A word from Ian Lane and Helen Clegg

Issue 2 // Autumn 2013
Issue 2 // Autumn 2013
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
from all the Trustees, Chair, Chief Executive and
all colleagues within the central support team
A word from Ian Lane
and Helen Clegg
Director of Secondary Academies
and Director of Primary Academies
Developing a partnership
of successful academies
We are delighted to be part of the
Northern Education Trust and to be joining
the organisation at such an exciting
time in its development. Thank you to
everyone for making us feel so welcome.
Having the opportunity to work with
so many talented school leaders and
specialists in their field is a privilege.
Our greatest resource by far is you, and
in our collective ability to support one
another. No school, irrespective of the
challenges it faces, is unable to bring
something to the table – that seed of an
idea or touch of magic that may help to
change a child’s life. The more we can
assist in unlocking potential in all our
schools and as a collective, the more we
will make happen. There are some brilliant
examples of collaborative working and
school-to-school support already going on
across the Trust and with associates and
other partners! We are keen to learn from
this and go further.
Feedback wanted
We would like to receive your
views and thoughts on the Trust as we
continually strive for improvement.
We would also like views on: –
-A Trust wide incentive scheme
for students
-Staff event, is it something that
you would like to do, who, where
and when?
e: sarah.hughes@
northerneducationtrust.org
t: (0191) 280 4738
Hitting the headlines
We have had a number of stories in
the media. To read more go to
www.northerneducationtrust.org/news
Case studies
Ian Lane and Helen Clegg-Hood
We will, of course, embrace the many
challenges of the new curriculum and
accountability regimes but together we
will also foster a love of learning, helping
to ensure that our young people achieve
academically, going on to live fulfilling
lives, able and confident enough to help
re-shape tomorrow’s world and make it an
even better place to grow up in.
Ian Lane
e: [email protected]
m: 07546 906 335
Helen Clegg – Hood
e: [email protected]
m: 07803 205 196
There are six case studies which have
been circulated and very well received
by all. They are available via pdf. e:
[email protected].
The intention is to develop five more
for this academic year.
Student feedback
boxes installed at
The Blyth Academy
Comments are wide ranging, offering
another vehicle to get involved and
put thoughts forward. To purchase
a feedback box at your school,
contact Katy Ross e: katy.ross@
northerneducationtrust.org
Northern Education Trust Newsletter // 1
Issue 2 // Autumn 2013
Announcements
Principal
appointments
Northern Education Trust is delighted
to announce the appointment of
two new Principals to join Northern
Education Trust academy family:
Updates from the Central Team
Thomas Hepburn
Lesley Craig will take up her
appointment in January 2014
Operations
Have you ordered
your customised
pop up banners,
large photographs
of your site and
students, banners
to suspend from
ceilings? Several
designs are available
to customise with
your own photographs, all have proved to
be very popular. If you would like to order
yours contact Katy Ross
t: (0191) 280 4738
e: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HR Update Jude Telford
Human Resources Director
The focus for last term was consultation
with unions nationally through the Trust
JCC on our pay and appraisal policies. The
consultation period has now ended but
there are still ongoing discussions with
the unions.
your observations/comments as they will
all feed into the consultation process. The
next JCC is scheduled for 16th December.
Grangefield
Shelagh Potter has been appointed
as Interim Principal until August 2015
Over the coming year there is much work to
be done in setting up consistent HR systems
and processes across the Trust. Please let
me know of any concerns you may have in
terms of HR so that the service provided
can be improved. I have received good
reports on the use of our new Occupational
Health provider, Health Assured. It is really
beneficial to be kept informed.
m: 07976 044 539
e: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Governors’ Update
Two academies are beginning their own
self assessment against the national
quality mark for effective governance.
Let me know if any other Governing Body
would like to begin this process. Staff and
Governors of academies are finding it to
be beneficial to their understanding of
what makes their academy tick.
www.glmpartnership.org
m: 07889 545 238
e: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finance Update
Gareth Edmunds Director of Finance
Financial Regulations have been approved
by the Trust Board, on the 31st October,
and were shared in a meeting at York
with Business Managers in November.
Financial Regulations will be shared with
Academies throughout the Trust.
t: (0191) 280 4273
e: gareth.edmunds@
northerneducationtrust.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Data Collection
We’ve been pulling together historical
data for all Trust schools using data from
DfE Performance tables and information
gathered from schools over the summer.
We’re also finalising arrangements for
the first termly data collection in January
Conversion news
This term we are consulting on the
following HR policies; Grievance,
Discipline, Health and Well Being, Social
Networking and Dignity at Work. These
polices have all been circulated to
academy Principals. Please let me have
New appointments
to the central team
HR Advisor - Jess Worthington
Property Manager - John Black
Corporate Accountant - Gary Lee
Director of Secondary Academies Ian Lane
Director of Primary Academies Helen Clegg-Hood OBE.
See Trust profile document for
further details www.
northerneducationtrust.org/about/the
Grangefield and Norton Primary will
convert on 1st January 2014
Kirk Balk Community College –
1st April 2014
Launch news on
official openings
Frederick Nattrass 26th September
North Shore 2nd October
Oak tree 18th November
New buildings
Grangefield: A new school building
is getting underway for handover in
July 2015.
North Shore and Kearsley have
moved into their new buildings.
2014. We’re extremely keen to involve
school data leads, not only to facilitate
the flow of data to the Trust but also to
share best practice across schools using
the tremendous range of knowledge and
expertise out there to maximum effect.
t: (0191) 280 4738 m: 07546 906 335
e: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Property Update
John Black joined the team in November
and is currently visiting all academies.
Aura has been appointed to provide
health and safety advice and will
provide termly newsletters highlighting
health and safety issues in the school
environment. [email protected]
t: (0191) 280 4738
e: [email protected]
Northern Education Trust Newsletter // 2
Issue 2 // Autumn 2013
What our young
people are saying...
The behaviour of the children has changed a lot since Mr Richards has become
Principal. We’ve got higher standards in learning and the children’s levels are
reaching their targets. The Leadership team is trying as hard as they can to find
easier ways for children to learn. So far we are making progress.
Mount Pellon Primary Academy
I would like this academy, Thomas
Hepburn Community Academy,
to be one of the best academies
in Gateshead. The academy that
every parent wants to send their
child to. I would like there to be
more opportunities for students.
I can see the academy making
improvements already. The teaching
and pupil behaviour has already
improved. There is a new system of
consequences. When the pupils get
rewarded for things they do in class
this encourages every pupil to be
the best they can be. Finally, more
opportunities for the pupils who
do the right thing all the time, by
rewarding them with good things.
William, Year 9, Thomas Hepburn
Ryecroft is special because we
have very special teachers and they
are friendly. I really enjoyed going
to Wales and Skegness because
Mr Johnson got a funny hat from
a shop in Scarborough. We have
Ryecrofts’ Got Talent. I get to school
on the walking bus and I get to sit
next to my best friend. On a Friday
at 2:00 we have Golden Time and
it is really fun. We have different
support teachers and they help you
when you’re stuck. We have a super
learning day, we have friendship day
and we do different things such as
helping the little ones. At Ryecroft
we had a World War 2 day and it was
really fun. I can’t wait for another
day at Ryecroft. It really helps me
get ready for secondary school.
Toni- Leigh, Year 6
I am looking forward to us becoming an academy because it will be exciting to
come to school and feel different and ready to start the day. We think it will also
help the school to make more progress. That will make the students and their
parents a lot happier! I am especially looking forward to the new start. But what
makes me even happier is the thought that Northern Education Trust is helping
us; they are from the same part of the country as us. They understand us.
Many students in Hartlepool
that don’t attend Dyke House
wonder what exactly being a
Northern Education Trust Academy
entails and how, as students, we
personally benefit from this. In
truth, I feel that the difference
in us as a whole identity is very
subtle however the impact on
individual student education can
be massive.
One way it directly affects student
life is through the development
of education and its delivery.
Through becoming an academy,
staff are able to share experiences
within the Northern Education
Trust, which ultimately improves
the quality of our education.
With a quality education, we are
more likely to have more options
whether in further education
or entering employment; it all
leads to us being attractive to
employers within what is currently
a competitive world to thrive in.
An increase in funds coupled
with our desire to create a 6th
form has meant that, as a school,
more aspirational visits have been
offered to places such as Oxford
and Cambridge. I have found these
visits, alongside our changing
aspirational focus invaluable to
planning future pathways and
aspiring to apply to such places.
Head girl, Dyke House
Kacey, Year 5, Abbey Park
Northern Education Trust Newsletter // 3
Issue 2 // Autumn 2013
What our young
people are saying...
Kearsley Academy students are greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The
calm surrounding of the new facilities allows for both students and teachers to
feel at home when learning and teaching.
We feel that our minds are constantly broadened and stretched by the constant
challenges set by teachers. This incurs in a very high standard of work within the
perfect balance of professionalism and friendliness.
Since September 2013 the huge leap that children within the academy have
taken is a reminder of how much we have progressed and how proud we are.
This year we gained the Best GCSE Results Ever in the history of Kearsley
Academy or the predecessor school.
We know that the academy strives to achieve only the very best and its high
standards mean we get the best education we could possibly get to ‘prepare
for the future.’ Our keenness to work and progress often extends into our after
school enrichment opportunities. Ultimately we feel lucky and happy to be at
Kearsley Academy!
Kaine, aged 14, year 10 and Oliver, aged 14, year 10, Student Council
Behaviour has changed. It is better. We take matters
more seriously. We have new school rules. We have new
rewards. We feel safe. We learn better. We have more
teachers in class. We know what our topics are. We now
have to write joined up all the time. When we read 10
times we get a prize. PE is much better now we all have
Mrs. Coates.
When we became an academy
Mrs Davison said in assembly it
would be a “little bit different but
a chance to do things a lot better”
and it is!
We have all got a matching PE kit,
we love it and we like the way our
rainbow logo has changed so it
stands out more. We do loads of
exciting things especially outside
in the woods and gardens. The
iPads are great and now the WI-FI
works really well so we can share
our ideas and look at each other’s
work on the Apple TV’s.
Our teachers are great and we like
the way each year group has an
entitlement and non-negotiables
to work on over the year – in year
5 we are looking at “Performance”
we know now what artists and
sports people have to do to always
improve their work!
It’s great that our teachers can
make our learning exciting by
listening to what is interesting
to us! Our parents like the new
entrance signs and the new gate.
Olivia, Shakira, Shannon, Amy,
Jodie and Lucas, year 5
Hilton Primary Academy
School Council is much better. It does much more. We
have our own budget. We bought some playground bins.
The boys can’t have the MACA all the time to play football.
We have been inspecting how tidy the school is. It is
getting better.
There are more clubs Fantastic Friday is better. Everybody
gets to do the activities like art, Zumba and drama. We
have new signs. We are in the newspaper more. People
know who we are.
By Cole, Tayreem, Katie, Morgan and Jessica, years 4 to 6
Merlin Top Primary Academy
Northern Education Trust Newsletter // 4
Issue 2 // Autumn 2013
Classes curry favour
with staff and pupils
Staff and students of North Shore
Academy have been developing
their cooking skills in a brand new
venture; Curry Club.
Teams comprising of a member of
staff and one student are given the
same ingredients with instruction
from Mr Prout, who enjoys cooking in his spare time but
is actually a member of the maths department. Then, it’s
down to them to create the best tasting curry within 90
minutes. The club has proven to be so popular that there
is now a waiting list with both students and staff waiting
to produce wonderful curries from around the world.
Mrs Wilson, the club coordinator, said, ‘I can’t believe
how popular it is. The students really enjoy working with
staff and competition is fierce to create the best flavours.
Everyone is learning new skills and Mr Prout is doing a
fantastic job, coming up with a different curry each week.’
Hola from Kearsley
Kearsley Academy invited children from nearby St Stephen’s CE
School to mark European Languages day and develop an interest
in learning another language, which has huge benefits for
children. Karen Greenwood, teacher at Kearsley Academy, said:
“European Languages Day aims to raise public awareness of the
languages used in Europe, to promote cultural and linguistic
diversity and to encourage people, schoolchildren and adults to
learn languages.”
Research has shown that maths and verbal SAT scores climb
higher with each additional year of foreign language study, which
means that the longer you study a foreign language, the stronger
your skills become to succeed in school. This year Kearsley had
its first ever Spanish GCSE option group.
Youngsters gave the day the thumbs up. Daisy, aged 10, said:
“When we went to Kearsley Academy we didn’t know any Spanish
at all, but by the end, we could say and write sentences in Spanish.
We had a great time.” Macey aged 10 added: “I learnt Spanish.
The best part was when we wrote our name and three other facts
about me. I love European languages.” Lewis aged 10 said: “When
I went to Kearsley Academy, I learnt Spanish. I learnt numbers and
some names of places. Miss Greenwood was amazing.”
National competition
with TES now LIVE
Will the whippet
George the dog
Paws-ative results
in Reading
Research from the US and Kent showed
that reading to an animal was less
stressful for children than reading to an
adult. Mount Pellon Primary Academy has
recruited George the dog, and at The Ferns
Academy, Will the whippet, has joined the
team. They are helping to raise the profile
of reading. The children love them!
The current competition to win a
standalone classroom or an £80,000
contribution to a rooftop extension
is open to all UK primary, secondary
and special schools and entrants must
simply submit no more than 300 words
explaining why they deserve to win the
new learning space. Enter the competition
at www.tesconnect.com/building
Staff team building
Staff at The Ferns experienced a whole new
way of working together with an exciting
opportunity to do some team buildinggreat fun and a resounding success.
In the next issue...
What is your Student Council doing?
For the next issue Spring 2014 could your Student Council let us know what
they are doing in their Northern Education Trust academy, using 180 words and
a picture or graphic. Statements to be received by Spring half term please.
Contact internal communications:
e: [email protected] m: 07889 545 238
For more information or to discuss any
of the points raised, please contact
Roger Alston, Chief Executive or Les Walton,
Chairman of Northern Education Trust.
Cobalt Business Exchange, Cobalt Park Way,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE28 9NZ, UK
t: +44 (0)191 280 4738
e: [email protected]
www.northerneducationtrust.org
Northern Education Trust Newsletter // 5