Issue 4 Parent/Carer Newsletter

The Marches Trust has gone from strength to strength The festival’s aim is to bring together leading educational experts since its inception in 2014, and the Spring Term has brought and inspire debate and discussion amongst industry professionals, even more opportunity for cross-Trust collaboration. Since the offering engaging and motivational workshops and presenting beginning of the year, our staff and students have had many panel interviews with a variety of prominent and inspirational chances to work side-by-side. We have had another joint-Trust practitioners. The one-day festival has been designed to attract PD Day, an important step in reinforcing professional delegates from across the entire breadth of the education sector, partnerships between our two schools, while our students have including teachers, governors, leadership groups, students, flown far and wide together to destinations such as Krakow and parents and support teams. Practitioners already confirmed for the New York. event include Aardman Animations, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Into Film. This past term has offered many highlights. At The Marches School, Performing Arts students put on a high-quality Other exciting Summer events for the diary include the ‘SJT performance of Willy Russell’s Our Day Out to a public School of Performance’ production of Mamma Mia!, the second audience of parents, friends and carers over three nights, as annual Marches Fun Day and Sir John Talbot’s Summer Music well as delivering shows to over 500 primary school pupils. At Concert and Creative Exhibition. Sir John Talbot’s School, Year 9 and Year 12 students were honoured with an opportunity to listen to 93-year-old Holocaust The Marches Academy Trust is committed to providing the very survivor Chaim Henry Ferster speak about his fascinating life, best opportunities and education for each and every one of our while both schools have had the chance to learn about ethics, students, and we are expanding the vision for the Trust together, politics and humanity through joint visits to locations such as across both schools. By working together and encouraging Auschwitz-Birkenau. collaboration, we have the ability to offer enhanced opportunities for all students and staff across the entire Trust. With GCSE and A Level students currently working hard towards their summer exams, as we move into a new term, there is plenty more to get excited about. The Trust will be Executive Headteacher and CEO presenting its inaugural Education Festival which will take place The Marches Academy Trust at The Marches School site in July. We are setting our sights high and plan to make this annual event one of the largest education festivals in the country. Spring/Summer 2016 Trust News

Leadership

Sarah Longville Alison Pearson Ruth Lloyd Tim Stonall Executive Headteacher Associate Headteacher Deputy Headteacher Deputy Headteacher

Joanne Jones Hugh Jackson Tom Whitworth Claire Buckle Business Manager Assistant Headteacher Assistant Headteacher Assistant Headteacher Head of Sixth Form

Sarah Peacock Sally Wilmot Associate Assistant Associate Assistant Headteacher Headteacher Developing Learners Director of Science

Pauline Roberts Assistant Headteacher David O’Toole Claire Dawson Olivia Glackin Julie Johnson Maths Development, Headteacher Assistant Headteacher Assistant Headteacher Assistant Headteacher Pupil Premium, Safeguarding, SEND Closing the Gap Spring/Summer 2016 Trust News

The Futures Award

At the beginning of the academic year, The Marches Academy Trust launched a new initiative at The Marches School to help ensure its students can leave school equipped with the skills they need to enter employment. Recent research carried out by the Career Colleges Trust revealed that 76% of students feel their school trains them to pass exams and get good grades, rather than preparing them for the world of work, and it is this very issue which our new ‘Futures Award’ initiative aims to address.

As part of the initiative, students have been working hard on an array of different activities to achieve the many badges and pins on offer. As part of their Community Pin, they have been getting involved in a number of local events such as the Christmas Parade and Christmas Fayre, and undertaken charity work such as the MD Warriors Foodbank Charity Drive and a non-school uniform day which raised money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Joanne White, Business and Community Development Manager at The Marches School commented, “Since the launch of the Futures Award in September 2015, students have been very enthusiastic in their approach to becoming involved in community life and they are now more aware of community projects in which they can be involved in the future.”

Other opportunities afforded to students have included a chance for Year 11 students to hone their interview skills through mock interviews with members of The Rotary Club, and an inspirational trip to the University of Cambridge for 45 Year 6 pupils from Oswestry, Whitchurch and surrounding areas. For Primary Schools, the award is encouraging pupils to begin thinking about their ambitions for the future and to be inspired by the possibilities available to them, as well as supporting their transition into Year 7.

The Award has been welcomed by students, teachers and local businesses alike and has been hailed as a great success across the board. To celebrate this, we recently held a ‘Futures Lunch’ to reward the students who have done particularly well during this inaugural year. The event was attended by representatives from some of the lead sponsors of the Award - Tara Professional Recruitment, British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry Town Council and BMW Rybrook Shrewsbury – and gave local businesses a chance to directly interact with those who have made the most of this opportunity.

After an extremely positive and inspiring first year, the Award will be launched at Sir John Talbot’s School in September. Joanna Phillips, Progress Leader Spring/Summer 2016 Trust News Spring/Summer 2016 Trust News

Working with the Leadership Team, this is the mission we have drafted for the Trust to plan our development route for the next 5 years. I want your thoughts and ideas to add to this and help to develop it to reflect Our Mission the aspirations of everyone across the trust.

Achievement Through Caring

What do you want to see in our schools?

Since the beginning of the school year we have been asking parents, carers and staff to write on post-it notes with thoughts and ideas about the 5 year development plan for the Trust. Here are some of the suggestions:

Parents: ● "Twinning with inner city schools in Britain that are multicultural" ● “Improve communication” ● “Offer more vegetarian food” ● “Teach Life Skills” ● “Introduce meditation” ● "Create a buzz stop for wildlife that can be shared for the public"

Teachers: ● “Provide projects to primaries to help with standardisation entering year 7” ● “More collaboration with public school sector – look at what they offer students in terms of networking, confidence, training, etc.” ● “Alternative provision local centres which students can book into for half term - having ‘women's group’ – ‘young men’s group’ as a focus, with specialist staff”

You can email me your ideas at [email protected] or just jot down your thoughts on one of the many vision boards around site.

Sarah Longville, Executive Headteacher Spring/Summer 2016 Meet the Science Department

Mrs Brown - Director of Science I have a degree in Chemistry and Biology from Keele University and I went on to do a Postgraduate Diploma in Cancer Chemistry at the University of Leicester before completing my PGCE at the University of Chester. I am an ex-student of The Marches and also completed my second PGCE placement there eventually joining SJT as Director of Science in September 2014. Prior to joining SJT, I worked at The in Wem for four years. I absolutely love my job and love teaching Chemistry. Chemistry is a demanding subject and I love seeing students grapple with the content and seeing the satisfaction when they understand a difficult concept. In my spare time I enjoy running and swimming and, contrary to popular belief about Scientists, I also enjoy being creative – particularly drawing, painting and print-making. Miss King - Second in Faculty I did my Biology degree at the University of Manchester and then did my PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan University. I started teaching at SJT in September 2015. Prior to being a teacher I was a Relationship Manager for a bank. I love teaching biology because it's all about us! It makes students appreciate how amazing their body is and gives them an insight into the complex processes that occur to keep them alive without them even knowing it! I'm a big United fan and play netball (badly) twice a week.

Mr Jacobsen - Teacher of Science and Physics I have a degree in Physics from Coventry University and did my teacher training with the University of Manchester. I joined SJT in September 2014, initially in the Maths department, before moving to Science in January 2015. Prior to teaching I worked for North Wales Medical Physics, calibrating and servicing surgical lasers. My favourite thing about teaching is that I get to talk about Physics all day and share my passion for the subject with others. I love how Physics can be used to explain everyday phenomena and make people think about their surroundings more. I am a Level 1 Rugby Union Referee and outside of school I coach Rhyl Rugby Club Under 10s. I have two children aged 14 and 10, collect vintage film cameras and support Hull City.

Mr Atkinson - Teacher of Science and Chemistry I studied at the University of Bristol and Durham University. I worked at a large number of schools in and Telford & Wrekin (and a few other places besides) before joining SJT at the beginning of 2016. The thing I enjoy most about teaching Science is the array of colours and smells that myself and students get to experience on a daily basis. In my spare time, I enjoy music and aikido.

Mrs Apperely - Teacher of Science and PE / Director of Lower School I attended teacher training college in Nottinghamshire and studied Biology and Rural/Environmental Studies. I then joined SJT in 1990, having previously taught in Staffordshire. The 'awe and wonder' of science and the natural world never ceases to amaze me. I enjoy seeing students conquer key scientific ideas and witnessing the sense of achievement this provides. In my spare time I enjoy playing and watching sport, namely tennis and hockey. I also enjoy walking and gardening. I hope to walk some of the Pennine Way this year, thereby combining my love of hiking and the environment. Coming from an agricultural background, I have a keen interest in food production and have recently started a small herd of traditional Hereford cattle.

Dr. Gardner - Teacher of Biology and Psychology I studied Neurobiology at the University of Sussex before undertaking my PhD (although Sussex, like Oxford, called it a DPhil) in Hearing Research. I then joined SJT in 2002. The thing I enjoy most about teaching Science is enabling students to appreciate the wonders of the human body. In my spare time I enjoy yoga, walking, cycling and cooking. I am also currently learning Italian.

Miss Maier NQT - Teacher of Science and Physics I studied for my BSc(hons) in Equine Dental Science at Hartpury College in Gloucester and then went to Loughborough to do my Physics PGCE and start my Masters. I enjoy the 'wow' moments when I teach my students new, exciting things. In my spare time I do lots of mountain walking, wild camping and horse riding. Spring/Summer 2016

Meet the Science Department

Mrs Wilmot - Associate Assistant Headteacher and Director of Science

I originally applied to university to do a degree in Geography but changed my mind with just days to go. I switched to Chemistry and graduated with a degree specialising in Organic and Analytical Chemistry. I decided to join the world of work and became a Chemist in the chemical industry. I worked for a variety of companies making drug testing kits and diagnostic kits for Cancer, and eventually became a lab manager for an analytical company. I decided to leave industry to complete a PGCE at Bangor and have never looked back. I started at the Marches as an NQT in September 2000 and 16 years later I am still here. I love teaching and without a shadow of doubt it is the most rewarding job I have ever done.

Mrs Devismes - Assistant Director of KS4 Science and Lead Tutor of Sixth Form

I studied Microbiology at University College London, with most modules in my second and third year focussing on Chemistry and Biochemistry. I decided to teach in my final year, as I was interested in why different people learn in different ways, and I wanted to try and find out how learning experiences could be enhanced. I completed my PGCE at Bristol and started teaching at Lakelands School, Ellesmere, in September 1987. I moved to The Marches in September 1989, which means that I’m probably due for some kind of long service award! I moved to the area because North Wales is extremely pretty, and I was fed up with living in towns and cities. I love teaching Biology and Chemistry. Life and how it works – it’s a no brainer as something to be passionate about. I spend most of my free time reading (evolutionary biology is my thing) and walking in the hills. I have also just completed my Masters through University of Chester. The research has been rather time consuming, but thoroughly enjoyable.

Mr Thomas - Assistant Director of Science (Physics across The Trust)

After leaving school I worked for the Royal Air Force as an aircraft technician for nine years. I then went on to work as an electronics technician for West Mercia Police based in Shrewsbury. While still in the RAF, I began studying for my Open University degree in physics, completing this in 2006 before starting teacher training with the University of Wolverhampton. From here, I worked as a teacher in Shrewsbury before beginning at The Marches in 2011. I live in Baschurch with my wife and young son Joseph. I am not generally a fussy person but I cannot stand olives!

Mrs Harvey - Assistant Director of KS3 Science

I am the work mother/grandmother of the Science Department! I began my working life as a Biomedical Scientist working in microbiology, completing my studies at Liverpool Polytechnic (which most of you will now know better as Liverpool John Moores). After taking a break for family, I came to work as a Science technician in a local secondary school. It was during this time I decided to undertake an OU degree in Psychology, graduating with a First. It was great studying at 5 a.m. in the morning or working on my assignments at the dining room table whilst my kids were doing their own homework! I went on to study my PGCE at Manchester Met in 1998 and my first placement was at The Marches (Liz Devismes was my mentor - I remember being totally in awe!). I returned in September 1999 and the rest, as they say, is history. In my “free” time I have discovered the joys of shed-pulling, AKA caravanning – apologies to all drivers. I also have two wonderful grandchildren who I am looking forward to spending more time with in future years!

Mr Tout - Assistant Dierector of Science

I studied Biochemistry at Cardiff University, having loved both Biology and Chemistry at A level. I’ve been teaching at the Marches School since September 2014 when I joined the Science team as Assistant Director of Science. I worked at Llanfyllin High School for four years prior to this, teaching mainly through the medium of Welsh. The way biological molecules interact to allow life to exist as it does fascinates me, and passing on the fundamental basics of science so that students can grasp the world around them is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. I have a passion for all things Rally-related and have competed since the age of 16, either navigating or driving. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my wife and 17-month-old son, Aled.

Mr Williams - Teacher of Science and Aspiring Leader - Strategies for closing the gap

I studied Genetics at the University of Liverpool, gaining a First Class Degree. I then went on to do my PGCE at the University of Chester where I qualified as a teacher. Following this, I worked for over a year in a cancer research lab in Liverpool. I joined the Marches in September 2009 as a science teacher and have worked here ever since - I enjoy doing my little bit to educate the youth of Oswestry. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my children, a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl. When I am not playing with toy trains with my son, I like to run and have completed several half marathons. Spring/Summer 2016

Mr Moffatt - Teacher of Science and Aspiring Leader - Development of School Direct

I studied Chemistry at Oxford University, specialising in Physical Chemistry, undertaking a project focusing on the use of small gas phase metal clusters (between 3-9 atoms in size) as a catalyst for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and reduction of nitrogen monoxide. I completed my PGCE at Oxford Brookes before starting at the Marches as an NQT in September 2013. I moved to the area so that I could be closer to North Wales where I spend most of my free time kayaking, mountain biking, climbing, surfing and generally being outdoors in the hills and mountains. I enjoy teaching Chemistry and Physics as the concepts covered are the foundations for further study, allowing more complex phenomena to be explained and rationalised leading to simple explanations for everything we come across.

Mr Collier - Teacher of Science and School Direct Lead Mentor (sciences)

I studied Biology at the University of Chester from 2006-2009 and then my PGCE from 2009-2010 at the same institution. I joined the Marches as maternity cover in 2010, and after teaching a mixture of Science and Music I finally started teaching science full time in 2012. I love teaching science because it is such a relevant and exciting topic which is constantly evolving. I also love to find out more about how the world works and inspiring others to do the same. In my spare time I love to play the piano, guitar and trumpet as well as singing and am heavily involved in my local church. I also love sports and support Derby County FC.

Mr Mannion - Teacher of Science and House Champion

After leaving Sixth Form, I began studying Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Liverpool. I learnt how to design all kinds of different things from bridges to buildings to skyscrapers. After 4 years in Liverpool I received a BEng and went on to Chester University to do a PGCE. I ended up training at the Marches School and have been here for 2 years now. Outside of school I spend quite a bit of time playing my guitars; I often have one hanging around my classroom. I also like to mess around with my cars when I get time. I like teaching science simply because it’s so much fun - you can explain everyday situations and scenarios with it, and get to set off a few exciting bangs at the same time.

Mrs Carter - Teacher of Physics

I’m a chartered aeronautical engineer having spent many years as a practising engineer after achieving a First Class Honours Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Salford. I’ve spent most of my career in the Royal Air Force travelling the world with VC10 and Tornado aircraft as well as working in Whitehall and the Pentagon on future strategy for the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force. I’ve also worked as chief engineer on hi-tech airships and balloons. I joined The Marches School last September to teach physics, which I love because it explains how and why the world works, which enables us to build fantastic things. Away from school, I love training horses, skiing, walking, cycling, house renovation and reading. I’m a dab hand at lime plastering and random slate roofing!

Mr Jones - Teacher of Physics

Having studied Music and Audio Electronic Systems in Cardiff, I stayed living in the city for a few years, working as a sound engineer for local venues and national festivals. I somehow found my way into presenting science shows - which got me hooked on staging exciting demos. I got into teaching a few years after that, starting work at The Marches School last September. My favourite thing about teaching the subject is the enthusiasm that can come from exploring science and the curiosity it brings. My spare time is occupied with rock climbing, kickboxing and playing guitar.

Mrs Keeling - Teacher of Science

I studied Biomedical Sciences for 3 years at Liverpool John Moores University. After this, I undertook my PGCE at Liverpool Hope before joining The Marches School in September 2013. My favourite part of teaching Science is having the chance to take part in fun and exciting practicals with the students. In my spare time I enjoy walking in the Lake District, going to the cinema and going on days out with my family. Spring/Summer 2016

Miss Lowery - Teacher of Science

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Aberystwyth University and a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from Manchester University. During my studies, I worked at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in Vienna for a year in a voluntary capacity. I have also worked as a research scientist in a virology lab at Bio Products Laboratories in Watford (an off-shoot of the NHS dealing with blood transfusions). I decided to do a PGCE in 1998, which I completed at Manchester University. I started work in 1999 at Alexandra High School in Tipton, West Midlands, and was there for 13 years. After deciding to move back to North Wales to be closer to my family, I joined The Marches School in 2013. I love walking my dogs, reading and I am a member of CRAG (Clwydian Range Archaeological Group).

Miss Mates - Teacher of Chemistry

I studied a 4 Year Masters course in Chemistry at Bangor University, then went on to complete my teacher training in Manchester. I started at The Marches in September 2015 as a newly qualified teacher and felt very welcome from the start. I love teaching science as it is extremely interesting, and I especially enjoy carrying out practicals with Bunsen burners. I can name every element on the periodic table, which is very useful when watching “Pointless”. In my spare time I like going to concerts (especially heavy metal ones), listening to music and going to the gym.

Mr Humphreys - Senior Science Technician

After leaving college I worked in the technical department for Redland Aggregates for a short time, before mov- ing to Hanson Aggregates technical department, where I stayed for 13 years. After roles at Roy Evans Peugeot in Oswestry and Britannia Building Society, I decided on a career change and went on to work for The National Trust as a Medieval Costume Interpreter for three years. This was a fantastic experience which never felt like work. I joined The Marches School as a Science Technician in September 2013 and have been Senior Technician since September 2015. The Science Department is made up of a wonderful group of very dedicated people. No two days are ever the same! Working at the Marches is also sometimes very nostalgic, as there are memories from my old school days around every corner. Outside of school I have many interests which include volunteering as a Parent Governor at a local Primary School and also as a Scout Leader/Archery instructor. Other interests are shooting, fishing, mountain biking, canoeing, acting, singing, medieval history and playing guitar and piano (and the odd bit of drums). I also work for the National Trust two days a month in season as ‘Will the Archer’. I am married to Rachel whom I met at the Marches School. We have three boys, two of whom are at the Marches, as well as one hamster and three goldfish.

Mrs Cawley - Science Technician

After leaving school I trained to be a Medical Secretary and worked in a local GP surgery for 2 years. I left there fancying a change and started as a Science Technician here at the Marches School in 1993; I have been here ever since. How things have changed in those 22 years! I started playing golf 4 years ago and was instantly hooked. This year I have the honour of being Lady Captain at my course, Mile End, so all my spare time is taken up with this. I also enjoy spending time with my family and have 2 daughters who keep me well and truly on my toes!

Mrs Roberts - Science Technician

After being a student at Lakelands School, Ellesmere, I went on to study Hotel and Catering at College. From here, I went on to train and work as a Microbiologist in a food laboratory, before joining The Marches School in 1994 as a Science Technician. Outside of work I like spending time socialising with my family and friends, going for long walks and holidaying in Greece.

Ms Kendrick - Science Technician

I attended Ysgol Bryn Alyn, Gwersyllt and left in…well, let’s say it was the same year that Elton John and Kiki Dee had their number one summer hit!

I started my working career as a Comptometer Operator at Brymbo Steelworks and have since worked for various companies, both in a school environment and within industry. I joined the Marches in 2004, working as a Science Technician. Out of school my hobbies include walking, cycling, theatre, listening to music and especially spending time socialising with my family and friends. Spring/Summer 2016 School Productions

Sir John Talbot’s School Godspell Production

Over 50 Sir John Talbot’s students worked together to create a fantastic Godspell show in just 10 weeks. The sell out performance showcased the amazing talent that Sir John Talbot’s School has. The evening was recorded live by a local recording company. CDs are still available for the suggested donation of £5 and will help to raise funds for the Music Department. A huge well done to all the students involved!

For all the latest school news and student success stories, please visit the school websites: www.marchesschool.co.uk www.sirjohntalbots.co.uk Spring/Summer 2016

Marches School ‘Our Day Out’ Production

Students from the Performing Arts Department at The Marches School were busy at the start of the Spring term painting sets, stitching their costumes and rehearsing their lines, all in preparation for their school production ‘Our Day Out’, a play by Willy Russell, which took place from the 8th – 10th February.

‘Our Day Out’, a play about deprived children from Liverpool, was first aired on television in 1977. The play is about Mrs Kay’s ‘Progress Class’ who are unleashed for a day’s coach trip to Conwy Castle in Wales, an exuberant celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up and being footloose, fourteen and free from school. It points out the depressing present and empty future for the comprehensive no-hopers from the backstreets of Liverpool, for whom a day out is as much as they can expect.

Over 35 students participated in the performance that was directed by Drama teachers Clare Rose Gilpin, Sophie McGreal and Natalie Wright, over a 3 month period. Students performed to over 500 primary pupils as well as performing 3 public shows, with Year 11 student Dru Cripps-Hughes playing the role of Mr Briggs and Year 13 student Heather Bontoft as Mrs Kay.

Assistant Director of Performing Arts, Clare Rose Gilpin, commented, “It was a high-energy production that was genuinely funny! We are so lucky to have such talented students and creative members of staff. I am incredibly proud of both the students and staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure the performance was of such a high standard”. Spring/Summer 2016 International Visits The Marches Academy Trust goes to Washington (and Philadelphia and New York)

Washington DC is the international powerhouse of the western world. There is a real buzz around the city that, as we landed, was covered with a festive sprinkling of snow. In the midst of the Primaries (that meant Donald and Hillary's face was plastered all around the news and print media) we eventually arrived at our hotel, just around the corner from Donald Trump’s new hotel venture. In the twilight hours of the early winter evening, we made our way around the American capital, seeing landmarks such as The White House, the FBI building, and Capitol Hill. As we had arrived on President’s Day (one of the nation’s public holidays) the lack of traffic and footfall added to the snowstorm and freezing rain made for some interesting walking conditions. With some close scrapes, we slid our way back to the hotel and prepared for the walking tour the next day. Dotty, our native walking guide, collected us at 9 a.m. and gave us the chance to see the true landmarks of the city. Through torrential rain we saw the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, the spot where Martin Luther King Jr delivered his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech across the Reflection Pool. We stopped in the Smithsonian Museum and eventually made our way to Arlington National Cemetery, where we saw the eternal flame commemorating John F Kennedy and the changing of the guard that featured some enthusiastic members of the armed American military. We made our way to Washington’s Friendship Gate, the ornate gateway to Chinatown. We readied ourselves for the long bus journey to Philadelphia, the next day, where we would see the Liberty Bell and Freedom Hall, the birthplace of American democracy. Following this, we made our way to New York which, for many of our group, was the true highlight of the trip. The hustle and bustle of Times Square is quite unique. You cannot escape the blinding phosphorescence of the multimedia billboards promoting the latest product, hit TV show or celebrity-filled new Broadway show that is about to reach the stage. A (short) walk later meant that we had arrived at the slightly imposing Empire State Building. We were very lucky as we managed to glide through the queues very quickly and ascend to the top viewing deck. There is something that is extremely captivating and memorable about the New York skyline at night. However, the 360-degree panoramic view of what is undoubtedly the most photographed city in the world, partly made the trip worthwhile on its own. The next day started with the visit to an Intrepid warship, the USS Enterprise and continued with a Circle-line boat tour around Manhattan Island. Here was a chance to take photos of Lady Liberty and all of the big sites around the city. We also had the chance to visit the Rockerfeller Centre – the ‘Top of the Rock’. As impressive as the cityscape looked at night, the ability to see the contrast during the day added a greater sense of realism to the whole journey. The sobering reality check came on the penultimate day. A visit to the World Trade Centre and the 9/11 Visitor Centre brought us back to the impact of America’s recent history. Visiting the memorial area, that encompassed the enormous footprint of the initial towers, was extremely moving for all of our students. The true horrors of that historic moment were made even more real with the rare opportunity to meet and talk with one of the NYPD firefighters who was there and helped deal with the aftermath of this terrorist atrocity. We heard first-hand experiences of the human consequences with detailed images and explanations of how the landscape shifted forever. Bearing in mind that many of our students were less than two years old at the time, it was an opportunity for them to truly understand the impact of the World Trade Centre and they are now able to pass this on to our future generations. Later in the day, following a walk over the famous Brooklyn Bridge, we made our way through Central Park to the Woolman Ice Rink. On the final day, to the excitement of many of our students, we saw the dinosaurs. Not only were we visiting the famous museum from ‘Night at the Museum’, but had the opportunity to see the Natural History Museum with its skeletons, meteors and woolly mammoths. A final group photo and we were on our way. Lunch in Trump Tower, a photo by the fountain from ‘Friends’ and, for many, a carriage-ride around Central Park. After filling up cameras for the final time, we picked up our suitcases and made our way home. It was undoubtedly a life-changing trip for many of our students and a truly successful first international cross-trust expedition for The Marches Academy Trust. Mr Jackson

More photos are available online. Spring/Summer 2016 Spring/Summer 2016 International Visits Auschwitz Tour

Fourteen Sixth Form students from Sir John Talbot's School and The Marches School recently took part in a moving four-day visit to Poland. The students stayed in Krakow, where they learnt about the history of the beautiful city, and on the second day were able to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. The emotional tour highlighted the horrors of the Holocaust and the enourmous scale of death and destruction reaped by the Second World War. The final day gave the students an insight into pre-war Jewish life in Krakow. They met Monika Goldwasser, an incredible woman who survived the Holocaust after being smuggled out of the ghetto in 1941. Her parents, knowing that they had no chance of surviving themselves, saved her life by taking her to a convent where she was later adopted by a Polish family. Monika told the students about how her Polish mother took her in despite the fact she herself could have been sent to a death camp for helping a Jew. Monika was unaware of her Jewish heritage until she was 22 years old when her mother showed her a scrap of paper left by her parents listing only her birth name, date of birth and the names of her parents. The students also had the chance to visit the Oskar Schindler Museum, housed in the original factory where he saved over 1,000 Jewish men, women and children from the Nazi extermination camps. Spring/Summer 2016 Marches Training School Direct Update The recruitment drive for the new School Direct cohort is progressing well. However, we have been frustrated by the changes to recruitment control which were put into place this year. The National College have set a national target for each individual subject as well as for primary teaching, for both university-based courses and School Direct providers. This means that when a national target has been reached, we are advised by email to stop recruiting for that subject. The target is for offers made in the UCAS system, so even if individuals have applied but have not received an interview yet, they are no longer able to proceed with their application. Popular subjects like PE, History and Primary have already reached their targets, meaning that we can no longer offer interviews. This approach has caused an element of panic for applicants, something that will only increase if recruitment is organised in the same way next year.

We have secured a primary cohort of 15 trainees for next year which is two more than our current group. The quality of applicants has been excellent and we are thrilled with both their positivity and the level of News their experience. The majority are local to the area, proving that we are providing an excellent route into teaching for the North Shropshire We are now working in collaboration with community without the need for individuals to travel to a university. We Richard Smith of ‘Amazing ICT’ in Telford, to have offered 13 secondary places to students in Maths, MFL, English, support partner schools with the delivery of History, Geography, Biology, RE and Drama. There are applications in Computer Science, in light of developments the system from students we have invited to apply that will take this currently taking place within primary and number up to 20 and we are still meeting an average of five people secondary schools around the country. each week at our drop-in information sessions. Richard will be delivering the training to primary teacher trainees, adding Marches The addition of Llanfyllin High School, The Maelor School in Penley, Training to his network of organisations. The Community College in Bishop’s Castle and to the partnership has improved our ability to offer good ‘Restorative Justice 4 Schools’ recently came placements that are within travelling distance for our students. Of the in to present their one day Restorative current cohort, nine have secured jobs for September already and one Approaches Skills Practice Course. The aim other student has a potential job offer. This is a great result at this early of this ground-breaking approach is to create stage and proves that our recruitment is rigorous and successful. a harmonious learning environment where students are able to self-regulate their own Upcoming Courses and Training Opportunities behaviour and learning. th ADHD Awareness Wednesday 13 April We are now working in collaboration with Wednesday 13th and Bettws Lifehouse in Powys. Bettws Lifehouse Paediatric First Aid Thursday 14th April is an independent, specialised provision based in Mid Wales, providing holistic th st First Aid at Work Tuesday 19 – Thursday 21 education to children who may have April experienced failure in the normal mainstream Emergency First Aid at Work Wednesday 27th April education system. Tuesday 17th and First Aid at Work Refresher Justine Holdsworth, Elaine Robinson and Liz Wednesday 18th May Devismes, teachers with leadership th responsibilities at The Marches School, have New to Head of Year (Osiris) Friday 20 May become Masters of Education by completing Child Protection Level 1 Monday 23rd May the Chester University’s Masters Programme Paediatric First Aid Tuesday 14th and here at The Marches Training School. Wednesday 15th June Tuesday 21st – Thursday 23rd First Aid at Work June Emergency First Aid at Work Wednesday 29th June Manual Handling Thursday 30th June Please remember that we are able to deliver First Aid and Health and Safety Courses at other locations and to businesses, in addition to schools. We are very pleased to research any training that may be required by the Trust and its many partners. To book any of the courses, please contact Helen Lloyd [email protected] or visit www.marchestraining.co.uk At The Marches Academy Trust, we are passionate about building a network of former students, both to help enlighten and inspire our current body of students and to keep our alumni updated with forthcoming events and the evolution of our schools as a whole. Our alumni network already includes a range of inspirational speakers, professional sportspeople, celebrated filmmakers, published writers and legal professionals to name but a few. From raising the profile of the schools to working with our students one-on-one, there are many roles our alumni play at The Marches and Sir John Talbot’s. If you attended one of our schools, visit www.futurefirst.org.uk to sign up today, and please spread the word to help us grow our Alumni Community.

T. 01691 664400 E. [email protected] W. www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk