Winter 2016 | issue seven NEWS

Leigh Academies Trust has a very strong commitment to Opportunities for Leadership leadership development and training. Over the last year and Collaboration or so, considerable numbers of high-quality staff have been promoted to even more demanding and exciting were selected. Since them, this group and are launching a finance training of senior leaders of the future have package in the New Year for aspiring positions within academies embarked upon the LAT leadership Principals. Also on the cards for 2017 is and across the Trust. programme to enhance their our new online training portal and the leadership knowledge, skills and chance for more leaders to undertake The Trust provides opportunities for all attributes. secondments in other LAT academies senior leaders to collaborate, network, LAT leaders enjoy opportunities to join to widen their experiences. shape policy and receive training every peer-review teams in other academies Whilst most successful candidates six weeks. These are highly-stimulating to understand the inspection process. for senior positions in the Trust have occasions, which enable the sharing of They also come together regularly in come from internal applications over best practice and the cross-fertilisation Drive Teams, enabling collaboration the last two years or so, we have of ideas. on all aspects of school leadership, been delighted to welcome a range This September, we launched including curriculum and assessment, of talented leaders from outside the Please contact us: our middle-leadership training teaching and learning and inclusion. organisation as well. This healthy mix t: 01322 626 609 programme. Around 40 candidates We deliberately involve our leaders helps to drive us forward. e: [email protected] applied for the programme and 17 in all aspects of school governance

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities A message from the Chief Executive

Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) has In November, Ofsted inspectors visited Mascalls , gone from strength to strength one of LAT’s six secondary schools, which joined the Trust since September. We started in September 2015. We were delighted with the outcome the year with some of our best when inspectors confirmed leaders’ self-evaluation of academic results on record. outstanding leadership and student behaviour and Since then Her Majesty’s Chief considerable improvements since the last inspection in Inspector of Schools has singled May 2012. Inspectors had no development points for out LAT as one of the top seven the Academy other than to carry on doing as they are. multi-academy trusts nationally Highlights of the report include: in his October Commentary. Of the seven chosen, four are primary only, one is a selective • “Leaders evaluate the school’s performance accurately Catholic MAT in central London and just two are all-through, and regularly, using support from the trust to confirm non-selective organisations. LAT is one of these. Sir Michael and challenge their findings. They understand the Wilshaw commended LAT for: strengths and weaknesses of the school, and are determined in their efforts to make progress with the • an ability to recruit and retain powerful and priorities that have been identified. authoritative executive leaders, with a clear vision for • “Becoming part of Leigh Academies Trust in September bringing about higher standards; 2015 has added rigour and challenge to leaders’ • a well-planned, broad and balanced curriculum that work, which is helping to accelerate the rate at which equips pupils with a strong command of the basics of the school is improving. Leaders are increasingly English and mathematics, as well as the confidence, accountable for the welfare and progress of pupils as ambition and team-work skills to succeed in later life; a result of recent changes to the school’s leadership structure.” • a commitment to provide a high-quality education for all pupils, in a calm and scholarly atmosphere; There are so many excellent achievements across our schools that it would be impossible to mention all of them. • investment in professional development of teachers However, we hope that this newsletter gives you a flavour and the sharing of knowledge and expertise across a of the many successes our schools enjoy. strong network of constituent schools; Lastly, I am delighted to confirm that Strood Academy • a high priority given to initial teacher training and in Medway will join LAT in January 2017, becoming its leadership development to secure a pipeline of future sixteenth school. Strood Academy is an over-subscribed talent; and thriving for 1,500 pupils based in • clear frameworks of governance, accountability and magnificent, multi-million pound facilities. We really look delegation; forward to working with staff and other stakeholders at • effective use of assessment information to identify, Strood and across Medway in the New Year. escalate and tackle problems quickly; With very good wishes for the festive season, • a cautious and considered approach to expansion.

On top of this high praise, The Leigh UTC has been officially recognised as the top-performing UTC nationally based upon the government’s main measure of school performance, Progress 8. We also learned recently that is rated 1st out of 150 local authorities for achievement in the Technical Baccalaureate at post-16 level. Virtually all Simon Beamish entries for this set of demanding qualifications in Kent took Chief Executive place at The Leigh UTC.

WHAT’S INSIDE • Leigh UTC - Duke of York Awards...... 5 • Higher Apprenticeships Evening...... 7 • National Leader of Education and • Cherry Orchard Primary Academy...... 7 • Opportunities for Leadership and National Support School...... 5 John Lewis Partnership working with Collaboration...... 1 • • Mascalls Alumni get involved...... 5 The ...... 8 • The Leigh UTC’s Award Dinner 2016...... 3 • SCWA launches official Facebook page..6 • Trust-wide initiatives and businesses • We remembered them...... 4 • Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, visits Join us...... 8 • The Leigh UTC provides an excellent, Strood Academy...... 6 • LAT Spelling Bee...... 8 safe environment for students...... 4 • Inspirational story-telling...... 6 • Inspire... train to be a teacher...... 8 • LAT Working With Business...... 4 • The Leigh Prize for Innovation...... 6 • Winners of the 2016 Christmas card • Leigh Awards Dinner...... 4 • Trust Conference 2017...... 7 competition...... 8

2 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk “I really feel honoured to be working with you and the Leigh UTC once again. Thanks again for a wonderful evening.” Chris Burden, Construction Manager – South East, Bam Construction.

The Leigh UTC recently hosted its given by Stewart Harris. Please give Steve Leahey, Principal at The Leigh second annual awards evening. This our warmest thanks to all the staff UTC, commented: “I am amazed by event has become a highlight of involved in making it a wonderful the continued support we receive from the calendar for The Leigh UTC and evening.” our partners and this is particularly is becoming increasingly popular, As a college specialising in STEM shown by their contribution to the attracting a higher number of business (science, technology, engineering awards evening. It truly is a special event participants than last year’s inaugural and mathematics) subjects, this is an where students, their families, staff and event. annual opportunity to recognise the sponsors can share in the successes of Proceedings were chaired by governor, outstanding achievements of students. the college. It makes me proud to be part Clive Barker, Chairman of CSB Logistics. of The Leigh UTC.” Keynote speaker, Stewart Harris, a war Keith Ellis, Managing Director at veteran, talked about his experiences Kenard Engineering, commented: and how he overcame adversity. “The awards evening was a wonderful Dean Horobin-Wright, whose opportunity to bring together students, company, Cubic Transportation staff, parents and local businesses to Ltd, sponsored one of the awards, celebrate the continued success of commented: “On behalf of all my the school and its students. Kenard colleagues at CUBIC, can I extend our Engineering is proud to be working with thanks after attending a wonderful The Leigh UTC. The Awards Evening is dinner last night. The whole occasion yet another example of how well they do things!” from start to finish was inspirational, Kenard Engineering’s Trophy the trophies were amazing and I A silent auction was held during the managed to speak to more than one Superb trophies were manufactured evening, resulting in an amazing total winner. In particular, I enjoyed the talk for the evening by Kenard Engineering. of over £19,000 being raised towards various additional extracurricular Simon Beamish projects for the college. Sincere thanks said: “The to all who generously participated to awards evening support learning at The Leigh UTC. was another magnificent event for the UTC and the “We had the privilege of sponsoring Trust, recognising both a table and one of the student another year of awards. It was inspiring to witness high achievements, first hand your young people being with The Leigh UTC recognised in such a professional becoming the top- and complimentary way for their performing UTC achievements.” nationally (based Steve McGregor, Group Executive on the measure of Director, DMA Group Progress 8).”

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 3 We remembered them LAT Students, staff and governors of academies within Leigh Academies Trust, together with members of the Royal We launched our education-business partnership just under British Legion, the Stationers’ Livery Company and other a year ago to strengthen our commitment to working with distinguished guests, came together to remember the employers across the region. Since then, it has developed fallen service men and women of the two World Wars and more strongly than any of us envisaged. We have since the 12,000 killed or injured since 1945. rebranded it “LAT Working with Business”. Students across the Trust’s academies gave moving We are grateful to Louisa Felstead, our Business Partnership performances, observed a two-minute silence and laid Manager, for the tireless work she does to connect our wreaths to commemorate the signing of the armistice academies so well to the world of work. The valuable between the Allies and Germany at 11am on 11 November, projects involved are now simply too numerous to list. 1918. However, we urge you to have a look at our new website – linked to the LAT homepage – which gives a flavour of the impact this initiative is having in a multitude of ways: http:// latworkingwithbusiness.com/

The Leigh UTC provides an excellent, safe environment for students A recent review carried out by an education safeguarding consultant, regarding practices relating to safeguarding children, commissioned by Leigh Academies Trust, has The Leigh UTC recently hosted the latest training session concluded that The Leigh UTC is providing an excellent, safe for our much-valued business mentors. New mentors, from environment for its students. an eclectic range of industries, boast considerable business “This safeguarding review was requested by Leigh expertise. They will use this to support the aspirations of our Academies Trust to provide reassurance that safeguarding students at The Leigh, Longfield and Wilmington Academies practices are robust and in line with statutory requirements. and The Leigh UTC. We very much look forward to working I am absolutely satisfied that this is the case for The Leigh with them all. UTC. The college provides a safe physical and emotional Co-ordinated by Kevin Nutter of The Leigh UTC and environment for young people, in which success through supported by Sally Phelps of The Leigh Academy, together learning is strongly promoted. The senior leadership team with Rebecca Roberts and Nicola King of Wilmington and, particularly, the college’s designated safeguarding lead Academy, the new mentors were guided through every are strongly committed to student welfare. The students aspect of our highly-successful mentoring programme and themselves would highly recommend their college.” will begin to work with students within the next few weeks.

Leigh UTC provides ‘a safe Leigh Awards Dinner physical and emotional environment for young The inaugural LAT Awards Dinner will take place on the people’ evening of Wednesday 12th July 2017. An independent panel of judges will select ten staff and ten students for awards across LAT; we hope to achieve significant business sponsorship for the evening. Staff across our academies will be asked to nominate and vote for candidates. We are working with the KM Group and using their software so that any nominations are also entered for Kent Teacher of the Year.

4 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Mascalls Alumni get involved

Thank you to alumni members Jonathan Ives and Andrew Swann who came to speak to sixth-form students recently about their career paths since leaving the school. Jonathan informed students that after Mascalls’ sixth form, he graduated from Sheffield Polytechnic with a BSc in Computer studies and is now employed by the Oracle Corporation. He spoke Leigh UTC – Duke of York Awards about different job roles in the ICT business and also about the The Leigh UTC proudly attended engineering or computer science. changes in technology, showing the Duke of York Awards, at which Students provided further evidence students pictures of the first nine Year 13 leavers achieved gold through interview to demonstrate computers used in school; very awards. Students were presented how they had excelled outside the different from those used today. with their awards by HRH Prince curriculum, including working for Andrew, Duke of York, who also spoke companies on team projects, being Andrew also talked to students at the ceremony and personally team leaders and securing work about his career pathway; from his congratulated The Leigh UTC at the experience within their chosen first media post to the different post-ceremony reception. career paths. roles he has experienced within radio and television working for the Of the 39 UTCs, nine achieved awards, All of the students from The Leigh BBC, including as a TV director. the majority being silver and bronze. UTC secured places at their first Having entered the scheme for the choices of university or, alternatively, Students were very interested, with very first time, The Leigh UTC fielded employment in engineering or many remaining afterwards to ask one of the largest cohorts of award apprenticeships. These include further questions and gain more winners, all of whom secured the apprenticeships with BMW and information about these different coveted gold award. All students Kenard, who now run their level 4 career areas and how to access achieved a distinction or higher in apprenticeships at The Leigh UTC. them.

National Leader of Education and The leadership and staff at Hartley are driven by the vision and values of the Trust and the Academy, including a firm National Support School belief in strong collaboration and team work so that we are much greater than the sum of our parts. As a National In November, Simon Beamish, Chief Executive of Leigh Support School, Hartley Primary Academy will support at Academies Trust, was made a National Leader of Education least one other external school working collaboratively to by the National College. Simon has been Chief Executive support the journey toward “good and outstanding”. It is of the Trust for the past three years and before that further recognition on a national scale of the strength in was Principal of two of LAT’s secondary academies. Our depth we have within LAT. congratulations to Simon for this much-deserved award and national recognition. Also in November, the National College designated Hartley Primary Academy as a National Support School. This builds upon the outstanding Ofsted rating achieved by the Academy last spring. Sarah Goosani, Principal of Hartley Primary Academy, commented: “This is a wonderful tribute to the staff, pupils and community of the Academy, providing a formal vehicle through which the single-post Ofsted aim of sharing best practice more widely can be delivered.”

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 5 Inspirational story-telling

Pupils in Years 5 and 6 at Molehill Primary Academy invited Genny Jones Stationers’ Crown (aka Confidence Queen) to tell them Woods Academy traditional African creation stories. They listened, entranced, to her tales of launches official Anansi (did you know why the spider Facebook page has eight legs?) and re-enacted the party held by the sun, moon and water in a tale that explained why the sun and moon hang in the sky. They sang, danced and were filled with inspiration, ready Get all the latest news, alerts and to write their own creation stories. reminders from Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy direct to your Genny’s visit complemented a unit exploring evolution and creation theories. smartphone. The official Facebook Pupils developed their understanding of other cultures and respect for different page has been set up as an additional ideas, while developing an understanding of their own beliefs. means of keeping parents/carers, students and the wider community informed of events and activities at the academy. ‘Like’ the page at https://www. facebook.com/officialSCWA/

The Leigh Prize for Innovation

We will introduce staff research Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, bursaries for initiatives to achieve visits Strood Academy outstanding outcomes nationally to promote the Trust more widely as an innovative and inspirational place to On Friday 25th November, Strood Academy were extremely fortunate to receive work. This innovation award will be a visit from Tracey Crouch, the Conservative Minister for Sport and MP for a cash prize, to celebrate the most Chatham and Aylesford. innovative ideas in education that Tracey delivered an assembly to Year 10, and 11 and the sixth-form girls about will improve academic performance female participation and ambition in relation to career aspirations and sporting among disadvantaged children. pursuits. She shared her experience of pursuing a career in politics and her own The prize is open to all teachers in sporting interests and successes. The discussion was extremely inspirational and and is a great way to find the girls have gained new impetus from the assembly. and promote best practice in this To conclude, Tracey completed the Strood Academy rowing challenge to field. It is to be launched in January demonstrate resilience and participation, as she raced against some of the 2017 through a Facebook, Twitter female students and staff – Florence Thompson, Caitlin Lamb, Leona Robinson and Linkedin marketing campaign, and Mrs Thornton, Pastoral Manager for Trafalgar. as well as via our 16 academy Strood Academy will join Leigh Academies Trust from 1st January 2017 in an websites. exciting new partnership for children and families across Medway.

6 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk Trust Conference 2017

We have been working hard to finalise arrangements for the 6th Annual Trust Conference, which takes place this year on Friday, 10th February 2017. Due to the size of the event, which will now include Strood Academy,

If you are unable to attend this event or we are using two centrally-based would like further information, please email our Business Manager, Jo Allen: [email protected] venues again this year: The Leigh and We are very pleased to invite you to an en Morning Longfield. Secondary teaching staff Saturday 26th November 2016 10am 12noon We look forward to and classroom-based support staff meeting you and your family... will participate in one venue and Come along and see the building plans and designs for Cherry Orchard Primary Academy. Find out about the curriculum, uniform, extended hours and meet Leigh Academies Trust representatives including the Executive Principal of Cherry Orchard Primary Academy. primary teaching staff and back-office We will be there to answer your questions, guide you through the The meeting will be held at The admission process for our new Observatory, Southfl eet Road on Cherry Pips Nursery, Reception and the 3rd fl oor where you will also Year 1 and Year 2. We’ll help you to be able to see the site for the support staff in another. make one of the most important school and the current status of decisions about your child’s early the building project. years education. (please see overleaf for directions) This year we will be running a For more information, please visit: cherryorchardprimaryacademy.org.uk separate programme for leaders and governors combined. We have Cherry Orchard Primary Academy managed to secure Sir David Carter, the National Schools’ Commissioner, Saturday, 26th November saw the first If you would like to know more about to speak to leaders and governors at open day for Cherry Orchard Primary this new primary academy, please visit: the event. He will be joined on the Academy, where over thirty families http://cherryorchardprimaryacademy. day by our RSC, Dominic Herrington. attended the event at the Observatory, org.uk, where you will be able to It promises to be a memorable event. in the Ebbsfleet development. register your interest and find out how For more information, please visit: Prospective parents and students met to apply for a place. http://conference.leighacademiestrust. Simon Beamish, CEO, Sue Crocker, Parents are invited to apply now for a org.uk/ Business Director of Leigh Academies place in Year R, 1 or 2 at the academy, Trust and Karen Major, Executive to start next September (Applications Principal of Dartford Primary Academy close on 16th January 2017). and Cherry Orchard Primary Academy. Kent’s admissions applications process The event included a digital fly- is now open, including for Cherry through of the new building, the Orchard. Please visit: http://www. opportunity to look at plans, see the kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/ new uniform and ask questions. Most schools/school-places. importantly, it gave everyone the opportunity to see how the building If you would like further information, is progressing from the wonderful please email our Business Manager, vantage point of the viewing platform Jo Allen: [email protected] or visit: of The Observatory. cherryorchardprimaryacademy.org.uk

Higher Apprenticeships Evening

In October, The Leigh Academy hosted Leigh Academies Trust’s Higher Apprenticeship Evening for our Year 13 students. This event proved to be a great success, and will now be on the annual calendar. A wide range of employers, alumni and STEM ambassadors supported the event with in excess of 120 Year 13 students from our Dartford secondary academies attending. This was a chance for the students to find out what opportunities there are locally and nationally. We would like to thank Laing O’Rourke, Kenard, A4G, Kent County Council, The Army, The Royal Navy, Adecco and the Ministry of Defence for supporting the event alongside former students and STEM Ambassadors. Feedback on the evening from students, parents, carers and employers was excellent.

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities 7 John Lewis Partnership working with The Leigh Academy LAT Spelling Bee – hosted by John Lewis, Bluewater, offers work experience for the majority of the year and in 2016 they have been supporting The Trust’s first-ever Spelling Bee took place on Tuesday The Leigh Academy by providing placements for their 15th November, hosted by Wilmington Academy, with students. The work experience programme offered by John students from Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy, The Lewis gives the students the opportunity to work in a fast- Leigh Academy, and Milestone Academy competing. paced retail environment, allowing them to learn selling The winners were Leigh Academy’s students, being first skills, work as part of a team and understand how to interact to get 15 spellings correct. Congratulations go to: with customers. By the end of the placement the students • Conor Smith Y9 CH feel more independent and confident in the workplace and • Morgan and Bryn Glass Y9 CH this helps to make them more employable when applying • Kyle Everitt Y7 BR for a job. • Medas Kratavicius Y7 BR The boys were fantastic and worked well as a team. Conor Smith won a special award for his fantastic Trust-wide initiatives leadership of the team. and businesses Join us... Dine with us... Inspire.... train to be a teacher The Telescope Bistro Life in a school is busy and demanding but hugely http://longfieldacademy.org/the-bistro rewarding. A teacher’s role is challenging, stimulating and never dull. We welcome trainees from a wide variety “Meals at the Telescope Bistro represent excellent value of backgrounds and experience – be it recent graduates for money. The quality of the food on the varied menu from university, bankers, IT specialists or experienced is very good and the restaurant staff are attentive, polite professionals looking for a change. Visit our website to and efficient. The location of the restaurant in an indoor find out more about a rewarding career in teaching: garden area within the school provides a peaceful and relaxing environment. This is quite definitely a five-star http://www.kmtraining.org.uk/home establishment!”

LAT16 To register your interest, please visit us: http://www.lat16.org.uk/

4 apply-now d e g , a g rin ne an M n a g LAT Working with Lo Business © 2016 Winners of the Leigh Academies Trust http:// Green Street Green Road, latworkingwithbusiness. Dartford, Kent DA1 1QE 2016 Christmas t: 01322 620 586 com e: [email protected] card competition w: www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk This year, the Trust opened Garrit Badiel, Year 8 Leigh Academies Trust is a registered the competition up to all company, company no 2336587. LAT Alumni Academy, and from the An exempt charity. academies to find winners http://latalumni.org.uk primaries, Logan Mannering, from both secondary and aged 4, from Langley Park primaries. Primary Academy. The winner from the There were so many LAT Enterprises secondary academies is fantastic entries, it was very Please contact us: http://venuehirekent.com Garrit Badiel, in Year 8 at difficult for the judges to t: 01322 626 609 Stationers’ Crown Woods choose the winners! e: [email protected]

8 www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk