September 2016 School Report

A family of schools with a sense of responsibility for each other

Excellence | Belonging | Opportunity | Respect Welcome

EBOR Coast Filey

EBOR Central schools either in OUR trust or committed to joining OUR trust EBOR East Riding EBOR Yorkshire Coast EBOR South Beverley Ebor Academy Filey Brotherton and Byram Community Filey Church of Infant & Primary Academy Nursery School Community Primary Academy EBOR Staynor Hall Community Primary Central Academy EBOR Creative Arts Academy York South Road Primary Academy EBOR Hob Moor Community Primary East Riding School Sigglesthorne Church of England Hob Moor Oaks Primary School Ebor Academy Trust Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, West End, Strensall, York YO32 5UH Park Grove Telephone 01904 553404 Email: [email protected]

2 School Report Ebor Academy Trust @eboractrust Ebor Academy Trust is a mixed multi-academy trust comprising both Community and Church Schools.

We consist of small village schools, large urban schools, schools in challenging circumstances and those which have capacity to share and support others. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual setting and share skills and resources, where appropriate, across our group.

We are a predominately primary-led Trust, providing quality education provision for two-year-olds through to 16-year-olds.

Our vision is to provide great outcomes for pupils, staff and the wider leadership team, including governance. The Trust is ambitious for all its component parts, creating an environment where there is a desire to learn. Our pupils develop the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with others and think critically and creatively.

Based in York, Ebor’s vision is to set up locality based hubs of schools within the North and North East of England. Locality hubs within the Ebor family of schools will be around 2,000 to 2,500 pupils’ strong, consisting of around eight to ten schools.

Our core values, Excellence, Belonging, Opportunity and Respect, represent a powerful force for all that’s good in education during changing times.

Richard Ludlow, Chief Executive, Ebor Academy Trust www.ebor.academy Ebor Academy Trust School Report 3 Blazing a trail for excellence in education “We want our hubs to be vibrant, exciting places that are stimulating for participating schools and their staff and of genuine benefit to local communities.”

The use of its own academy From September 2017, all being well, enviable reputation nationally for specialists, each school having a Ebor will open the ground-breaking excellence in education, which may responsibility for each other and Creative Arts Academy in York, explain why schools in the city have staying personal is key to the following the successful approval in not been quick off the mark when continued success of the Ebor July by the government of York’s first it comes to new ways of thinking. Academy Trust. free school. But with shrinking budgets and Ebor is a MAT – a multi-academy Richard Ludlow has moved up reorganisations, many schools are trust – which is a not-for-profit from being headteacher at Robert now looking to each other for support. organisation and a group of schools Wilkinson Primary Academy to “Converting to an academy doesn’t Ebor Academy working outside local authority become chief executive. automatically improve a school and Trust Chief control, directly answerable to the “We are having a range of there are examples of good and bad Executive, Richard Department for Education. conversations with a lot of schools, in academies, just as there are good Ludlow, left, Nigel What started as an alliance York and across the north of England,” and bad schools,” said Mr Ludlow. Adams MP for between Robert Wilkinson Primary said Mr Ludlow. “Some are curious as “There are some direct financial Selby and Ainsty Academy and Haxby Road Primary to how it all works; others are seeing benefits but what we are finding is and Executive Academy grew to include Brotherton the benefits of close collaborations that headteachers enjoy working with Headteacher, Gail and Byram Community Primary and may join us within Ebor. other headteachers and our structure Brown pictured Academy near Knottingley and “Without doubt, this is an exciting allows for creative thinking and with children at Ebor Academy Filey across on the time to be in education.” innovative solutions. Brotherton and Yorkshire coast. From September As of May 2016, 2,075 out of 3,381 “The greatest improvements in Byram Community 2016, Ebor opens a brand new secondary schools are academies, schools are made by the practitioners Primary Academy primary school, Staynor Hall while 2,440 of 16,766 primary in their own classrooms themselves. during a recent VIP Community Primary Academy, in schools have academy status. City We have a strategy group of all our visit Selby and others are in the pipeline. of York Council has always had an heads and senior colleagues. They meet regularly to identify what’s needed, have honest conversations and ultimately help shape our trust. “A service for children which is often an unaffordable luxury as a single school, becomes viable when that resource can be shared among a group of schools. By their very nature, MATs open school leaders’ minds and make them entrepreneurial. “Our academy specialists, currently science, maths, English, IT, and wellbeing and behaviour, are experts in their field and they work across our schools, helping to improve outcomes for children.” Ebor Academy Trust’s school to school support programme allows

4 School Report Ebor Academy Trust @eboractrust Academy for creative arts wins government approval The Department for Education has confirmed that Ebor Academy Trust’s bid for a Creative Arts Academy has been successful. David Cameron made the announcement in one of his final acts as prime minister, with the York bid one of 31 applications to have passed the rigorous selection tests. Ebor will now work in partnership with to secure a site and aim for an opening of the new primary school – the first of its kind in York – in September 2017. Richard Ludlow, chief executive of Ebor Academy Trust said: “This is an exciting new provision for the children of York and we are keen to continue to work alongside education colleagues at the local authority to create an excellent new school, funded by central government, which puts creativity at the centre of the curriculum and remains part of the family of schools within the city. “Alongside an outstanding academic grounding, developed at other schools in our group, we will fulfil pledges made in our application to add diversity by taking a fresh look at how creative arts in all its many forms can enrich education provision. “We are pleased the DfE has recognised the innovation, enthusiasm and passion brought staff to develop their own careers values of Excellence, Belonging, All fired up: a new to bear by Ebor staff, creative while offering help to other schools, Opportunity and Respect. school name and professionals in York and, both within and outside the trust. “As Ebor expands, so too does our smart new uniform importantly, the many parents Ebor’s corporate services team, collective knowledge. We educate immediately who signed up to our ideals and the engine room of the operation, is children from the age of two to sent out a clear ambitions.” led by James Perry, finance director, 16 years. We have experience of message of change The school, a two form entry and coordinates the use of resources outstanding schools, new-build when Filey School primary, will be for all of York. It will to support teaching and learning schools, and transforming struggling became Ebor not compete with any individual throughout the group. Key functions schools into beacons of excellence. Academy Filey in existing school but will ease the of the corporate services team are “We want our hubs to be vibrant, 2015 pressure of primary place planning to ensure the long term viability of exciting places that are stimulating in certain areas. its academies and with the executive for participating schools and their Peter D. Acaster, chair of the team, the growth of the trust itself. staff and of genuine benefit to local Ebor trust, said: “This is fantastic Richard Ludlow said: “It’s our communities. We have no political news. We are thrilled to be able to intention to develop hubs of schools, leanings – we just believe in dealing offer this amazing opportunity to in geographical areas, that can work with the situation as it stands, the young people of York.” together as part of our wider group, pragmatically, to the best of our For more details, see also www. sharing and promoting the Ebor ability, and getting on with the job.” creativeartsacademyyork.org www.ebor.academy Ebor Academy Trust School Report 5 Rebecca McGuinn is Ebor’s pastoral manager with evidence to support her belief that wellbeing is a whole school issue…

Although he might not know it, nine-year-old Mark’s story is a good example of how schools working together in a multi-academy trust can really make a difference in improving children’s lives. Sitting in a circle with other Year 4s, in a session run by Ebor Academy Trust pastoral manager Rebecca McGuinn, Mark spoke quietly and nervously at first. We were in The Hub, which they called a sanctuary, not just another classroom, in part funded by a charity who provided comfy sofas and rugs for the floor. Mark said he had been bullied – “but it went beyond bullying” – for some time, making his life a misery and he felt he had nowhere where he felt safe until The Hub came along. He sobbed as he told of his scratched leg and his bleeding nose, prompting a child to pass him a box of tissues and two others to give him a hug. Growing in confidence and speaking up, he said he was proud that these sessions had helped him Vital life lessons to stand up for himself and not feel afraid, or alone. Another boy chipped in: “you’ve got me now.” need to restore their trust. ones some people see as the most Rebecca McGuinn has over ten “At first it can feel like you’re the difficult are the ones I love the most,” years’ experience in educational fourth emergency service. It takes said Rebecca. “Every child can be social work, working with children time to embed any new practice and accessed. It’s all about relationships and family services in a school emotions can be very raw.” and making children feel valued. We setting for a local authority. Her role Knowing that safety, wellbeing and offer warm snuggly areas and let was to reach young people at risk pupils having a voice is represented at them talk through their problems at of permanent exclusion or non- the highest level in a school can offer their own pace. At least in school, attendance. something different to some parents we can be a crutch for them and With an expertise in safeguarding, they are safe, which for some is an her supporting role to one of Ebor “It’s all about achievement in itself.” Academy Trust’s schools was initially Bringing families into school to help a day a week. Today Rebecca works relationships and them work through difficulty is a big full-time there and is a key member deal. If a child sees the connection of the leadership team. The Hub making children between home and school, there is model is being set up among other less room to play one off against the schools across Ebor, too, as they feel valued” other – and can bring real benefits see the many benefits this kind of who may not have fond memories when the child sees parents and the pastoral care can bring. of their own school days. “There’s a school working together. “Schools need an actual room that different outlook when the interface Rebecca’s role with the leadership doesn’t look like a classroom,” said between home and school is not team sends out a clear message that Rebecca. “It’s very important to offer through a teacher,” said Rebecca. wellbeing is a whole school issue something that’s an alternative where Some children live in chaos, and not something reserved for the families as well as staff and pupils possibly caused by trauma and ‘special’ children. For an hour a week, can come and feel safe. Sometimes the crisis can be part of children’s entire classes sit in a circle to impress parents’ relationships with schools lives on a short- or long-term basis. on them core values and they are have become fragmented and we But no child is beyond reach. “The empowered to form and share

6 School Report Ebor Academy Trust @eboractrust Working together to remove barriers to learning A pilot project aimed at addressing mental health issues among schoolchildren in has been hailed a big success by the 12 schools taking part. Improving self esteem and wellbeing and closing the attainment gap in educational achievement for children from disadvantaged backgrounds was the focus of a £24,000 project, funded by North Yorkshire Vital life lessons County Council. It is led by the Star Alliance of mainly small and rural schools around Tadcaster, opinions about the world around them entrenched bad behaviour at Sherburn and Monk Fryston. and the choices they make. secondary level. Aspirations are Gail Brown, executive “We’re having a big push on life the same, however, even though headteacher for Ebor Academy skills. We help give children the tools it may be more difficult to rebuild Trust and project lead, said at to articulate their emotions to make relationships with parents as time is the end of the first year there sense of the world and give them running out. was evidence of a direct, positive every opportunity to be the best Expert support such as Rebecca’s impact on attainment. person they can be. is uncommon because of ever “Schools have such a crucial “An hour a week gives everyone increasing pressure on budgets. The role to play in the lives of children in that circle the chance to tell other pastoral manager role in a multi- and young people and have to children what they feel, especially, academy trust is a reality because be aware of all their emotional for example, if they are upset. the costs can be shared among and social circumstances,” she Restorative practice is an approach schools in the group. said. we have brought into our schools, It the end, in education, statistics A celebration event in June that allows time and energy to be matter. Before Rebecca came along, 2016 discussed experiences spent to promote victim awareness. children were excluded – because it throughout the year-long trial. This is very powerful and it means was the only tool – and a lot of pupils Some pupils volunteered to talk, children who may be guilty of felt unsafe. too, so as to share examples of wrongdoing are supported to face up Now, there have been no best practice. to the consequences of their actions exclusions, attendance is up and The funding has given the and make amends – vital life lessons. regular surveys show that more then schools the means to tackle This restorative approach to children’s 90 per cent of children feel safe – a barriers to learning caused by welfare and wellbeing has got to be at massive increase. emotional issues. the very heart of any school.” Little wonder that more of The Star Alliance group hopes Programme Star Alliance Closing the Gap

The challenges are similar across Rebecca’s time is being spent on the positive experience of the STAR ALLIANCE Celebration Event 22 June 2016 • Appleton Roebuck Sports Hall

primary and secondary although training staff at other schools and trial will extend funding further. CTGprogramme.indd 1 there is less time to turnaround spreading best practice. 14/06/2016 12:19

www.ebor.academy Ebor Academy Trust School Report 7 A fresh new start for faith school

Sigglesthorne Church of England personal development, behaviour head of school. Mrs Grant, formerly Primary School in the East Riding and welfare of the children at assistant head at a school nearby, can look forward to a brighter future Sigglesthorne. They also said there started her teaching career in Hull thanks to Ebor Academy Trust. was a good range of extra-curricular and has worked in several primary The small school, which currently opportunities and links with the schools. has 55 children on roll, was judged church and local community and that “As soon as I walked into to be inadequate by Ofsted in their pupils enjoyed coming to school and Sigglesthorne the strong Christian inspection in January. behaved well. ethos and the warm friendly Matthew Harrington, of East Riding Richard Ludlow, Ebor Academy atmosphere was clear,” she said. of Yorkshire Council, said: “Ebor has Trust’s chief executive, added: “The children are lovely and there is been successfully involved in school- “We are excited at the prospect a great sense of community. Family to-school support programmes for of Sigglesthorne joining us. All our and friendship are very important to Children at a number of our schools. We are schools embrace collaborative me. These are values I hold dear and Sigglesthorne very pleased they have agreed to working as it brings fresh ideas that want to promote within the school.” and, below right, take Sigglesthorne under their wing benefit children as well as staff Mrs Grant said: “It is great to be head of school and we will be working together to and we will deploy our academy part of the Ebor group of schools. Jacqueline Grant improve outcomes for our children.” specialists to make a difference very Being part of a multi-academy trust and the new school Despite an overall poor report, quickly to Sigglesthorne’s fortunes.” means wider opportunities for the logo Ofsted inspectors praised the Jacqueline Grant is the new children, the staff and the governors. Specialist teachers in sport and the arts are already in place and they are eager to develop the children’s skills and aspirations.” Alison Smith, of York Diocese, said: CHURCH OF ENGLAND “We are thrilled at the prospect of PRIMARY ACADEMY Sigglesthorne being part of Ebor’s family of schools, whilst keeping its relationship with Sigglesthorne the Diocese of York and retaining its Church of England character.”

8 School Report Ebor Academy Trust @eboractrust “The first of a number of new primary schools for North Yorkshire” Brand new Staynor Hall opens its doors for the first time

Selby’s newest school, Staynor Hall Since then, the County Council Community Primary Academy, is developed the scheme and now up and running and is the latest construction started in June 2015. Work starts on bid for member of Ebor Academy Trust. “This has been a ground-breaking The school cost North Yorkshire project for us,” said County Councillor a new school in Thirsk County Council £4.6m to build and Arthur Barker, North Yorkshire’s opened its doors in September 2016. Executive Member for Schools, Ebor is to submit an application to central “We’re very excited,” said Gail “because it is the first of a number government to set up a new primary school to serve Brown, executive headteacher. “The of new primary schools we will need the up-and-coming Sowerby Gateway community in school is looking fantastic.” to build to deliver places to meet Thirsk. The school will offer 210 places the growth in the number of primary Planning permission for 925 homes in Sowerby plus a Tiny Steps Academy for school pupils. It is the first we have Gateway was agreed in 2011 and with the first phase two-year-olds and a nursery and built and handed over to a sponsor. of 107 houses almost complete, and projections of will address the need for additional “It is very satisfying to see the 80 new homes now being built every year, there is school places arising from the building completed and staff taking a clear need for additional education provision says Staynor Hall housing development. up their positions. This school chief executive Richard Ludlow. Funding for the building has come represents the biggest single “Data supplied by North Yorkshire County Council from North Yorkshire County Council investment in local educational shows the need for an additional 20 primary school and a contribution from Staynor Hall facilities for Selby for many years places a year for ten years,” said Mr Ludlow. “We house builder Persimmon. and we have worked closely with our believe, therefore, that this is an exciting opportunity In 2013, local schools and the partners, the Ebor Academy Trust, for a new school to be built which could replicate one community were consulted by the to create a school that will give our of our existing primary schools rated ‘outstanding’ by County Council on the future pattern children the very best in teaching and school inspectors Ofsted. of educational provision in Selby, learning and high-quality facilities.” “If our application is successful, the Sowerby given rising school numbers and Admissions for the new school Gateway Community Primary Academy will open proposed housing development. The will be co-ordinated through in September 2018 and offer a broad and balanced preference was for a new school. North Yorkshire County Council’s curriculum, additional enrichment activities and the admissions team, in common with new school will play a full role within our group.” other schools in the area. Ebor’s application is supported by North Yorkshire n The new school County Council. A spokesperson said: “We carried was ‘highly out our own consultation into additional education commended’ provision in this area and a new school emerged as in the Building the preferred option. Ebor Academy Trust, which is Excellence an organisation we know and have worked well with Awards – a well in setting up a new school in similar circumstances in deserved pat on Selby, has expressed an interest in sponsoring a new the back for the school in Sowerby which would meet the need for project team of extra school places in this area.” North Yorkshire More details at www.sowerbygatewayproposal.org County Council, Jacobs UK and F Parkinson.

9 Raising aspirations for children bring added benefit for York mum Getting involved in her children’s school has helped a York mum-of- four to re-start her own education. Jenni Williams, pictured right, didn’t sit her GCSEs but is now heading for university thanks to Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) help and support from Haxby Road Childcare minister Primary Academy’s Pupil and Family Sam Gyimah Wellbeing Team. toured Haxby Jenni also collected accolades Road Primary at the York Adult Learners Awards, Academy as it organised by York Community was announced Learning Partnership. She was a that York was to finalist in the ‘Biggest Achievement be one of eight Award’ and voted overall winner. places to pilot Subject to successful outcomes of additional childcare WEA Helping in Schools and Helping provision. Haxby Pupils with Special Educational Needs Road was chosen & Disabilities accredited courses, as it has what Jenni will embark on a two-year an official called foundation degree at York St John “the full package” University, working with children and – a provision for young people. She has ambitions two-year-olds, to then study for a further year and the Tiny Steps become a one-to-one mentor, helping of the café last January. It’s for opportunities for themselves and to Academy, plus a others, in the same kind of family parents dropping off their children help them talk about aspirations for nursery, Enhanced support environment that has helped and I bring in people who can help their children, with their children. Resource Centre transform her own life. with family information, Citizens’ “Some parents do not have good and provision And Jenni says that working in Advice, benefits, that sort of thing, to memories of their own schooldays,” for children with the Haxby Road Primary Academy’s give them a platform and a chance for said Diane Quinney, WEA organiser special educational own café is a key reason for the everyone to have a chat and keep up for York. “This course addresses the needs and turnaround. “I have a child in nursery, to date with what’s going on.” importance of raising children’s and disabilities. Mr another in Year 4, and two others The school has also developed a parents’ aspirations and doing things Gyimah said Haxby that have been through Haxby Road second café, along similar lines but they both enjoy doing together. Road was “an and have now left,” she explained. “I aimed at parents of two-year-olds “Jenni is a great ambassador for exemplar”. volunteered to take over the running who attend Haxby Road’s Tiny Steps WEA courses and we’re thrilled she Academy. “These sessions aim to did so well in the awards.” involve parents in their children’s Zoe Lightfoot, head of school education, to help them support their at Haxby Road Primary Academy, children’s learning and there are arts said Jenni’s achievements were and crafts activities,” said Jenni. testament to her dedication and the Running the cafés gave Jenni hard work she had put in: “We feel the chance to join other parents in so proud of Jenni,” she said. “We taking part in the WEA Helping in know that parental involvement is Schools course, designed for parents integral to raising aspirations and our who wish to volunteer in school and children’s educational outcomes. Our also support their own children’s family wellbeing team do a brilliant job learning. She has also played an in encouraging those partnerships instrumental role in helping to set up but it is also so important to have the WEA Learning Journeys course Jenni as an ambassador to really at Haxby Road Primary Academy, an share the amazing things you can initiative which aims to encourage achieve with the right support and a parents to be aware of developmental ‘can do’ attitude.”

10 School Report Ebor Academy Trust @eboractrust QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Some commonly hour or so’s drive of one another. multi-academy trust environment, the Ebor’s structure, and other useful support structure is more formalised. asked questions information, is on our website at Access to Ebor’s corporate services www.ebor.academy team is another benefit and allows schools to be able to concentrate on about becoming Will term dates change? teaching and learning, leaving finance, No. marketing and communications, an academy human resources, IT and estates and Will the school day have the same facilities to the trust’s own experts. and joining Ebor timings as at present? Yes. Who takes responsibility for the Academy Trust… pension arrangements of staff? Will children have to change All pension rights of employees Will the curriculum change? uniform? are protected as part of the TUPE No. There will be no change to the process. This means that Ebor school’s policy on uniform. Academy Trust would assume Will staff get the opportunity to the pension obligations following work in a different school/Will staff Might other people come in to conversion. have to work in a different school? observe our school? Opportunities may arise but there Providing standards are maintained, What happens when staff leave – is no compulsion to move schools. there will be minimal intervention from will they be replaced like for like or However we encourage collaboration Ebor. will a new structure be imposed? and so experience of working As at present, when staff leave it is temporarily in other schools is seen Will job descriptions/roles change? an opportunity for the headteacher/ as a career development opportunity. No. local governing body to assess and make a decision on the best way to Does Ebor employ unqualified Will all staff be kept on in handle the imminent vacancy. teachers? employment? No and there are no plans to employ All contracted staff will be transferred How does the funding work? unqualified teachers in teaching to Ebor under TUPE regulations. The level of funding remains the positions. same, however it comes directly to Will the letterhead/logo change? the trust rather than through the local Can schools keep their own core Information on the school letterhead authority. values or do they adopt Ebor ones? will change to comply with Schools’ own core values will not Companies House regulations. There Does academy status affect SEN or change unless the local governing is no insistence that existing school pupil premium funding? body wants to change them. logos change, but this is a decision No, not at all. Excellence, Belonging, Opportunity of the local governing body. Many and Respect are the trust’s schools see conversion to academy Will the PTA continue to fundraise overarching values on our website status as an opportunity to look again just for the school or for all of the and in all trust level literature. at their visual identity. academy group? Just for the school, as at present. Do academies get inspected by Will school lunches change? Ofsted? No. If schools convert, who then owns Yes. There is no difference in Ofsted’s the school buildings and land? inspection regime. Does becoming an academy change The academy trust will take the way in which any exclusions are responsibility for buildings and land Do schools recruit their own staff dealt with? under a 125 year lease agreement – when vacancies occur? No. ownership does not transfer across. Ebor’s corporate services team support all schools with their If the government now says schools Will becoming an academy affect recruitment, this can include do not need to become an academy admissions arrangements? job evaluation, advertising and why should we still do it? No. interviewing. There are many reasons schools convert to academy status and join a Can an academy trust decide to How many schools will be in Ebor? multi-academy trust. Diminishing local bring in academic selection? Is there a limit? authority budgets and the knock-on No, this is not permitted in law. The idea is for geographically based effect of less support is a key reason, hubs of schools, each comprising but so is peer-to-peer support and What will the responsibilities of the perhaps 2,000 – 2,500 pupils. Ebor the idea of collaborating with other governing body be? has plans for hubs in York, Selby, the schools so as to share best practice. The local governing body (LGB) will be Yorkshire coast and the East Riding. Many examples of close co-operation a committee of the trust board, where There will be no lead schools in any between schools exist currently in legal responsibility lies. However for of the hubs and it is the intention the clusters, but this is dependent on good or outstanding schools, the LGB that all schools should be within an goodwill and is un-enforceable. In a has maximum delegation. www.ebor.academy Ebor Academy Trust School Report 11 Reading dogs lead students in Filey to improve their reading

An innovative literacy programme Galbraith, headteacher. “It’s been a involving ‘reading dogs’ at Ebor massive achievement in such a short Academy Filey has helped some period of time. Some children have students increase their average come to us with a chronological age reading age by three years in just a of 11 but a reading age of just six. This few months. programme has helped them rapidly Labradors Winnie and Peg, two catch up.” new recruits to the school’s library, Winnie and Peg have been patiently listen whilst students read submitted to vigorous checks in to them, never interrupting and becoming Ebor Academy Filey’s always showing interest in whatever reading dogs and each Tuesday story is being read. morning they ‘clock on’, with beds and The bookhounds enjoy every type water bowls, before waiting patiently of book, read at whatever pace and for the start of the school day and they never correct mistakes – leaving their work to begin. that task to the librarian and her Year Thanks in part to the four-legged 10 reading mentors. friends, the library is now one of the Research has shown that the use most popular areas in the school. ‘liked’ by over 1,000 people. of reading dogs makes a positive This novel way of helping children On the TV news programme, contribution to children’s attitude and, with their reading was picked up by student Amber said: “When you’re most importantly, their enjoyment of BBC Look North and several students talking to a person you can reading. enjoyed their five minutes of fame sometimes get embarrassed but not “The school’s recent reading test thanks to a TV appearance. The item when you’re talking to an animal, as results are some of the best that was then tweeted: ‘Non-judgemental, they can’t make comments.” we’ve ever had and Winnie and Peg attentive and perfect listeners – meet “It makes me a lot more confident have played a significant part in the the dogs who are helping children to about my reading,” said another students’ success,” said Mr Andrew read’. It had 70,000 views and was student, Paul.

Over 100 children from the Ebor Academy Filey Pitches are updated catchment area All-weather pitches for football, rugby, hockey, joined together to be netball and tennis are being installed in Filey and will part of a fun packed hopefully be ready for use later in 2016. Sports and Maths And an ambitious plan is coming together to Year 5 Transition redevelop the school’s former swimming pool to Day. create a sports hall comprising gym, dance studio and Pupils were allocated changing rooms. Olympic country It will be a valuable resource for the school and one teams and took which can also be used by the community. part in zumba, tag Both Filey Town Council and Scarborough Borough rugby, orienteering, Council support the plans and are considering the hakka, the iron level of financial contributions they can make. The man challenge, scheme would also be funded by Ebor Academy Trust pentathlon, golf and and through a bid to Sport England. cricket. They also If approved, work is expected to start next spring. set up and ran a Mr Andrew Galbraith said: “As an academy our main “nutrition station”. goals are to deliver excellent teaching and learning Colleagues from and not to run a gym or fitness centre. However, we across Ebor and do recognise this inclusive scheme represents an local coaches joined excellent opportunity to provide state-of-the-art forces to give the facilities to our students that can also be shared with children a sporting our community. We would therefore be willing to take activities with a on the responsibility to provide something amazing.” maths twist.

School Report is published by the Ebor Academy Trust www.ebor.academy