Leigh Academies Trust Summer 2019 | Issue 15 NEWS

LAT Annual Primary and Secondary Sports Days 2019

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities A message from the Chief Executive

Since Easter, the Trust has been subject to a number of A few more important appointments have been made at routine Ofsted inspections of its primary academies. These senior level in the Trust since my last newsletter article. A have all gone extremely well, with inspectors lavishing big “well done” to all of the colleagues below who take up praise on the work of staff who provide the best start in life their new posts from September: for our primary-age children. You can read all about these successes in this newsletter. It is heartening that a trust ›› Clare Greene - Principal, Eastcote Primary which started in secondary schools is now doing so well at ›› Katie Hall - Vice Principal, Eastcote Primary Academy primary level as well. We look forward to welcoming two more primary academies at Horsmonden and Paddock ›› Stuart Mitchell - Vice Principal, Primary Academy Wood from September. (from Minterne Community Junior School, Sittingbourne) ›› Charlotte Barnden - Principal Designate, Bearsted My congratulations to The Halley and Strood Academies, Primary Academy (from Horsmonden , who have been accredited by the International starting 1st January) Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) as World Schools and will deliver the IB Careers-related Programme (IBCP) from ›› Lorraine Mottram, Deputy People Director September to their sixth forms. At the same time, all of our primaries have now applied for candidacy to deliver the IB Please enjoy reading about all of the many highlights of Primary Years Programme. Like our secondaries delivering life in since the last newsletter just the IB Middle Years Programme, they will be visited by the before Easter. Overall, it has been an exceptionally busy, IBO in the autumn to take plans forward. productive and successful year. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer break. You have certainly earned it. Efforts to ensure our pupils achieve the very best outcomes at primary and secondary level this year have been With my very many thanks and best wishes, spectacular and staff and pupils alike deserve full marks for the work they have put in. We now wait to see the impact of all of this endeavour. Primary results are available in July and secondary results in August. For the first time this year, three of our secondaries will receive IBCP results, which are available earlier than A Level results and are published in Simon Beamish, early July. I look forward to celebrating academies’ success Chief Executive as well as planning further steps next year.

Contents ››  and Medway Training (KMT)...... 8-9 ›› Kent and Medway Training Primary and ›› A message from the Chief Executive...... 2 Secondary Awards Evenings...... 9

›› Bob Findlay: LAT's Starter for 10!...... 3 ››  International Baccalaureate...... 10-11

›› Ofsted Inspections...... 4-5 ›› Maths Mastery Update...... 11

›› Free Schools Update...... 6 ›› LAT Teaching and Learning Open Days...... 12

›› Digital Worlds Curriculum at SCWA...... 7 ›› Careers Round-up...... 12

›› MTSA...... 7 ›› Healthy Minds at The ...... 13

2 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Bob Findlay Chairman LAT’s Starter for 10!

A year ago LAT celebrated its 10th anniversary and With amazing teacher enthusiasm, International launched its 10-point Excellence Charter, proudly displayed Baccalaureate programmes have spread to every LAT in every school. This year, we delivered on every one of primary and . We are first in the UK, those 10 pledges, an impressive starter for 10. probably first in the world, to be teaching the IB curriculum across all 14 year groups and wherever you go, the We also hit some other big milestones: after an outbreak excitement is palpable. of multiple Ofsteds, every LAT school became good or outstanding. Student numbers rose to 16,000 and LAT Our interactions with business and our communities exam predictions this summer are our best ever. have also prospered, with great assistance from Sharon Waterman, Louisa Felstead and the central team. Every Despite recruitment agency poaching tactics, retention for secondary school made wider engagement one of its well over 100 leaders remains above 95% for the 3rd year in objectives and thousands of students have benefited. a row. Middle leader and senior teacher retention is also our best ever. One reason is that we continue to promote from If you have been counting, you will know I have reached within – I counted 20 promotions this year across our top the magic number 10 in my list of major milestones. There tiers of leaders and we appointed 5 new Chairs of academy are of course many more achievements at the trust’s centre boards from within. As we grow, 225 new teachers have and in our academies. We are fortunate to enjoy such an also agreed to join us this year to develop their skills. outstanding and productive team whose ambitions and new ideas continue to flow as we look forward to starting They recognise not only our very good schools but our afresh in September. continuing investment in professional development. While other schools risk running out of money, LAT has Our 16,000 students would wish me to thank not just strengthened learning resources and launched new our 2,500 staff but also all our hundreds of volunteers – well-being programmes. We now manage not only Kent directors, governors, mentors, businesses, community & Medway Training, the Southeast’s largest initial teacher groups and other partners, who make education training scheme, but also the Medway Teaching School opportunities for our young people so much better Alliance and the Kent and Medway Maths Hub, delivering than ever before. CPD for hundreds of schools. LAT is undoubtedly the place for teachers and other staff to grow. All these tens I have been talking about are just the starter – LAT bubbles with ideas about how to keep improving Our academies rose to 24, with 3 more under construction, education and connecting our students to the world so we have passed the milestone of 25 schools. Our revenue outside at every stage of their continuing school journey. budget for the coming year is £106 million, so we also crossed our milestone of £100 million annual income. LAT Roll on September and another exciting year – but first has more funds to invest than ever before. enjoy your well earned summer break.

›› Leigh Aspire...... 14 ›› The Hundred of Hoo Nursery and Kids Club ...... 22

›› Social Action Group...... 15 ›› Edexcel 'Page to Stage' Professional Development for English Teachers...... 23 ›› LAT Awards...... 16 ›› Appointment of New Principal at Eastcote ›› Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) Event...... 17 Primary Academy...... 23

›› LAT Sports Days...... 18-19 ›› LAT Receives Wellbeing Award...... 23

›› LAT Primary Results 2019 (provisional)...... 20-21 ›› Performance Development...... 23

›› The Hundred of Hoo Academy Teacher Receives ›› Congratulations to our newly-qualified teachers...... 24 Medway Youth Award...... 22

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3 Ofsted Inspections

Eastcote Primary Academy Tree Tops Primary Academy "Outstanding" “Good with Outstanding Leadership and Personal Development” On Monday 18th March Eastcote received the expected phone call from Ofsted to tell them that their full, two-day Since the Section 8 monitoring visit in October 2018, Tree inspection would begin the following day. Having had a Tops had been expecting a full Section 5 inspection. They one-day inspection last June with an acknowledgement received the phone call on Monday 10th June 2019 and that they had made “significant improvements” since the the inspection took place on 11th and 12th. last inspection, they expected to be visited before the end of the academic year and we felt they were ready. Tree Tops was the only LAT academy not yet judged “good” or better. In HMCI’s 2018 Annual Report, it was It was a thorough process, as they knew it would be - identified as a school that had not been judged “good” after all, they were evaluating themselves as “outstanding” since 2005. In fact, there are no records of this ever in every category. The two inspectors spoke to over a having happened since the school opened in 1974. hundred pupils, monitored a large number of lessons, This inspection was therefore crucial to the continuing scrutinised books, held meetings with staff and governors progression of the school and to its reputation, as well and kept asking the questions that would test whether as to the well-being and morale of the whole they were what they believed themselves to be. school community.

Staff performed brilliantly, with great support from The feedback given at the end of the inspection was the Trust and the Development Board, and all felt they very encouraging. Emotions were high and more than were making their case persuasively, particularly on the one adult shed a happy tear or two. This positive Ofsted second day. However, the tension was palpable in the outcome is a significant validation of the hard work final meeting as they gathered to listen to the inspectors’ invested by all the pupils and staff at Tree Tops. One of evaluation. They knew the key grade would be for quality the key strengths of the school is the way that teams of teaching, learning and assessment and when the of people work together so efficiently and support one inspectors said that they judged us to be “outstanding”, another in challenging situations. Special thanks go to everyone was delighted. The other categories came Denise White, Principal, Stefan Bishop, Vice Principal, and in as ”outstanding”, too, as did the overall rating. Charlotte McLeish, Assistant Principal, who have been pivotal to Tree Tops’ improvement. This is a marvellous achievement for everyone associated with Eastcote, particularly David Ball, Principal, and Clare Greene and Katie Hall, the two Assistant Principals, who have been involved in every stage of the journey from “inadequate” over the past six years. The leadership and staff of Eastcote are already committed to ensuring the academy gets even better - beyond “outstanding” - and even now have begun to plan its future direction. David will be retiring as Principal at the end of the academic year but the Trust is confident that the new leadership, under Clare as Principal and Katie as Vice Principal, are Denise White the best possible people to take Eastcote forward. Principal

David Ball Principal

4 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Allhallows Primary Academy Langley Park Primary Academy "Good" "Good with Outstanding Leadership, Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare and On Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th May, Allhallows Primary Academy was visited by Ofsted under a section Early Years." 5 inspection. As a new primary academy, Langley Park had been Lucie Wilson, Principal of the academy since September, expecting “the call” for the last year and, on the 18th and had worked hard to stabilise the school which, over the 19th June, the academy had its first Ofsted Section 5 past few years, had seen a high turnover of staff. inspection.

The school serves the local village community, so the roll The inspection was very rigorous. The story of a new is low and split classes are necessary, all factors that make school is difficult to explain at the best of times: there is changes more difficult. no inherited way of doing things; documents that you reach for aren’t there; you have to establish a culture and Since January, the academy had enjoyed the support ethos from nothing; and building works have been going of Leigh Academies Trust, which now provides additional on for over two years. By the end of the two days, the leadership capacity and support for teachers and team were well acquainted with the journey the academy provides a network of colleagues who can be called on has been on. Staff were ready, children were ready and to support sustained changes for improvement. the Trust team arrived to ensure that everything was to hand and lend support. The team at Allhallows have embraced changes in planning, marking and assessment, have accepted The inspectors commented positively on the conduct feedback and acted swiftly to transform the learning of the children, the welcoming ethos, the support of the environment. Trust and the overwhelming support of parents at Langley Park. The Ofsted visit was a chance for the academy to showcase its journey since September and to share this Now that the inspection is over, staff can focus on the with their visitor. The inspector noted many strengths, future as the end of the year approaches and the next particularly progress made by SEN and disadvantaged stage of Langley Park's journey looms. In September, pupils and improvements to pupil attendance, and was the academy will welcome another 60 children into the very complimentary of curricular changes through the oversubscribed reception section as the eldest cohort introduction of the International Baccalaureate moves into Year 5 - but not before a summer holiday and Primary Years Programme. a chance to recharge batteries!

The academy secured a “good” judgement at this inspection and all staff, students and governors are to be commended for this outcome. The Trust will continue to support Allhallows and is looking forward to a sparkling future.

Libby Fidock Principal

Lucie Wilson Principal

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 Free Schools Update Bearsted Primary Academy & Snowfields Academy Charlotte said of her new appointment:

“I am thrilled to have been given such a unique opportunity and look forward to working as part of Leigh Academies Trust in the opening of a brand new school, at the heart of its community. It is an exciting new Charlotte Barnden challenge; I can't wait to see what the Principal Designate future brings, both within LAT and my Bearsted Primary new role as Principal.” Academy Following a protracted consultation period, planning There has already been considerable permission was granted in early May for the construction interest from parents for places of the two schools. Building work is scheduled to start on in both academies. Bearsted 22nd July 2019 and will be completed in August 2020, Primary Academy will open with ready to open at the start of the new school year in pupils in Years R, 1 and 2, as well the September. as places within its nursery. Formal applications will be accepted from The Trust has recently been successful in appointing the late autumn through to mid- Principal (Designate) for Bearsted Primary Academy. There January. Snowfields Academy will be was significant interest in this post and a large number of admitting students in Years 7 - 9, and applications were received. Ultimately, Charlotte Barnden Dee Pickerill Principal (Designate) Dee Pickerill is was appointed to lead the academy. Charlotte is currently Principal Designate currently working closely with KCC Senior Assistant Headteacher at Horsmonden Snowfields Academy and parents to confirm admissions. Primary School.

Leigh Academy Rainham

This academy is also scheduled to open in September 2020 but as the new building will not be available until later in the academic year the first year will be a temporary location. The academy will enable 180 places to be available to the local community, the application period for The academy will have its own which will be in September - October 2019. The Principal specialist areas, including significant Designate, Carl Hassett, will be leading a series of events sports facilities which will also be for interested parents and students through this period available for community use. The which will highlight the excellent opportunities that will be contractors B&K are soon to begin available through this new academy. the formal planning consultation process, with an anticipated start The final design work related to the new academy buildings of construction later in the has been completed. The academy will embrace the small autumn 2019. schools model with each of the three colleges having their own dedicated area within the building. Carl Hassett Principal Designate

6 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk STATIONERS’ Digital Worlds Curriculum at SCWA CROWN WOODS ACADEMY “What, no Netflix? I can’t to the IB Middle-Years Programme knee-jerk reactions that might be soon became apparent. Former careers misunderstood; how to navigate imagine it!” Suki, aged 14 and professions are being transformed official websites; and about the ethics and even swept aside by the digital of computer use. Digital Worlds is a curricular economy and students must prepare development sparked by Stationers’ for this, so ours are introduced to The globally-focussed IBMYP provides Crown Woods Academy’s adoption digital technology from the word go. a natural platform for developing of the International Baccalaureate an ICT curriculum for Middle-Years Programme (IBMYP), This is done in three ways. First, students, allowing them to explore the providing students with a window students learn about the mathematics, concept of global citizenship and to on the world in keeping with the IB coding and engineering needed exchange ideas about sustainability learner profile and a chance to explore for modern computers, and girls in and the shared human experience. the science, morality and creative particular are encouraged to see Students’ concepts of what is ‘normal’ potential of the computer. themselves as active creators of digital are challenged by introducing them technology and potential computer to other cultural perspectives and the Only 12 years since Steve Jobs scientists and software engineers. power of local myths. unveiled the iPhone in 2007, the world Second, students are taught how to has changed forever and the digital use computer technology to deliver world has swallowed up almost every messages effectively through practical, aspect of life. hands-on experience, and to use their creativity to make innovative In order to prepare students with the items. Third, they are taught how knowledge and skills required for the to distinguish between reliable and future, SCWA developed its Digital unreliable information and to avoid Worlds programme and its relevance

MTSA

The Medway Teaching School Alliance (MTSA) is a forward- year to provide a host of developmental opportunities thinking group of 110-plus schools, including all the and courses are provided on mental health first aid and schools within Leigh Academies Trust. Its shared ambition is mindfulness, as well as a range of other programmes to support teachers and leaders to provide an outstanding requested by partner schools. education, enjoyed by every child. It focuses particularly on initial teacher training, school-to-school support and Over the past academic year, MTSA has delivered over 70 continuing professional and leadership development. days of CPLD, or around 5,000 training hours, evaluated to ensure it meets professional development standards as part MTSA runs a highly successful School Direct programme in of the comprehensive ‘TA to Executive' training package. It partnership with Canterbury Christchurch University and is has trained over 30 new teachers and has offered support a lead school for KMT. In the field of continuing professional packages to a wide range of schools. and leadership development (CPLD), it offers NPQML and NPQSL courses and works with Leadership Learning South MTSA is delighted to offer its services to the Trust and to East (LLSE) to deliver the NPQH and NPQEL, as well as align it with an enhanced professional development offer supporting continuous professional development leaders in partnership with the Academy Improvement Team running Aspiring Middle and Aspiring Senior Leaders and those leading professional development across the programmes, an NQT programme and an Early Career Trust. It also works through Educational Psychologists to Teacher Programme. Other programmes include a variety of deliver a full training package and to introduce a Trust- networking groups, ranging from a primary maths network led, accredited HLTA offer. It will extend its partnership to a music forum and a special-educational needs (SEN) with Bounce Forward as its work on resilient leadership and inclusion forum, providing additional opportunities for continues and will broaden its offer for newly-qualified school-to-school support. teachers.

The work of MTSA’s SLEs, LLEs and NLEs is varied: it has For more information, please increased Level 6 maths provision in its schools and has contact Esther Cook. run networks and action research studies on areas such as creative literacy and assessment without levels. It provides MTSA also looks forward to continuing to working closely a full package of CPLD for our SLEs and is looking to expand with the Kent and Medway Maths Hub, led by the Sir Joseph the number of those designated as SLEs. National and Williamson Mathematical School, to improve mathematical international speakers are commissioned throughout the education at over 300 schools in Kent and Medway.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 Kent and Medway Training (KMT)

Provisional Trainee Outcomes for 2019

162 trainees started the course last September, but eight Of 151 trainees completing the course in June, 72 (48%) have withdrawn due to personal circumstances and have been graded as outstanding, 68 (44%) as good, three have deferred to return to complete their training 7 (5%) pending and 4 (3%) as requiring improvement. next year. This will produce a completion rate of 95%, These outcomes will be moderated and agreed by the significantly above the 93% national average. KMT Assessment Board and external moderators on 19th June.

LAT Summary of Trainee Outcomes for 2019

Cohort of 41 trainees (compared to 24 in the previous year):

›› 27 secondary ›› 14 primary ›› 16 Schools Direct (salaried) ›› 25 Schools Direct (tuition fee)

Overall outcomes for the 41 Outcomes for the 14 primary Outcomes for the 27 secondary trainees: trainees: trainees:

Final QTS Grades Overall Final QTS Grades Overall Final QTS Grades Overall

Outstanding 18 (44%) Outstanding 7 (50%) Outstanding 9 (33%)

Good 21 (51%) Good 6 (43%) Good 17 (63%)

Requires Improvement 2 (5%) Requires Improvement 1 (7%) Requires Improvement 1 (4%)

100% awarded QTS 100% awarded QTS 100% awarded QTS 95% graded “good” or “outstanding” 93% graded “good” or “outstanding” 96% graded “good” or “outstanding”

Employment rates for 2019: As we approach the end of the course, of the 151 trainees who will gain qualified teacher status (QTS), 137 (91%) have secured employment, 98 (72%) of them within consortium schools.

LAT Employment

Cohort of 41 trainees: Employment for the 14 primary Employment for the 27 secondary ›› 29 in LAT academies – 71% trainees: trainees: ›› 12 outside LAT or still seeking ›› 11 in LAT academies – 79% ›› 18 in LAT academies – 67% employment – 29% ›› 2 outside LAT – 14% ›› 6 outside LAT – 22 % ›› 1 still seeking employment – 7% ›› 3 still seeking employment – 11%

8 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Recruitment for 2019 - 20

As of 11th June 2019, KMT have recruited 132 trainees, Thanks also to Olivia Couzins (LAT HR), Jenny Gray 34 in the primary phase and 98 in secondary, an almost (Mascalls) and Esther Cooke (MTSA) for their tireless identical number as at this time last year, bucking the support for our hub directors through recruitment for national trend in terms of initial teacher training (ITT) Trust and partnership schools. recruitment thanks to fantastic work by lead schools. The Leigh Academy, and Medway teaching School Alliance (MTSA) within their regions.

Primary Cohort Awards Evening

The KMT primary-cohort awards evening was held The now-qualified teachers then enjoyed a photo session on Thursday, 20th June 2019, at Wentworth Primary and informal conversation with one another, mentors and School in Dartford. Trainees were recognised for their family members, whilst partaking in a splendid buffet and achievement in gaining qualified-teacher status (QTS) drinks reception. during the academic year 2018-19. In total, 40 primary trainees completed the one-year School Direct training KMT would like to wish its former trainees every success programme and are now Newly Qualified in their careers. Teachers (NQTs).

Six Leigh Academies Trust primary academies hosted eleven of the 40 trainees during the year and nine of these have been retained by LAT as NQTs. A further two KMT trainees who trained in non-LAT academies during the year have also accepted NQT posts within LAT.

The awards evening was opened by Richard Palmer, KMT Primary Course Director. He thanked all involved for their hard work and dedication in making the year such a success. Paul Langridge, Head Teacher at Wentworth, extended his thanks and offered words of wisdom to the cohort before handing certificates to the trainees, assisted by Brenda Smith from KMT.

Secondary Awards Evening

The KMT secondary awards ceremony, held at Strood realities of the NQT year: never finishing a cup of coffee, Academy, was an excellent event, enabling KMT to falling asleep on the sofa and developing a fondness for celebrate a year of hard work and achievement with stationery! The evening ended with a vintage afternoon over 100 new secondary-school teachers and their tea with lots of cakes, scones, sandwiches and tea. families. Simon Beamish opened the ceremony, followed by Sharon Waterman, with Anne Davies delivering Thanks to everybody who made this such a special concluding remarks. Each reminded participants of occasion and many congratulations to the KMT class teachers’ influence on so many lives, as well as the harsh of 2018/19. We wish them all the very best for the future.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 9 International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme Update

Over the last year or two, the primary curriculum has Whilst the adults have had some fun familiarising been the target of considerable media criticism, which themselves with the tongue-twisting terminology contends that schools focus solely on preparing pupils of the IBPYP, our pupils have been spared this! for tests at the end of Key Stage 2. In some schools, this has led to a narrowing of the curriculum, with Ofsted inspectors have commended our attempt to foundation subjects receiving minimal time during strengthen the curriculum and make it more appealing the academy day. as courageous, brave and bold. We are convinced that our decision was absolutely right for our pupils. This has definitely not been the case in the LAT Teachers and support staff have told us that they feel primaries, where curricular development and delivery inspired and liberated by this new approach and the have been key priorities throughout this academic year. exciting learning opportunities that have opened up This reflects our strong belief that the curriculum should across all subjects. Pupils tell us that they find the IBPYP not be just a collection of disparate subjects taught exciting and inspiring and that they enjoy their learning. in isolation, but a comprehensive learning experience All academies are eager to share ideas and experience. from which children benefit every day. LAT’s primary teams are looking forward to the exciting In order to put in place the curricular framework that journey ahead. As committed, dedicated professionals, we believe is right for our pupils, all primary colleagues they are moving forward as a collaborative force, have embraced the International Baccalaureate Primary determined to deliver the very best experience and Years Programme (IBPYP). All LAT primaries are now outcomes for all our pupils. accredited IB World Schools and will embark on their forward journey in September.

The IBPYP, designed for pupils aged three to twelve, is one of four programmes offered by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). It aims to develop the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. Its framework is guided by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills derived from six subject areas, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry.

International Baccalaureate Diploma IB programmes have traditionally been delivered in Course Results independent, international and UK grammar schools, but the introduction of the IBCP has changed this, particularly in Kent. In May 2018, 76% of all international Results for IB diploma courses, internationally- entries were graded 4+ compared with a LAT average recognised academic qualifications taken by students of 82%. 97% of LAT students achieved an A-C grade across the globe, are published at the beginning of July, in the reflective project, while 97% passed the IBCP. much earlier than those for their A-Level counterparts. Exceptional performance was achieved in English LAT students at ,The Leigh language and literature, maths studies, history, film, Academy and The Leigh UTC received their first set global politics and social and cultural anthropology, all of outcomes this month, covering a broad range of of which outperformed international averages. We are subjects from traditional sciences, humanities, English delighted with the results achieved by our students and and mathematics to global politics, social and cultural would like to congratulate staff and students for the anthropology and IT in a global society, all of which hard work that has gone into setting up this programme incorporate the theory of knowledge, critical thinking, and delivering such strong outcomes. problem-solving and Harvard-referenced research.

For the first time, we are comparing ourselves with international averages, which range from grade 7 to grade 1, with a good pass in the 4-7 band.

10 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk New International Baccalaureate World Schools

We are delighted to announce that The Halley Academy The project is a university-standard dissertation, and have achieved IB World School focusing on an ethical issue derived from the career- status and are both authorised to deliver the IBCP related element of the student’s programme, and is the from September 2019 following a rigorous two-day only element of the core that is assessed. The whole verification process. Strood is currently the only school programme is underpinned by the IB learner profile, in Medway to offer this. which is common to all IB programmes. LAT now has five IB World Schools as Wilmington Academy, The The IBCP is a flexible, personalised programme Leigh Academy and The Leigh UTC were authorised consisting of academic and vocational courses in 2017. combined with a core programme of service learning, language development and personal and professional skill development, as well as a reflective project.

Maths Mastery Update Try the following: The area of the shape is 66 cm2. How many Leigh Academies Trust is proud to announce its different possible shapes are there. partnership with Mathematics Mastery from September 2019. Ten secondary academies have enrolled on the How could you work programme following successful trials at Mascalls and out the number Strood Academies. A research-based professional- of possible shapes development improvement programme, specifically without finding designed for UK classrooms, it now works with over 530 10 cm them all? schools nationally and contributors include esteemed academics and education professionals. What can you say 9 cm about the perimeter The aim is for pupils to be able to apply their of these shapes? mathematical knowledge to new problems in unfamiliar circumstances, resulting in improved enjoyment, resilience, understanding and attainment. This question encompasses all the core Maths Mastery principles: Consider explaining what the number three is to a four-year-old, perhaps by using physical objects or ›› All pupils can access and be challenged drawing a picture. Maths is unique in being based ›› High expectations of language lead to more entirely on abstract concepts that can only be accessed understanding through representations. The programme draws upon ›› Relationships between different topics leads manipulatives (physical objects), pictorial and symbolic to better strategies (area, factors, properties representations. of shapes, etc) Maths Mastery is based on seminal research that ›› Conjecture and pattern-spotting are the key marries with the IBMYP core principles. For instance, to thinking mathematically Richard Skemp (1976) outlines the difference between instrumental understanding and relational Professional development has started, with all understanding; being able to perform single repetitive ten Maths Mastery secondary leads attending an skills and being able to transfer skills across different implementation course in London and 75 maths topics to solve problems. teachers attending the induction training day at Strood Academy on 10th July. Thanks to all academy maths departments for their dedication in time and resources, which have got our Maths Mastery journey off to a fine start.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 11 LAT Teaching and Learning Open Days

This year has seen the first LAT In essence, this is a conversation Two further LAT open days were held, Teaching and Learning open days, about learning and an opportunity one at The Leigh Academy to share on which academies open their for challenge, support and evaluation, the impact of their implementation doors to both internal and external within a culture of continuous of Healthy Minds, a national research visitors to share their experience of development, in which both children project, and another at The Hundred implementing innovative approaches and adults learn to be open- of Hoo Academy, focussing on an to teaching, learning and the minded, reflective problem-solvers, innovative and well established curriculum. communicators and thinkers. At approach to marking and feedback. Oaks, conferencing has replaced Wilmington Academy went first, written marking with verbal feedback, Feedback has been enthusiastic showcasing their delivery of the promoting resilience, a growth throughout. One comment following International Baccalaureate Middle- mindset, independence and a the Hundred of Hoo event provides a Years Programme to enable other motivation in pupils and adults to take flavour of this: ‘Thank you for opening academies embarking on this responsibility for their learning and your doors and sharing your practice. journey to reflect and learn from their personal development. Sometimes it's not until you see colleagues’ experience and insights. something that you truly get it. I'd love to have been able to bring my whole staff!’ A number of LAT academies have been trialling the use of knowledge In light of this success, we are planning organisers to help students develop a programme for 2019-20, to focus on: their retention and recall of ›› The Maths Mastery programme knowledge, so Mascalls Academy’s in secondary academies open day in April provided an excellent opportunity to hear directly ›› The International Baccalaureate from teachers and students about the Primary Years Programme impact of the knowledge organisers ›› Primary outdoor learning and Mascalls’ plans to develop these. ›› Inclusion and safeguarding In June, Oaks Primary Academy ›› Post-16 learning in the International welcomed colleagues from across Baccalaureate Career-related LAT to take a closer look at pupil Programme conferencing.

Careers Round-up

For the new careers team, this has developing and overseeing annual been a challenging, exciting inaugural careers learning programmes and year. Policies have been updated ensuring that they are meet national and working documents created to standards. Our thanks are extended underpin the careers programme in to them and other staff such as the Trust’s academies, maintaining the administrative support professionals Quality in Careers Standard Awards and Heads of Department. (including meeting the essential eight Gatsby Benchmarks) and delivering Moving from this busy, successful quality careers guidance to students year to the next, the team will build across the Trust. The new LAT careers on progress made, applying its new learning strategy was presented to expertise. Through ever-stronger Principals in June, together with partnerships with academies, it aims a new logo. to achieve stunning outcomes for all students and to ensure that they have Careers Leaders have worked every chance of a successful, in partnership with linked IAG happy future. information, advice and guidance professionals in the central Trust team,

12 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Healthy Minds at The Leigh Academy

The Leigh Academy is one of the country's leading Healthy The Leigh Academy is delighted to be the first school in the Minds schools, having pioneered the programme with UK to be presented with a Healthy Minds Awards by Lord Bounce Forward and the London School of Economics Richard Layard from the London School of Economics, in over the last five years. Healthy Minds aims to developing recognition of “successful involvement in the Healthy Minds resilience, social and emotional well-being, as well as research project and demonstrating a commitment to the healthy habits, choices and relationships in young people. personal development of students”. The programme links Following successful training and implementation perfectly to the IB 'physical and health education'. of the lessons, staff at The Leigh Academy have seen improvements in attendance and stronger relationships, Special thanks go to Stuart Lindars, who is passionate and students have been provided with strategies to help about this programme and ensures that our students are them make the right choices as well as to nurture their equipped to become resilient, confident young people. mental health.

On 19th June, the academy’s open day was attended by over 25 educational professionals from across the UK, many of them from the Trust, and was used to showcase the programme. Guests visited Healthy Minds lessons and spoke to students, some of whom participated in a Q&A session with visitors and were excellent ambassadors for The Leigh Academy.

“I’d recommend other school’s taking part in the Healthy Minds curriculum because it helps students clear their minds and turn any problems into positive solutions.” Josh, Year 8

“Healthy Minds has helped me to cope with family bereavements and given me strategies to manage and talk about it to my classmates”. Charlie, Year 8

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 13 Leigh Aspire

Leigh Aspire is a LAT-funded character-enrichment programme that delivers transformative experiences, inspires pupils, boosts confidence and raises aspirations to achieve the grades required to progress to a prestigious university.

Over this summer term, Leigh Aspire has organised on- On 24th April, Year 12 students On 14th May, 18 Year 10 students site workshops and visits to from The Leigh Academy, The from Longfield, Mascalls, Strood universities, the Houses of Leigh UTC, Strood Academy and and Wilmington Academies Parliament and a West End Wilmington Academy visited participated in a trip to the Houses theatre trip, broadening students’ King’s College London to learn of Parliament. They were followed experience and building their how to get into a top university, two days later by 20 Year 10 cultural capital. University- with information on competitive students from The Leigh Academy, delivered workshops are now courses, writing winning personal The Leigh UTC, Stationers’ Crown valued, recurrent elements of the statements and what it is really like Woods Academy and The programme, allowing pupils to to study at a university in the heart Halley Academy. engage directly with university of London. undergraduates. Workshops to date include:

›› A goal-setting workshop delivered by the University of Kent for Wilmington Academy’s Year 9 students ›› Two problem-solving workshops delivered by the University for the Creative Arts for Year 9 Finally, on 6th June 2019, 24 Year 9 students at Mascalls Academy students from The Leigh, Longfield, and Strood Academy In order to acquire a deeper Mascalls, Strood and Stationers’ ›› A visit to King’s College London understanding of academia and Crown Woods Academies for Year 12 students across the the skills needed to succeed at participated in a confidence- Trust’s secondary academies university, five Mascalls Academy building drama workshop, followed Year 12 pupils participated in The by a trip to The Prince Edward Brilliant Club's Scholars’ Programme Theatre for the matinee showing and all passed with outstanding of Aladdin. grades. The graduation ceremony took place on 7th May, at Keble College, University of Oxford. The Trust’s congratulations go to all the students for their hard work.

Huge thanks to Leigh Aspire staff in the Trust and the academies for all their help with the delivery of this life-changing programme.

14 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk The Halley Academy Social Action Group

The Halley Academy works in collaboration with Citizens UK to develop young people into community leaders capable of engaging with their fellow students and the wider community and of taking action to generate meaningful change. Students research what the community needs and ways in which to bring this about, using practical tools such as meetings, negotiation, power analysis, public speaking, planning and taking action.

In the last year alone, student leaders have presented a number of assemblies on tackling misogyny and violence towards women and girls and interacted with council leaders, the Borough Commander and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on hate crime. Their actions informed a law review that was discussed in Parliament, developed their own leadership skills and opened the door to justice for thousands of people. They have been featured on ITV News, in the London Evening Standard and the South London Press and Mercury, and recently met a senior representative of the local police force to explore how the police and The Halley Academy student leaders can work together for a safer Greenwich.

In November, along with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and 1,500 others, The Halley Academy Social Action Group attended the 2018 London Citizens’ Mayoral Accountability Assembly at St George's Cathedral to celebrate the Mayor’s work with London Citizens on affordable housing, the Community Land Trust, citizenship and integration and the launch of living-wage week to make London a place for all. They seized this opportunity to ask Mr Khan to work with London Citizens on new challenges and to hold him accountable to the group’s hundreds of thousands of members.

Mr Khan pledged to address escalating violence in London and to make it a safer place to live. The assembly featured moving stories from victims of knife crime and their families, performances from refugees living in London and poetry from primary-school children seeking citizenship. As always, the group behaved impeccably and was a credit to the academy.

At next year’s assembly, The Halley Academy Social Action Group will present their campaign to make misogyny and violence towards women and girls a hate crime.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 15 LAT Awards

On Thursday 11th July, Leigh Academies Trust held its annual staff awards evening at Strood Academy, attracting a record-breaking number of nominations. The winners were:

›› Primary Teacher of the Year ›› Leadership Award for Teaching, Thomas Moore, Oaks Primary Learning and Curriculum Academy Maria Kemp, Mascalls Academy ›› Secondary Teacher of the Year ›› Leadership Award for Support Jordan Tebbutt, Leigh Academy Services Blackheath Katie Petts, LAT ›› Newly-Qualified Teacher of ›› Outstanding Governor Award the Year David Mead, Strood Academy Jake Sanger, Hundred of Hoo ›› Trainee of the Year Award Academy Ellen Le Brunn, The Hundred of ›› Mentor/Coach of the Year Hoo Academy Sarah Goosani, Hartley Primary ›› Special Recognition Award Academy Debbie Kennedy, Wilmington ›› Support Staff Award for Pupil Academy and Greg Keating, Engagement Mascalls Academy Sandra Hammond, Molehill Primary Academy ›› Support Staff Award for Operational Services Katy Daniels, The Leigh UTC

Performances were given by students Charlie Bell, James Fromow, Isaac Woodman, Darragh Skerritt, Frankie Finch and Lucas Carlyon of Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School, together with Amelia Hankin from High Halstow Primary Academy.

16 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Professional Cricketers’ Association MASTERS (PCA) Event "One of the highlights of the Kent corporate entertainment calendar "

On Friday 5th July 2019 Leigh Academies Trust held, under bright blue skies, its annual cricket match against the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA). The PCA team included host of England legends including Alex Tudor, Jonathan Trott, Owasis Shah, Adam Hollioake and Matthew Hoggard. The LAT team comprised students from its own academies, as well as other local schools. The match, at Bexley Cricket Club, was won by the PCA Master by just 16 runs. Stand-out performances came from the captain Daniel Stone of The Leigh Academy who captured the prize wicket of Luke Wright, Ben Chapelhow from Longfield Academy with an excellent 62 not out and Tom Tingley from SJWMS who opened the batting and scored a Man of the Match 72.

Prior to the match LAT, in conjunction with the PCA Masters, once again hosted a charity lunch from which all proceeds will go to supporting the education of our students. Once such activity was the primary schools cricket festival which preceded the PCA match. Teams of pupils from 10 academies took part in the competition which was won by Eastcote Primary Academy. As part of this event the pupils also received coaching from some of the PCA England legends to help develop their skills.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 17 LAT Sports Days

Secondary Sports Day

On Monday, 8th July 2019, the eleventh annual Leigh Academies Trust secondary sports day took place at Dartford Harriers Athletics Club. Twelve academies took part, with the recent addition of The Hundred of Hoo, Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School and , making the event even more competitive this year.

Competing athletes from the twelve schools already had a lot to be proud of, having triumphed in their local academies’ sports days to qualify for this event. Each academy competed in a series of sprints, long-distance races, throws, jumps and relay races to see which would be crowned Trust champions for 2019.

High standards of performance were evident from the first event (1,500m), with an outstanding individual performance from Oliver Horne of Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School. Oliver, a Year 9 student, finished the event in an incredible time of 4 minutes, 34 seconds, to claim both the gold medal and the overall outstanding male award. His performance - and many more by his team-mates - assured Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School of victory in the boys’ competition. The Leigh Academy was triumphant in the female competition, helped by wins from Freya Burns, Abbi Chambers, Charlotte Earle and Naomi Osivaya. The Leigh Academy also finished first overall, with a new member of the Trust, Hundred of Hoo Academy, a close second.

Special mention should go to Milestone Academy which, following consistent training and in light of exemplary attitudes on the day, also performed extremely well. Results for the girls, boys and final standings are summarised below:

Place Secondary Academy - Boys Points 1st Sir Joseph Williamson’s MS 359 Place Secondary Academy - Girls Points 2nd The Leigh Academy 306 1st The Leigh Academy 353 3rd The Halley Academy 256 The Hundred of Hoo 2nd 299 Academy The Hundred of Hoo 4th 251 Academy 3rd Wilmington Academy 275 5th Mascalls Academy 233 4th Mascalls Academy 269 6th Strood Academy 227 5th The Halley Academy 263 7th Wilmington Academy 207 6th Strood Academy 255 Stationers’ Crown Woods 184 8th 7th Longfield Academy 231 Academy (No Yr 10) Stationers’ Crown Woods 213 8th 9th Longfield Academy 183 Academy (No Yr 10) 119 10th The Leigh UTC 9th The Leigh UTC 73 (Yr 7 & 10 only) (Yr 7 & 10 only) 10th Leigh Academy Blackheath 54 (Yr 7 only) 11th Leigh Academy Blackheath 47 (Yr 7 only)

18 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Place Primary Academy - Overall Points 1st Hartley Primary Academy 376 High Halstow Primary 2nd 280 Academy 3rd Molehill Primary Academy 276 4th Dartford Primary Academy 250 5th Eastcote Primary Academy 226 6th Oaks Primary Academy 222 7th Tree Tops Primary Academy 188 Stoke/Allhallows Primary 8th 132 Acadamies 9th Milestone 46 Primary Sports Day

The LAT Primary Sports Day is an opportunity to celebrate excellence in sporting events throughout the primary phases. PE is an integral part of the school curriculum and it is just as important to celebrate our students’ sporting achievements as it is to applaud their achievement in academic subjects. The event builds community links across all the LAT primary schools, enabling children as well as adults to feel that they are part of a larger organisation.

This, the third year of this event, has been the biggest and best yet. We were delighted to welcome our three new academies, High Halstow, Stoke and Allhallows, as well as Milestone Academy, thus making the LAT Primary Sports Day an inclusive event for all LAT primary children.

It was heart-warming to see the children competing so passionately for their academies, whilst also supporting their fellow competitors, and the sense of pride was almost tangible.

Here’s to the 4th annual LAT Primary Sports Day!

Place Secondary Academy - Overall Points 1st The Leigh Academy 659 2nd The Hundred of Hoo Academy 550 3rd The Halley Academy 519 4th Mascalls Academy 502 5th Strood Academy 482 6th Wilmington Academy 482 7th Longfield Academy 414 Stationers’ Crown Woods 397 8th Academy (No Yr 10) 9th Sir Joseph Williamson's MS 359 ( Boys only) 192 10th The Leigh UTC (Yr 7 & 10 only) 11th Leigh Academy Blackheath 101 (Yr 7 only)

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 19 LAT Primary Results 2019 (provisional)

LAT primary academies improved across all main measures of performance in 2019. In nearly all cases, consolidated LAT primary results exceed national averages, sometimes by some margin.

Early years

Once again, LAT pupils got off to National LAT LAT a great start in the early years. 10 Average 2018 2019 out of 12 LAT primaries exceeded the 2018 national average for the proportion of pupils reaching a good level of % pupils achieving a good level of 72 76 78 development in the early years. 7 out development of 12 improved on their performance in 2018. In 3 primaries, early years outcomes were especially high at over 80%.

Phonics screening test

8 out of 12 LAT primaries exceeded the National national average for passing the year LAT LAT Average 1 phonics screening test with 5 out of 2018 2019 2018 12 improving on their result in 2018. Phonics outcomes were especially % pupils passing phonics screening test high at three LAT primaries where 83 83 86 in year 1 more than 90% of pupils passed.

Virtually all LAT pupils passed the % pupils passing phonics screening test 92 94 94 phonics screening test by the end in year 2 of year 2. In two LAT primaries, 100% of pupils did so.

Key stage 1

LAT key stage 1 primary outcomes National rose across all subjects in 2019 and LAT LAT Average exceeded national averages in all 2018 2019 cases. Outcomes at several academies 2018 were especially high with over 80% % pupils reaching expected standard in of pupils meeting or exceeding the 75 75 78 reading national standard. Five primaries exceeded 80% at expected standard in reading; two did so in writing; seven % pupils reaching expected standard in 70 70 73 did so in maths. writing

% pupils reaching expected standard in 76 77 78 maths

20 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Key stage 2

Nine LAT academies received key stage 2 results in 2019 as Outcomes exceeded 80% and were especially strong at 3 three do not yet have pupils in year 6. 5 out of 9 exceeded out of 9 LAT primaries for reading, 8 out of 9 for writing and the national average for the percentage of pupils achieving 4 out of 9 for maths. The standout performance was at Oaks the combined national standard; 5 out of 9 improved on Primary were 40% of pupils achieved the combined higher their performance in 2018 against the same benchmark. standard versus a national average of 10%. Also at Oaks, progress scores for all subjects are likely to exceed +5.

National LAT LAT Average 2018 2019 2019

% pupils reaching combined expected standard 65 66 69

% pupils reaching combined higher standard 10** 9 12

% pupils reaching expected standard in reading 73 70 74

% pupils reaching higher standard in reading 28** 23 27

% pupils reaching expected standard in writing 78 82 88

% pupils reaching higher standard in writing 20** 27 29

% pupils reaching expected standard in maths 79 74 81

% pupils reaching higher standard in maths 24** 22 26

% pupils reaching expected standard GPaS* 78 73 76

% pupils reaching higher standard in GPaS* 34** 33 31

* Grammar, punctuation and spelling. ** 2018 averages included as 2019 not yet available.

LAT Key stage 2 vs England, Kent and Medway (2019)

England Kent Medway LAT

Average Average Average Average

% expected reading 73 76 71 74

% expected writing 78 82 78 88

% expected maths 79 78 77 81

% expected combined 65 68 63 69

NOTES: ›› Data given in tables includes all primary academies which have been part of LAT since 1st September 2018. ›› Colours indicate comparison of 2019 outcomes versus those in 2018.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 21 The Hundred of Hoo Academy Teacher Receives Medway Youth Award

For the second successive year, the Medway Youth Awards programme has recognised and celebrated the achievements of Medway’s young people and the adults who support them. These celebrations are invaluable in enabling young people and the community to witness at first hand the real impact young people are making through their personal and professional lives across Medway.

Mrs Leanne Mortley, a teacher at The Hundred of Hoo Academy, received a Medway Youth Award for Physical Achievement for outstanding delivery of the FitFix programme to the Hoo community. Leanne was recognised for her dedication and hard work, both within and outside normal school hours, and their long- term impact on the pupils she has supported through numerous programmes.

The Hundred of Hoo Academy is very proud of Leanne's achievements and will continue to support its young people through both curricular and extra-curricular activities.

The Hundred of Hoo Nursery and Kids Club

The nursery was established in September 1990, The nursery follows the early years foundation stage initially in just two rooms. It is currently registered to and provides an opportunity to embrace children’s cater for 96 children per day in five rooms – Teddies for natural curiosity, fascinations and ideas without the 0-2-year-olds, Paddington for 2-3-year-olds, Rupert and constraints of a written plan. It is historically over- Barney for 3-4-year-olds and the After-School Club for subscribed, especially in Teddies room, with expectant 4.5-11-year-olds. mothers putting babies’ names down on the waiting list well in advance of their babies’ birth. Room leaders, all with Level 3 qualifications, are responsible for each room, supported by a well- qualified team of practitioners to ensure a high standard of care and teaching for children. A Manager and Deputy Manager, each with a BA (Hons) in Early Years Studies with Early Years Professional Status, support all staff and ensure the smooth running of the nursery on a day-to-day basis.

The nursery’s ethos is ‘Building Firm Foundations’ and staff truly believe that each child is an individual, capable of attaining anything if the foundations are firmly in place. They achieve this by treating children as unique individuals, taking their cues from them and planning in the moment for them, and by using the outside environment as an extended classroom - indeed, for some children, this is where all their learning takes place.

22 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Edexcel ‘Page to Stage’ Professional LAT Receives Wellbeing Award

Development for English Teachers As part of the Trust’s commitment to improving employees wellbeing we have been assessed by Medway’s Workplace Wellbeing team. The assessment looked at all of the wellbeing initiatives we currently had in place, as well as interviewing members of staff for their views.

As a result of the assessment we are very pleased to be awarded a Gold Award.

We will continue to work on improving our employee's wellbeing and look forward to introducing new initiatives over the next year.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in our new wellbeing focus group, please email Sonia. [email protected] On 12th June, Longfield Academy welcomed English teachers from across the Trust to a professional- development event designed to improve further the way we bring Shakespeare to life in the classroom.

Jon Seal and the team from Edexcel took extracts from Macbeth and worked with our teachers to develop a wide variety of classroom activities to engage students. Teachers found themselves in the role of Directors, reducing Macbeth to six key scenes, and role-playing theatre critics.

A film of the session will be used by Edexcel to help develop teachers across the country. Faye McGill, Director of Improvement for English, said: “It was fabulous to take our teachers back to being students and to explore how we can make Shakespeare more accessible to the young people in our academies”.

Appointment of New Principal at Eastcote Primary Academy

To mark his retirement, David Ball, Principal of Eastcote Primary Academy, recently attended the Trust Board to receive a gift on behalf of the Trust, presented by LAT’s Performance Development Chairman, Bob Findlay. Following the implementation of the Trust’s On-Track Having worked at Eastcote since system last year, the human resources team has been 2009, Clare Greene has been working with unions to refine the performance- appointed as Principal, replacing development policy to ensure that the process David from September. She will no informs decisions on pay. These decisions are to doubt lead the fantastic staff and be based, not just on the achievement of a limited delightful children of the academy set of objectives, but rather on colleagues’ overall with flair and distinction. contributions and achievements over the year. Once the new policy has been finalised, it will be published on LAT One and shared with staff.

Clare Greene In September, colleagues in the ex-Williamson Principal, Eascote Trust schools will also be covered by the On-Track Primary Academy system as we continue to move away from annual appraisals.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 23 Congratulations to our newly-qualified teachers!

68 newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) have successfully completed their induction year across Leigh Academies Trust schools this year, and we'd like to congratulate each and every one of you! Your commitment to your students, resilience and determination to succeed have been demonstrated in abundance and whilst you are at an early stage in your teaching careers, the talent you bring to the Trust is overwhelming. Thank you for your ongoing hard work and we look forward to seeing out NQTs continue to flourish in years to come - congratulations, Class of 2019!

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