Welcome to the last issue of We are Changing Lives for this academic year. It sees me at the end of my first half term as CEO and, as with any new role, it has been an interesting and challenging time. I am very much enjoying getting out and about in our schools and it has been a busy term as always.
As CEO, I am part of a creative, strong and effective Executive Team which works constantly to safeguard the future of our Trust and everyone that works in it. Cumbria’s children need the best schools in their own communities. They need aspiring professionals to help them shape their world and our Trust’s vision to change lives through learning supports that noble ambition. It’s a great place to work; as a team, we have the creativity and desire to really make a difference to children everywhere. I want to live our vision of changing lives through learning.
All our schools have their own values. Our shared philosophy goes back to the beginning of our journey, which started with West Lakes Academy - changing lives through learning – and this underpins everything we do. Everything we do, and decisions that we make, are in line with our clear moral compass, and our strategic vision is underpinned by equity and inclusion. If we judge our society by how we treat the most vulnerable, what does that look like in our schools? We are stewards of the system, and believe we should act not just in the system, but on it – challenging the system to shape the future, particularly with a new political agenda and educational landscape.
Looking ahead to September, we see the launch of our Teaching School Hub One Cumbria’s inaugural Initial Teacher Training programme, and I wish the team all the best with that. In addition, Settlebeck School are hoping to join the Trust on the first of the month, and we are all working hard to make that date work. Very exciting! We will be welcoming new children and staff to our academies and I am looking forward to seeing new faces and working with them to make sure the education we can offer all our children is the best it can be.
As always, please do get in touch with questions or suggestions.
I wish you all a peaceful summer break, and hope the sun shines on us all.
With best wishes
Judith Schafer CEO, Changing Lives Learning Trust
SCHOOL NEWS
As we come to the end of the summer term, we are pleased to share with you the latest news and achievements from across our family of eight schools.
ARLECDON SCHOOL
Sports Week
The children had an amazing term, with Sports Week being a definite highlight. They attended Forest School, participated in Sports Day where the Yellow team emerged victorious, and engaged in various sporting activities at Keswick Climbing Wall and Newlands Adventure Centre.
The EYFS group enjoyed bouldering, a treasure hunt, and exploring Rookery Woods. KS1 had a great time at the indoor climbing wall and went canoeing. Year 3 and 4 tackled a high ropes course, collaborated to build a raft from scratch, and tested it out on the lake. Year 5 and 6 had a fantastic experience with ghyll scrambling and paddle boarding.
Summer Fair
Foodbank Day
We celebrated Green Foodbank Day in June. All the children came to school dressed in green to raise awareness of the local Food Banks. Our community was incredibly generous and we were able to donate a large amount of non-perishable food.
Trips
KS2 will be taking part in our residential to Robinwood in the last week of term. They are excited and cannot wait to take part. They will be completing a variety of exciting outdoor adventurous activities, including zip wire and climbing! Our Early Years and Key Stage One classes will not miss out on the fun, they are taking part in a trip to The Lake District Wildlife Park where they will take part in some real-life encounters with animals and educational talks by the keepers. They also have a day planned at the community centre where they will have a picnic on the field as well as using the soft play.
West Lakes Rivers Trust
Year 6 organised our Summer Fair for the community. The children set up a variety of stalls and became stall holders, they really enjoyed face painting and their art skills were really put to the test. They raised a staggering £206 to be able to purchase their leavers hoodies and also contributed to bringing down the cost of both our residential for KS2 and Summer Trip for KS1 and EYFS.
We had a visit from The West Lakes Rivers Trust who worked with the children on different minibeasts they might find in water. The children were engaged and excited by their time with Mia and are looking forward to the redesign of the outdoor area in the new academic year. Parents and the community will be invited to a meeting to help us reach our goals of making this space an extension of the classrooms.
DEARHAM SCHOOL
Year 6 SATS
Dance Show
We were extremely impressed by the maturity of our Year 6 pupils who took their SATs tests in their stride. They remained calm and positive throughout and we are sure that they are going to do well as they move on to their Secondary Schools. The bacon sandwiches provided by Changing Lives Learning Trust each morning, certainly set them up for the day and got them off to a good start.
Sporting Highlights
Our Key Stage 2 children blew us away with their ‘A Night at the Musicals’ dance show which they performed at the Carnegie Theatre in Workington. They worked hard throughout the term to learn the steps and songs and did themselves proud as they performed with joy and confidence - we have some real stars in the making!
Sporting highlights this term have included the annual Village Runs, the Colour Run and the Dearham Olympics. During each of these events, it was lovely to see the older children supporting and encouraging those in the younger classes. The Dearham Primary School values of ‘Excellence’, ‘Care’ and ‘Partnership’ were evident throughout.
Summer Fête
Despite the winter weather that has persisted throughout most of this term, we were extremely lucky in June when the sun shone down on us for our Summer Fête. Friends of Dearham School brought the whole community together for this event. There were traditional favourites such as Hook a Duck, Tombola, Raffle, Face Painting and Craft Stalls as well as a Bouncy Castle, Emergency Services, Fairground Waltzers and musical performances by the Netherhall Rock Band and our assembly singers. A fantastic day was had by all.
Whinlatter Forest
Having completed our residential trips in Term 2, this term, it was the turn of Reception and Key Stage 1 to go on their educational visits. All enjoyed a trip to Whinlatter Forest, where they searched for the Gruffalo and were delighted by their encounters with the mouse and the snake!
Thank you!
As the new headteacher of Dearham Primary School, since January 2024, I have been overwhelmed by the warm, caring and enthusiastic attitude of our pupils, our staff and our families. I would like to thank them all for the support that they have shown me since my arrival and wish them a wonderful summer and much success for the future, if they are now moving on.
FLIMBY SCHOOL
Careers Fair
We recently organised a fantastic Careers Fair in collaboration with the Primary Business Partnership team. Year 5 and 6 students had the opportunity to visit various employer stands and participate in activities to learn more about different roles. They all had a fantastic time! Additionally, some parents and children joined us after school to explore the fair and participate in a fun quiz for a chance to win a prize.
Cumbrian Food Festival
We are thrilled to share that the Y5 and Y6 students had an incredible time at the Cumbrian Food Festival. This enterprise event was a massive success, raising an impressive £319.83!
In the weeks leading up to the festival, the children worked diligently to create a variety of items including felt bobbles, clips, jam, Kendal Mint Cake, pasties, bookmarks, and sticky toffee pudding. Everything looked absolutely delicious!
Next, the students will vote on a local cause or charity to support with the funds they have raised. We are so proud of their hard work and community spirit!
Sports Day
Our Sports Day was a resounding success! In the morning, the infants enthusiastically completed all sporting activities, cheered on by supportive parents. Later in the afternoon, the juniors had their turn, choosing from a variety of events under the sunny skies. Points were earned for their teams through spirited races, leading to an overall victory for the Blue Team, who proudly lifted the trophy. Throughout the day, our students showcased determination, persistence, and remarkable team spirit, cheering and supporting each other with enthusiasm.
KIRKBY THORE SCHOOL
Thank you
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our parents and carers for their wonderful welcome this term. It has been a pleasure getting to know all of them and joining in with the many activities and events that have been happening.
From September, we will be sending out a weekly newsletter to our parents to share news and upcoming events, but for now, let’s finish on a high with a review of some of the high points of the year.
We look forward to welcoming our children back on Wednesday 4th September.
Sporting Achievements
We have had a busy year joining in with tournaments, EVSP and Action Ants events.
Thank you to all pupils who have represented us and supporters who have accompanied them.
Special thanks to Keith Coppen who almost brought football home at our Catriona Stables tournament!
Residential
Years 3-6 enjoyed two nights and three action packed days having a ‘Big Adventure’ at Coniston. Their courage and resilience impressed us all. From leaping off waterfalls to staying away from home for the first time, they made us all extremely proud. Thanks to Changing Lives Learning Trust for enabling the residential.
QUEEN ELIZABETH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
As we reach the end of another term, the breadth of opportunities students are offered at QEGS still staggers me. Activities week is a particular highlight as students are offered so many experiences which send them to all corners of the country and sometimes beyond! Whether it be our Year 7 residential, Year 8’s trip to Blackpool, Year 9’s trips to Berlin and London, Year 10 and 12’s work experience or even the fieldwork trip to Tenerife for Year 12, the range of activities is huge!
I am extremely grateful to all staff who have given up their time to support these activities – they have made sure that students have had so many opportunities – often taking themselves away from their own families for extended periods of time and I really cannot thank them enough.
We were also really pleased to have so much involvement in the democratic election process at school with a hustings from local candidates and a ‘mock election’ in school. This even extended to postal votes from the Year 7 residential.
ST BEES VILLAGE SCHOOL
The summer term is always a busy one with tests, trips, residentials and sports day! We’re very proud of all our children who have sat statutory tests this term and their attitude towards them. Several classes have been on trips to St Bees beach, The Priory, Cumbria Wildlife Park and sports competitions to name but a few. Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed a week long residential to Edinburgh and Year 4 enjoyed an outdoor adventure residential at Kepplewray, where they took part in rock climbing and fell walking. Sports day is always a highlight of the year and luckily the sun shone for us –congratulations to red team who were the winners this year! Nearly 60 children also took part in the Bees Bash Parade where they walked through the village carrying Olympic banners and dressed in colours of their chosen country.
Celebration of Learning Afternoon
We opened our doors for our first Celebration of Learning Afternoon. Children brought their parents/carers into school to show off the work that they have proudly completed this year. They also enjoyed an art gallery in the hall of work inspired by various different artists from around the world. It was a pleasure to have so many families in school, celebrating the children’s achievements.
Rotary Club Young Writers Competition
We are celebrating three winners in the Rotary Club’s Younger Writer competition. Their winning stories were imaginative and engaging and a pleasure to read – well done to them all!
Y5/6 Cricket Team
Last month, our Y5/6 cricket team took part in a local area school cricket competition. We’re proud to say that they won the tournament and qualified for the county wide cricket competition in Keswick later this month; we can’t wait to see how they do in the next round!
Art Club
We have launched interest clubs this term and KS1 Art Club has been very popular! Children have enjoyed painting, clay modelling and drawing to name but a few activities.
Water Sports Day
Year 5 enjoyed a day on Derwentwater learning to sail and kayak. We were so impressed with how resilient, positive and successful the children were – a great day was had by all!
Year 2 Geography Fieldwork Trip
Year 2 spent the morning at St Bees beach carrying out a survey about how people use the beach in their local area. They looked for things like leisure, exercise, visiting a shop or cafe and playing.
THORNHILL SCHOOL
A Special Friday for Thornhill.
Friday, the 28th of June, will be etched in our memories for the rest of the summer. It was filled with celebration, incredible efforts, outstanding victories, and unparalleled support from the families and friends of Thornhill Primary School.
First, we held our Sports Day, from running to hurdles, to egg and spoon, we did them all. There was some amazing performances and, after a close battle, EHEN house - The Blues - emerged as the winning team! A huge congratulations to all the participants and a special mention to the staff for all their work - you were all remarkable!
After a refreshing shower (otherwise known as a downpour!) everyone was energised and ready for the delightful Fun Day gathering. The Friends of Thornhill School outdid themselves with an array of activities and treats. The bouncy castle was very popular, the pebble painting was a hit, and the police “Wellbeing dog” was a joy.
Mrs Commins filled her car with balloons for a “Guess how many?” competition and the Hartley’s generous £25 gift voucher was won by two of our younger pupils. The widespread and hands-on support on a gloomy day meant the world to us. The day was anything but dull, with community spirit at the core of every event, making it wonderful to experience.
New Nurture Room for the Youngest of Thornhill’s Pupils
During the half-term break, our school created a special area for our youngest students, known as the Nurture Room. The unveiling of this new space was met with excitement from the children, eager to experience the serene and thoughtfully designed environment. Our staff have diligently introduced the children to their new routines and areas over the past weeks. The resulting joy and conversation among the pupils have been heart-warming. The room provides a consistent and secure setting that encourages exploration and learning. Thanks to the generosity of a local charity, we’ve received several quilts for the children’s nap times. The pupils are relishing their new area, and the staff have noticed an increase in their sociability. We are excited to further enhance and expand the resources available in the Nurture Room.
Making music together!
In May, the school had the privilege of hosting an exceptional session with guests from the Royal Northern College of Music. The repertoire ranged from movie favourites to classical masterpieces. The visiting student musicians were outstanding, infusing the sessions with genuine joy, which resonated in the positive feedback from both students and staff. The excitement was infectious, with everyone fully engaged in the experience, leaving the children abuzz with enthusiasm throughout the day.
WEST LAKES ACADEMY
Class of 2024
We have celebrated our amazing Year 11 students this month. Students signed each other’s shirts and a leavers assembly was led by their Head of Year Ms Clements. Students also opened a ‘letter to themselves’ which they had written lower down the school. Students and staff were incredibly emotional throughout. Year 11 also had a fantastic time celebrating at their Prom Night.
We are so proud of our Year 11 students and their achievements and want to wish them all the very best of luck as they embark on their next steps.
Dent Dash
Students and staff completed a sponsored walk up Dent this past weekend to raise money for Hospice at Home West Cumbria. This is the 6th year the academy has organised the event, which has raised over £10,000 for local charities.
Mr Haslop commented, “The day was huge success and it was greattoseesomanystudentsandstaffgivinguptheirweekend to take part to support a local charity. Despite the typical Cumbrian summer weather, everyone was full of energy and enthusiasm throughout.”
Music Summer Events
Last week we held an amazing musical performance, which showcased a number of bands, soloists and groups from the Music Department. Our year 9 class started the show with a mind blowing performance of ‘Live and Let Die’ featuring a full band of instruments with a light display also designed by a year 9 student. Our year 10 class also showcased their skills through a band performance and all performed solos as part of their song showing how far they have come this year. Drum club, guitar club and our very own Pop Choir were not left out and all performed songs highlighting their talents, along with rock bands from band night and soloists from our different peripatetic teachers.
The music department are incredibly proud of all of the students that performed on the evening and at all of our end of term events.
On Friday 12th July, our pop choir performed at Mayfield School as part of their summer festival. The students performed a number of songs including Drops of Jupiter by Train, Yellow by Coldplay and Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac. They have performed at a number of events throughout this year including Egremont’s Crab Fair, our schools Christmas Craft Fair, Christmas concert, carol singing in care homes, Whitehaven Music Festival, the summer concert and ended the year with this lovely performance at Mayfield School.
ONE CUMBRIA UPDATE
Over the last three years, One Cumbria has supported over a thousand teachers and leaders from across 227 schools in accessing high quality evidencebased training. We are proud of what these staff have achieved and of the impact they are having in classrooms across the county. As we draw towards the end of the summer term, it’s time to take a moment to celebrate all of those achievements.
It’s a particularly important time for those early in their teaching careers, finishing either their Initial Teacher Training or their Early Career Framework assessments this term. One Cumbria would like to say a huge well done to the 118 new teachers whose hard work, passion and resilience means they are in a position to celebrate the end of their ITT or ECF year this summer. Congratulations too to all of the ITTs going on to new jobs in the county this September, changing lives through learning in their own classrooms for the first time –what an achievement!
The success of this year’s ITTs and ECTs is due in no small measure to the excellent support that they have received from school mentors and professional tutors. Without this, the work of One Cumbria would be impossible and we’d like to extend a huge thank you to all mentors for the support and guidance you have given your mentees over the course of this academic year. We hope you enjoy a very restful summer break.
One Cumbria offers leadership development through its suite of National Professional Qualifications, and 559 colleagues from schools across the county have engaged with these so far.We are delighted that our latest impact evaluation shows that 100% of participants felt that the training they had received was high quality. The calibre of colleagues taking part has been exceptional and we feel privileged to have contributed to the professional development of such a passionate bunch of educators. The future of Cumbrian schools and the young people they serve is bright under their leadership.
At One Cumbria, we are passionate about learning
and about school staff benefitting from the chance to work collaboratively. I’m excited to tell you that from September, there will be two new ways for One Cumbria alumni to stay in touch and continue to learn alongside colleagues from across the county. We will be launching:
• AlumNet – the One Cumbria alumni network
• One Cumbria Professional Learning Networks – a collaborative, research-based project for teachers in Cumbrian schools
If you are a teacher in Cumbria and not yet a One Cumbria alumnus, but would like to be involved, we would love to hear from you!
Drop us a line to tell us a bit more about what you’re interested in: https://onecumbria.education/contact-us/ or explore the options for NPQ study: https://onecumbria.education/national-professionalqualifications/
The deadline for applications for the next NPQ cohort is 27th September, 2024.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT Dana Bennett
What is your current role and what does this entail?
I am Head of Year 9 and responsible for the pastoral care of our students. I oversee the wellbeing and behaviour of our students. My responsibilities include ensuring their safety, promoting positive conduct, and providing any necessary support. I collaborate with a dedicated team to track attendance and maintain a safe and inclusive school environment. Additionally, I serve as a primary point of contact for parents and carers, fostering effective homeschool communication. Overall, my goal is to create a supportive community where each student feels valued and cared for.
What has been your career path to get here?
I have worked in retail and hospitality until I built the confidence to begin my journey working in education at the Energy Coast UTC as a Teaching Assistant, where I began to study for my NVQs to allow me to progress and become a HLTA, where I grew with confidence and began teaching as well as gaining a tutor group. I studied hard to gain more knowledge to support and help as many students as I could. I then decided to pursue my degree in educational studies; I’m in my final year. I’m very excited to have been offered this amazing position.
What does a typical day look like for you?
As a Head of Year, my role encompasses various responsibilities. Each day, I engage with students addressing attendance, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing. Collaborating with teachers, I analyse academic data and plan interventions. Parent communication through consultations and emails is crucial to ensuring parents are informed. Additionally, I support individual students, and maintain records. My role extends beyond administrative tasks as it is about fostering a positive environment and helping students thrive to achieve their personal as well as academic goals.
What is your favourite thing about your role?
Building strong relationships and trust with both students and staff. Together, we collaborate to support their success, whether celebrating small victories or achieving significant milestones, both within and beyond the school environment.
What career would you choose if weren’t doing this?
I’m a caring person so I would have probably gone into nursing.
Can you share a recent accomplishment or success story from your work?
Every day is a success story as I can support students to overcome barriers they have, support and work with them to progress and build their confidence and selfesteem as well as their academic accomplishments.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy reading, walking and being out and about in the beautiful area we live in.
MEET OUR TRUSTEES
Dan Barton
Changing Lives Learning Trust
Please tell us about yourself and your career background:
My parents choice of career had a very profound impact on my own career choice. I didn’t know this at the time. Rather, I say this on reflection after many years in education and public services. My mum was a teacher and my dad was a non-stipendiary minister in the Church of England. I saw my mum at the end of her career mostly. She had had enough by then, so I don’t know why I thought it would be a good idea for me. I’m also profoundly atheistic, so I don’t know why the Church had an impact either, other than to root my
upbringing in ritual, kindness and service, which I think have all been relevant.
I started my career in teaching as part of my degree in French at Leeds university - in 1996-97 I was the ‘English Assistant’ in a school in France; supporting students to learn by talking to me - what fun! After my degree, I went on to do the same thing but teaching in Japan for two years. A brief sojourn in the private sector on my return persuaded me that education was the career for me. In 2002, I started in Tower Hamlets, progressing through the pastoral route to Associate Assistant Head. A great place to be in the middle of the London
MEET OUR TRUSTEES
Dan Barton Changing Lives Learning Trust
Challenge. I went on to a substantive Assistant Head position in Barnet for the next six years, then a year as Vice Principal in Islington before becoming the Head Teacher of Southwark’s Virtual School in 2017. In 2018 I moved up to Cumbria, where I now live, as the Assistant Director - Education and Skills for the County Council. After six great (and difficult) years, through Covid and Local Government Reorganisation, I moved to Leeds, where I now work, as the Deputy Director of Children’s Services in January 2024. A different challenge, but great fun!
What is your current role and what does this entail?
Being Deputy Director means that I am responsible for organising and discharging the city council’s duties relating to education. That means SEND, Inclusion, Transport, Buildings, School Improvement and a very long list of other things!
What inspired you to become a Trustee, and what motivates you to serve in this role?
Having worked for so long in Cumbria and living here still, I really wanted to stay in touch with the education system here and to continue to contribute my knowledge and experience to support the schools in the Trust to deliver the best education and impact for its children.
What skills or experience do you bring to this role that will benefit the Trust?
Aside from the obvious, technical and very specific background and skills that you’d expect someone doing my job to bring, I’m also quite creative and open-minded and very keen to see collaboration and joint working across different schools. I am passionate about system leadership, which means schools (and other institutions) working across organisational boundaries for the greater good. It’s the only game in town!
What do you think are the main challenges facing the future of education, and how do plan to address them as a Trustee?
There are too many to mention. Clearly funding is a problem, even beyond the election, but there are many more. Recruitment, training and (for the Trust) developing a positive culture which celebrates the unique character of schools and at the same time provides a sense of belonging.
Schools are struggling with behaviour, attendance, exclusions, complaints, child poverty and families increasingly in crisis due to the cost of living and all sorts of other challenges.
Anyone who says that they think they have the solution is either lying or mad, but I do think that how we work is key to what we are going to be able to deliver in the future. We need... we must... work together on a collective vision for education for the next 20 years. We must focus on being more inclusive, and we must get the best value from what money we have. How I’ll address these challenges as a Trustee will be in a very small way, but by advising, supporting and challenging the Trust to deliver against these principles.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’d like to say that I do these things a lot, but I am too busy! Dog walking, fell-running, exercise generally, TV, reading, and most of all, spending time with family. In reality, half a box-set episode and falling asleep with a glass of wine is closer to the truth!
