Summer 2017 | issue nine NEWS

The Trust's !rst Sports Day for its Primary Academies

July saw pupils from six of our primary Pupils competed in the full range of academies compete against one track and !eld events and gave the another in the !rst Trust-wide primary competition their all. LAT was also delighted to host the recent sports day. The event took place at secondary academy sports day won by The Dartford Harriers, one of the region’s The eventual winners were Hartley best athletics venues. Primary (pictured above), with Eastcote Primary in second place and This enjoyable event has continued for Dartford Primary third. All pupils who several years and gets better and more took part were awarded medals, with competitive each time. Winners this the top three teams taking home year were The Leigh Academy, with trophies. We are already planning an Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy in even bigger event for next year. second place and in third place. Also in July, our seven secondary academies took part in their cross- We wish to thank all pupils who took Trust sports day. Our best athletes part and are grateful to the sta" from across the Trust took part in a who worked hard to organise these day of high-quality competition. excellent events.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities We are moving!... A message from the Chief Executive

Leigh Academies Trust's head o# ce Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is passionate about will be moving to shaping the lives of young people for the better and during the summer, ready for the helping to transform the communities in which they new term in September. live. We are already one of the largest, most mature and successful multi-academy trusts in the region. Our We are expanding as we have dedication to continual improvement is why we have simply outgrown our current developed our LAT Excellence Charter, setting out ten premises at The Leigh Academy in inalienable commitments to our pupils, parents and Dartford. sta" . The “Ten Points” are as follows:

This move will mean we can accommodate our sta" in new, bright, open-plan o# ces, bringing The LAT Ten-Point Excellence Charter the various departments and teams together to create a more uni! ed 1) We will provide outstanding 5) We will ensure that pupils are way of working. leadership and governance at well-behaved, con" dent and every level so that all pupils respectful in a safe and secure We look forward to working in our attend an academy judged to be environment. new home! at least good overall by Ofsted. 6) We will ensure a high-quality 2) We will ensure a rich, engaging, workforce and prioritise inclusive curriculum with sta! retention, professional WHAT’S INSIDE e! ective teaching and high- development and well-being. quality learning resources across • The LAT Ten-Point Excellence all subjects and year groups. 7) Through our “business promise” Charter ...... 2 we will guarantee strong • Our success in achieving IB 3) Regardless of their ability or engagement for all pupils with World School status ...... 3 personal circumstances, we will industry and employers. • O# cial opening of the Stationers' ensure that all groups of pupils Digital Media Centre at SCWA ...... 4 make at least good progress 8) We will provide all pupils with • Leigh Aspire - news so far ...... 5 and that di! erences in their a high-quality careers learning attainment diminish. programme. • LAT's ! rst leadership programme ...... 5 4) We will develop pupils’ 9) We will grow to support more • A pro! le: Sharon Waterman ...... 6 characters and attributes in schools in the region so long as • Academy Improvement Team - line with the International the education of current pupils plans for next year ...... 6 Baccalaureate Learner Pro" le so and performance of existing • LAT Sta" Awards 2017 ...... 6-7 that all LAT alumni o! er a range academies does not su! er. • LAT v PCA England Masters of desirable qualities before they Cricket Gala 2017 ...... 7 leave school. 10) We will work with our own and other primaries to ensure • LAT Working With Business - updates so far in 2017 ...... 8 a smooth transition to our secondary academies. • Year 10 careers options event ...... 9 • The Telescope Bistro ...... 9 • Updates on our new builds ...... 10 As we move into next year, all LAT academies are framing their plans around • LAT to open three new these ten important commitments. This year has been a period of real success free schools ...... 11 for LAT. We have achieved a great deal. Our forecasts for academies' outcomes • An update on Leigh Academy this summer are very promising. I hope you enjoy reading the many good news Blackheath ...... 11 stories since the last edition of this newsletter.

Simon Beamish Chief Executive

2 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Our success in achieving IB World School status

of its relentless pursuit of excellence. Leigh Academies Trust is The programme will give LAT16 delighted to announce that three students the internationally- secondary academies will become recognised academic and vocational International Baccalaureate (IB) quali# cations they need for university, World Schools authorised to deliver high-level apprenticeships or the IB Careers-related Programme employment. (IBCP) from September 2017. The IBCP is a $ exible Post-16 programme developed by the The Leigh Academy, The Leigh UTC IBO, which recognises the need to and have combine academic, vocational and Becoming an IB World School will been involved in a project organised practical learning skills. As part of not just be of bene# t to Post-16 by Kent County Council which has the IBCP, students follow a career- students. Over 50 sta" from the three supported 18 schools across Kent related course (BTEC or vocational academies have undertaken intensive through a rigorous authorisation programme) between two and four training in the philosophy, values process to become an IB World IB diploma courses and the core and pedagogy of the IBO. A core School. The success of the three LAT programme. The core programme is element of all IB programmes is the academies means that they will join fundamental to the development of IB learner pro# le, which embeds skills an exclusive group of only 36 schools students academically, personally and and attributes in the teaching across across the globe delivering the IBCP. socially, enhancing the skills they will each of the academies and which will need in the future, and comprises the have a positive impact on younger As IB World Schools, the three LAT following elements: students. academies are now part of a global community of schools committed • Re! ective project - this focuses LAT is proud that The Leigh UTC is to developing knowledgeable, on an ethical issue linked to the # rst university technical college caring young people, ready to the careers-related component to gain IB World Schools status, negotiate their futures successfully of the programme. This is the recognising that this academy is and make contributions to a more only element of the core that is truly a centre of STEM excellence. harmonious and peaceful world. In assessed; During the veri# cation visit, The his letter to the academies, Andrew • Personal and professional skills Leigh UTC was commended for ‘its MacDonald, IBO Chief Schools O! cer, development - for example, understanding of, and commitment to, commended ‘your school’s educators, conducting research, referencing, the development of an inquiry-based administrators, students and families presentation skills; approach, the process of experiential for their active roles in choosing to learning, and the importance of o" er the CP. The positive results of this • Service learning - a community developing the whole child’. choice will become evident in your project; community as classes of CP students • Language development - graduate and undertake activities that involving the acquisition of enhance social, cultural and economic language and cultural awareness. environments locally, nationally and, perhaps, internationally.’

Leigh Academies Trust has high aspirations for all of its students and the IB Career-related Programme, which will become part of the LAT16 o" er to Post-16 students, is indicative

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3 O#cial opening of the Stationers' Digital Media Centre at Stationers' Crown Woods Academy

The o#cial opening of The Stationers’ Digital Media Centre The £500,000 refurbishment and investment project has took place recently and students and sta" were delighted transformed two classrooms in the William Morris building to welcome over 100 guests to the occasion, including Sir into a multi-media digital centre to rival any newsroom, Geo"rey Leigh, Leigh Academies Trust senior executives, magazine or dot.com design company. The project is the The Master and members of The Stationers’ Company, culmination of two years’ collaboration in partnership governors, suppliers and invited guests. with the Leigh Academies Trust. The Academy would like to acknowledge and thank members of The Stationers' O#cial opener, Amali de Alwis, Chief Executive of Code Company for their generous sponsorship and donations, as First: Girls and winner of the Women in IT Awards – Skills well as the Trust for the additional funding provided. Initiative of the Year Award, toured the suite and met students working on their media projects. She conducted In his address, Chair of Governors, Kevin Dewey, thanked all an o#cial opening ceremony, together with the Mayor of who had contributed to the project. “We want to deliver here Greenwich, Councillor Olu Babatola. an outstanding academy, an outstanding place of learning and a happy place of learning. I think we’re well on the way to Amali spoke about the importance of technology in the doing that.” workplace, telling students that there is no such thing as a non-tech business. She explained how important it was Executive Principal, David Millar, o"ered a toast to the to have a diverse workforce in order to build and develop Stationers’ Digital Media Centre which, he said, would services and products, encouraging students to understand bene!t students in years to come. how technology will impact their lives. She said that knowledge gave people power and con!dence; her advice All students who supported the opening were outstanding to students was to “take advantage of everything here – rinse ambassadors for the Academy. Special congratulations it!” must go to Year 10 Delamere student, Conor Shiels, who was the o#cial photographer for the event.

4 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Leigh Aspire – news so far

With our new Aspire Programme programme, devised by one of the Manager, Louise Badelow, who joined UK’s leading universities and proven us in May, plans are now really starting to help young people develop their to take shape for this exciting new independent critical-thinking skills. initiative, due to launch in September. There will also be opportunities for Designed to provide cultural and students to explore the wide variety academic enrichment opportunities of medicine-related careers with St. for all our students, the aim is to George’s University of London Medical raise both attainment and aspiration, School, as well as to participate in enabling our brightest pupils to gain workshops delivered by Russell Group places at the country’s top universities, universities designed both to aid including the Russell Group and decision-making and to improve UCAS Oxbridge. application outcomes.

In its ! rst year, the programme will Students will also bene! t from speci! cally focus on our most-able a variety of other enrichment Year 9 and Year 12 students, and opportunities, including creative arrangements are currently being workshops and associated West End ! nalised for both year groups to visit theatre/concert trips. We are also the Oxford Colleges of Mans! eld planning a mock trial, conducted by After only two months, the new Aspire and St. Hughes in October. Other a top London-based law practice, as Programme is still very much in its planned activities include an academic well as the chance to enter a young infancy. Nevertheless, we are already taster day at the University of Bath, journalist scheme and participate very excited about how the project an academy-based programme of in exciting enterprise projects. For is shaping up and we look forward to interactive fun lectures to be delivered our 6th form students, there will also updating you on our progress and, by the University of Cambridge, be the chance to meet some of the importantly, on how this ambitious and engagement with a thought- country’s top graduate employers. programme is impacting our students provoking holocaust education in the months ahead.

LAT’s First Leadership Programme

LAT’s inaugural leadership programme has ! nished its ! rst year. Please see Simon Beamish's comments below:

“Leigh Academies Trust is fortunate to Sophie Smith Ian Priest have so many excellent leaders. Without their hard work and dedication, our academies and pupils would not enjoy such success. It was my great pleasure to congratulate some of our very best leaders on the completion of LAT’s inaugural leadership programme. Through the course, delegates heard Katrina Doyle Dina Yessica Brandon Dutton from some of our own principals about Grozdanic Goncalves their leadership journey. They built a strong network of talent and took part in impact research in their own academies. They emerge from the programme even better informed than before and well- placed to develop their careers further within LAT.” Kate Evans Sarah French Thomas Bird Harroop Sandhu

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 Academy LAT Sta" Awards 2017

Improvement Team - Nominees, senior sta" and governors plans for next year gathered at Long! eld Academy recently for our inaugural sta" It has been another busy year for the awards. The event was sponsored by Academy Improvement Team (AIT), the Kent Messenger Group and was working across the Trust to support arranged to acknowledge the great leaders, teachers and students in core e" orts of some of our best sta" . All subjects. At the start of the academic nominees had been put forward by A pro! le: year, the AIT consisted of three full- their colleagues, with winners being time and one part-time secondary selected by our independent panel. Sharon Waterman Directors of Improvement (DoIs) in English, maths, science and modern Sharon Waterman will join the Trust's foreign languages. central team in September, having been appointed to the new role of A focus for the DoIs in English and Education Improvement Director maths has been in the preparation within Leigh Academies Trust in April. for the new GCSEs taken by She has spent the past few months students across LAT in the recent making a careful transition into this examinations. The DoIs have been post. involved in a number of strategies to prepare sta" and students for the Sharon has worked in a number new-style GCSEs and the positive of schools in both Northampton feedback following the exams and Kent, developing her expertise indicated that students felt that and experience as a leader using they had been well prepared for the innovative curriculum design to raise papers. standards and achievement. The focus for the science DoI was to Sharon has been Principal at The support Year 11 students for their Leigh Academy since September controlled assessments for the last 2011 and her appointment year and help science departments recognises the very considerable implement the challenging new contribution she has made to GCSE speci! cations. ensuring that The Leigh Academy is one of the strongest non-selective The AIT have also supported ! ve of Our CEO, Simon Beamish, thanked secondary academies in the region. the seven LAT secondary academies those involved for their constant through their Ofsted inspections by e" orts to achieve the best outcomes Sharon’s role within the Trust will be providing a guiding hand to middle for our students. He reminded those to lead our academy improvement leaders and teachers throughout the present that: strategy across all schools. process. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a The primary (KS2) Director of habit.” Improvement joined the AIT in April and very quickly became involved in supporting academies to prepare for KS2 tests and subsequent moderation. The DoI has also been LAT is also recognising the involved in a number of transition talent and expertise of its own events recently, working with primary sta" through the creation of and secondary colleagues. Improvement Co-ordinators, who will add capacity to the AIT. The From September 2017, the AIT Improvement Co-ordinators will will expand to include three new work on projects and support Directors of Improvement in early colleagues across the Trust in their years/KS1, English and science. specialist areas.

6 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk LAT v PCA England Masters Cricket Gala 2017

On Friday 30th June, LAT Enterprises, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leigh Academies Trust, had the honour of hosting the PCA England Masters at Bexley Cricket Club.

The day began with a primary school kwik cricket festival, organised and o#ciated by sports leaders from The After 25 overs, the PCA Masters had Leigh Academy. A hard-fought series amassed a score of 194-8 and we of round-robin matches ensued before thought we were very much in the Hartley Primary Academy emerged game. Apart from legends such as victorious. Former Middlesex and Ramprakash, Hollioake and Owais England batsman Mark Ramprakash, Shah, the PCA Masters also included part of the PCA team, presented the current Kent and England batsman trophy to the very proud champions. Joe Denly. To say Joe is on form is something of an understatement – in The charity lunch saw over 35 tables the game before this event he scored of ten people enjoying a superb 227 against Worcestershire, and in three-course lunch provided by LAT’s the game afterwards he scored 182 caterers, Cucina, supported by 30 against Northamptonshire! However, students from The Leigh Academy the pressure of taking on LAT must acting as waiters and waitresses. have proved a step too far as we Former England cricketer Ed Giddins managed to dismiss him for just 16! proved a wonderful MC for the afternoon and the Q&A session with After a lovely tea we began our run Mark Ramprakash, Adam Hollioake chase. Unfortunately, the all-Sussex and Paul Nixon left the audience in and England opening bowling attack stitches – particularly after hearing of Ajmal Shazad and James Kirtley some of Mark’s stories about his soon had us reeling at 12-2. Coming Strictly Come Dancing experience! in at number 5, Chelsey Rowson Awards were given in the following from The Leigh Academy who also categories: Some incredible auction items, represents Kent and England steadied • Primary teacher of the year including trips to The Monaco Grand the ship with a lovely innings of 16 • Secondary English teacher of the Prix and US Masters golf, helped raise before being dismissed by Surrey and year funds that will support the education England fast bowler Alex Tudor. The • Secondary maths teacher of the of students across LAT’s 15 academies. LAT XI were eventually dismissed for year 98, meaning the result was a 96 run • Secondary EBacc teacher of the year At 3.30pm the real action started as win for the PCA Masters. • Secondary open element teacher of the 25-overs-a-side contest began. The We are already excited about the year PCA Masters won the toss and batted welcoming the PCA Masters back next • Leader of the year !rst. Students in the LAT XI produced a near-$awless display in the !eld with year in late June/early July, the exact • Support sta" member of the year date to be con!rmed this September. If • Teaching assistant of the year tight, accurate bowling backed up by a couple of sensational catches. you would like any further information • Pupil nomination of the year about securing a table for the charity • Special achievement award lunch at the 2018 event, please contact Katie Petts at katie.petts@ latrust.org.uk. Staff Awards

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 LAT WORKING WITH BUSINESS Updates on events so far in 2017... As we come to the end of the academic year it is good to look back at some of the recent Working with Business initiatives...

Project-based learning Informational events Testimony from those working in industry is an invaluable source of information for students. As part of Transitions Week, Strood Academy recently bene# tted from a number of presentations to new Year 12 students.

Post-16 students from Long# eld Academy, The Leigh UTC and The Leigh Academy learnt more about alternative pathways, such as apprenticeships and Business mentoring sponsored degrees. Mini-engineering challenge for Year Business mentoring provides 12 students with Thames Water at The important, much-valued opportunities Leigh UTC in LAT's academies. This term saw a successful programme launch at Mascalls Academy, as well as mentoring breakfasts at The Leigh and Wilmington Academies. As these academies look forward to their second year of business mentoring, we welcome our new mentors.

Wilmington Academy hosted the Year 10 careers latest skills 30:30 event in conjunction Learning through music at Milestone with the Federation of Small options event held Academy with Inspirational Rhythms Businesses. This exciting initiative includes informational employability at Long# eld Academy workshops for students as well as Space exploration and inventions Long# eld Academy hosted the Trust's for Years 4 and 5 at Hartley primary the opportunity to network with and present themselves to local employers. Careers Convention on the 13th Academy with BAE Systems July 2017 and the students were extremely lucky to have a McLaren With its origins in Dartford, LAT is Business-engagement car in the car park as McLaren proud to sponsor the commitment events were one of the organisations that to skills award in the newly-launched participated in the event. Dartford Business Awards. Judging is As part of the Trust’s ongoing currently underway. commitment to engaging with local business, The Leigh UTC held its latest brunch event not only to celebrate the many successes of the year but also to # nd new business mentors, who will be trained early in the new academic year.

Aspire Believe Achieve

Academy

8 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk The Telescope Bistro At the end of each service, we ask diners to complete a feedback form to Long#eld Academy is justi#ably very help us evaluate progress; in addition proud of the Telescope Bistro, open to posts on tripadvisor https://www. members of the public, which is set tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review- within the plaza of the academy and is g2167247-d5820179-Reviews-The_ a unique provision in a school setting. Telescope_Bistro-Long#eld_Kent_ England.html inspire all to continue to The Telescope, sta"ed by Post-16 strive for excellence. professional catering students, is open for two services each week, on Thursday and Friday from noon, and “Fantastic meal, blown away by the o"ers diners the opportunity not quality of food produced and served only for high-quality #ne dining but The menu is changed each week by the students. A credit to themselves, to enjoy this as part of the working based on the practical work the the sta! and to Leigh Academies Trust. academy. For many, this is the #rst students are completing on their Would highly recommend The Telescope time they have been in a school course, ensuring the inclusion of Bistro to anyone”. building since they #nished their seasonal and local foods, plus special education and it is a pleasure to share event menus for St George's Day, our wonderful environment with Burns week, Italian week, a carvery them, explaining how we work and and of course Christmas. The three- learn in the 21st century. course meal costs just £12.95 and, due Anyone interested in dining with us to the popularity of the Telescope, should contact us via the academy website or telephone on 01474 700 700. The Post-16 student group on the full- diners have to book in advance to time course take on responsibilities secure a table. Up to 40 sittings are Prospective students for the Post-16 each week, including menu-planning, catered for in each service, often large course in professional catering (levels costing, ordering, leading each team parties from local community groups, 1,2,3) should contact the academy in the kitchen and cleaning. They also but our clients also include parents for further details regarding entry requirements and course content. work front of house, greeting diners, and family members of our students, taking orders, serving and dealing local residents, local businesses and with the #nance to ensure that the even a family from France who have The Telescope Bistro books are balanced at the end of each dined with us twice in the last year! Long#eld Academy service. a: Main Road, Long#eld, Kent DA3 7PH t: 01474 700 700 e: info@long#eldacademy.org

The academy buzzed with excitement as the careers convention unfolded in the morning, with the students having the opportunity to speak to a wide range of people from universities, employers, STEM, voluntary organisations and apprenticeship providers during their time at Long#eld Academy.

We are very fortunate that a number of the organisations support us on a regular basis. Without their support, we could not o"er the students such a positive experience. student now knows that she would The Careers Convention helps students like to study science at university. think more broadly about careers The businesses were very positive and and courses that they may want to mentioned that the event was well consider in the future. It also enhances organised, with students asking some their communication skills as they are really interesting questions. encouraged to talk to a wide range of people. The sta" at Long#eld worked very hard to achieve such a success. We would Feedback from the students was like to take this opportunity to thank exceptionally positive. One Year 12 everyone who supported the event.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 9 Updates on our new builds...

inspiration academy @ THE LEIGH UTC Cherry Orchard Primary Academy New Inspiration Academy build

We are making great progress at Cherry Orchard and making rapid progress looking forward to our grand opening in September. The The new building for the Inspiration Academy @ The number of children in all year groups continues to increase Leigh UTC is rapidly rising out of the ground, with the steadily and we are happy to report that we have o"ered steelwork of the main frame now being erected. Excellent a number of places to pupils for the specialist speech and progress is being made on the three-storey building and language provision. the construction programme is on track for a full opening during the next academic year. All teaching sta" have been recruited for the nursery, reception, Year 1, Year 2 and specialist provision, as well as The Inspiration Academy will be delivering an exciting, support sta" including our o#ce manager, family liaison innovative STEM-based curriculum for students between o#cer and site manager. We have held a number of open the ages of 11 and 14, but will also include sports facilities events at the Observatory to give parents the opportunity for use by the whole UTC and local community. to meet our sta" and view progress on site. A !nal event is planned for Tuesday, 18th July.

The building is looking fantastic, with classrooms on the top $oor completed and !nishing touches being added to those downstairs. It remains on schedule for completion on 25th August. This leaves us with just over one week to get settled in and prepare classrooms ready for our opening day for children on Wednesday, 6th September. It will be a very busy week, but the sta" are all keen to get going and teachers have already been working together in their teams to organise resources and planning and ensure that they are well prepared for the September start.

Ahead of the !rst day, the school will be open to parents and children from 2pm on Tuesday, 5th September so that they can familiarise themselves with the building, see their classrooms and ask any last-minute questions. Teachers will Langley Park Primary also be holding a welcome meeting for parents of children Academy: Phase 2 update in Early Years and those in KS1 during the afternoon. We are pleased to announce that Phase II of Langley Park The o#cial opening ceremony of Cherry Orchard Primary Primary Academy has commenced. Baxall Construction Ltd Academy is planned for Friday, 29th September, with is the appointed contractor. Phase II of the academy will further details to follow. open in readiness for students in September 2018. This is a very exciting time for the academy, with the nursery being relocated to the new part of the building, providing the children with additional dedicated facilities.

10 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk LAT to open three new free schools

In addition to these new schools, LAT will open Leigh Academy Blackheath at a temporary site on Shooters’ Hill Road in Greenwich in 2018. The brand-new secondary academy will move into permanent, purpose-built premises at Old Dover Road in Greenwich by 2020.

Bearsted Academy Taking all of these projects together, Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) has A secondary special school for the it is quite clear that LAT is much- been authorised by the central region based at J7 of the M20, near favoured as one of the region’s government to open three new free Maidstone. The new special academy most successful and well-regarded schools by 2019 in the latest round will work in close partnership multi-academy trusts. We continue of applications. This is a huge vote with LAT’s doubly-outstanding to work hard to help shape the lives of con! dence in LAT’s current rate Milestone Academy to o" er excellent of young people through high- of success and its ability to deliver opportunities for some of the region’s quality education and, in doing so, brand-new schools for the region. most vulnerable pupils. Bearsted to transform the communities in Academy will open in September which they live. 2018 in brand-new, state-of-the-art Medway Academy premises. LAT’s bid was given full A new secondary school for support by Kent County Council. Medway, with an intake of 180 pupils per year and sixth form.

The new school will be a brand-new An update on Leigh build located in either Strood or Rainham. LAT has the full backing of Academy Blackheath Medway Council and will now work Leigh Academy Blackheath (LAB) is set with them to agree the ! nal site for to open at Victoria House, Blackheath, the academy. Medway Academy in September 2018. Constructed in will open in September 2019, with 1909 as accommodation and mess a grammar stream for more-able quarters for o# cers from the Royal pupils across Medway. Army Medical Corps at Woolwich Barracks, Victoria House will serve We have pleasure in announcing the as LAB’s temporary home until appointment of Emma Smith as Principal Maidstone Primary Academy September 2020. (Designate) for Leigh Academy Blackheath This brand-new primary, with 60 Over the next twelve months, a full LAB is working closely with the pupils each year, will share a site refurbishment of the building and Education and Skills Funding (ESFA) with Bearsted Academy at J7 of grounds, including the installation Agency to design and build the the M20. Like Bearsted Academy, of an outdoor multi-purpose games new campus on ODR. Plans include it will open in September 2018 area, science laboratories and large provision for LAT’s small-school model and will help to meet the growing classrooms, will ensure LAB’s founding and extensive facilities for use by the demand for primary school places students enjoy high-quality facilities local community. in Bearsted and north Maidstone. from day one.

Providing the local community with 180 Year 7 places in September 2018, LAB will reach full capacity in September 2022. The P-16 provision of 250 places will open in 2020 when LAB moves to its permanent home on Old Dover Road (ODR), Blackheath.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 11 Long# eld Academy celebrates International Award!

Long# eld Academy worked in partnership with 20 schools in 20 di" erent countries in Europe to create an outstanding project using the e-twinning platform to communicate and create a book. The project entailed writing to penpals and # nding out about the 20 countries, including Slovakia, Romania, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden… Students also wrote an e-book about their virtual adventures around Europe in 40 days.

Miss Charles, Long# eld Academy, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the e-twinning National Quality Label and to win a national prize. To secure the National Quality Label is a real honour for the students and teachers who participated in the project. The e-twinning project has helped Miss Charles and her form students (Galileo College) at Long# eld Academy students improve their knowledge and understanding of receive a British Council e-twinning national award di! erent cultures and develop their writing skills.”

The Leigh UTC Teaching Assistant Awarded Kent TA of the Year 2017 Leigh Academies Trust and The Leigh UTC are proud to announce that Keeley Bowen, Teaching Assistant at the college, was selected from a highly competitive # eld of nominated professionals for the prestigious title of Kent Teaching Assistant of the Year at the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards 2017. Primary Students visit KIDZANIA, London The award recognises Keeley’s hard work in supporting students and parents at The Leigh UTC. Keeley On Monday, 12th June, Year 4 and 5 pupils from Molehill, received her award at a gala event, hosted by the Oaks and Tree Tops Primary Academies visited Kidzania, Kent Messenger at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, London. Leigh Academies Trust paid for the visit as a Maidstone, on Friday, 19th May 2017. way of exposing children to a range of potential career paths. The children had the chance to experience a choice As well as winning the overall award for the county, of 60 di" erent post-education activities, ranging from Keeley was also awarded Teaching Assistant of the Year news reporting to multi-drop delivery, air-conditioning for Dartford and Gravesham, having been nominated by engineering and university. a number of students and colleagues at The Leigh UTC. The judging panel were particularly impressed that one Many of the children left Kidzania with a much more focused of Keeley’s colleagues said, as part of the nomination idea of what they would like to be when they are older. process, that “Keeley has the magic touch for building amazing relationships with both students and parents.” “I didn’t know before today that I wanted to be an animator, but now I do!”. Following the visit, Year 5 are taking part in their annual writing week with a focus on their experiences at Kidzania and both Years 4 and 5 are completing units of work on the idea of employment. Molehill Primary Academy

Leigh Academies Trust, Green Street Green Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1QE t: 01322 620 586 e: [email protected] w: www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Please contact us: Leigh Academies Trust is a registered company, t: 01322 626 609 company no 2336587. An exempt charity. e: [email protected]

12 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk