative of the support they received at Milestone, there is no place like home!

On the 2nd June staff welcomed back several nursery, year R, 1 and 6 children and it has truly been a pleasure to see their smiling faces walking through the gate each morning. An added bonus came when they found they were able to invite back the year 5 children one day per week.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 Horsmonden Primary Academy

One of the many wonderful things meaningful, fun learning activities Meanwhile, the year 6 team are about working at Horsmonden, aside for the children. Some examples are determined to give the children from its delightful children, is how shown below: an excellent send-off that includes amazingly positive and committed the a socially-distanced sports day, staff are. They all genuinely care about transition activities and an ‘I’m a the children of Horsmonden and strive Celebrity’- themed leavers’ film, to do their very best for them. This has including bush tucker trials! It’s been evident on many occasions over amazing what you can conjure the last few months. up with a bit of creativity and determination. At a time when the country was in crisis and schools were closed, Horsmonden staff put their own anxieties aside to continue providing the best education they could for EYFS experimenting with bubbles the children of Horsmonden. With on a windy day very little notice, teachers joined Google Classroom bootcamps to get up to speed, ready to roll out Google Classroom to the children. The result is that all children have access to quality online learning to complete at home. Here is some feedback from two of our parents: Here’s what one of our parents had to say following our safe return:

“Leo is very happy to have his “Just a quick note to say thank favourite teacher setting work. We you for getting the school back have found the work fun and the up and running again – Oscar & format you set is straightforward Matilda are so happy to not only to follow. This makes life easier for Year 1 artwork inspired by the see their friends again and but also working parents!” work of Andy Goldsworthy (surprisingly!) to get back to some more structured learning – they “May I take the opportunity to came home so excited these last thank you and congratulate you on few days it was great to see them running the Google Classroom so enthused again. I’m sure it’s been well. You are setting out work so it a really stressful time over the last is easy to know what work is due on few months so thank you to you what day and it’s easy to download and your team for bringing some and access.” normality back at last! Well done to all of you!!” Year 5 children investigating Staff knew that parents and children how rich with wildlife our school When so much negativity were missing school and needed environment is surrounded schools’ reopening cheering up in some way - cue the and the associated safety issues, Spice Girls with ‘Stop Coronavirus’! The the staff at Horsmonden showed video was well received by the whole resilience and positivity whilst school community and everyone felt retaining their sense of fun. All great knowing they could help lift are determined that Covid-19 will spirits at such a worrying time. not get in the way of providing children with challenging, fun and The way children and staff have engaging learning activities. returned to school is also an example of their commitment, again putting Key worker children using maths their own anxieties aside for the skills to create a life sized snakes good of the children. Staff remain and ladders game positive and upbeat while planning

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 8 Paddock Wood Primary Academy

Paddock Wood Primary Academy stayed open for the children of key workers and other families every day through lockdown, holidays and bank holidays, and even Easter weekend. Every single colleague who could - 54 in all - volunteered to support this effort, and each invested Paddock Wood Primary their habitual vibrancy and positivity into everything they Academy in numbers: did, both in school and online.

54 Staff volunteers Consecutive days’ teaching 65 (from 23 March) 326 Pupils attending (on 2 July)

30 Learning pods Daily online learning 93% engagement Parents agreed online learning 94% was good+ Key-worker families 78 accommodated 5 New families since March

Together, staff embraced three principles, right from the start: ›› That everyone must be safe; ›› That academy must continue to be warm, engaging and exciting; and ›› That teachers should teach to the best of their ability so that students can learn effectively.

The academy is making the most of smaller-group learning - including outdoor learning about fire, building model rafts, pond-dipping for leeches and skaters, and enjoying (very) high-energy non-contact sport. In pods, staff and children have been immersing themselves “[Parents] … are very grateful to the teachers in major world events, current affairs and interpreting major for how responsive and supportive they have world artists. been throughout all this right from the outset, going way above and beyond all the time, with The school community, like communities worldwide, has care and compassion.” suffered illness and tragic loss and their thoughts and very best wishes are with friends who have been affected. In this - Paddock Wood Primary Academy parent and context, there is a sense of immense pride and humility at NHS key worker the regenerated sense of unity enveloping the academy across Paddock Wood and beyond. Every week, the academy opens its doors wider and parents trust it to be true to its principles. Its teachers have witnessed some phenomenal learning, both at home and in school, and it’s fair to say that staff are learning more about the strong, resilient and determined character of the children now than ever before.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 9 Langley Park Primary Academy

Over the course of the year, Langley Park Primary Academy has been focusing on developing opportunities for children to develop all the Learner Profile attributes in meaningful and authentic ways; with the advent of Covid-19 this was no different. Although being a ‘communicator’ is but one of the ten important attributes, it was imperative that, during a time where both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication were paramount, students and staff continued to develop these skills.

A poem written by a student at Langley Park Primary Academy.

The Storm By Isla

The storm is a snarling wolf Angry and ambitious It runs dangerously through the wood Like a sly silver rocket The air whimpers with the sound From the very start of lockdown, Children have also taken opportunities of its footsteps Langley Park Primary Academy to develop their communication skills It runs through trees and slashes communicated with members of the outside school through letter-writing, tiles of houses with its powerful local community by creating a ten- videos explaining their learning, claws foot rainbow banner that showed the reading a favourite chapter of a book With its slobbering mouth it school was ‘Still Shaping Lives’, and by and sharing new learning with their crushes cars painting rainbows on all of the friends and family. school windows. Its dark beady eyes stare until Staff have been role models in terms of people escape With the implementation of home- the variety of forms of communication Running, growling and learning via Google Classroom, staff they have used and shared with destructive were able to encourage children children. The message, ‘we’re all in this Quick, wild and destructive to share their ideas in a range of together’, was disseminated by staff different forms, including handwritten, singing and dancing and by posting photographed, typed and video. artwork and photographs on the Children uploaded their own work for ‘lockdown gallery’. All are impatient to teachers’ feedback and were actively build on their use of digital technology encouraged to express their views and demonstrate more of the Learner on other children’s work, thinking Profile attributes as the academy carefully about how their feedback moves into next year. should be phrased and how the recipient might react.

The academy also helped children develop new communication skills through Makaton. The weekly newsletter provides links to ‘Signs of the Week’ and some classes learned how to sign a song of their choice, which was then shared on the school’s Instagram account.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 10 Oaks Primary Academy In and out of this together

Oaks Primary Academy likes to approach most things in a ‘business as usual’ manner. While the pandemic forced a rethink, staff and pupils rose to the challenge with great panache.

Community is at the heart of everything that happens at Oaks Primary Academy and this has never been more true than during the pandemic. From what one parent termed the ‘seamless’ transition from in-school to home learning in March, to the ongoing provision for children of key workers, and right up to now following the return of children in the Nursery, Reception and years 1, 5 and 6, staff, pupils and their families have demonstrated their ability to find ways to work and be together, even when apart.

There are many anecdotes and examples that illustrate the fantastic adaptability and determination of the school community during this time, but arguably the best story of all is what has emerged from all this hard work: the resilience of the pupils. There is no better testament to the efforts of staff to sustain the academic, social, personal and emotional growth of pupils than the positive attributes the children have developed and demonstrated during this time.

When asked to reflect on their experience of home learning and the return to school, here is what some of Oaks’ year 6 pupils had to say:

Whilst online learning has been a “Being back at school has helped me a lot. It has mainly helped me boost my new and exciting learning curve for self confidence since I now get to see other people and I get to express my the academy, celebrations have also feelings to them. Coming back to school has been very fun. We get to talk to become an important part of the each other or speak online to each other using Google Meets with the other well-being and morale boosting of pod. We conference online with the pupils that are still learning at home all stakeholders. These started with too. Many people have helped me.” a 40th birthday celebration video and have gone on to include a Victory “Online learning has helped me with my computer skills and kept me on my in Europe (VE) Day video which was toes ready to be asked any questions. Now that I have returned to school, I shared with the wider community, a am occupied all day long and my confidence has risen in many subjects but goodwill message flag flown from St my maths in particular is off the chart. The best thing about online learning Martin’s Church, a ‘stay safe and well’ was that independence was key and this has helped me grow substantially. video for pupils and, most excitingly, However, being back at school is great and has also helped me a lot, a video from the pupils to the teachers especially with being a communicator.” to prove that they were ‘staying safe and well’. “Since returning to school, in a short amount of days there have been new bonds between our little groups and friendships that have grown that Out of adversity have come unity, would have never emerged if lockdown had not happened. Playtime collaboration and great respect definitely has changed but we have been inventing new games to make amongst the Oaks Primary Academy sure that we stay safe but still get enjoyment out of play and the whole community, who have endured this school day. School has helped me a lot during this time. It has helped me experience together and will come out to be more creative and get used to the new rules. The Coronavirus was of it wiser, stronger and prepared for very hard on the world and lockdown was very new to everyone, but online whatever the future may hold. school kept me occupied and now, since returning, it feels reassuring to have a routine again.”

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 11 Molehill Primary Academy Keep smiling through, just like we always do …

– and all while providing the best educational and well-being support possible for pupils and families. Determined to clear a path through the crisis, Molehill staff have willingly volunteered to work in the key-worker hub or have helped to send parcels full of treats to local NHS staff for their staffrooms. They have also ensured that opportunities for learning are available daily on the website and Google Classroom, including dedicated art and PE classrooms; and to support pupils who do not have access to digital learning, staff have worked tirelessly to provide home learning packs for parents to collect. So where did they find time to make The unspoken agreement between a socially-distanced chat was always amusing, uplifting videos to send to the amazing team at Molehill Primary available. By the time the pupils left the Molehill community? Academy has been to tackle the the school building on Friday 20th Covid-19 crisis with a smile on their March 2020, with their home learning The Molehill team spirit and boundless faces. The Covid story at MPA began packs under their arms and smiles on positivity was in full force on 1st June a few weeks before lockdown had their faces, they were as well-equipped as the whole staff returned to the become the buzzword, when everyone as they could be for the ‘new normal’ school building, still smiling, ready to was still hoping that school closures that lay ahead. welcome the first ‘pods’ of children would not happen. During this time back to school. There could be no of extreme anxiety, the fears of Through the weeks that have followed, greater reward than the smiles of pupils and parents were consistently the smiles have remained on the our pupils as they walked through responded to smilingly and calmly. faces of Molehill staff as they have the school gates towards a team of Among a range of exciting learning worked harder than ever to care for staff ready and willing to meet the opportunities during World Book Day, the vulnerable members of their next set of challenges that the ‘new Sport Relief and Science Week, the own families, home-school their own normal’ had in store. What a privilege well-being of pupils was sustained by children and grandchildren, support to be part of a team of such dedicated answering their questions through age key workers and live with ever- professionals through these very appropriate story books and children’s increasing personal worries about the uncertain times! news programmes, while for parents pandemic happening around them

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 12 Tree Tops Primary Academy Strengthening Community Values and Ties

Throughout the pandemic, we have faced challenges across the entire educational system. Both children and staff have been desperate to get back to normal ways of working and have used their time productively, taking on challenges of their own. Children have been working on their home learning as well as their life skills: everything from gardening to cooking, enhanced by the life-skills curriculum that we sent home to parents needing support to educate their children in novel ways. Staff have engaged in online CPD, developing their teaching skills and other interests to enhance their well-being and teaching practice, and have passed on their learning to other members of staff. As year R, 1 and 6 returned to school initially, everyone was anxious and uncertain of the future. But staff and pupils alike have done themselves proud, providing high-quality learning for returning students who have shown themselves to be caring, respectful and determined to catch up on missed work.

The staff at Tree Tops Primary Academy have worked tirelessly to create safe, secure pods in the school to reduce anxiety among students and staff. Well-being has been a priority as it is our responsibility to create a safe atmosphere for everybody, including the local community who have been so supportive in these trying times. Our community ties have strengthened as a result and will continue to do so.

Although the children have returned tired and out of practice, their determination to continue progressing in all areas of the curriculum despite the pressures remains undimmed. Meanwhile, the stalwart Tree Tops team Eastcote Primary Academy has shone through the crisis with its can-do spirit and determination and both students and staff deserve praise Lockdown! and thanks for making the return to school such a success.

After closure back in March, Eastcote’s staff, parents and pupils had to download, learn, and engage with online learning overnight. Thanks to Miss Jones and Miss Smith, staff and children were well supported in their journey to become online learners. Using the Showbie app, Eastcote staff were able to stay in contact with all children at home, sending children voice notes and providing daily feedback on their learning.

But their support extended way beyond this. They delivered everything from Chromebooks to seeds to colouring sheets to felt-tip pens to children’s homes. Teachers called children weekly and provided printed packs of learning to individual children who were finding online learning difficult. The team were exemplary in the care, dedication and professionalism they have shown over the past months. Reception, year 1 and year 6 children and those of critical workers. It was their plan from day one to maximise the Reopening! number of children returning to school and, as a team, they were determined to make the experience as positive, At the outset, Eastcote was extremely keen to open its relaxed and enjoyable as possible, playing music every doors to as many children as possible. All teachers and TAs morning as the children come into school and even, one returned to work and worked extremely hard within an Monday, providing a rendition of the YMCA, costumes extremely tight timeframe to open the academy to Nursery, and all!

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 13 High Halstow Stoke and Allhallows Primary Academy Primary Academies

The staff team at High Halstow has always been How we have survived!! phenomenal and the challenges faced before and during the Covid-19 pandemic have truly demonstrated this. Staff We thought about what we wanted to say about how it has have been available for families to provide education and been at Stoke and Allhallows during the pandemic and one care in ways that they haven’t before, making daily phone of the key things to us is to keep smiling - I hope this poem/ calls to parents and pupils, answering parent emails, song makes you smile! hand-delivering work packs, providing child care in the (To be sung to the tune of I will survive! (loosely)) High Halstow and Allhallows hub and teaching online, to name just a few examples. At first we were afraid, we were petrified Kept thinking how could we be 2 metres not side by side A real strength of the use of Google Classroom has been the quality of outcomes produced by pupils. The knowledge We must get rid of all the toys pupils have gained of different artists and the quality of the And stay in bubbles too art outcomes has been outstanding across the academy. What was it going to be like ? Will we all get through? The High Halstow Art Gallery now displays this amazing Then the kids were back work as a memory of the positives generated in 2020. From their lockdown time They walked smiling through the gate Telling parents they will be fine They sanitised as they came in and to their parents waved goodbye They couldn’t hug or touch but they knew the reason why In their bubble they saw their friends and had lots of outside play We need to keep our distance, lets keep this virus at bay Lets wash our hands again and sing that birthday song This may not seem quite right but it certainly isn’t wrong So we survived We didn’t need to stress We kept calm and worked it through And of course we risk assessed The Hundred of Hoo Stoke and Allhallows will carry on Primary Academy “The best version of me is the best learner I can be.“

This statement epitomises the very heart and soul of The Hundred of Hoo Academy Primary, which always strives to be ‘the best version of itself’. This year has been no exception. That best version may be different for each of us but, when we reflect on that statement, we know what it means for us individually. One thing, however, is certain: as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown and partial school closures, staff and students have found a new dimension of the best version of ourselves.

The transition to a ‘new normal’ has been seamless at every phase of the roadmap to recovery due to the strength of community that permeates the academy. A community is at its strongest when it works together and this has been epitomised at The Hundred of Hoo. Continued on next page...

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 14 At the onset of lockdown, the academy was thrust into the realms of online, remote learning. The new world of Google Classroom soon became a staple in the educational diet of learners and it became apparent that the academy’s well-established Learner Profile attributes were going to be an invaluable asset in its learning toolkit. The Hundred of Hoo community did not disappoint.

The dedication and commitment of pupils has been both admirable and inspirational. They wholeheartedly embraced their new way of learning and revelled in producing imaginative outcomes to demonstrate their understanding. From Google Slides to videos, it has been magnificent to see the children thrive in what were very challenging circumstances. This didn’t stop with simply handing in work: there were so many examples of pupils commenting on and engaging with each other’s work on the Google Classroom stream. These valuable skills will continue to be developed.

When the doors were opened more widely, firstly to EYFS and year 1 and then to year 4, the children served the new rules and expectations brilliantly from the first moment and should be very proud of themselves. They consciously kept a good distance from each other and needed only a few reminders through the day, washing their hands thoroughly and following instructions impeccably - all this while continuing to be engaged, conscientious learners. The academy’s resilient, principled and mature children never brought, they did not waver from the core business of fail to impress. providing guidance, support and exceptional learning opportunities for students and their families in myriad ways Those that continued to work diligently at home engaged and the team have gone above and beyond to ensure that with live Google Meets with their peers and even tuned the community has been well supported. The increasing in to our story-time sessions with their friends who were numbers of children feeling confident enough to return learning in school. Virtual Clubs provided a forum for the to school is testament to this and demonstrates the trust academy’s wonderful pupils to express themselves beyond that local families have in the dedication of the team. their remote learning. From performing arts clubs to our Little Cooks Lockdown Kitchen, the range of engagement And finally… and willingness to maintain the community spirit has been second to none. “Sometimes we are tested, not to show our All of this would not have been possible without the weaknesses, but to discover our strengths”. tenacity, resilience and commitment of all the staff. While also buffeted by the trials and challenges that Covid-19 Our community, yet again, has shown how strong it truly is.

The Hundred of Hoo Nursery

The staff and children of the nursery returned on Monday Staff and students have been spending the majority of their 1st June with great enthusiasm, a positive attitude to time in the outside areas, with the youngest children taking learning and enjoyment at being back in the setting with their naps al fresco. Transitional meetings with schools for their much-missed friends. Children have settled well and preschool children have been going well and staff have are enjoying the new normal that staff have created for engaged with all of the follow-on schools for these children. them to learn and explore. Currently, about one-third of the cohort has returned, but this increases weekly by one or The nursery remains full of children’s chatter and laughter, two children. just as it was before anyone had ever heard of Covid-19.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 15 Milestone Academy

Milestone’s approach of ‘’learning protect people and buildings from and adapting for Milestone pupils’ the awful virus, Mr Norris and the learning’’ for the benefit of families, site team made further changes pupils and staff has underpinned both inside and outside the large some frantic activity at the New Ash site. As they settled into these new Green main site since 18th March, arrangements, they learned from when the Secretary of State said: the DfE of a phased approach for SEN settings in which more students “After schools shut their gates on could return in Term 6. A parental Friday afternoon, they will remain survey showed that over 110 pupils closed until further notice. This will wanted to return, so staff adapted be for all children except those of key the building yet again and, on 5th workers and children who are June, established two additional most vulnerable’’. groups who attended the academy in alternate weeks, alongside the Having suddenly learnt that day that children of key workers. Each class the educational world was about to forms its own ‘bubble’, led by the be transformed, the team rapidly same staff each day. A break-out set about adapting its workforce. classroom is available for each A large group of staff volunteered bubble and packed lunches are to provide a more relaxed form of taken in the room each day. provision for pupils of key workers and a group of accompanying pupils. Staff who cannot be present on The Principal made the decision to site continue to provide learning close all satellites and focus staff opportunities for pupils via resources and medical support on technology and other media. The the main site. Another group who, Principal was already proud of the for various good reasons, could ability of his teaching and support not attend the main site set about staff to learn and adapt to support supporting pupils and families via his pupils’ learning before the advent technological media and, in some of Covid-19, an ability highlighted cases, paper-based work folders. throughout the pandemic, and he Some three weeks later, Milestone is indebted to his colleagues for was transformed into a LAT hub their efforts during this time. He also school, providing a very warm thanks parents and families, who welcome to nearby Hartley Primary have been most understanding and Academy. It was a pleasure to have appreciative of the efforts made. the Principal, Miss Galinis, and her As ever, and with the invaluable staff and pupils at Milestone, as well support of LAT, the academy as to host Mrs Goosani, the Primary will continue to learn and adapt Executive Principal, during this time. Milestone Academy for its pupils‘ learning throughout the current Hartley returned to their own site term and beyond. at the start of Term 6. With numbers doubling after the Easter break and more information about how to

Here are some pupils from Group B of the extended pupil group that has been attending Milestone Academy since 15th June. This learning group or ‘bubble’, led by Sam Marlow, has enjoyed a wide range of daily activities, including designing and making Father’s Day cards and planting beans in line with the science curriculum. Staff and children are looking forward to seeing the ‘fruits’ of their labours later in Term 6!

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 16 The Leigh UTC Science Lessons from South Africa

difficult concepts in a visual way, they can more easily associate what they see (the practical aspect) with the theory (theoretical knowledge).”

“One of the aspects I specifically focussed on when deciding what experiments to conduct and how to do this was the availability of resources. Coming from a developing country like South Africa, resources for science experiments are often scarce, especially for students from more challenging economic backgrounds. Teachers in South Africa are therefore taught to be creative with Over the course of lockdown many “My main aim was to engage with all regard to developing experiments, teachers have been getting used of my students on a more practical level using easily obtainable resources to new ways of working, but one in instead of overwhelming them with too that are available to each student to particular at the UTC has had to take much theoretical knowledge. I know ensure that no student is excluded that to the extreme. Ludwig de la Bat most of my students are very practical from a learning opportunity. I tried to has had to conduct all his distance and love to build or create things, so I incorporate this aspect of teaching into teaching whilst in lockdown in South tried to use this aspect to my advantage my experiments by using resources that Africa with his family! and break down the more difficult topics are easily available to everyone. All of into smaller chunks that are easier to the resources I used in my experiments Despite the challenges, he never process. When it came to processing new were either common household items, stopped trying to deliver the best knowledge, I also took into account that or cheap to buy at a supermarket.” possible lessons for his students back most of my students are visual learners here in Dartford, even filming science and thus, by demonstrating “Lastly, I wanted to bring some fun and practicals at home excitement to all my students at home. and sharing them Being locked down can be extremely with his KS3 pupils! daunting for everyone, especially When asked, Ludwig children. By giving them a fun activity to described what had do at home (and learning in the process), got him thinking I aimed to relieve them from the stress about doing this and uncertainty that all of us are facing in the first place: around the world during these uncertain times.”

Wilmington Academy

The Wilmington community has responded magnificently communication materials. This home-learning provision to these unprecedented times. In true International has continued to evolve throughout lockdown. The Trust’s Baccalaureate style, students and staff have displayed most recent parental survey, released on 1st May, showed all the features of the IB learner profile as risk-takers, that 85% of parents found the site easy to access, 80% communicators, and caring, open-minded individuals confirmed it to be of a good standard and 75% said it was throughout the global-pandemic. Two particular areas well organised. Since then, leaders have developed the site demonstrate the community’s resolve to meet in response to student, parent and staff feedback, to ensure current challenges. that the online experience is as effective and efficient as possible. In addition, through careful and extensive Distance Learning monitoring of student participation, it has become apparent that some students have no access to the internet The Wilmington Academy distance-learning portal has or devices at home, so the SENCo provided bespoke printed been built in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to resource packs to 105 students every two weeks via Mr Farr. provide families with easy access to a range of resources, including links to educational, well-being, literacy and Continued on next page...

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 17 Students have received regular feedback from teachers on The planning and preparations have required our staff to completing their work, while teachers have sent reminders quickly adapt to new ways of working whilst maintaining to students and their parents when work is overdue. the high quality delivery of the IBMYP. Pastoral teams have kept in regular contact with vulnerable students, both by email and telephone, and the SEN team At the time of writing, the verification team has met all have provided regular support to students, especially those IBMYP staff as well as parents, governors, support staff and with EHCPs. With regular follow-up and monitoring, 84% students. Initial feedback from the verification team has of students have engaged with home-learning provision. been overwhelmingly positive. They have particularly noted the passion of staff in delivering the IBMYP and instilling the Middle Years Programme Virtual Verification Visit learner profile in students. The lead verifier commented that he was inspired by the development of our students and Despite myriad obstacles and challenges, the Wilmington the learning that is taking place. The verification team has Academy team made the bold decision to continue with its been extremely supportive throughout the entire process original date for MYP verification, which took place virtually and their expert knowledge and feedback will help us on 25th and 26th June. With most staff working from home, develop even further. While we await feedback at our exit the distance-learning platform has been put to use to meeting, the journey for all involved has been a long but sustain the positive momentum by embedding the IBMYP exciting one, with a final verification decision due shortly and the IB learner profile that underpins it. from the IB.

Wilmington Academy is one of the first schools in the © International Baccalaureate world to undergo virtual verification, as well as the first Organisation 2018 LAT academy to pursue final verification of the IBMYP.

The Leigh Academy

The Leigh Academy was then contacted by the agent of David Walliams, who had been shown the video and wanted to talk with the students via a Zoom video call. Students and staff were thrilled to talk to him about everything, from his own time at school, to his inspiration as an author and his experiences during lockdown. David described the experiences that had inspired some of the characters in his ‘world’s worst teachers’ book and offered insights into his latest book on the ‘world’s worst parents’, spending over half an hour with the students and giving each of them an opportunity to speak with him directly. This was a fantastic experience for all involved. Since the start of the pandemic, The This spread the message that, despite Leigh Academy has kept its doors news reports, schools were not closed Throughout the period of lockdown, open to children of key workers based and provision for key workers was an The Leigh Academy has operated across all schools in the Dartford essential part of keeping society going. as the Dartford secondary hub, hub to ensure that their parents can This interview was broadcast on 1st welcoming colleagues and students continue to fight Covid-19 on the April on BBC Southeast Today. from The Leigh UTC, Wilmington frontline. A video of interviews with Academy and Longfield Academy. students about their parents’ jobs The site and administrative teams, was published and the important as well as an army of volunteers, message to ‘stay home and save lives’ were instrumental in ensuring that was reinforced. This video attracted this process was well organised and over 10,000 views across various that each area was safe for staff and social media platforms and we were students. Subsequently, the academy soon contacted by BBC Newsroom has opened its doors to students in Southeast, who requested an interview years 10 and 12 students, with year 7 with the students themselves. to follow.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 18 Longfield Academy

In true Longfield spirit, staff, students and their families have risen to the challenge of ever-changing expectations, and a great many members of our community have found new opportunities to help others and develop themselves further.

During the lockdown period, we have, as a community, been forced to accept and deal with extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Through all of this, we have united to support those in need of our time and extra effort, strengthening our character.

Some of the acts of kindness carried out by Longfield students have been truly heart-warming. Ruby, in year 8, has been working as a community care worker for Sevenoaks Council, and countless young people have been volunteering to support the elderly in their local areas.

We are incredibly proud that students who have left us only recently have been working on the NHS frontline during this pandemic. The following are but two examples:

Patrick left us in 2018 after his A Levels and has one year of his paramedic degree to complete at university while working with the ambulance service during the Covid crisis.

We would also like to congratulate the academy’s Tom stepped up as a volunteer GCSE photography students for their dedication and at Darent Valley Hospital, where commitment to the subject. They have been working his mum has worked for many on a selection of projects to improve their photography years, whilst his university skills, including the Alphabet Challenge. Ms Smith has degree in drama has been been hugely impressed by the way in which students suspended. have embraced the arts to express their thoughts and understanding while building resilience and confidence. During this time of upheaval, we have all learned just how We have included a thought-provoking capture (above) important routine is. Students have not only missed the from Lucy in year 9 - what a poignant moment in time! social element of school each day, but also the academic stimulation it offers - so much so that students such as Katie Years 11 and 13 have been particularly impacted by current in year 7 said: circumstances, with exams cancelled and school lives ending abruptly. Staff have kept in regular contact with “I was missing science. This led me into doing some free online them, preparing year 11 for level 3 study and providing university courses. I completed all of the ones I started.” them with life skills in a Google classroom on adulting that directs them to a range of resources, from videos on how We have also seen a team of post-16 students, led by to make pizza dough, to basic money management and free Poppy, produce a newsletter for their peers. Articles have short courses. They have also worked with Eton College to been lively and entertaining - an excellent reflection of the give students access to their EtonX online classes, including academy’s responsible, humorous post-16 student body. one on resilience and another on making an impact.

Lots of students have been busy reading their body weight As more and more students are welcomed back into the in literature and Zach and Matthew have become reading building physically, all are getting to grips with the millionaires - well done! ‘new normal’.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 19 Mascalls Academy ‘The Lockdown Gallery’ Aspire Believe Achieve

There is an irony in that – It transpires The art department, like every that creativity and imagination don’t department in Mascalls, has always do ‘lockdown’. In fact, it is at times like been proud of its students and their these when creativity is at its most achievements – but probably no more evident due to necessity, the urge to so than right now. They have amazed escape and the need for headspace. everyone. More than that, students have amazed themselves, having seen The 20th March felt like a sad day. what they are truly capable of under The inevitable “how do we do this?” their own steam. Indeed, the students rang in the ears of staff. “The digital have made the staff’s lockdown and classroom? How will we cope…how will be welcomed back warmly. will they cope?” To their relief as the days and weeks passed, the response A big thank you to our young artists, came. The situation has forced staff not to mention our supportive to push their trust in students even parents, to whom we offer apologies further. For once, the focus was for the many ruined carpets and paint- not that their young artists should splattered walls! create masterpieces; instead, very different assessment criteria had to be applied. With boundaries lifted, it was over to them – to give it their best shot, to express themselves, to WANT to do it. Instead of rushing to the next deadline, to ~get on to the next thing~, students had to use their creativity and originality as a means of escape, and to be ‘real’ artists.

A collection of work produced for Fine Art, Graphics and Photography from students in years 7, 8, 9 and 10.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 20 Stationers’ Crown Woods STATIONERS’ Academy CROWN WOODS ACADEMY

Schools, by their very nature, are bastions of equality, Some children - the most disadvantaged - are habitually striving to close the academic, social and cultural gaps that excluded from accessing education. For these children, exist in the everyday lives of children. In the absence of the inequalities that exist in their day-to-day lives were formal, face-to-face schooling, inequalities become ever compounded when schools closed. Families without a more apparent. suitable work device or an internet connection are left in the dark. Schools are working hard to supply families The closure of schools on 20th March to combat the spread with devices and wi-fi connections and, if necessary, hard of Covid-19 signalled a fundamental change in the way we copies of paper-based work, but some children are still educate our young people. not accessing education. Some of the most vulnerable require greater levels of support and guidance in order to Not many families would ever consider home-education; access the content. Parents, in too many cases, are unable nevertheless, every family with school-aged children is now to support learning. These children, more than any, need embroiled in the challenges of home-schooling. Digital the contact, the routine and the equality of a school-based media, on-line resources and ever-more advanced SMART education. technology has made remote connection to teaching resources possible. ‘Google Classroom’ and ‘Google Meet’ The restrictions of lockdown will be lifted gradually and, have brought the classroom into the living rooms of hopefully, schools will be fully open to all pupils from housebound families. Teachers are using this technology September. The need to re-engage the most disadvantaged to set work, monitor work and provide feedback. School and vulnerable children is critical, but in order to re-engage leaders can track how often children are logging on to them school leaders will need a clear vision. access the work and can intervene when children are disengaged or simply struggling to access the resources. When schools reopen, the challenge for school leaders will The digital world has revolutionised the way we connect be to reflect on the value of digital resources and on-line with one another and, in a world of isolation, on-line platforms and to address the inequalities that remain. The platforms have become the primary method of remaining digital world will not replace the relationship with or the connected to work, family and friends. expert delivery of a teacher, but it can ensure every child has access to the same powerful knowledge. Unfortunately, not all families are connected in the same way. Hardware and connectivity is costly and still inaccessible for too many families.

Some children are thriving where parents are able to adopt a pragmatic approach to their own work, allowing for a more hands-on, supportive approach to home-schooling; some children, left to their own devices, are thriving with greater freedom and independence; while some are finding the need to learn proactively too great a challenge. Their connection and engagement with school has weakened, but they are still able to access the resources and support, if required.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 21 Leigh Academy Blackheath

The construction site at Old Dover Road is a hive of activity with Bouygues UK making rapid progress on our new building. Despite a short period of closure due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the site was reopened as quickly as possible under the new government safety guidelines, and once again contractors are on site and working hard to ensure the building is finished on time for the start of the new academic year.

After two years in temporary accommodation, and the last four months working remotely, the entire LAB community is looking forward to moving into its three-storey new home. As part of the annual LAB Literary Festival, students have been given the challenge to design a fourth floor around a literary theme. Staff are looking forward to seeing designs inspired by some of the great authors, journalists and publishers who are running online workshops as part of the festival.

When combined, the new theatre and activity studio will provide a great space for the whole academy to come together, the perfect venue for LAB’s celebratory return-to-school assembly in September!

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 22 The Halley Academy

The wider opening of The Halley Feedback from parents and carers has been overwhelmingly positive; we have Academy has been fantastic! 25% appreciated and valued their support on our wider-opening journey in the of year 10 and 12 students were fight against Covid-19. We have received a large number of responses from our invited back each day, alongside families showing their gratitude, which in turn has boosted the morale of an increased number of pupils in the our staff: hub. Social distancing and hygiene routines were quickly embedded, with pupils showing great respect for Messages from parents: one another and quickly embracing the new expectations. Pupils were “This is great news! I am happy to hear this! His hard work is paying off. You highly engaged throughout the day should have seen how he smiled when I showed him your message. He was and were genuinely happy to be in happy too and definitely this will encourage him to do more. God bless you and school. Teachers were equally excited do have a great day.” to return to face-to-face teaching and voiced their satisfaction at how “Thank you so much for this report and thank you for all the hard work you put well-organised and meticulous the in with the students in and out of the classroom. They don’t know it, but you are planning for wider opening had been. helping to mould future leaders.”

Not only have the on-site sessions “Thank you so much for encouraging him to be at his best. We appreciate the been a success, but so has the entire school for your efforts during this pandemic. God bless.” engagement with home learning via Google Classroom. The Halley Academy prides itself on its relationships between staff, students Messages from staff: and their families and this has continued to be a priority during the “This can be a lonely time and it is heart-warming when parents respond in such pandemic. Families have expressed a positive way.” their gratitude at receiving regular updates, feedback from teachers on “It is nice to know that our efforts from school coupled with those of the parents home learning and phone calls of and students at home are making a positive impact on our students’ learning praise and offers of support when they during this challenging time.” needed them. Staff have created a Google site and Directors of Learning, Lead Google Classroom for the current year Practitioners and the Senior 11 students and external candidates to Leadership Team relished the provide them with essential materials opportunity to attend the virtual for transition and preparation to start induction to IRIS Connect, a their post-16 courses from a strong collaborative teacher development position. The quality of the resources space, enabling teachers to work and communication has resulted in together in groups, share their a 15% increase in applications to the resources and participate in online academy’s provision. courses. This product will empower teachers and fuel a culture based Cucina may be closed, but staff on trust, with more effective and have enjoyed a nourishing diet of developmental lesson observations professional development during that will enhance teaching and this period. They have continued learning even further. to engage weekly in high-quality, bespoke, virtual CPD sessions The Halley family continues to go focusing on the principles of from strength to strength. effective curriculum design and implementation, while exploring the opportunities that home learning provides to support students’ academic achievement.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 23 Strood Academy

The students and staff that make up Strood Academy have While staff have missed the joy of teaching all the students always given cause for pride, but never more so than during every day on site, we can still take great pleasure in their these exceptional times. resilience, adaptability and willingness to be the best they can be, no matter what the circumstances. From the very start, staff have shown their exceptional capacity to grow, change and adapt their working ways, and all at an extraordinarily rapid pace. This has meant that students, who were already well used to working within our Google environment, were able to continue their learning at home and show that their resilience and creativity have not been ‘locked down’ in any way. In more recent times, the school space has been transformed into a socially- distanced, safe learning environment through the excellent and thorough work of staff, most notably the site team. This has allowed the academy to welcome many year 10 ‘Sure Together’ performance video students back into classrooms and to see lessons resuming on the school site. A group of Strood Academy students, who are part of While students were at home, their creativity was unleashed the Royal Shakespeare Associate School Programme, in amazing ways, despite varied circumstances that were participated in a huge project with other schools to perform not always easy. Students have climbed mountains in their the song ‘Sure Together’. The six talented Strood Academy homes (conveniently, by using their own stairs) as part of performers have risen to the challenge of rehearsing and the Leigh Academies Trust Climb Challenge; built their own capturing the performances from a distance, showing true Rube Goldberg machines and continue their work with the resilience, a fantastic collaborative achievement in the face Royal Shakespeare Company through audio-recordings of adversity. Well done to Sidney, Mikelle, Morgan, Abby, made during lockdown which have been used to create Mia and Calum. Over the past week, these students have an original song. While all student work is submitted via emphatically taken on the spirit of the industry in insisting Google Classrooms, their ingenuity in creating or answering that ‘the show must go on!’ Well done to all involved. questions was marvellous. Students have used bread to show the effects of erosion, up-cycled household materials into a stationery holder and even produced eye-catching 3D designs from home. One particular piece of work that really stands out is a 3D model and fact file of the Amazon rainforest, created by a student as part of their geography IBMYP project - something that has to be seen to be believed!

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 24 The Hundred of Hoo Academy

The proudest moments of The three months to include both online Community links with local businesses Hundred of Hoo Academy’s response engagement points in class charts have thrived during the lockdown to the Covid-19 crisis emanate from and key achievements shared in the period. The academy has been able its work to transform its communities. form of virtual postcards. Social-media to reach out to local businesses and The transition to learning at home platforms have been used to extend harness their support to provide vital has allowed the academy, in effect, networks in the community and staff aid for our most vulnerable families. to recruit and train a plethora of new have been pleased to be able to share The Haven Holiday Park in Allhallows teacher-parents, a challenge not taken daily celebrations of exceptional used two of their vans and a multitude lightly. Through its Remote Learning work as well as using these forums to of staff to deliver meals to Guides for families, its virtual school recruit a wider audience of judges for a number of households stretching website and a whole raft of highly the academy’s frequent community from Allhallows to Gillingham, and pertinent, engaging communication, competitions. Fantastic cakes have even as far as Burham, firstly to pupils the academy’s commitment to been baked; demonstrations of from The Hundred of Hoo Academy strengthening its parent and teacher ‘life skills’ have been developed at and then broadening their coverage relationships has never been more home; some have taken up nature to help families from across all three vital, more frequent or more impactful. photography and, of course, extreme academies within the hub. During a recent meeting between reading (lockdown edition). governors and staff, this consequence More recently, Drax, a local British of the pandemic was one of the key energy company and owners of causes for celebration and staff are Damhead Creek Power Station located keen to continue further developing on the outskirts of Hoo St Werburgh, these enhanced bonds with the have kindly gifted ten of our year 10 parental body. pupils with Chromebooks, effectively removing their barriers to learning Community engagement didn’t stop at home and allowing them to fully there. Once it was safe to do so, Heads engage with the online curriculum. of Year undertook numerous doorstep- The academy is sincerely grateful for drops to share the success of pupils this tremendous community support, showing the highest engagement which provides a tangible exemplar with high-quality learning. Pupils and for pupils of kindness, compassion parents were thrilled with these truly and integrity. memorable (albeit socially-distanced) visits. In addition, the rewards system has evolved over the last

Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School

On Friday 13th March, just before lockdown began, What is important is not always the amount of money students set off for the school field for the ‘Sport Relief raised but students’ involvement in a great cause. Taking mile’, part of another phenomenal effort to raise money for into account all efforts made by students and staff, ‘the Sport Relief. Bike rides, swimming, staff vs student netball, Math’ raised £25,191, which should make it the biggest rugby tournaments and triathlons are just a few of the fundraiser for Sport Relief among schools across the nation activities students have been getting involved with since this year. the start of the year. On that Friday alone they raised a staggering £2,651.75! What is even more impressive is that one student, Thomas in year 13, raised £3,335.83 in total! Thomas organised an endurance go-kart race which saw teachers and students from all years race around the track earning thousands of pounds for charity.

It has been a difficult year for fundraising this year as many of the planned events had to be cancelled, but students and staff went above and beyond to continue fundraising, despite the difficult circumstances.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 25 New Schools Bearsted Primary Academy Snowfields Academy

Even though Covid-19 has had an impact upon the building Despite time lost due to the impact of the pandemic, the of the new Bearsted Academy the team at B&K have made building is coming on well at Snowfields Academy. The some fantastic efforts to claw back the time lost. A recent team at B&K are doing everything within their power to safe, socially-distanced visit to see the progress of the make up for lost time and walking around the building academy was very reassuring, especially having not been last week was really exciting, seeing how well everything able to step on site since early February; the transformation is coming together. Despite the lack of any face-to-face was incredible and really provided a picture of how the meetings or presentations over the last few months, the school will look once complete, a wonderful space for new academy is full and oversubscribed for year 7 and is its young pupils to grow. the first school of choice for many families looking for a specialist secondary ASD provision despite not even There were over 90 applicants for Bearsted Primary being open! Academy, with more still coming in, and around 40 pupils will definitely be starting in September. The nursery, Little Some great staff appointments have been made, thanks Bears, which will open in January 2021, has also attracted to the Trust’s wonderful Talent Team, who are doing around ten applications, plus a number for the everything possible to support recruitment virtually, and following year. regular staff meetings are being held so that everyone can get to know each other before the big day in September. To aid transition, staff have been busy engaging with Staff are working hard to support the transitions for families, building crucial links with them so that their the anxious students, who are facing possibly the most children can be supported in the best possible way. Staff challenging educational transition of their lives. have spoken to all the families and have posted weekly updates on the school website to help the children get Staff are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to know their classmates and teachers before September. to Snowfields Academy when it opens. Families have already been in contact, expressing their thanks and delight on learning about their new class and, as a result, the school community is starting to flourish. Staff can’t wait to meet the children in person and show their families around the wonderful new school.

Leigh Academy Rainham

It is now at least eight weeks since Piling work to lay the deep the first time to deliver a banner to the building works began at the new Leigh foundations has begun, which will construction team, which will appear Academy Rainham site and, despite provide the extra support required on the hoarding to inform the local the restrictions put in place due to the for our stunning new three-storey community that we will be accepting ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, work has building, and we can expect to see the admissions from September 2020 started and significant progress has impressive steel frame being erected for 2021. We look forward to sharing been made while complying with all from the end of August in preparation further developments in the future government guidelines. The building for putting in the three floor levels. The as our building work progresses. is on track to welcome the founding Trust recently received confirmation year 7 cohort in September 2021. that we will be able to install 200 Recent works have involved removal square metres of photovoltaic solar of the trees at the access points to panels on the roof of the academy, the site, carefully managed around which is a fantastic step towards the birds’ nesting season following achieving our goal of establishing a meticulous survey of the trees to a unique, environmentally-friendly ensure no nests were damaged. Where secondary provision. nests were discovered, the trees have remained and will do so until the This week, Principal Designate Alex chicks have fledged safely! Millward will be visiting the site for

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 26 LAT myON Vision Digital Library 2025 Good literacy and a love of reading to set tasks and monitor progress, Our Values are key to success in life. Books can as well as audio books. In the first open our minds and imaginations month, the Trust’s pupils have read We care - and provide insights into other lives, over 43,000 books and engaged in about our pupils through our worlds and experiences. During 40+ projects. Our LAT myOn leaders human scale approach to lockdown, our school libraries were have been pivotal to the success of education, our staff and their inevitably closed and, as it continued, this scheme, which has provided a well-being and the communities it was apparent that many children did welcome escape for pupils and their that we serve, driven by our high not have access to books at home. parents from the challenges we are ideals and strong moral values. all facing at present. The programme The directors of LAT therefore is funded until August 2021. approved a £43,000 bid to provide We have boundless all pupils in both primary and Update: Renaissance launched a ambition - secondary phases with access to competition on social media called to achieve excellence for all and a digital library, myON, linked to the ‘myON Project of the Week’. They create confident young adults Renaissance Learning Accelerated selected their favourite project, based with high levels of resilience Reader Programme. Not only has this on creativity, and we are delighted to and integrity. given our pupils access to over 6,000 announce that Mascalls Academy was books online, but there are daily news confirmed this week as the winner and articles which are translatable into will receive a £50 Amazon voucher. We work together - French and/or Spanish, the option Congratulations to all involved. 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.

www.latapprenticeships.com latenterprises.co.uk latworkingwithbusiness.com

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Leigh Academies Trust is a registered company, company no 2336587. An exempt charity. www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 27