NEWS Easter 2020 | Issue 17

Young Voices 2020 Happy Another successful trip to the 02 Arena in London, as primary students from Molehill, Tree Tops, Langley Park, Oaks and Cherry Orchard Primary Academies show off their choir talents. Easter

Continued on page 10 ...

17 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities A message from the Chief Executive

The COVID-19 worldwide crisis is unprecedented in our On top of this, they will be out of their normal learning lifetime. Every government announcement leaves us aghast routines and still coming to terms with the impact of this at how disruption on this scale could have taken hold crisis on their lives and families. Some will be returning with so little warning. The untold effect on daily life and to face important public examinations in summer 2021 everyone’s futures is unrivalled since 1939 and WWII. and we must do all we can to make sure they are not disadvantaged. Powerful efforts now to plan for the Schools are now at the front-line of supporting the national medium- and long-term will ensure that we are ready by effort to fight the virus. Staff across Leigh Academies Trust the start of the new academic year to emerge stronger than have heard that call. I have been awestruck in recent weeks ever before. to see their selfless efforts to support one another and to help our nation get back on its feet again. We still have Times of crises often bring out the best in us all. People rise a long way to go, but with responses like those we have to the challenge and show their true characters. We will do seen so far, we are sure to win. all we can over the coming months to support the national effort to get our lives back to what we took for granted only The Trust’s efforts fall into two categories: a few short weeks ago. We all have our part to play.

Take immediate steps to manage the John Donne’s famous poem, For Whom the Bell Tolls, strikes current crisis: a powerful chord at this moment:

This involves providing quality daily online learning for pupils of all ages using Google Classroom and other platforms. At the same time, we are providing safe statutory No man is an island, school-age childcare with a volunteer workforce in our Entire of itself. academies for parents who need it. This offers academic Each is a piece of the continent, subject-based learning, combined with other activities. A part of the main. Initially we are offering this in all academies so that pupils If a clod be washed away by the sea, can attend the centres with which they are most familiar. Europe is the less. As staffing levels become depleted, we will move to a As well as if a promontory were. hub-based model after consultation and in a measured way. As well as if a manor of thine own At the same time, we are offering to extend childcare for Or of thine friend's were. some families into normal holiday periods. On top of this we Each man's death diminishes me, are offering a daily packed-lunch service to all of our pupils For I am involved in mankind. on meals (FSM). Once available, we will roll out Therefore, send not to know the government's FSM voucher scheme to affected families. For whom the bell tolls, Lastly, we are working hard on emergency regulations It tolls for thee. to ensure that pupils who would have been sitting exams still achieve the grades that they need and deserve this summer. Even at this difficult time, we thought it was very important Begin planning now for the future: to send you our normal termly newsletter showcasing all the usual items to celebrate across Leigh Academies Trust. We must ensure a strong start to the new academic year Whilst everything seems to have changed utterly in recent in September and get our academies firmly back on track weeks, all of us are confident that we will return to business through a period of reconstruction. September 2020 will as usual before too long. not resemble September 2019, or any other September for that matter. Assuming prolonged disruption to business as usual, children will return to our schools in September having missed scores of normal lessons. All risk having considerable gaps in their knowledge, skills and Simon Beamish understanding. Chief Executive

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 2 Contents

2 | A message from the Chief Executive 3 | Appointment of Academies Director Appointment of for Medway 4 | New Principal at Wilmington : Academies Director Future Plans for Medway 4 | New Principal at Dartford Primary Academy: Future Plans Following a national recruitment search and rigorous 5 | New Principal at Hartley Primary Academy: selection process involving governors and senior executives Future Plans from across the Trust, Emma Elwin has been appointed Academies Director for Medway. It is heartening yet again 5 | New Principal at Eastcote Primary Academy: to see our own internal talent shining through a field of Future Plans very strong candidates from across the UK. 5 | Rainham

Emma is currently Principal of the Hundred of Hoo 6 | Bearsted Primary Academy (all-though) Academy (HoH) in Medway. She has been 6 | Snowfields Academy instrumental in the academy’s journey from ‘special 7 | Stoke Primary Academy judged ’Good with measures’ to the 2018 Ofsted inspection, which assessed Outstanding Leadership and Management’ HoH as strongly ’good’ across the board, with ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted leadership and management. HoH joined Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) in January 2019 and has continued to go from 8 | Milestone Academy Judged ‘Outstanding‘ strength to strength ever since. by Ofsted for the Third Time 8 | Milestone Students and Staff Attend Emma will be responsible for all seven LAT academies in Commonwealth Day Event Medway, working closely with principals, governors and senior leadership teams to drive further improvements 9 | LAT Five-a-side football events across the board. From her leadership of an all-through 10 | Young Voices 2020 academy, she already has excellent knowledge, experience 10 | Mathematics Mastery and skills across the full age range. 11 | Medway Training Schools Alliance (MTSA) This is the Trust’s third Academies Director appointment 11  | and Medway Training (KMT) to add capacity to the central team as the organisation 12 | International Baccalaureate Primary Years continues to grow and develop. From September, our Programme Update from around the Trust team of Academies Directors will be organised to oversee academies as follows: 12 | International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Tracey Trusler 12 | LAT Apprenticeships North West Kent and South East London 13 | Third College Building at Wilmington Debbie Biggenden Academy Central Kent and Special Academies 13 | New Building at Dartford Primary Academy 13 | Milestone @ Dartford Primary Academy Emma Elwin 14 | New Building at Medway (LAB) The Trust will comprise nearly 30 academies in September 14  | Marden (MPS) and Leigh with Bearsted Primary and Snowfields Academies opening Academies Trust as new free schools and Marden Primary proposing to join 15  | Longfield Academy’s Young Ambassador, Max LAT. Emma’s appointment adds additional strength and further consolidates the hugely positive union of Leigh 15 | The Leigh Academy Students Enter Logo Academies trust and The Williamson Trust, which took place Design Competition for Bluewater Refill Me just fifteen months ago. Campaign 16  | LAT Conference 16 |  Mental Health Training Opportunities 17 | Vision 2025

2 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3

New Principal at Future Plans Mike Gore

Mike Gore has been leading Wilmington Academy It is feedback such as this that drives teachers’ passion as Principal since June 2019. Starting from firm, for the highest quality of education for all. fertile ground, he and his team have built a culture that provides opportunities to enrich teaching and Wilmington continually strives for excellence through learning at the academy through exploration and its current aims for 2020: discovery. A growth mindset permeates through each of Wilmington’s four colleges while developing key ംം Secure IB MYP authorisation; International Baccalaureate (IB) learner traits such ം Continue to develop international links with as communication, collaborative learning and other ം a partnership school in another country; experiential learning skills. ംം Pursue a nationally-recognised well-being award Four College Motto’s from the National Children’s Bureau; ംം Implement a robust three-year curriculum at KS3 and Minerva: ‘Believe in Yourself’ a two-year Key Stage 4 from September 2020; Apollo: ‘Anything is Possible’ ംം Continue to improve student outcomes in all Jupiter: ‘Don’t just fly, soar!’ Key Stages; Olympus: ‘Strive Further, Reach Higher’ (Post-16) ംം Complete the new Jupiter building; and With an unyielding belief in the IB philosophy, staff ംം Continue to provide visual and performing arts have seen at first hand the transformational impact opportunities such as the production of Oliver! that students gain from an IB education. In January, the the musical. academy underwent a quality assurance review from ‘Challenge Partners’, who captured the following quote As a member of Leigh Academies Trust for nearly eight from one of the Year 8 students: years, Mike continues to be ambitious and is driven to ensure that the academy is true to the Trust’s motto: ”The Middle Years Programme character traits help us to be ready for the real world, and the academy cares a lot about us and what we want to achieve in life, not only ‘Shaping Lives, about our results.” Transforming Communities’.

New Principal at Dartford Primary Academy Rebecca Roberts

Rebecca Roberts joined Dartford Primary Academy in The vision for DPA’s future is one in which children, by September last year with a vision to make the academy accessing an International Baccalaureate education, will the best in the local area, offering its children the start to understand how they can change the world for best curriculum, the strongest starting point and as the better. many enrichment activities as possible. The academy’s dogged pursuit of its ‘Determined, Persistent Achiever’ The academy’s journey is truly exciting and the team motto is being harnessed to enable its children to learn is looking forward to seeing its vision of an outstanding to change the world. school come to fruition.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 4

New Principal at New Principal at Hartley Primary Eastcote Primary Academy Academy Future Plans Future Plans Nicole Galanis Clare Greene

Nicole Galinis was appointed as Principal of Hartley Clare Greene was appointed as Principal at Eastcote Primary Academy in September 2019. It has been Primary Academy last September. Her vision is her mission to ensure that Hartley maintains its to continue to deliver the outstanding quality of ‘outstanding’ status and continues to promote the education to the community that the academy serves. vision of ‘Happy Positive Achievers’ across the academy. The key area of focus going forward is to deliver the IB PYP to ensure that the pupils are internationally- Continued development of the International minded and able to contribute positively to the Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is a key focus global community. this year, together with staff and pupil well-being. Hartley endeavours to nurture its children to empower them to manage their own, and others’, well-being and emotions, whilst ensuring that all members of the school community feel safe, valued and respected.

Through the inquiry-based curriculum of the PYP, children will develop into life-long learners in a global community, learning how to become internationally- minded global citizens and how they can make positive change to our world.

Leigh Academy Rainham

Development of this new secondary academy, at the eastern end of the Medway towns, continues to make strong progress. In early January, it passed another significant milestone when planning permission was granted by Medway Council. This decision was passed unanimously and will ensure that the new building has additional features to help address climate change, including additional solar panels and 16 electric car-charging points. Initial construction is scheduled to begin at the end of April, with installation of the main structure planned for September and completion of the entire building by June 2021. The Trust has completed the statutory local Section 10 consultation regarding delivery of education within the academy. The proposals were overwhelmingly supported by the local community, as reinforced by the 500+ expressions of interest received to date for places in Year 7 when the academy opens in September 2021.

4 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 Bearsted Primary Academy Snowfields Academy

Despite relentless rain, Bearsted Primary Academy The windows are going in at Snowfields Academy and the is standing tall and growing fast, on track to open in building is beginning to look very smart, with a ragstone- September 2020. It is a great experience to visit the clad sportshall and brick cladding to the elevations, sadly site each month and walk through corridors and into not shown below. The builders, B&K, are doing a wonderful classrooms, where very soon children will be exploring, job and have been (mostly) smiling through the rain. learning, developing and growing into keen, ambitious learners, excited by school and thirsty for knowledge. Recruitment has now started in earnest and Dee Pickerill, Principal (Designate), has appointed excellent candidates There were a large number of applicants for Reception, with extensive experience of mainstream and SEN/ASD resulting in the academy’s being oversubscribed in its first to lead English and maths; they join James Doddington, year of opening. This was wonderful news and it is hoped currently Interim Assistant Principal at Milestone Academy, to achieve the same for the nursery, which will also open who was recently appointed as Assistant Principal in September, offering 26 places to three and four-year- (Designate) at Snowfields. Thanks to all colleagues who olds. Staff have recently been very busy promoting the are supporting the process. nursery, using the fantastic logo designed by the design team. Other teacher interviews are ongoing. Admissions are continuing to grow at a good rate and the academy is Bearsted received more than 40 applicants for its two nearly full for Year 7. The team is working hard to build Reception teacher jobs and, after a day of interviews with contacts within the local community; the managers at some five short-listed candidates, appointed two new teachers: local hotels and a vineyard are keen to work closely with Francesca Harrison, a newly-qualified teacher (NQT), and them; and they are developing good links with their local Jessica Thornton, who will lead the Early Years Foundation neighbours, who are mostly health and care providers. Stage (EYFS).

Jessica said: ”I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed EY lead at Bearsted Primary Academy, and I'm excited to get started in September. I trained at Cambridge University, specialising in EY teaching, and since graduating I have had a wide range of experience teaching Nursery children through to Year 2. The opportunity to take part in shaping a brand-new school is extremely exciting, and one which I feel very lucky to have been given. I believe that strong EY education is fundamental to igniting a love and excitement for learning, and I am looking forward to leading a talented, committed team at Bearsted, who will inspire and challenge young minds.”

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 6 Stoke Primary Academy judged ’Good with Outstanding Leadership and Management’ by Ofsted

On Monday 13th January at 10.15 am Stoke Primary The new framework focusses on the questions ‘Why this? Academy received THE phone call informing them that Why now?’, which, together with well-being, occupied they were to have a section 5 Ofsted inspection over the many conversations with staff and children. Among many next two days. Even though Stoke is a very small school valuable learning points, the following were key: (the smallest in the Trust), with fewer than 100 pupils, two inspectors arrived on day 1, followed by the lead inspector ംം The value of Principals’ forums and the information on alone on day 2. Ofsted shared by Eliot Hodges and other colleagues; ംം The need to prepare a script for the call in advance, including identifying any preferred ‘deep dive’ areas; ംം The need to ensure that staff know what the final goal is, as well as the steps in between, and that they are able to answer the ‘Why this? Why now?’ questions; ംം The importance of matching provision maps to what appears in class and books; ംം The inspectors’ practice of forming a hypothesis on day 1 and testing this systematically across all areas on day 2; ംം The importance of using Ofsted’s preferred vocabulary, including ‘systemic’, ‘we are in the process of bringing this about’ (not ‘developing this’); ംം Ensuring that the IT team is on hand to support the school's wi-fi system throughout the inspection.

Finally, many thanks to the central Trust Executive, who The inspection started in earnest with the initial phone call supported us magnificently throughout the three days. which, under the new framework, replaces the traditional How gratifying to be able to proclaim, for the first time in initial conversation on day 1. The call, which aims to build nearly twenty years, that Stoke Primary Academy is a ‘Good’ relationships early on, enabled staff to give the inspector school with ‘outstanding’ leadership and management. a really clear picture of the school. They were also able to shape the ‘deep dives’ and, alongside the statutory reading and maths foci, to showcase the computing and science departments.

After that, it really was ‘all hands on deck’, but the fantastic team effort by absolutely everyone at Stoke and Allhallows assured success. Allhallows was included as Stoke’s Year 5 and 6 cohorts are taught at Allhallows. The next two days were really tough, but the staff team shone through, with fantastic support from the Directors of Improvement. Governors should also be thanked for giving up their valuable time and contributing to the ‘Outstanding judgement for leadership and management‘.

6 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 Milestone Academy Judged ‘Outstanding‘ by Ofsted for the Third Time

Following Ofsted’s ‘Outstanding’ judgment of Milestone The Principal welcomed the Chair of Milestone Board, Academy for the third consecutive time in December 2019, Theresa Davies, and both addressed the gathered throng, the Principal, Nigel Jones, decided to celebrate this fantastic reflecting on the process itself and sharing some wonderful achievement with all of his 200 colleagues and to express messages of congratulation from fellow Headteachers both his sincere thanks to each and every member of staff. within and beyond Leigh Academies Trust.

The result was a celebratory afternoon tea in Milestone’s gym - which was all dressed up for the occasion - during professional development time in the last week of Term 3 2020.

Milestone Students and Staff Attend Commonwealth Day Event

Milestone Academy was represented at the Commonwealth Day Observance by students and staff from Milestone @ The Leigh. This annual service, attended by the Queen, the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family, celebrates the role of the Commonwealth and its 54 member countries. Attendance is by invitation only, and the attendees were treated to performances by Craig David and Alexandra Burke and listened to a reflection by Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua, who spoke about his shared Nigerian and British heritage.

Students who attended on behalf of Milestone Academy were asked to write an essay about the current climate emergency, and how they might address the problems if they were world leaders.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 8 LAT Five-a-side football events

During Module 3, the inaugural Leigh Academies Trust five-a-side football competition took place in the Goals football centre at The Leigh Academy, starting with the Year 7 tournament. All 11 of the Trust’s secondary academies took part in a high-octane contest.

A few weeks later, the Year 8 teams took part in an equally hard-fought event. Both competitions saw each team play a series of group games, with the two highest-ranked teams proceeding to the final to determine the overall winners.

Many thanks to all who took part and hearty congratulations to the victors!

The final results of the first two competitions, complete with photos, below:

In the final of the Year 7 girls’ competition between In the final of the Year 8 girls’ competition between Longfield Academy and Stationers’ Crown Woods Wilmington Academy and Hundred of Hoo Academy, Academy, Crown Woods won 4-0. Wilmington Academy won 5-4 on penalties, resolving a tie of 3-3 after extra time.

In the final of the Year 7 boys’ competition between In the final of the Year 8 boys’ competition between Strood Longfield Academy and Wilmington Academy, Wilmington Academy and Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy, Crown won 3-1. Woods won 3-1 after normal time.

8 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 9 Young Voices 2020

Once again this year, Molehill, Tree Tops, Langley Park, Oaks and Cherry Orchard Primary Academies sent choirs to the Young Voices Concert at the O2 Arena in London. The choirs began rehearsing back in September 2019, when the concert seemed a long way off, but the weeks soon flew by and, before they knew it, the concert day had arrived.

The Young Voices concerts are A highlight, as always, was when always thrilling and this year’s was no Urban Strides Director Andy Instone different. LAT’s choristers joined 7,500 invited all the parents to get up and other children in the songs they had dance with the choirs, followed closely been practising, together with some by a pop medley and a collection of famous faces including Tony Hadley, numbers by Queen. After another lead singer of Spandau Ballet; Ruti, stunning concert, children and staff Winner of TV’s The Voice 2018; and returned home exhausted but buzzing British country duo The Shires. They with unforgettable memories. were also treated to some superb performances by the dancers of Roll on 2021 – the 25th Anniversary Urban Strides. Season of Young Voices!

Mathematics Mastery

In February, the Trust conference A further optional session of ‘Mastery provided an opportunity for all LAT at KS4’ was well-attended, allowing maths staff to come together to attend staff to investigate how the Mastery maths-specific personal development principles develop in KS4 from the (PD) sessions. Representatives from foundation built in KS3, and helping Mathematics Mastery delivered them to understand how their current two sessions, one on ‘Mathematical efforts with Years 7 and 8 can be Thinking’ and another on ‘Mastery further developed in Years 10 and 11. at KS4’, among five sessions that afternoon. Nicola Weeks of dug deep into the structure of talk tasks All staff attended the Mathematical in a session on ‘Meaningful Talk in the Thinking session, which focussed on Maths Classroom’, focussing on how the following pupil attributes: purposeful talk can develop learning through the use of language and ംം Explore, wonder, question and communication. conjecture; The other two sessions, led by Tom ംം Compare, classify, sort; Bird (Longfield Academy) and Balaji Rajendran (), ംം Experiment, play with possibilities, vary aspects and see what happens; covered ‘Variation Theory’ and ‘KS5 Problem Solving’; both sessions were ംം Make theories and predictions very popular. Although not directly and act purposefully to see what focussed on Mastery at KS3, they happens, and generalise. embodied the principles of LAT Maths.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 10 Medway Training Schools Alliance (MTSA)

The work of the MTSA continues to grow in each of our three key priority areas.

Continuing Professional and Leadership Development (CPLD)

MTSA’s comprehensive offer of CPLD has grown throughout the year, with nearly 100 days planned this academic year, including the addition of the Ambition Institute suite of MTSA remains a key partner of KMT and a lead school for programmes and an increase in subject networks. A range the latter’s recruitment, and is looking forward both to the of opportunities has been provided by the LAT Educational expansion of its appropriate-body work and to welcoming Psychologist team, while LAT Teach will be offered to the NQTs from across LAT in September. It is also considering primaries together with an additional Middle Leadership supporting the delivery of a suite of subject knowledge programme to Trust academies. This has certainly made for enhancement courses for those who need these as a busy year, but the team has focussed on evaluation and a condition of study with KMT. quality-assurance processes to ensure that high standards of delivery are maintained. Particularly noteworthy was the visit by Dylan Wiliam, an event that prompted much School-to-School Support discussion and opportunities for professional learning. MTSA has been pleased to run the central training for the MTSA has been awarded around £70,000 through Sport most recent cohort of new Specialist Leaders of Education for teacher training for secondary PE teachers. (SLE) and to welcome some key colleagues to our own 21 secondary schools have signed up as partners and the team. We are delighted that our Local Leaders of Education proposed overview action plan has been confirmed. (LLE) are participating in significant projects within the teaching school. These include the progression of the Artsmark Directory, managing an enhanced series of Initial Teacher Training (ITT): subject-specific networks and linking with a number of key Recruitment and Retention partners, including Medway Council (on SEND, PSHE and RE), Victory Academy and the Royal Opera House Bridge Following extensive discussion and consultation, MTSA (on Artsmark) and the Secondary Sports Partnerships made the decision to transfer its ITT training offer to Kent (on Sport England). and Medway Training (KMT). This was a popular decision, particularly due to the strong reputation of KMT.

Kent and Medway Training (KMT)

KMT has just reached the half-way stage of the training year, Sefika will be working closely with all three lead schools with exactly 150 trainees on track for an award of qualified- within the Trust to expand the number of high-quality teacher status (QTS) at the end of the year. Over half have trainees working within its academies. already secured employment, 95% of whom will continue to work within consortium schools. KMT’s reputation Following a Google Inspirational Day back in October, continues to strengthen and spread, and KMT is currently Daniel Bull has delivered follow-up training sessions to the processing a large number of applications from schools current cohort and a group of 23 achieved Level 1 Google wishing to join the consortium, mostly in the Medway and accreditation last month. East Kent area. KMT would like to offer sincere thanks to LAT’s academies KMT is delighted to welcome Sefika Sakalli as its new and staff for their continued support with its initial teacher Recruitment Manager. Sefika has already had a significant training (ITT) provision. Next year, this will be expanded impact on KMT’s methods of recruitment and all LAT to include an assessment-only route, an internship academies will shortly receive a welcome from her, together programme and part-time courses, developed with copies of the KMT log and a link to the KMT website, in collaboration with the Medway Teaching Schools which will be linked to all academy websites by Easter. Alliance (MTSA).

10 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 11 International Baccalaureate LAT Apprenticeships Primary Years Programme Update from around the Trust LAT Apprenticeships started the new year by appointing Caroline Noon to the role of LAT Apprenticeships Centre Manager. Caroline joined The implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary us in February and has been pivotal in leading Years Programme (IB PYP) is now fully embedded in the the team forward to get our programmes up majority of our primary academies. New schools joining the and running. With a wealth of apprenticeships Trust such as Paddock Wood and Horsmonden have also fully experience and industry knowledge, Caroline is an embraced the PYP framework. asset to our team and is enjoying working directly

with our Apprenticeships Assessors and learners. In the spring term many more of our staff participated in Category 1 training, with all of our academy staff looking Her career has included working with the London forward to attending further training in September in and South East College Group, MidKent College preparation for authorisation. and Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI).

Our primary academies have the opportunity to come together We are delighted to report that two programmes and share good practice on a regular basis. Collaboration is are already up and running - those for Engineering a significant strength across our schools and has attracted Technicians and Premises Maintenance Operatives positive comments in all of our most recent and successful - with all others to follow in the coming months. Ofsted inspections. This has enabled us to further develop our Our first cohort of new learners officially enrolled approaches to learning and teaching, empowering our teachers onto our Premises Maintenance Operative to provide an inspirational and motivational curriculum, with programme, which kicked off in February the pupils at the very heart of all we do. 2020. This group is made up entirely of LAT employees who are keen to develop their skills As the majority of our academies enter the second year of the and knowledge by completing an nationally- IB PYP, we are all preparing for final consultations and pre- recognised apprenticeship qualification. The authorisation visits. It is through these processes that academy learners meet weekly at The Halley Academy practice will be assessed against the IBO’s standards and and work in the purpose-built facilities created practices. All of our academies are already making very good specifically for this programme. The feedback progress against the criteria and are confident that our pupils’ so far has been really positive, with learners and educational experience will continue to be greatly enhanced their line managers already seeing the benefits of through the IB PYP approach. completing such a programme.

Middle Years Programme We have further programmes that are due to start in the near future (exact dates to be confirmed The implementation of the International Baccalaureate Middle pending schools re-opening): Years Programme (IB MYP) is now in its second year. Further staff training, development and opportunities for collaboration ം Teaching Assistant (Level 3); across all secondary academies have helped to develop ം approaches to learning, assessment and curriculum design, ംം Business Administrator (Level 3); particularly as staff move towards a three-year programme. ംം IT Technician (Level 3); Students are enjoying an enriched educational experience that ംം Commis Chef (Level 2). not only helps to deepen their knowledge and enhance their skills but also affords them an international, global perspective, as they explore other languages, cultures and topical We already have a great number of staff due to environmental issues. Across all academies, students’ average embark on the Teaching Assistant programme MYP grades are steadily increasing across all disciplines, which in the coming months and we are taking is very encouraging. registrations for all programmes for a September 2020 start. If this is of interest to you then get in Rigorous two-day pre-authorisation visits have taken place in touch with the LAT Apprenticeships team! all secondaries, where progress has been measured against the IBO’s exacting standards and practices. Longfield Academy will LAT employees can register their interest be the first to undergo the final verification visit at the end of or ask general questions by contacting March, with others following suit this summer and autumn. [email protected]. You can also visit our website for more information - www.latapprenticeships.com.

© International Baccalaureate Organisation 2018

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 12 Third College Building at Milestone @ Dartford Wilmington Academy Primary Academy

Following the recent December 2019 OFSTED ‘Outstanding’ inspection of Milestone Academy, it was gratifying to note the following comment in the Lead Inspector’s report:

“At the main school site and at each of the satellite provisions, pupils enjoy a highly personal, effective curriculum that inspires and enables pupils to make strong progress in their learning.“

This is a strong endorsement of the impact of the work being undertaken at M@DPA and at Milestone’s two other satellites at The Leigh and Wilmington Academies. How fitting it is that, with Milestone’s strong culture of learning confirmed by OFSTED, M@DPA was able to move in February 2021 into wonderful new buildings, which form Construction of the new Jupiter College at Wilmington part of the major works encompassing every aspect of the Academy is progressing fast. Kier Construction are working satellite’s operations. M@DPA is indebted to the relentless well with academy staff to ensure that normal academy support provided over many years by Neil Willis, Chief operations can continue while the new building is Operating Officer of LAT, which has resulted in these brand- constructed. Since January, the roof has been completed, new, purpose-built buildings for use by its pupils and staff. boarding and insulation have been installed in each of the elevations, and windows and doors are being fitted. The M@DPA community has now moved into three By the end of April, external finishes and lower-level excellently appointed, spacious classrooms, all with access brickwork will be complete. Internal fitting-out has begun to outside space and large windows that flood them with with the construction of classroom walls on the first and natural light. Each classroom also has an observation second floors, together with the installation of mechanical window beside each door, allowing adults to view the and electrical equipment throughout the building. More class without causing any disturbance to teaching and learning, and there are well-appointed offices to support recently, orders have been placed for the new furniture and the community. signage. All in all, everything is on course for handover of the building during the summer holiday. Satellite Director Charly Hills, together with Assistant Principal and Director of Phase 2 Michelle Hilton, having opened the doors to pupils and staff on 25th February, had the further pleasure of hosting the Milestone Academy Board meeting some two weeks later. Prior to their meeting, New Building at the Board enjoyed a full tour of the new facilities and the Chair, Theresa Davies, remarked on how impressed they Dartford Primary Academy were with all that they saw.

Nigel Jones, Principal of Milestone Academy, added: “Having already visited the new M@DPA with the pupils in place, I can see how these new buildings match the culture of teaching and learning that already exists at M@DPA, as noted by OFSTED“. Nigel went on to thank DPA Principal Rebecca Roberts and her staff for their inclusive collaboration with Milestone’s staff and pupils. He remarked that the new buildings, together with further new building developments across DPA, would afford wonderful opportunities for expanding this inclusive work between the two academies, both within and beyond the classrooms. As we closed for the February half term, the staff worked extremely hard to move over 100 years worth of history “Governors were delighted with the new facilities at Milestone into our newly refurbished building. It is hard to believe @ DPA. The bright, vibrant new teaching spaces offer what a truly outstanding job the contractors have made of wonderful opportunities for young people to learn and develop refurbishing our tired Victorian building into a bright open under the Milestone umbrella within a mainstream academy space that our children deserve. The newly built dining hall setting. Already new doors have opened for opportunities of and facilities have lifted the entire academy. We eagerly cross academy collaboration between Milestone students and await the final phase of the refurbishment to complete. staff and those of DPA.“

12 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 13 New Building at Leigh Academy Blackheath (LAB)

Work on the new building at LAB continues at full speed, despite challenges due to the recent inclement weather. External brickwork now covers much of the building, with windows and external doors in place.

It is very exciting to walk around the inside of the building as the internal spaces come to life, and easy to visualise daily life at LAB now that the classrooms, restaurant, library and theatre are all in place.

Comments on the contractors’ progress can be heard at break and lunchtimes as students monitor the daily changes taking place at their new school. Excitement is building as the date draws near when LAB will make its final move across the playground and into the long-awaited new build!

Marden Primary School (MPS) and Leigh Academies Trust

The Governing Body of Marden Primary School (MPS) has Full and detailed due diligence and consultation with all agreed that, subject to consultation and completion of stakeholders, including the staff and parents of MPS will full due diligence, the school is interested in becoming be undertaken over the next few weeks. This means that an academy within Leigh Academies Trust (LAT). MPS and LAT will be finding out everything we can about each other before we both make a final decision. LAT already operates several schools in the local area. Mascalls Academy is the most popular Simon Beamish, Chief Executive for Marden’s Year 6 pupils and it joined LAT in 2015. of Leigh Academies Trust, said: Paddock Wood Primary Academy and Horsmonden Primary ”This exciting partnership gives us the Academy are also members of LAT. By joining the Trust, chance to strengthen community links Marden will work in a cluster with these local schools and for Marden. MPS, Paddock Wood Primary, receive significant support from LAT. The Governing Body Horsmonden Primary and Mascalls will believes that there are a number of advantages offered by be working closely together for the same a formal alliance within a multi-academy trust and that it families so that children receive the best would allow MPS to offer seamless all-through education possible joined-up education. We look forward to developing for children. positive professional relationships with new colleagues over the next few months while we explore the many benefits that MPS has recently been judged ‘Good‘ by Ofsted. The school this partnership can bring.” provides education for 265 pupils at present. Up to 40 reception places are available each year. Tracy Thomas, Headteacher of Marden Primary School, added: LAT comprises 13 primary schools, 11 secondary schools ”The Governing Body and I are excited by the opportunities and a large special school. LAT also has 3 new free schools that joining LAT will offer. The extensive operational support opening soon. All LAT academies are geographically and focused school improvement advice will enable MPS to clustered in Kent, Medway, Bexley and Greenwich. LAT also accelerate improvements to teaching and learning. There will manages Kent and Medway Training, a large initial teacher also be greater potential to partner with local schools in the training provider serving over 60 primary and secondary academy trust and to share good practice. I feel that, with schools, plus Medway Teaching School Alliance, assisting the support and expertise offered by the Trust, we can drive 70 schools to provide professional development for further improvement at Marden and give our children the best teachers and leaders. possible start to their education.”

14 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 14 Longfield Academy’s Young Ambassador, Max

Max was lucky enough this week to learn He enjoys talking about his autism and dispelling myths that he had been chosen to be a part of by answering people’s questions about his autism-spectrum the Young Ambassador programme with disorder (ASD). The role was recommended to him by the National Autistic Society. This means a friend who works closely with the National Autistic that he has been chosen by the National Society through her leading role in the ‘A Million Hands‘ Autistic Society, along with other people project, run by the Scout Association. The Scouts have across the country, to represent autistic partnered with the National Autistic Society, which young people. The role of a Young provides training for leaders. Ambassador is to fight to change society for people on the autistic spectrum. Previous Young Ambassadors have The application process was completed online and Max visited the Houses of Parliament to speak with MPs working needed to write a letter explaining why he wanted to on important campaigns to inform schools’, mental-health become a Young Ambassador. In the letter, he talked about organisations’ and the public’s understanding of autism. his troubled start to education, which did not embrace and support his autism effectively. To combat this, he Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects watched historical documentaries with his father when how people perceive the world and interact with others. he was excluded from school, developing a long-running Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently special interest in military history. After his diagnosis, he from other people, and are autistic for life. Autism is not was placed in an SEN-dedicated primary school, where an illness or disease and cannot be 'cured'. The National the staff had a very good understanding of special needs Autistic Society is the UK's largest provider of specialist and understood him. After moving to Longfield Academy, autism services and helps autistic people of all ages. They the teachers there supported him and gave him the have been teaching autistic students for over 50 years and independence he needed to succeed in his education. own and run eight schools across England, three residential homes and three centres in Gravesend, as well as offering He is now studying for A-Levels and aims to become community and respite support in Kent. a Young Leader for the Scouts, often supporting young people there with additional needs. After his application, Max applied for the program because he wanted to give the Campaign Officer phoned him to learn more about him. something back to the people that helped him get to where he is today. Despite a difficult start in education, he truly On Monday, 10th February, he received an email offering believes that he can make a difference for autistic people him a position on the Young Ambassadors programme. of all ages, as well as helping people understand autism He hopes to give something back to the people who have better and how to support people who are autistic. helped him and to promote wider acceptance of autism and autistic people, both today and in the future, and to prevent others from experiencing his own rocky start.

The Leigh Academy Students Enter Logo Design Competition for Bluewater Refill Me Campaign

The Leigh entered three teams in Landsec’s ‘Design a Logo for the Bluewater ‘Refill Me‘ campaign competition, which also attracted entries from The Leigh UTC and Longfield Academy. The exceptional presentations by all the teams were highly commended, with the ‘Every Bottle Counts‘ team emerging victorious overall.

This was a great opportunity for all those involved. However, the journey is not yet over, as the ‘Every Bottle Counts‘ winning logo will be printed professionally and the winning team will return to Bluewater to sell their bottles, with all proceeds going to their chosen charity. Watch this space...

14 Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 15 LAT Conference

A bright and sunny Friday in mid- February saw another highly successful edition of the annual LAT Staff Conference take place. As in previous years, the event was spread across three different sites, with secondary teachers and teaching assistants at The Leigh Academy, those from primary and special academies at Longfield Academy and all the support staff at . In all, around 2,000 members of staff from across the Trust participated.

For all concerned, the event entailed a mixture of workshops based around personal specialisms and interests, together with keynote sessions. These were led by Jaz Ampaw- Farr at The Leigh Academy and Stephane Davis and David Beeney at Longfield Academy, all focussing on developing on thinking differently and enhancing the well-being of staff. Simon Beamish, CEO, delivered his annual address celebrating the diverse achievements of students across the Trust, as well as the opportunities being afforded to both staff and pupils alike through the International Baccalaureate programme.

Mental Health Training Opportunities Mental Health First Aiders have:

ംം An in-depth understanding of mental health and the We are currently registering the name of anyone interested factors that can affect well-being; in becoming a Mental Health First Aider for the courses running throughout 2020. If interested, please talk to your ംം Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of line manager in the first instance; once you have their mental-health issues; approval, please send an email, copied to your manager, ംം Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person to Sonia Kendall, HR Operations Manager, at in distress; [email protected]. ംം Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental The two-day course will qualify you as a Mental Health listening; First Aider. ംം Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support - whether that might be via self-help resources, or through us as the employer, or the NHS, or a mix.

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 16 LAT has achieved much in its relatively short lifetime since 2008. We are now ready to think on an even bigger scale and look outwards to new horizons. We are educating sixteen-thousand young people who will be the adults of tomorrow, helping to shape our world for the better. That is a huge responsibility and is why our next set of goals - called Vision 2025 - will have at Vision its centre the major social, economic and technological challenges facing the world today. Based on our strong moral foundations, it is our duty to educate 2025 pupils to face these challenges and to help make the world a better place.

Our Vision: Our Values LAT Excellence Charter

We care - 1  We will provide outstanding 5  We will ensure that pupils are about our pupils through our leadership and governance at well-behaved, confident and human scale approach to every level so that all pupils attend respectful in a safe and secure education, our staff and their an academy judged to be at least environment. well-being and the communities good overall by Ofsted. that we serve, driven by our high 6 We will ensure a high-quality ideals and strong moral values. 2  We will ensure a rich, engaging and workforce and prioritise inclusive curriculum with effective staff retention, professional We have boundless teaching and high-quality learning development and well-being. ambition - resources across all subjects and year groups. 7  Through our “Business Promise” to achieve excellence for all and we will guarantee strong create confident young adults 3  Regardless of their ability or engagement for all pupils with with high levels of resilience personal circumstances we will industry and employers. and integrity. ensure that all groups of pupils 8  We will provide all pupils with We work together - make at least good progress and diminish differences in their a high-quality careers learning as one team in the belief that we attainment. programme. are greater than the sum of our parts. We foster an enterprising 4  We will develop pupils’ characters 9  We will grow to support more culture through collaboration and attributes in line with the schools in the region so that our and in close partnership with International Baccalaureate pupils and theirs benefit and that industry and other educators. Learner Profile so that all LAT standards improve across the board. We keep getting better - alumni obtain a collection of desirable qualities before they using our ‘can-do’ attitude leave school. 10   We will work with our own and towards continuous other primaries to ensure smooth improvement and innovation. transition to our secondary academies.

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Leighwww.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Academies Trust is a registered company, company no 2336587. An exempt charity. www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk 17