Leigh Academies Trust Winter 2018 | issue 13 NEWS
The Trust’s inaugural Christmas Ball took place on Friday, 7th December 2018, following the organisation’s tenth anniversary. Approximately 100 guests, resplendent in seasonal finery, flocked to enjoy the glittering celebrations. After a sumptuous three- course meal provided by Cucina, guests danced the night away to the sounds of Joshua Reeve. Santa Claus kindly loaned us his sleigh for photo opportunities, but had to send his apologies for the event! Plans are already in place for next year.
Merry Christmas!
Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities A message from the Chief Executive
In September all of our secondary in the early 1990s, it is difficult to argue including those related to poverty, academies began introducing the that the world is now a safer and less- inequality, climate, environmental International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle divided place. IB programmes resonate degradation, prosperity, and peace and Years Programme (MYP). At the same as powerfully today, therefore, as justice.” time, most of our primaries started they ever did. Their prime objective their introduction of the IB Primary is captured best in the IB mission I hope we can all support our young Years Programme (PYP). It has been my statement: people to become active global great pleasure over the last few weeks citizens. Part of LAT’s mission is to to observe this in action. I have seen “....to develop inquiring, knowledgeable “transform communities”. With teachers revitalised by opportunities and caring young people who help to our pupils’ help, we should aim for to collaborate more closely with create a better and more peaceful world nothing short of this. The greatest and colleagues on curriculum design and through intercultural understanding and most noble function of any school lesson planning. I have seen pupils respect…..[IB] programmes encourage is to create young people with the delighted at the chance to take students across the world to become knowledge, skills and characters greater ownership of their learning. I active, compassionate and lifelong to make the world a better place have sat through various governors’ learners who understand that other for future generations. Whether meetings this autumn where the main people, with their differences, can also that involves helping to prevent topic of discussion for secondaries be right.” the poisoning of our oceans with has been year 7 rather than the more plastic, reducing unnecessary energy typical focus on year 11 and year Recently, I reminded leaders across consumption or calling out hatred 13 outcomes. This concerted, cross- the Trust about the vital role of ‘action’ and prejudice in all its forms, these are Trust effort by everyone to ensure in all IB programmes. As an important motivational aspirations behind which that all of our pupils receive a broad, upshot of being involved much more our young people can mobilise. With balanced and creative curriculum closely in deciding what they learn and nearly 16,000 young people in LAT has been tremendously uplifting. The how they learn it, pupils are motivated from January 2019, that is a formidable IB is providing the catalyst for a real to take action on a local, national or force to be reckoned with. Targeted step change in standards across Leigh international level to change the world at the right goals and with the right Academies Trust (LAT). for the better. A useful way of helping momentum behind us, we can truly our pupils to structure their actions is change the world. But great ideas are worth little the United Nations (UN) Sustainable without action. Fundamental to all IB Development Goals. The UN defines programmes is creating young people these goals thus: who want to make the world a better place. The IB Organisation was born “....the blueprint to achieve a better and fifty years ago at the height of the Cold more sustainable future for all. They Simon Beamish, War. Whilst that war might have ended address the global challenges we face, Chief Executive
2 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Merger with The Williamson Trust Contents • A message from the Chief Executive ...... 2 The merger between Leigh Academies Simon Beamish, Chief Executive Trust (LAT) and The Williamson Trust of LAT, said: • Merger with The Williamson Trust...... 3 (TWT) has been approved following “The last few tremendously • Trust Performance Agreement 2018/19 rigorous due diligence, subject to rewarding months have built and Excellence Charter...... 4 successful completion of the Transfer strong and positive relationships • Medway Teaching School Alliance - of Undertakings (Protection of with new colleagues in TWT. The a new partner for LAT...... 5 Employment) Regulations 2016 (TUPE) future is very bright indeed as we process. become one of the largest and • Paddock Wood and Horsmonden primary schools choose LAT...... 5 most successful multi-academy Directors of both trusts and the trusts anywhere in the region. • Ofsted news: Tree Tops, Oaks primaries, Regional Schools’ Commissioner have Together we believe in the KMT...... 6-7 agreed that Sir Joseph Williamson’s transformative power of a broad • Appointment of new Director of Mathematical School, The Hundred of and balanced education for all our Improvement (Primary)...... 7 Hoo Academy, High Halstow Primary young people, to shape their lives • Free schools - present and future...... 8 Academy, Allhallows Primary Academy and transform their communities.” and Stoke Primary Academy can join • Mayor of Greenwich opens the brand- LAT from January 2019. Eliot Hodges, Interim Chief new restaurant at THA...... 9 Executive of TWT and Headteacher • Leader of the Royal Borough of At a series of consultation events of Sir Joseph Williamson’s Greenwich visits LAB & THA...... 9 involving staff, parents and governors Mathematical School, added: • Inspiration Academy opens for over the last few months, LAT and business...... 10-11 TWT have addressed concerns raised “This is an extremely exciting and identified the opportunities venture for all of the schools in • Project Hoot...... 12 The Williamson Trust and we this partnership will create. Key • Remembering the fallen across advantages for students and staff look forward to the opportunities the Trust...... 13 include: that this new collaboration will bring. The chance to work more • A glittering evening at The Leigh UTC awards dinner 2018...... 14 • combining the best practices of efficiently will be of great benefit both trusts; for all our current pupils and the • Leigh Aspire programme...... 15 chance to develop our practice • achieving economies to redirect • #LeighIdeas 18 final at LAT...... 16 with a wider group of schools more money to teaching and will benefit both organisations whilst • Christmas arrives at The Inspiration learning; continuing to make the most of our Academy...... 17 • ensuring strong and effective existing strengths.” • The Leigh UTC Lego league central services; tournament...... 17 • sharing an expanding school • Dartford Primary Academy wins improvement team; Buster's Book Clubs' top prize...... 17 • linking Kent and Medway Training • Leigh Academy Blackheath - a very and Medway Teaching Schools promising start...... 18 Alliance to provide professional development for staff at all levels; • Michael Rosen addresses students at the inaugural LAT professional seminar...... 18 and • creating a powerful network of • Army STEM challenge trip...... 19 23 open academies and assuring • SCWA brings Christmas cheer to their long-term future. young people in Greenwich...... 19 • Dinosaurs at Dartford & Cherry Orchard Primary Academies...... 20 • Strood Academy student wins award....20 • Kent Dementia Action Alliance awards...... 20
Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3 • 90% deployment of apprentice levy to enhance professional development for staff. Trust • Successful launch of performance development policy. Performance Agreement • Effective launch of Workplace as a communications and collaboration platform. 2018/19 Trust Excellence Our targets for the year ahead have been agreed by Extend apprenticeship opportunities for students Directors and are set out in out latest Trust performance • across LAT at two more academies. agreement. • All LAT academies to achieve digital level 3 (secure). Pupil Excellence • Implement IB programmes in all academies to ensure that the learner profile is fully embedded. • 80% of pupils to achieve a good level of development Successful launch of LAT Teach. in reception and in year 1 phonics screening. • • Achieve “outstanding” judgements at two more • 70% of pupils to achieve the combined national academies. standard at KS2, with positive progress scores of at least +1 across all subjects. • Generate at least £500k income through LAT Enterprises. • 40% of pupils to achieve grades 9-5 in English and maths at GCSE. Extending Excellence • A positive Progress 8 average across the Trust at GCSE. • Complete successful merger with The Williamson Trust. • Post-16 value added for academic and applied courses of +0.2 across the Trust. • Continue to progress strongly towards opening Leigh Academy Rainham, Bearsted Primary Academy and A positive value-added score of +0.2 for the IB Career- • Snowfields Academy. related programme. • Link more of our secondary academies to primaries Staff Excellence outside the Trust. • By September 2019, open outdoor sports facilities at • 90% of teachers to be effective and 40% The Leigh UTC and Inspiration Academy. • highly effective across LAT. • Complete phases 1 and 2 of Priority Schools Building • 80% teacher retention. Programme (PSBP) at Dartford Primary. • 90% successful completion rate for all NPQ leadership Complete construction of third college new build at programmes. • Wilmington Academy.
EXCELLENCE CHARTER
1. We will provide outstanding 4. We will develop pupils’ characters 7. Through our “Business leadership and governance at and attributes in line with the Promise” we will guarantee every level so that all pupils International Baccalaureate strong engagement for all pupils attend an academy judged to be Learner Profile so that all LAT with industry and employers. at least good overall by Ofsted. alumni obtain a collection of desirable qualities before they 8. We will provide all pupils with 2. We will ensure a rich, engaging leave school. a high-quality careers learning and inclusive curriculum with programme. effective teaching and high- 5. We will ensure that pupils are quality learning resources across well-behaved, confident and 9. We will grow to support more all subjects and year groups. respectful in a safe and secure schools in the region so that our environment. pupils and theirs benefit and that 3. Regardless of their ability or standards improve across the personal circumstances we will 6. We will ensure a high-quality board. ensure that all groups of pupils workforce and prioritise make at least good progress staff retention, professional 10. We will work with our own and and diminish differences in their development and well-being. other primaries to ensure smooth attainment. transition to our secondary academies.
4 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Medway Teaching School Alliance - A teaching-school alliance is required to deliver the following services: a new partner for LAT • Initial teacher training (ITT) - MTSA currently offers School Direct places, both salaried and non-salaried, Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School (SJWMS) with CCCU. SJWMS has joined KMT and will become a was one of the first 100 schools to be designated as a KMT lead school this academic year; teaching school nationally, establishing the Medway Teaching School Alliance (MTSA) in September 2011. Over • School-to-school support - MTSA works with a 90 Medway schools are part of MTSA, including primary, number of National, Local and Specialist Leaders of secondary, special, faith, selective and independent schools Education (SLE), providing excellent support to the and academies. All schools subscribe to the overarching schools it serves. MTSA currently supports three LAT ambition that every child in Medway should receive an Improvement Co-ordinators, who have applied to outstanding education. become SLEs. Further opportunities will arise for LAT colleagues in the next round in June; The partnership between LAT and the MTSA is already • Continuing professional and leadership development underway, with LAT staff now taking advantage of the (CPLD) - MTSA currently runs National Professional numerous professional-development opportunities provide Qualifications for Middle Leaders (NPQML) and Senior by this outstanding TSA and MTSA extending its reach into Leaders (NPQSL) and works with LLSE to deliver the Kent and southeast London. In addition to its constituent National Professional Qualifications for Headteachers schools, MTSA enjoys the support of a number of other (NPQH) and Executive Leadership (NPQEL). In addition, strategic partners, including Canterbury Christ Church it provides the Aspiring Middle and Aspiring Senior University (CCCU), the Rochester Diocese, Leadership Leaders programme and runs a variety of networking Learning South East (LLSE) and the Kent and Medway groups, including a primary maths hub and a special- Teaching School Network. educational needs (SEN) and inclusion forum. Taken together, these programmes represent a very detailed and comprehensive CPLD offer that LAT academies are now able to access.
Sharon Waterman, LAT’s Education Director, is delighted Paddock Wood and Horsmonden to be working with the MTSA Director, Esther Cooke, Primary Schools choose Leigh to develop closer links. We look forward to sharing the benefits of working with MTSA in due course. Academies Trust
Headteacher Scott Opstad and From January 2019, LAT will comprise Simon Beamish, Chief Executive of LAT, the governing bodies of Paddock 11 primary schools, 11 secondary said: “This exciting partnership gives us Wood Primary School (PWPS) and schools and a large special school, and the chance to strengthen community Horsmonden Primary School (HPS) will open three additional new free links in Paddock Wood and surrounding have agreed that, subject to due schools in 2020. All LAT academies villages. PWPS, HPS and Mascalls will be diligence, both schools wish to are geographically clustered in Kent, working closely together for the same become academies within Leigh Medway, Bexley and Greenwich. LAT families so that their children receive Academies Trust (LAT). also manages Kent and Medway the best possible joined-up education. Training, a large initial teacher training We look forward to developing positive Most PWPS year six pupils progress provider serving over 60 primary professional relationships with new into LAT’s nearby high-performing and secondary schools, plus Medway colleagues over the next few months Mascalls Academy and comprise a Teaching School Alliance, assisting while we explore the many benefits that quarter of Mascalls’ annual intake. This 70 schools to provide professional this partnership can bring”. makes formal alliance a logical next development for teachers and leaders. step to create integrated, all-through Scott Opstad, Headteacher of PWPS education for the community. Due diligence and consultation and HPS, said: “This is the right decision with stakeholders on the proposed for both schools, taken at the right time. Nearby HPS has also identified LAT inclusion of PWPS and HPS within LAT We have long focused on the breadth, as its preferred multi-academy trust. will be undertaken early next year depth and quality of education we offer. PWPS and HPS are both judged good before making a final decision. Further From September this will become a by Ofsted, respectively providing information will be provided in due defining measure for all schools. We are 90 and 30 places for reception-age course. very excited to cement our relationship children each year and for almost with Mascalls and LAT, through which 1,000 children in total. we can together drive a new era of even greater ambition and opportunity for Paddock Wood and Horsmonden”.
Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 Ofsted news
Oaks
P y r i m m a e ry Acad Tree Tops Primary Academy Oaks Primary Academy
Following a section 8 monitoring visit on Tuesday 9th Following the section 8 inspection at Oaks Primary October 2018, Ofsted has judged that senior leaders and Academy on Tuesday, 16th October 2018, we are delighted governors at Tree Tops Primary Academy and LAT are taking to confirm that the academy has been judged a ‘good’ effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement school once again by Ofsted. The Ofsted inspector in order for the school to become a good school. recognised the hard work and contribution of all concerned to this success. In her words, ‘highly-skilled staff’ and leaders We are thrilled that the inspector agreed with our the ‘have a passionate commitment to securing the very best academy’s self-evaluation. Historically, the school has provision for the pupils of Oaks Primary Academy’ and not achieved a positive judgement in over a decade and everyone shares these very high aspirations. The inspector receiving recognition that the school is well on track for a noted how ‘initiatives…are sharply focussed on what pupils ‘good’ judgement validates the continuing, tireless work need to be happy, successful learners’. of all of those involved with the academy: children, staff, governors and parents. But the undoubted stars of the show were Oaks’ wonderful pupils, who never cease to astonish the staff with their Ofsted declared: boundless energy, enthusiasm, imagination and creativity. The inspector remarked on how they are ‘proud of their ‘You are uncompromising in your expectations for high work and keen to demonstrate their well-developed standards in all areas of the school’s work…You have understanding of complex issues’. As one student informed established an appropriate sense of urgency and there inspectors: ‘Teachers push us to the furthest limit, but not are clear signs of improvement. Improving outcomes for so much that you have a hard time’. pupils and their well-being are rightly at the heart of all developments.’ Parents and carers also deserve gratitude for their unstinting support. As one remarked, ‘It’s getting better and An enormous ‘thank you’ must go to the fantastic Tree Tops better’. pupils who were, and always are, a credit to their parents and to the academy. The inspector noted that pupils Perhaps best of all, the inspector commended the academy listened attentively in lessons and that the atmosphere as having ‘demonstrated strong practice and marked across the academy was calm and purposeful. improvement in specific areas. This may indicate that the school has improved significantly overall’. The inspector has Principal Denise White said: “As therefore recommended that the next inspection should the Principal I am privileged to work take place under section 5 of the relevant legislation. alongside the dedicated staff team and our Trust colleagues. I know we will Jane Tipple, Principal, said: ‘I would continue to drive improvements and like to thank all academy staff, Trust standards up with a clear and focused colleagues, governors, pupils and their vision”. families, both past and present, for all they have done and continue to do to ensure the academy’s ongoing success. Their support is crucial to ensure that the academy continues to prosper as a happy, safe learning community, in which our pupils can thrive and achieve to the very best of their abilities.’
6 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Kent and Medway Training (KMT) Appointment of new Director of
The recent Ofsted inspection of KMT, which followed a Improvement (Primary) very different framework from that applied to schools, was Due to the steady growth of LAT, we have been able to extremely positive. extend the academy improvement team, welcoming Stewart Dearsley as Director of Improvement for Modern The inspection was conducted in two stages, with the Foreign Languages in September. Faye McGill, former team visiting over three days in the summer term and Principal at The Leigh Academy, has also joined the team returning for a second visit the following autumn. The as part-time secondary Director of Improvement for first stage identified six key areas for improvement, which English on her return from maternity leave in October. were addressed over the summer term and reviewed by the team when they returned to KMT in November. As the merger with The Williamson Trust approaches, we Ofsted commended KMT’s swift, positive response to the recognise the need to appoint a new Director of Learning recommendations, noting that there was clear evidence of for Key Stage 2 (KS2) to enable the team to provide support improvement. for the The Williamson Trust’s primary academies. Following a rigorous recruitment process that attracted a very strong During the second stage, the inspection team visited 11 field of applicants, we are pleased to announce that Lorna schools, observing teaching by 22 newly-qualified teachers Rimmer will be joining LAT in this new role from January. (NQTs) and hearing feedback from their mentor schools, three of them LAT academies. During each visit, the Lorna is a excellent practitioner and leader, with over 11 inspection team met all Principals, NQT induction tutors, years’ experience. She is currently working at a school in other NQTs and former trainees. Medway and will bring to the team strong expertise in primary mathematics. Lorna has delivered the We look forward to sharing Ofsted’s feedback with all Maths Mastery programme in her current school and, stakeholders once it has been published and would like to in recognition of her work, was appointed as the school- thank everyone who supported us in this six-day process. based development lead for Maths Mastery, providing support to other schools participating in the programme.
We look forward to welcoming Lorna, who will support our primary academies in Medway and Dartford in their efforts to raise standards and outcomes in KS2.
Stewart Dearsley Faye McGill Lorna Rimmer
Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 Free schools present and future