Spring 2018 | issue 11 NEWS

“Our staff and students have achieved a great deal to be proud of during our first decade. We look forward to plenty more to come.”

An extract from the CEO’s conference speech, 2018:

“Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is a very well-established and mature multi-academy trust in a sector which is still fairly young. By September LAT | 10 2018, we will be ten years old and are now planning ways to mark our first decade.

“The Trust started in Dartford with trust nationally to take on a UTC, setting whole education sector by generating the union of The Leigh and Longfield the model for others to follow. LAT was 150 outstanding new teachers every Academies back in 2008; it was one also one of the first trusts nationally year for the region’s schools. of the first multi-academy trusts ever to become the new home for schools created. Over our first decade, we have previously operated by another group “LAT academies contain unique features, achieved much. Of our academies of schools. LAT has recently opened two such as the ground-breaking training inspected so far, six have been judged brand-new primary schools and has four restaurant at Longfield, (The Telescope), 'outstanding' for their leadership by more free schools in the pipeline, with the state-of-the-art digital media centre Ofsted. Six academies have benefited Blackheath being the at Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy from significant new-build projects, led next to open this September. (SCWA) and the advanced engineering by the Trust. apprenticeship programme at The Leigh “As well as blazing a trail for others UTC, the first of its kind in the UK. The “LAT was the first school group in to follow, LAT has supported those in Trust has its own business development the region to develop an all-through need by removing four schools from team to connect our schools and young model of education for primaries and special measures since it started. Our people closely to the region’s employers secondaries working together in formal leadership of and Medway Training, and its own trading company, called alliance, the first mainstream trust to the region’s largest school centre initial LAT Enterprises, to earn much-needed, contain a special school and the first teacher training provider, supports the additional revenue for our schools.”

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities A Message from the Chief Executive

We hear it Another LAT academy inspected More recently, LAT opened a brand- said often recently is Dartford Primary. Before new building in Dartford, Inspiration that nothing LAT took charge of the school, in what Academy @ The Leigh UTC. This in life worth was then York Road Juniors, inspectors annex to the existing engineering doing is ever commented that: “This school is failing and computer-science college, easy. Well, the to give pupils an acceptable standard which opened in 2014, offers a broad same is true of education..... The persons responsible and balanced, yet STEM-focused, for multi- for leading, managing or governing curriculum for young people from academy trusts. In our last newsletter the school are not demonstrating age eleven. 140 pupils started at the I heralded the ten-year anniversary the capacity to secure the necessary heavily over-subscribed Inspiration of LAT. Over that time, the Trust has improvement”. When inspectors Academy in September 2017 and can taken on a considerable number of returned recently, the picture had now enjoy their very own bespoke challenges. It has seldom taken the been transformed, allowing them to facilities. We have had even more easy path and sees it as its mission to comment that: “The executive principal applications for entry in September solve some of the region’s educational has a clear vision for the school and has 2018 and the lucky pupils starting problems from which others might shy worked successfully to ensure that pupils with us next year recently received away. are cared for and achieve well. Trust their offers. Inspiration Academy will leaders and governors provide effective continue the groundbreaking work of In the last few weeks two LAT strategic direction. They support the The Leigh UTC, where leadership was academies that were in special executive principal well in her work to judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2017, measures when they joined us, have improve the school.” to create the UK’s STEM experts and been judged securely 'good' by ambassadors of the future. Ofsted. The first was Molehill Primary As well as improving failing schools, Academy in Maidstone, which has LAT has been successful in another LAT will carry on its reputation gone from grade 4 to grade 2 under tough challenge: opening brand-new for delivering in challenging LAT leadership in just over two schools from scratch. The Trust has circumstances, but will never sacrifice years. Inspectors recognised that done this several times already and the success of existing schools and “Leaders have worked with unrelenting was delighted recently to receive pupils in pursuit of new achievements. determination and clear focus to drive the signed Funding Agreement from The Trust is courageous and forward- up achievement and create a can-do the Department for Education to thinking, but also cautious and culture across the school. This has united open measured when necessary. It is our staff and inspired pupils so that the in Greenwich this September. This very great privilege to serve young school continues to go from strength brand-new academy, starting with 180 people and families across Kent, to strength.” This is a far cry from the pupils in year 7, is already officially Medway, Bexley and Greenwich. last Ofsted report before LAT entered over-subscribed with a waiting list for Our Excellence Charter captures our the scene at Molehill, which stated: pupils, even before it has welcomed approach perfectly when it says: “We “Leadership and management require any young people through its doors. will grow to support more schools in improvement because..... leaders, The Academy’s vision to blend the region so that our pupils and theirs managers and governors have not been innovation with tradition will ensure benefit and standards improve across effective in raising pupils’ attainment it provides even more Greenwich the board”. and improving teaching sufficiently.” children with a high-quality, “Leigh- style” education in the Royal Borough.

WHAT’S INSIDE Simon Beamish, Chief Executive • Connecting Staff, • LAT Staff Awards 2018...... 7 Building Communities...... 3 • Ofsted: Molehill Primary • The Leigh Prize...... 3 Academy...... 8 • Premier League Star Returns to • Ofsted: Dartford Primary SCWA...... 4 Academy...... 8 • PCA Masters Cricket Gala Day.....4 • Leadership Programmes...... 9 • Milestone@The Leigh Academy • Inspiration Academy@ Opening...... 5 The Leigh UTC...... 9 LAT | 10 • Free Schools Update...... 5 • Leigh Aspire Programme...... 10 • Trust Conference...... 6 • LAT Working With Business...... 11 • Joins LAT....6 • International Baccalaureate at LAT - IBCP / IB MYP...... 12 • Executive Director Appointment...... 7

2 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Connecting Staff, supporting each other everyday. sense of community and connect Through talking with other our staff no matter where they are Building Communities organisations, we came across a physically. social collaboration platform called We know that within each of our Workplace. We are now undertaking a pilot of academies we have brilliant staff, but the platform and so far the response what often frustrates them is the lack Workplace is a tool designed from staff has been really positive. of time they have to collaborate with by Facebook to help individual Unlike Facebook, this is a secure, colleagues from other academies organisations to collaborate and get private network, so our staff can use across the Trust. more done. The Workplace product the platform without disruption from was offered free to LAT as an education adverts and other distractions and, in We have listened to this feedback provider and we have been working time, use it to share great ideas that and started looking at ways we can closely with Facebook's European can further improve the quality of overcome the physical barriers to growth team to develop the platform teaching and learning as well as the collaboration, sharing ideas and so that we can use it to create a better overall running of our academies.

The Leigh Prize To attract entries, LAT is sponsoring research grants of up to £1,000 for schools as well as offering a £2,500 The Trust is proud to have launched cash prize for the best entry from the inaugural Leigh Prize, a national an individual teacher. Whilst this is a competition which aims to encourage national competition, to make it fair and promote innovation within for other schools we have created a the education sector. The theme of separate category just for our own this year's competition is teacher teaching staff with a similar cash prize. wellbeing, an issue which has The launch coincides with the rollout dominated the teaching press over the recently of our own Leigh Thrive last couple of years. programme across our schools, which we introduced to tackle the underlying This year’s Leigh Prize is being causes of wellbeing problems as well launched with support from the as offering practical support to help Education Support Partnership and teachers cope with the demands of TES, as both of these organisations their role. share our vision for an education sector where teachers are able to be The aim of the Leigh Prize is to the best version of themselves at all encourage further innovative ideas times. that both the Trust and other schools can use to improve teacher wellbeing. The competition will close on 24th May 2018 and the winners will be announced at the LAT Awards in July www.leighprize.org.uk 2018.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3 had been an academy player since he was ten years old and had played all the time with friends and teams in order to improve. He’s played for the ‘Cherries’ for four years and trains every day. He has also played for West Ham, Burnley and England Under 19s, 20s and 21s.

Junior advised students to ‘stay dedicated’ to their dream. Whatever they want to do, they must believe in themselves and work hard at it. Most importantly, they have to enjoy what they are doing and if they want to Premier League Star, Junior Stanislas, become a footballer then they have to Returns to Stationers' Crown Woods Academy ‘practise, practise, practise’. Head of Sherwood School, Steffan Ball, Former student and Bournemouth FC The students were thrilled to have said: ‘It was great to welcome Junior winger, Junior Stanislas, was delighted the Premier League star join their back. The students were amazed when to return to his old school and join year lesson, giving them tips on how to they saw him but they soon overcame 9 in their PE lesson as part of Nike’s feed the ball and positional play. The their shyness and really responded to ‘Beat this Week’ campaign . lesson ended with a mini-tournament his advice. We’d like to thank Junior and and Junior joined in, setting up Nike for giving our students a brilliant Junior met up with some of his former goals, encouraging the students and morning.’ teachers, including his former PE congratulating them on their skills. At teacher and school football team the end of the session he gave ‘player manager Steffan Ball, and enjoyed of the match’ awards to Ellie and Dora, reminiscing about his school days and who each received a signed Nike memorable football matches with the training top. school team. Students didn’t miss the chance to ask ‘It’s interesting to see the school now; Junior about life in the Premiership, it’s a special place,’ said Junior before questioning him about players, his heading off to the astroturf with training programme and international year 9s. career. Junior told students how he

PCA Masters Cricket Gala Day

The PCA Masters Cricket Gala Day • a gourmet lunch by Cucina and • celebrated PCA Masters vs Leigh is one of the highlights of the Kent award-winning chef, Ian Morgan; Academies Trust 25-over cricket corporate entertainment calendar. match. The event is a spectacular charity day • a fundraising auction run by to raise money for Leigh Academies Full Event Management, For further details, or to reserve a table, Trust's students. This year's event will including exclusive sports- places, sponsorship or donate to the charity auction contact: take place at Bexley Cricket Club on related opportunities, Friday 29th June 2018. Premiership tickets, holidays Katie Petts, Leigh Academies Trust, e: [email protected] The day will include: and memorabilia; t: 07540 722 865 • a morning cricket and coaching • enthralling lunchtime session for Leigh Academies entertainment including a Trust's primary students; Q&A session; and ENGLAND MASTERS

4 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Free Schools Update Leigh Academy Blackheath opens in September 2018 following unprecedented demand for places at the academy. Opening in temporary accommodation at Victoria House in Greenwich (see below), the academy received over 600 applications for 180 places. An exciting new building is currently being designed for a permanent home on Old Dover Road, which will open in September 2020.

Design work has also started at , a six- form-entry , to be located on a site adjacent to the A2 on the Kent/Medway border. It is hoped that construction will start in the autumn, allowing the academy to open in September 2020.

Two other academies, an ASD special academy and a two-form- entry primary, are being developed in north Maidstone for opening at a similar time.

Milestone@The Leigh Academy Opening

Milestone @ The Leigh students have settled in well and continue to thrive in their new satellite home at The Leigh Academy. We were proud to open our doors officially on 23rd January, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting. Our special guest for this event was Julie Ely, Head of SEN Assessment and Placement for Kent. Our students were transport. They have been as far afield William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer proud to share their thoughts on their as Bluewater, Lullingstone Roman Villa, Night's Dream', and we are looking learning and personal progress since Gravesend town centre and, of course, forward to welcoming colleagues arriving at The Leigh. Dartford. The excursions represent a and peers from across the Trust to major feature of functional and life- celebrate this accomplishment. This A major part of the reason we have skills learning and will help ensure that is a student-led production, and we set up this satellite is so that we our students can be as independent are grateful to host students and staff have access to a wider range of local as possible by the time they leave at The Leigh Academy for providing services, including public transport. Milestone Academy. lots of support for this, from making With the help of Kent County Council, costumes to learning how to operate most of our students now have Finally, we are proud to announce that, the technical equipment. Our students their own bus passes and have been on 23rd April at 7:00 pm, students will have been fully involved and greatly exploring the local area by public be performing their own version of value the feeling of inclusion.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 Trust Conference

The 7th annual Trust conference took organised crime and place on Friday 9th February 2018. The the IB Learner Profile. event brought together around 2,000 members of staff and governors from Our staff commented: all academies to undertake training activities. The theme of the day was “All of the workshops ‘we work together as one team in the were inspiring, belief that we are greater than the sum informative and of our parts’. interesting, showcasing more of what works For the first time the conference well in other spread across three centres - The Leigh establishments.” Academy, Longfield Academy and The day also sought to develop the - providing events skills and knowledge of key groups “I really enjoyed my sessions and for primary, secondary, special and with specialist sessions for Newly- support staff teams. At each location found staff incredibly positive and Qualified Teachers (NQT), senior there was a wide range of workshops, engaged. It was great to work with leaders and each of the support staff which covered diverse subjects such such a wide range of colleagues.” teams. as food within the primary curriculum, forest schools, signing communication, “Excellent day - looking forward to The next conference is planned for mathematical reasoning, gangs and more like this.” Friday 15th February 2019.

The Halley Academy Joins LAT

The Halley Academy officially joined John has many of our richly diverse academy. A real LAT on 1st March. Its new Principal, exciting new plans strength of joining the Trust is the wide John Dixon, started just before for The Halley range of collaborative professional that. Prior to joining LAT, John was Academy. He explains development opportunities available Principal of a secondary school his main priorities to all staff. I am looking forward to in Islington and previously held below. the effective outcomes which will be senior roles at schools in Greenwich achieved as a result of working closely and Bexley. John is a resident of “It is a privilege to be leading The Halley with the South East London cluster of Greenwich and looks forward to Academy as we embark upon our academies. making a considerable contribution journey of improvement within Leigh to education across the Royal Academies Trust. With the support of The late Professor Stephen Hawking Borough in his new role. John will the South-East London cluster we have said: “Intelligence is the ability to adapt work especially closely with senior a vision of excellence, underpinned by to change,” and I am aware that the leaders in LAT’s other South-East our mission, ‘Together we inspire, learn staff at The Halley Academy have seen London academies to strengthen our and achieve’, to enable all students more than their fair share of changes. network of schools, providing even to reach their full potential as proud, The commitment of the staff here is more high-quality places for parents articulate and confident learners inspirational and I know that, working who prefer a “Leigh-style” education. equipped for wider society. Celebrating together, we will achieve great things existing good practice and for the students and their life chances. utilising the skills of staff, building on our academy’s I have a passion for shaping and current strengths and those of transforming the lives of young people our cluster, combined with the in our community and am relentless expertise of the wider Trust, in the drive to support students to will enable us to make the succeed in a caring, calm and safe rapid improvements required. environment.”

My vision, leading and working alongside a fully committed staff, is to further develop the inclusive community ethos

6 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Executive Director Appointment

David Millar has other South East London academies, on the journey towards recognition as been appointed such as Eastcote Primary Academy, an 'outstanding' academy. His office to a new post as which achieved its best academic base will remain at SCWA and the Executive Director outcomes ever in 2017. David has also majority of his time will continue to of Leigh Academies helped to accelerate progress at Leigh be devoted to leading it to become Trust. He assumes Academy Blackheath, which will open the best school in Greenwich – chased overall responsibility for LAT’s South- in September 2018 in Victoria House by The Halley Academy and Leigh East London group of academies while on Shooters Hill. Academy Blackheath! continuing as Executive Principal of SCWA. Since April 2017, David has acted as Interim Executive Principal at Corelli He will also be involved in strategic College, following requests to LAT from development and innovation across the Regional Schools’ Commissioner the Trust, reporting directly to the and The Royal Borough of Greenwich. CEO. The school leaders in the Corelli College is completing plans cluster continue to maintain day- for significant improvements to to-day control of their academies buildings and officially joined LAT on and unchanged high levels of 1st March as The Halley Academy. A management freedom. new Principal reporting to David, started on 1st January 2018. This new appointment follows a group interview by four LAT directors and Ofsted’s one-day inspection last recognises David’s wider contribution June judged SCWA as a 'good' outside SCWA. It ensures that the Trust school with the capacity of the can continue to thrive by maintaining ‘ambitious’ leadership team to its capacity for expansion. improve further.

As well as leading SCWA, LAT’s David has asked to remain first South-East London secondary Executive Principal while further academy, David has already supported progress is achieved by his team

LAT Staff Awards 2018

Nominations will be open from Monday 26th March. The categories are: • Primary Teacher of the Year The Awards Evening, scheduled for • Secondary Teacher of the Year Wednesday 11th July, promises to be • NQT of the Year an exciting and glamorous event for • Mentor/Coach of the Year all nominees to be recognised and • Digital Technology Award rewarded for the dedication and hard • Support Staff Award for Pupil work they demonstrate within their Engagement roles on a daily basis. • Support Staff Award for Operational Services Does a particular colleague come to It's that time of year again! • Leadership Award for Teaching, mind? Nominate them now at: Learning and Curriculum www.latawards.co.uk With LAT’s second annual Staff Awards • Leadership Award for Support fast approaching, we invite you to Services nominate a colleague whom you • Outstanding Governor Award believe to be truly exceptional. • Special Recognition Award

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 Ofsted Inspections

Molehill Primary Academy Ofsted said: "Leaders have worked with We are delighted to report that Ofsted unrelenting determination has judged Molehill Primary Academy and clear focus to drive up to be a 'good' school following a achievement and create Section 5 inspection on Tuesday 30th a 'can-do' culture across the school. This has united and Wednesday 31st January 2018. staff and inspired pupils so that the school continues We are thrilled that the inspectors to go from strength to agreed with our own self-evaluations strength.“ and we were graded as ‘good’ in all categories, recognising the continuing An enormous 'thank you' I know we will continue to drive tireless work of all of those involved must go to Molehill’s fantastic pupils improvements and standards up with the academy: children, staff, who were, and always are, a credit with a clear and focused vision. So no governors and parents. to their parents and to the academy. sitting back as we will be going for They were described as “delightful, 'outstanding' next!” Historically the school has not enthusiastic, open, friendly and achieved a ‘good’ judgement in engaging.” Inspectors could not have We are immensely pleased with so over a decade. Therefore, it has to praised them enough. many comments in the report. It be recognised that the remarkable clearly identifies the vital role that the work of everyone involved has been Executive Principal, Debbie Biggenden, children play in our school and how transformational and the community commented: “I am privileged to work their behaviour and attitude towards now has a school it deserves and can alongside the dedicated staff team and school is central to our ethos and be proud of. our Trust colleagues. atmosphere.

All of the staff work “In the nursery and reception, the relentlessly and atmosphere is calm and purposeful. contribute to the great There are rich opportunities, both team the academy has in the classroom and outdoors, that today. excite children and encourage their independence.” We were delighted that the inspection team It was also great to see the recognition recognised the hard of the academy’s collaborative work work of all our staff, within the Trust. governors, the Trust and most importantly our “Teachers and leaders benefit from children. working with other Trust schools and leaders.” “Teachers provide clear explanations of what they want pupils Executive Principal, Karen Major, Dartford Primary Academy to learn and guidance on how pupils can commented: “I am extremely proud to check how well they are doing. Teachers be the Executive Principal of Dartford We are very proud to report that and teaching assistants contribute well Primary and look forward to celebrating Dartford Primary is officially a 'good' to pupils' learning.” our continued success as we move school. forward.” “Pupils respect one another’s differences Dartford Primary joined Leigh and support each other well. One pupil Dartford Primary Academy is one of Academies Trust (LAT) in special commented that ‘regardless of race, the biggest primaries in Dartford. We measures as York Road Juniors and gender or culture everyone is treated the continue to aim to be the best and are it was LAT’s first-ever primary-age same in our school.” now one step closer to this. academy. February 2015 saw the official merger with St Alban's Infants We were really pleased with their ‘The school is a harmonious and the creation of Dartford Primary recognition of the strong practice in community where pupils get Academy. our early years. along well together.’

8 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Leadership Programmes Twenty-one participants began on the senior leader apprenticeship their NPQML journey on Wednesday programme. 14th March, Eighteen participants This module sees the launch of the commenced with the NPQSL on the Coaching is becoming part of our Trust inaugural LAT Leaders' National 21st March and we already have culture, with coaching champions Professional Qualifications for Middle waiting lists for our next cohorts, from every one of our academies and Senior Leaders. Following the planned for early next academic year. coming together for more training training of ten of our own facilitators We continue to seek external partners on the second immersion day on 6th and in partnership with Ambition for the NPQH and NPQEL programmes February. Hundreds of colleagues School Leadership, Principals from all and intend to launch the NPQH are benefitting from formal and our academies have identified their this academic year as well. We look 'ninja' coaching already. A third day is talent and recommended them for forward to updating you on progress planned for the summer term and we the most appropriate programmes. and showcasing impact over the will be compiling an impact report in These nationally-accredited leadership coming months. the near future. development programmes will support our leaders to become better Following an open event at SCWA, we These new leadership initiatives and in their roles, prepare for the next are delighted to have also enrolled talent-management opportunities steps in their careers with LAT and eight participants on the NCE master show the commitment of the Trust to - ultimately and most importantly - teacher apprenticeship programme, developing and retaining our leaders have a greater impact for our students. beginning in April, and six delegates at all levels. This is just the beginning!

LAT | 10

Inspiration Academy @ on computer science and engineering, with a computing hub sponsored The Leigh UTC by technology giant Fujitsu on the ground floor. The curriculum provides The Leigh UTC is celebrating the students with an opportunity to opening of Inspiration Academy for develop a range of skills rarely seen students aged between eleven and at such a young age in other schools. fourteen years old in March. This has This will be supplemented by project- enabled The Leigh UTC to become the based activities with high levels of first UTC nationally to admit students business involvement. in Key Stage 3, having been given UTC, supplemented in 2017-19 by special approval by the DfE to lead on The academy has been designed the opening of new sports pitches on this development. with a separate community space another area close to the UTC campus. which can be open independently The completion of these facilities Since September, 140 year 7 students of the main learning areas. This will provide an outstanding learning have been based within the original includes a sports hall and changing environment for an academy which is Leigh UTC building but will, from the rooms, restaurant and large board rapidly acquiring a national reputation summer term, be based in the new room. These will greatly enhance for the quality of its provision and the academy. The new building focuses the facilities for all students at the opportunities that it offers.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 9 Leigh Aspire Programme

The current format of the Leigh Aspire In order that the programme Programme will continue until the end meets the needs of all of this academic year. Transformative students a collaborative experiences delivered so far are: approach is needed. Therefore, the Leigh Aspire JANUARY:- Programme Manager, • IGD Skills & Strengths Edward Enebeli, met with Employability Workshop – Year 9 all the Principals and Assistant Principals to • Brilliant Club Launch Event at outline their vision for a King’s College University – Year 12 bespoke version of the • Brilliant Club Launch Event at programme. Sussex University – Year 12 resilience and the To achieve this, each belief that, with • IGD Networking Skills academy has appointed effort and the right Employability Workshop – Year 12 a project team to mindset, everyone work with the Leigh can achieve their full FEBRUARY:- Aspire Programme potential, regardless • Sussex University Visit – Year 12 Manager on a schedule of background. • Oxford University Visit – Year 9 of opportunities which will inspire disadvantaged, high-achieving pupils In the forthcoming academic year, In the meantime, the process to create and develop their cultural capital, the Leigh Aspire Programme will the new bespoke version of the Leigh whilst raising aspirations to progress focus on disadvantaged students in Aspire Programme for academies, to a prestigious university or secure a years 9, 10 and 12 across the Trust. In which will go live in September 2018, degree apprenticeship. subsequent years, the programme will is well under way. extend into the lower year groups, The new Leigh Aspire programme providing on-going enrichment and will focus on character development self-development opportunities while through transformative experiences, equipping students with the personal which will instil in students the Aspire qualities they require to make a attributes to be: adaptable, self-aware, successful transition into post-16. professional, innovative, resilient and effective communicator as well as qualities embodied in the IB Learner Profile.

These activities will help cultivate a set of values, attributes and behaviours that increase self-confidence, triig or cellece eeloig tars

Comments from “I think by speaking to and meeting teachers that the Oxford undergraduate students, attended the year 9 especially those from state schools, “A unique experience for many Oxford University visit: made pupils believe they could go to of the pupils from the Leigh such a prestigious university!“ Academy. Students have now Mike Illsley, begun to normalise the idea of high “Oxford University has a reputation achievement and ambition....“ for being very grand and intimidating, but the students who Chris Bradley, The Leigh Academy showed us around showed us that actually the collegiate system makes it less intimidating and as all Leigh Trust schools follow the small school format, it's just what they are already used to!” Bernie Burwood,

10 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Business Breakfasts He went on to elaborate upon the while studying, she’d never thought positive aspects for employers of that she would use trigonometry engaging with students in work outside of education but that she now The latest business breakfast at The experience and explained that 'red had! Latterly, she has completed a Leigh UTC took place on Wednesday tape' in arranging work experience is placement with academy partner, SEM, 7th February, the topic being the not as onerous to as it might seem- and not only enjoyed the experience benefit to employers of offering work www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/ but discovered that this is the type of experience to students. workexperience working environment that would best suit her talents. An employer’s perspective As a regular supporter of The Leigh Delegate comments: UTC, and indeed many of our Trust Delegates were given a tour of The academies, Rob Brack, owner of Leigh UTC following breakfast and the Kiwi Print Company, related commented: his experiences of offering work experience to an academy student, “The whole content was very engaging. I Connor, who had blossomed. Rob thought it was excellent. I was genuinely explained that Connor had joined his impressed by all I saw and met- looking previous company for work experience forward to working with the college.” – With Vice-Chair of Governors Clive when in year 10 and had returned Richard Schmidt, Coca Cola Barker acting as master of ceremonies, several times since, making a positive business delegates enjoyed contribution to the business. “Fantastic school and event “ – networking before hearing from Cassie Thomas, Coca Cola Principal Steve Leahey. A student’s perspective Year 13 student Amelia eloquently “Excellent” – An educator’s perspective described her experience of Les Nuttman, Verandi Ltd Mr Leahey discussed many aspects placements, relating a journey through of work experience, including when three work experience opportunities students from The Leigh UTC will during her time at The Leigh UTC. She be looking for opportunities; year explained how, in the workplace, she Any employers looking to offer 10 and year 12 students undertake was able to explore potential career work experience to students from block placements at the end of these paths and decide where she ultimately The Leigh UTC should contact: academic years, while the college also wanted these to lead. Her experiences Nicholas Payne via encourages longer term, one- day-a- have taught her that an office job [email protected] week placements for post-16 students. is not for her. She commented that

Alumni Inventor Visits Molehill Primary Academy

At the beginning of their topic on Staff at Molehill Primary Academy inventors and inventions, years 3 and were deeply impressed with how Huw 4 at Molehill Primary Academy had a related to and engaged with students most informative presentation from in charting his journey from a tiny Huw Prosser, CEO of Blooware Technol- in Devon to becoming ogies, www.blooware.co.uk, on Friday a student at The Leigh UTC, before 23rd February. being introduced, by the Principal, to a “wise man”, Clive Barker, who used his Huw is an alumni of fellow Trust business acumen to help him on his academy, The Leigh UTC in Dartford, business journey. and only left school last year. Huw explained that he became an inventor Students were fascinated by hearing at the age of 7 and has always wanted how Huw was inspired to build his to be a business owner. His curiosity digital receptionist, Molli, and Huw’s for inventing started when he began thoughts on what you need to be an “breaking stuff” to see how it worked inventor – fundamentally, if you want and then “making stuff” from it. to be an inventor, you can be.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 11 International Baccalaureate at LAT

Middle Years Programme The programme empowers students Career-related Programme to inquire into a wide range of The International Baccalaureate issues and ideas of significance The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) locally, nationally and globally. The Career-related Programme (IBCP) is encourages students aged 11 to result is young people who are a flexible combination of academic 16 to make practical connections knowledgeable, critical and creative and vocational learning, which between their studies and the real thinkers. incorporates personal and professional world, preparing them for success skills development, service learning, in further study and in life. The MYP All nine LAT secondaries have language acquisition and a reflective aims to develop active learners and embarked upon a groundbreaking project linked to workplace ethics. internationally-minded young people implementation programme. Intensive It is a modern programme of study who can empathise with others and training and collaboration has begun that prepares post-16 students pursue lives of purpose and meaning. in earnest. All well as delivering a for university, the workplace or broad and balanced curriculum that apprenticeships. encourages deep learning, the MYP will provide a structured approach to The IBCP is already offered at teaching, learning and assessment Wilmington Academy, The Leigh across the Trust. UTC and The Leigh Academy. Strood Academy and The Halley Academy have both registered to become candidate schools and, in true LAT fashion, academies are supporting each other through the process.

triig or cellece eeloig tars

http://www.lat16.org.uk

http://latworkingwithbusiness.com

http://venuehirekent.com Leigh Academies Trust, Please contact us: Carnation Road, Strood, t: 01634 412227 Rochester, Kent ME2 2SX e: [email protected] t: 01634 412200 e: [email protected] w: www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk http://latalumni.org.uk

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