Leigh Academies Trust Spring 2018 | issue 11

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

“The Trust started in Dartford with the union of The Leigh and Longfield Academies back in 2008; it was one of the first multi-academy trusts ever created. Over our first decade, we have achieved much. Of our academies inspected so far, six have been judged 'outstanding' for their leadership by Ofsted. Six academies have benefited from significant new-build projects, led by the Trust.

“LAT was the first school group in the region to develop an all-through model of education for primaries and secondaries working together in formal alliance, the first mainstream trust to contain a special school and the first

trust nationally to take on a UTC, setting the model for others to follow. LAT was also one of the first trusts nationally to become the new home for schools previously operated by another group of schools. LAT has recently opened two brand-new primary schools and has four more free schools in the pipeline, with Leigh Academy Blackheath being the next to open this September.

“As well as blazing a trail for others to follow, LAT has supported those in need by removing four schools from special measures since it started. Our leadership of Kent and Medway Training, the region’s largest school centre initial teacher training provider, supports the

whole education sector by generating 150 outstanding new teachers every year for the region’s schools.

“LAT academies contain unique features, such as the ground-breaking training restaurant at Longfield, (The Telescope), the state-of-the-art digital media centre at Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy (SCWA) and the advanced engineering apprenticeship programme at The Leigh UTC, the first of its kind in the UK. The Trust has its own business development team to connect our schools and young people closely to the region’s employers and its own trading company, called LAT Enterprises, to earn much-needed, additional revenue for our schools.”

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

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

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

NEWS

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A Message from the Chief Executive

Simon Beamish, Chief Executive

We hear it said often that nothing in life worth doing is ever easy. Well, the same is true for multi-

academy trusts. In our last newsletter I heralded the ten-year anniversary of LAT. Over that time, the Trust has taken on a considerable number of challenges. It has seldom taken the easy path and sees it as its mission to solve some of the region’s educational problems from which others might shy away.

In the last few weeks two LAT academies that were in special measures when they joined us, have been judged securely 'good' by Ofsted. The first was Molehill Primary Academy in Maidstone, which has gone from grade 4 to grade 2 under LAT leadership in just over two years. Inspectors recognised that “Leaders have worked with unrelenting determination and clear focus to drive up achievement and create a can-do culture across the school. This has united staff and inspired pupils so that the school continues to go from strength to strength.” This is a far cry from the last Ofsted report before LAT entered the scene at Molehill, which stated: “Leadership and management require improvement because..... leaders, managers and governors have not been effective in raising pupils’ attainment and improving teaching sufficiently.”

Another LAT academy inspected recently is Dartford Primary. Before LAT took charge of the school, in what was then York Road Juniors, inspectors commented that: “This school is failing to give pupils an acceptable standard of education..... The persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement”. When inspectors returned recently, the picture had been transformed, allowing them to comment that: “The executive principal has a clear vision for the school and has worked successfully to ensure that pupils are cared for and achieve well. Trust leaders and governors provide effective strategic direction. They support the executive principal well in her work to improve the school.”

As well as improving failing schools, LAT has been successful in another tough challenge: opening brand-new schools from scratch. The Trust has done this several times already and was delighted recently to receive the signed Funding Agreement from the Department for Education to open Leigh Academy Blackheath in Greenwich this September. This brand-new academy, starting with 180 pupils in year 7, is already officially over-subscribed with a waiting list for pupils, even before it has welcomed any young people through its doors. The Academy’s vision to blend innovation with tradition will ensure it provides even more Greenwich children with a high-quality, “Leigh-style” education in the Royal Borough.

More recently, LAT opened a brand-new building in Dartford, Inspiration Academy @ The Leigh UTC. This annex to the existing engineering and computer-science college, which opened in 2014, offers a broad and balanced, yet STEM-focused, curriculum for young people from age eleven. 140 pupils started at the heavily over-subscribed Inspiration Academy in September 2017 and can now enjoy their very own bespoke facilities. We have had even more applications for entry in September 2018 and the lucky pupils starting with us next year recently received their offers. Inspiration Academy will continue the groundbreaking work of The Leigh UTC, where leadership was judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2017, to create the UK’s STEM experts and ambassadors of the future.

LAT will carry on its reputation for delivering in challenging circumstances, but will never sacrifice the success of existing schools and pupils in pursuit of new achievements. The Trust is courageous and forward-thinking, but also cautious and measured when necessary. It is our very great privilege to serve young people and families across Kent, Medway, Bexley and Greenwich. Our Excellence Charter captures our approach perfectly when it says: “We will grow to support more schools in the region so that our pupils and theirs benefit and standards improve across the board”.

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WHAT’S INSIDE• Connecting Staff,

Building Communities ..................3

• The Leigh Prize .................................3

• Premier League Star Returns to SCWA ...................................................4

• PCA Masters Cricket Gala Day ....4

• Milestone@The Leigh Academy Opening .............................................5

• Free Schools Update ......................5

• Trust Conference .............................6

• The Halley Academy Joins LAT ...6

• Executive Director Appointment ....................................7

• LAT Staff Awards 2018 ...................7

• Ofsted: Molehill Primary Academy ............................................8

• Ofsted: Dartford Primary Academy ............................................8

• Leadership Programmes ..............9

• Inspiration Academy@ The Leigh UTC ..................................9

• Leigh Aspire Programme .......... 10

• LAT Working With Business ...... 11

• International Baccalaureate at LAT - IBCP / IB MYP .................. 12

3Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

The Leigh Prize

The Trust is proud to have launched the inaugural Leigh Prize, a national competition which aims to encourage and promote innovation within the education sector. The theme of this year's competition is teacher wellbeing, an issue which has dominated the teaching press over the last couple of years.

This year’s Leigh Prize is being launched with support from the Education Support Partnership and TES, as both of these organisations share our vision for an education sector where teachers are able to be the best version of themselves at all times.

To attract entries, LAT is sponsoring research grants of up to £1,000 for schools as well as offering a £2,500 cash prize for the best entry from an individual teacher. Whilst this is a national competition, to make it fair for other schools we have created a separate category just for our own teaching staff with a similar cash prize. The launch coincides with the rollout recently of our own Leigh Thrive programme across our schools, which we introduced to tackle the underlying causes of wellbeing problems as well as offering practical support to help teachers cope with the demands of their role.

The aim of the Leigh Prize is to encourage further innovative ideas that both the Trust and other schools can use to improve teacher wellbeing. The competition will close on 24th May 2018 and the winners will be announced at the LAT Awards in July 2018.

Connecting Staff, Building Communities

We know that within each of our academies we have brilliant staff, but what often frustrates them is the lack of time they have to collaborate with colleagues from other academies across the Trust. We have listened to this feedback and started looking at ways we can overcome the physical barriers to collaboration, sharing ideas and

supporting each other everyday. Through talking with other organisations, we came across a social collaboration platform called Workplace.

Workplace is a tool designed by Facebook to help individual organisations to collaborate and get more done. The Workplace product was offered free to LAT as an education provider and we have been working closely with Facebook's European growth team to develop the platform so that we can use it to create a better

sense of community and connect our staff no matter where they are physically.

We are now undertaking a pilot of the platform and so far the response from staff has been really positive. Unlike Facebook, this is a secure, private network, so our staff can use the platform without disruption from adverts and other distractions and, in time, use it to share great ideas that can further improve the quality of teaching and learning as well as the overall running of our academies.

www.leighprize.org.uk

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Former student and Bournemouth FC winger, Junior Stanislas, was delighted to return to his old school and join year 9 in their PE lesson as part of Nike’s ‘Beat this Week’ campaign .

Junior met up with some of his former teachers, including his former PE teacher and school football team manager Steffan Ball, and enjoyed reminiscing about his school days and memorable football matches with the school team.

‘It’s interesting to see the school now; it’s a special place,’ said Junior before heading off to the astroturf with year 9s.

The students were thrilled to have the Premier League star join their lesson, giving them tips on how to feed the ball and positional play. The lesson ended with a mini-tournament and Junior joined in, setting up goals, encouraging the students and congratulating them on their skills. At the end of the session he gave ‘player of the match’ awards to Ellie and Dora, who each received a signed Nike training top.

Students didn’t miss the chance to ask Junior about life in the Premiership, questioning him about players, his training programme and international career. Junior told students how he

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

Junior advised students to ‘stay dedicated’ to their dream. Whatever they want to do, they must believe in themselves and work hard at it. Most importantly, they have to enjoy what they are doing and if they want to become a footballer then they have to ‘practise, practise, practise’.

Head of Sherwood School, Steffan Ball, said: ‘It was great to welcome Junior back. The students were amazed when they saw him but they soon overcame their shyness and really responded to his advice. We’d like to thank Junior and Nike for giving our students a brilliant morning.’

Premier League Star, Junior Stanislas, Returns to Stationers' Crown Woods Academy

The PCA Masters Cricket Gala Day is one of the highlights of the Kent corporate entertainment calendar. The event is a spectacular charity day to raise money for Leigh Academies Trust's students. This year's event will take place at Bexley Cricket Club on Friday 29th June 2018.

The day will include:

• a morning cricket and coaching session for Leigh Academies Trust's primary students;

• a gourmet lunch by Cucina and award-winning chef, Ian Morgan;

• a fundraising auction run by Full Event Management, including exclusive sports- related opportunities, Premiership tickets, holidays and memorabilia;

• enthralling lunchtime entertainment including a Q&A session; and

• celebrated PCA Masters vs Leigh Academies Trust 25-over cricket match.

PCA Masters Cricket Gala Day

ENGLAND MASTERS

For further details, or to reserve a table, places, sponsorship or donate to the charity auction contact:

Katie Petts, Leigh Academies Trust, e: katie.petts@latrust.org.uk t: 07540 722 865

5Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

Milestone@The Leigh Academy Opening

Milestone @ The Leigh students have settled in well and continue to thrive in their new satellite home at The Leigh Academy. We were proud to open our doors officially on 23rd January, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting. Our special guest for this event was Julie Ely, Head of SEN Assessment and Placement for Kent. Our students were proud to share their thoughts on their learning and personal progress since arriving at The Leigh.

A major part of the reason we have set up this satellite is so that we have access to a wider range of local services, including public transport. With the help of Kent County Council, most of our students now have their own bus passes and have been exploring the local area by public

transport. They have been as far afield as Bluewater, Lullingstone Roman Villa, Gravesend town centre and, of course, Dartford. The excursions represent a major feature of functional and life- skills learning and will help ensure that our students can be as independent as possible by the time they leave Milestone Academy.

Finally, we are proud to announce that, on 23rd April at 7:00 pm, students will be performing their own version of

William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and we are looking forward to welcoming colleagues and peers from across the Trust to celebrate this accomplishment. This is a student-led production, and we are grateful to host students and staff at The Leigh Academy for providing lots of support for this, from making costumes to learning how to operate the technical equipment. Our students have been fully involved and greatly value the feeling of inclusion.

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

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

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

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Trust Conference

The 7th annual Trust conference took place on Friday 9th February 2018. The event brought together around 2,000 members of staff and governors from all academies to undertake training activities. The theme of the day was ‘we work together as one team in the belief that we are greater than the sum of our parts’.

For the first time the conference spread across three centres - The Leigh Academy, Longfield Academy and Strood Academy - providing events for primary, secondary, special and support staff teams. At each location there was a wide range of workshops, which covered diverse subjects such as food within the primary curriculum, forest schools, signing communication, mathematical reasoning, gangs and

organised crime and the IB Learner Profile.

Our staff commented:

“All of the workshops were inspiring, informative and interesting, showcasing more of what works well in other establishments.”

“I really enjoyed my sessions and found staff incredibly positive and engaged. It was great to work with such a wide range of colleagues.”

“Excellent day - looking forward to more like this.”

The day also sought to develop the skills and knowledge of key groups with specialist sessions for Newly- Qualified Teachers (NQT), senior leaders and each of the support staff teams.

The next conference is planned for Friday 15th February 2019.

The Halley Academy officially joined LAT on 1st March. Its new Principal, John Dixon, started just before that. Prior to joining LAT, John was Principal of a secondary school in Islington and previously held senior roles at schools in Greenwich and Bexley. John is a resident of Greenwich and looks forward to making a considerable contribution to education across the Royal Borough in his new role. John will work especially closely with senior leaders in LAT’s other South-East London academies to strengthen our network of schools, providing even more high-quality places for parents who prefer a “Leigh-style” education.

John has many exciting new plans for The Halley Academy. He explains his main priorities below.

“It is a privilege to be leading The Halley Academy as we embark upon our journey of improvement within Leigh Academies Trust. With the support of the South-East London cluster we have a vision of excellence, underpinned by our mission, ‘Together we inspire, learn and achieve’, to enable all students to reach their full potential as proud, articulate and confident learners equipped for wider society. Celebrating

existing good practice and utilising the skills of staff, building on our academy’s current strengths and those of our cluster, combined with the expertise of the wider Trust, will enable us to make the rapid improvements required.

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

of our richly diverse academy. A real strength of joining the Trust is the wide range of collaborative professional development opportunities available to all staff. I am looking forward to the effective outcomes which will be achieved as a result of working closely with the South East London cluster of academies.

The late Professor Stephen Hawking said: “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change,” and I am aware that the staff at The Halley Academy have seen more than their fair share of changes. The commitment of the staff here is inspirational and I know that, working together, we will achieve great things for the students and their life chances.

I have a passion for shaping and transforming the lives of young people in our community and am relentless in the drive to support students to succeed in a caring, calm and safe environment.”

The Halley Academy Joins LAT

7Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

Executive Director Appointment

David Millar has been appointed to a new post as Executive Director of Leigh Academies Trust. He assumes

overall responsibility for LAT’s South-East London group of academies while continuing as Executive Principal of SCWA.

He will also be involved in strategic development and innovation across the Trust, reporting directly to the CEO. The school leaders in the cluster continue to maintain day-to-day control of their academies and unchanged high levels of management freedom.

This new appointment follows a group interview by four LAT directors and recognises David’s wider contribution outside SCWA. It ensures that the Trust can continue to thrive by maintaining its capacity for expansion.

As well as leading SCWA, LAT’s first South-East London secondary academy, David has already supported

other South East London academies, such as Eastcote Primary Academy, which achieved its best academic outcomes ever in 2017. David has also helped to accelerate progress at Leigh Academy Blackheath, which will open in September 2018 in Victoria House on Shooters Hill.

Since April 2017, David has acted as Interim Executive Principal at Corelli College, following requests to LAT from the Regional Schools’ Commissioner and The Royal Borough of Greenwich. Corelli College is completing plans for significant improvements to buildings and officially joined LAT on 1st March as The Halley Academy. A new Principal reporting to David, started on 1st January 2018.

Ofsted’s one-day inspection last June judged SCWA as a 'good' school with the capacity of the ‘ambitious’ leadership team to improve further.

David has asked to remain Executive Principal while further progress is achieved by his team

on the journey towards recognition as an 'outstanding' academy. His office base will remain at SCWA and the majority of his time will continue to be devoted to leading it to become the best school in Greenwich – chased by The Halley Academy and Leigh Academy Blackheath!

LAT Staff Awards 2018

It's that time of year again!

With LAT’s second annual Staff Awards fast approaching, we invite you to nominate a colleague whom you believe to be truly exceptional.

Nominations will be open from Monday 26th March. The categories are:

• Primary Teacher of the Year• Secondary Teacher of the Year• NQT of the Year• Mentor/Coach of the Year• Digital Technology Award• Support Staff Award for Pupil

Engagement• Support Staff Award for

Operational Services• Leadership Award for Teaching,

Learning and Curriculum• Leadership Award for Support

Services• Outstanding Governor Award• Special Recognition Award

The Awards Evening, scheduled for Wednesday 11th July, promises to be an exciting and glamorous event for all nominees to be recognised and rewarded for the dedication and hard work they demonstrate within their roles on a daily basis.

Does a particular colleague come to mind? Nominate them now at: www.latawards.co.uk

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk

Molehill Primary Academy

We are delighted to report that Ofsted has judged Molehill Primary Academy to be a 'good' school following a Section 5 inspection on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st January 2018.

We are thrilled that the inspectors agreed with our own self-evaluations and we were graded as ‘good’ in all categories, recognising the continuing tireless work of all of those involved with the academy: children, staff, governors and parents.

Historically the school has not achieved a ‘good’ judgement in over a decade. Therefore, it has to be recognised that the remarkable work of everyone involved has been transformational and the community now has a school it deserves and can be proud of.

Ofsted said:"Leaders have worked with unrelenting determination and clear focus to drive up achievement and create a 'can-do' culture across the school. This has united staff and inspired pupils so that the school continues to go from strength to strength.“

An enormous 'thank you' must go to Molehill’s fantastic pupils who were, and always are, a credit to their parents and to the academy. They were described as “delightful, enthusiastic, open, friendly and engaging.” Inspectors could not have praised them enough.

Executive Principal, Debbie Biggenden, commented: “I am privileged to work alongside the dedicated staff team and our Trust colleagues.

I know we will continue to drive improvements and standards up with a clear and focused vision. So no sitting back as we will be going for 'outstanding' next!”

We are immensely pleased with so many comments in the report. It clearly identifies the vital role that the children play in our school and how their behaviour and attitude towards school is central to our ethos and atmosphere.

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Ofsted Inspections

Dartford Primary Academy

We are very proud to report that Dartford Primary is officially a 'good' school.

Dartford Primary joined Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) in special measures as York Road Juniors and it was LAT’s first-ever primary-age academy. February 2015 saw the official merger with St Alban's Infants and the creation of Dartford Primary Academy.

All of the staff work relentlessly and contribute to the great team the academy has today.

We were delighted that the inspection team recognised the hard work of all our staff, governors, the Trust and most importantly our children.

“Teachers provide clear explanations of what they want pupils to learn and guidance on how pupils can check how well they are doing. Teachers and teaching assistants contribute well to pupils' learning.”

“Pupils respect one another’s differences and support each other well. One pupil commented that ‘regardless of race, gender or culture everyone is treated the same in our school.”

We were really pleased with their recognition of the strong practice in our early years.

“In the nursery and reception, the atmosphere is calm and purposeful. There are rich opportunities, both in the classroom and outdoors, that excite children and encourage their independence.”

It was also great to see the recognition of the academy’s collaborative work within the Trust.

“Teachers and leaders benefit from working with other Trust schools and leaders.”

Executive Principal, Karen Major, commented: “I am extremely proud to be the Executive Principal of Dartford Primary and look forward to celebrating our continued success as we move forward.”

Dartford Primary Academy is one of the biggest primaries in Dartford. We continue to aim to be the best and are now one step closer to this.

DartfordPrimary Academy

MolehillPrimary Academy

‘The school is a harmonious community where pupils get along well together.’

9Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

Leadership Programmes

This module sees the launch of the inaugural LAT Leaders' National Professional Qualifications for Middle and Senior Leaders. Following the training of ten of our own facilitators and in partnership with Ambition School Leadership, Principals from all our academies have identified their talent and recommended them for the most appropriate programmes. These nationally-accredited leadership development programmes will support our leaders to become better in their roles, prepare for the next steps in their careers with LAT and - ultimately and most importantly - have a greater impact for our students.

Twenty-one participants began their NPQML journey on Wednesday 14th March, Eighteen participants commenced with the NPQSL on the 21st March and we already have waiting lists for our next cohorts, planned for early next academic year. We continue to seek external partners for the NPQH and NPQEL programmes and intend to launch the NPQH this academic year as well. We look forward to updating you on progress and showcasing impact over the coming months.

Following an open event at SCWA, we are delighted to have also enrolled eight participants on the NCE master teacher apprenticeship programme, beginning in April, and six delegates

on the senior leader apprenticeship programme.

Coaching is becoming part of our Trust culture, with coaching champions from every one of our academies coming together for more training on the second immersion day on 6th February. Hundreds of colleagues are benefitting from formal and 'ninja' coaching already. A third day is planned for the summer term and we will be compiling an impact report in the near future.

These new leadership initiatives and talent-management opportunities show the commitment of the Trust to developing and retaining our leaders at all levels. This is just the beginning!

Inspiration Academy @ The Leigh UTCThe Leigh UTC is celebrating the opening of Inspiration Academy for students aged between eleven and fourteen years old in March. This has enabled The Leigh UTC to become the first UTC nationally to admit students in Key Stage 3, having been given special approval by the DfE to lead on this development.

Since September, 140 year 7 students have been based within the original Leigh UTC building but will, from the summer term, be based in the new academy. The new building focuses

on computer science and engineering, with a computing hub sponsored by technology giant Fujitsu on the ground floor. The curriculum provides students with an opportunity to develop a range of skills rarely seen at such a young age in other schools. This will be supplemented by project-based activities with high levels of business involvement.

The academy has been designed with a separate community space which can be open independently of the main learning areas. This includes a sports hall and changing rooms, restaurant and large board room. These will greatly enhance the facilities for all students at the

UTC, supplemented in 2017-19 by the opening of new sports pitches on another area close to the UTC campus. The completion of these facilities will provide an outstanding learning environment for an academy which is rapidly acquiring a national reputation for the quality of its provision and the opportunities that it offers.

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Leigh Aspire Programme

The current format of the Leigh Aspire Programme will continue until the end of this academic year. Transformative experiences delivered so far are:

JANUARY:-• IGD Skills & Strengths

Employability Workshop – Year 9

• Brilliant Club Launch Event at King’s College University – Year 12

• Brilliant Club Launch Event at Sussex University – Year 12

• IGD Networking Skills Employability Workshop – Year 12

FEBRUARY:-• Sussex University Visit – Year 12

• Oxford University Visit – Year 9

In the meantime, the process to create the new bespoke version of the Leigh Aspire Programme for academies, which will go live in September 2018, is well under way.

In order that the programme meets the needs of all students a collaborative approach is needed. Therefore, the Leigh Aspire Programme Manager, Edward Enebeli, met with all the Principals and Assistant Principals to outline their vision for a bespoke version of the programme.

To achieve this, each academy has appointed a project team to work with the Leigh Aspire Programme Manager on a schedule of opportunities which will inspire disadvantaged, high-achieving pupils and develop their cultural capital, whilst raising aspirations to progress to a prestigious university or secure a degree apprenticeship.

The new Leigh Aspire programme will focus on character development through transformative experiences, which will instil in students the Aspire attributes to be: adaptable, self-aware, professional, innovative, resilient and effective communicator as well as qualities embodied in the IB Learner Profile.

These activities will help cultivate a set of values, attributes and behaviours that increase self-confidence,

resilience and the belief that, with effort and the right mindset, everyone can achieve their full potential, regardless of background.

In the forthcoming academic year, the Leigh Aspire Programme will focus on disadvantaged students in years 9, 10 and 12 across the Trust. In subsequent years, the programme will extend into the lower year groups, providing on-going enrichment and self-development opportunities while equipping students with the personal qualities they require to make a successful transition into post-16.

“Oxford University has a reputation for being very grand and intimidating, but the students who showed us around showed us that actually the collegiate system makes it less intimidating and as all Leigh Trust schools follow the small school format, it's just what they are already used to!” Bernie Burwood, Wilmington Academy

“A unique experience for many of the pupils from the Leigh Academy. Students have now begun to normalise the idea of high achievement and ambition....“ Chris Bradley, The Leigh Academy

Comments from teachers that attended the year 9 Oxford University visit:

Striving for Excellence, Developing Stars

“I think by speaking to and meeting the Oxford undergraduate students, especially those from state schools, made pupils believe they could go to such a prestigious university!“ Mike Illsley, Mascalls Academy

11Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

Business Breakfasts

The latest business breakfast at The Leigh UTC took place on Wednesday 7th February, the topic being the benefit to employers of offering work experience to students.

With Vice-Chair of Governors Clive Barker acting as master of ceremonies, business delegates enjoyed networking before hearing from Principal Steve Leahey.

An educator’s perspectiveMr Leahey discussed many aspects of work experience, including when students from The Leigh UTC will be looking for opportunities; year 10 and year 12 students undertake block placements at the end of these academic years, while the college also encourages longer term, one- day-a-week placements for post-16 students.

He went on to elaborate upon the positive aspects for employers of engaging with students in work experience and explained that 'red tape' in arranging work experience is not as onerous to as it might seem- www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/workexperience

An employer’s perspectiveAs a regular supporter of The Leigh UTC, and indeed many of our Trust academies, Rob Brack, owner of the Kiwi Print Company, related his experiences of offering work experience to an academy student, Connor, who had blossomed. Rob explained that Connor had joined his previous company for work experience when in year 10 and had returned several times since, making a positive contribution to the business.

A student’s perspectiveYear 13 student Amelia eloquently described her experience of placements, relating a journey through three work experience opportunities during her time at The Leigh UTC. She explained how, in the workplace, she was able to explore potential career paths and decide where she ultimately wanted these to lead. Her experiences have taught her that an office job is not for her. She commented that

while studying, she’d never thought that she would use trigonometry outside of education but that she now had! Latterly, she has completed a placement with academy partner, SEM, and not only enjoyed the experience but discovered that this is the type of working environment that would best suit her talents.

Delegate comments:Delegates were given a tour of The Leigh UTC following breakfast and commented:

“The whole content was very engaging. I thought it was excellent. I was genuinely impressed by all I saw and met- looking forward to working with the college.” – Richard Schmidt, Coca Cola

“Fantastic school and event “ – Cassie Thomas, Coca Cola

“Excellent” – Les Nuttman, Verandi Ltd

Any employers looking to offer work experience to students from The Leigh UTC should contact:Nicholas Payne via nicholas.payne@theleighutc.org.uk

At the beginning of their topic on inventors and inventions, years 3 and 4 at Molehill Primary Academy had a most informative presentation from Huw Prosser, CEO of Blooware Technol-ogies, www.blooware.co.uk, on Friday 23rd February.

Huw is an alumni of fellow Trust academy, The Leigh UTC in Dartford, and only left school last year. Huw explained that he became an inventor at the age of 7 and has always wanted to be a business owner. His curiosity for inventing started when he began “breaking stuff” to see how it worked and then “making stuff” from it.

Staff at Molehill Primary Academy were deeply impressed with how Huw related to and engaged with students in charting his journey from a tiny primary school in Devon to becoming a student at The Leigh UTC, before being introduced, by the Principal, to a “wise man”, Clive Barker, who used his business acumen to help him on his business journey.

Students were fascinated by hearing how Huw was inspired to build his digital receptionist, Molli, and Huw’s thoughts on what you need to be an inventor – fundamentally, if you want to be an inventor, you can be.

Alumni Inventor Visits Molehill Primary AcademyMolehill

Primary Academy

www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk

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Please contact us: t: 01634 412227e: creative@latrust.org.uk

Leigh Academies Trust, Carnation Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 2SX t: 01634 412200 e: info@latrust.org.uk w: www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk

http://www.lat16.org.uk

http://venuehirekent.com

http://latalumni.org.uk

http://latworkingwithbusiness.com

Middle Years Programme

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)encourages students aged 11 to 16 to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life. The MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally-minded young people who can empathise with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.

The programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are knowledgeable, critical and creative thinkers.

All nine LAT secondaries have embarked upon a groundbreaking implementation programme. Intensive training and collaboration has begun in earnest. All well as delivering a broad and balanced curriculum that encourages deep learning, the MYP will provide a structured approach to teaching, learning and assessment across the Trust.

Career-related Programme

The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) is a flexible combination of academic and vocational learning, which incorporates personal and professional skills development, service learning, language acquisition and a reflective project linked to workplace ethics. It is a modern programme of study that prepares post-16 students for university, the workplace or apprenticeships.

The IBCP is already offered at Wilmington Academy, The Leigh UTC and The Leigh Academy. Strood Academy and The Halley Academy have both registered to become candidate schools and, in true LAT fashion, academies are supporting each other through the process.

Striving for Excellence, Developing Stars

Leigh Academies Trust is a registered company, company no 2336587. An exempt charity.

International Baccalaureate at LAT