LAT Christmas Newsletter 2018
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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 • T rust 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 • M ayor 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: • I nspiration 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 • Chr istmas 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 • L eigh Academy Blackheath - a very and Medway Teaching Schools promising start ..............................................18 Alliance to provide professional development for staff at all levels; • M ichael 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