Welcome to the last week of the Autumn Term.
It seems an age since we started the term with our collective INSET day in the summer sunshine of early September. Since then, much has happened, but I would like to reflect on a few of the key messages. At our September training days we outlined our key 4 priorities for school improvement.
- Embedding a culture of curriculum. We have come far in this regard and I have been privileged to attend a couple of the Action Learning Set (ALS) Board meetings.
- Reading – automaticity and fluency. We continue to see the impact of our investment and collective commitment to RWI and also developing reading across the 2-19 age range. As we break for Christmas, the early signs are very promising in terms of the Phonics Screening Check (PSC) for 2023 and building on our success of 2022.
- SEND – We have made an encouraging start with trust membership of Whole School SEND and the delivery of our first training session. Our SENDCo professional practice community is also building momentum.
- Assessment – and how it supports the 'curriculum as the progression model’. This is the theme of a secondary ALS and our primary training days at the Crowne Plaza and then Plymstock School.
It has been heartening to see us take strides in returning to normal school life post COVID. Obvious examples are this year’s nativity plays and carol concerts!
Chaddlewood Primary School and Holbeton Primary School each received graded Ofsted inspections this term – and both were found to be doing a super job in providing the quality of education in which we believe. Extremely well done to everyone involved in these achievements.
In contrast, though, the attendance of our collective children is remaining, stubbornly, behind our pre-pandemic levels. We must continue to do all we can to raise the level of attendance.
In September, we welcomed many new colleagues to our schools including Ruth Baptiste as Headteacher of Austin Farm Academy and Amy Pearce as Director of Training and Learning. In opposite fashion we are now saying farewell to Bradley Simmons as Director of Education. During his time with us Bradley has brought great insight and been instrumental in codifying our school improvement offer. In addition to audit and review activity, Bradley has been hugely influential in supporting our development of English and MFL across the 2-19 age range. Further, Bradley has been the key figure in moving a key strand of our WeST Strategic Plan forward – governance. Bradley’s drive and vision for a reformed model of governance has seen the successful launch of WeST's new Hub Advisory Board (HAB) which should serve us well over the coming years.
Whilst on the theme of governance, I’m sharing that Mike Saltern is retiring from governance having completed a magnificent 28 years of civic duty as a governor and trustee.
Further news is that Karl Sampson, Director of Education, will be leaving us at the end of the Spring Term to take on an opportunity to work in education in the south-west and nationally.
We will be busy with recruitment at all levels over the next two terms including several Headships.
Best wishes,
Rob