CWA Academy Trust Newsletter - Issue Five

Newsletter

Issue Five

Christmas at CWA Academy Trust

Chief Executive’s Welcome

As the year draws to a close and we reflect on the success and challenge (not always in equal measure!) 2016 has brought to the CWA Academy Trust and our academies, it’s wonderful to see so many examples of student and staff success in this term’s newsletter. I hope you have a chance to look through them all.

Many of you will be aware of the recent press coverage around the Regional Schools Commissioner’s (RSC) recent letter to the CWA Academy Trust relating to concerns about performance standards at Downham Market Academy (DMA).

Whilst this is a very challenging situation for both the academy and the trust, I would like to reassure you that we have responded to these concerns with a comprehensive action plan, which includes further support and training for the leadership and staff team as well as considerable additional resource.

And, whilst it is possible that a decision could be taken to find another sponsor for DMA should the trust’s plans to address these issues not bring rapid improvement, I have confirmed to the RSC our belief that the CWA Academy Trust should continue to be the sponsor for DMA. I will be meeting with him again in January to review initial progress against the plan.

On a more positive note, very good progress is being made across most of our schools (particularly evident at Nelson, Eastgate and KES academies) and you may have noticed in the local press that three more primary schools are set to become academies and join the CWA Academy Trust in spring 2017. Upwell Community Primary and North Wootton Community Primary schools are expected to convert on 1 March, with Emneth Community primary set to join on 1 April 2017.

This will take our family of academies to nine and, whilst we do not foresee any further expansion in the short term, it is our ambition to add further academies in the future. The RSC has praised the trust for our success in the primary phase.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for all your hard work over the past term. The Christmas break offers us all a chance to rest, recuperate and come back in 2017 with renewed vigour and drive to continue to achieve the best possible outcomes for our learners. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and look forward to working with you in the New Year.

David Pomfret Chief Executive

Welcome to this term’s CWA Academy Trust newsletter. The autumn term is always long and demanding but I have been really impressed on my visits to academies with the dedication and resilience that I see. This is shared across all academies both primary and secondary. For example, I spent some time with the senior leadership team at KES discussing the latest Ofsted framework and how the academy can show the good practice that is taking place. The staff team were really focused on improving outcomes for their students and I know this ambition is shared by similar groups at Downham Market and KLA. In our primary academies there has been much progress. Both Nelson and Eastgate are making rapid improvements from their original starting point of special measures. Dedicated teams in these two academies are relentless in their desire to support good or better learning for their children.

CWA Academy Trust is a family built on “collaboration support and excellence” and I am really pleased to welcome Upwell, North Wootton and Emneth primary schools. We are already in discussions

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about the best way to provide effective support to each school so that they can fulfill their ambitions to be the best they can be.

Talking of collaboration reminds me of the excellent work that the secondary Vice Principals are doing in supporting the development of links between secondary departments within the trust. Our belief is that all three secondary academies will do better if we support, encourage and challenge each other.

This can be extremely powerful when the support and challenge comes from within, through peer links.

As we head into the Christmas break I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff who work in CWA Academy Trust academies, whatever your role for all the work you have you done this term. We really appreciate it.

Dr. Duncan Ramsey Director of Education

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Southery and Eastgate celebrate nativity

Eastgate Academy in King’s Lynn (pictured right) and Southery Academy (pictured above), have been performing their renditions of the nativity play for families and friends, this week.

Southery Academy’s reception and year one students told the story ‘Hey Ewe!’ which saw a curious sheep trying to work out what was going on in Bethlehem, whilst Eastgate Academy performed the traditional nativity play, complete with a child dressed as the Star of Bethlehem.

All performances were well attended and staff at both academies would like to say a big well done to all of the children for their hard work on learning their lines and songs.

Nelson spread festive cheer at Christingle service Nelson Academy students have been getting in the Christmas spirit with numerous community activities taking place over the past few weeks.

As is tradition, the Christmas nativity plays have been in full swing, with Mary and Joseph taking centrestage to perform to family and friends.

The school took a short trip into Downham Market town centre to host the Nelson Academy Christingle service at the Methodist Church. Students sung carols and shared Christmas wishes.

Nelson Singers also performed at Downham Market annual lights switch on, as well as performing at the Grange Nursing home for residents.

The newsletter is designed to provide an overall team update as well as providing an insight as to what’s going on at our other academies. If you have any ideas or suggestions for future editions of the CWA Academy Trust Newsletter, please contact lois.hyland@cwaacademytrust.co.uk

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Fundraising for Children in Need CWA Academy Trust’s academies took part in fundraising for Children in Need, raising near £3000 in total.

Eastgate Academy held a Spotacular event with everyone dressing up in their spottiest outfits for a donation!

Eastgate Academy would like to say a big thank you to Mr Callaby who made yet another showstopping cake for their raffle. £200 was raised for dressing in spots and the cake raffle raised £129.50, making a grand total of £329.50 for Children in Need.

International food evening at Nelson Academy

On Friday 14 October, Nelson Academy held an International Food Evening, designed to not only get local families socialising, but to open children’s eyes to culinary delights of different cultures.

Parents and staff set up food stalls offering dishes from Uganda to Thailand. Guests could either bring a plate of food to add to the spread, or pay the £5 entry for an ‘all you can eat’ experience. The event proved to be very popular.

Gill Sekatawa organised the event, having met her husband whilst working in an international school in South Africa, which used to host a food event similar to that of Nelson Academy’s food night.

Southery Academy celebrate Roald Dahl Day One hundred years has passed since Roald Dahl was born, but his characters were still alive and well at Southery Academy on Wednesday 14th September.

Willy Wonka, Matilda, the Fantastic Mr Fox and the BFG were just some of the characters brought to life in the playground. There was even a giant peach running around!

The event was organised by the Friends of Southery Academy, in conjunction with the academy’s learning catalysts. Despite temperatures soaring in the village, children were proud to parade their costumes for staff and other classmates, with a ‘best dressed’ winner picked from each class.

Learning catalyst Sue Vainu, who organised the day, said: “It’s been a great day; we’ve been making all sorts of crafts such as BFG ears, Wily Wonka lollipops, dream jars and witches mice. The children look great!”

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If Chloe Can comes to King’s Lynn

Students from King Edward VII and King’s Lynn Academy were treated to a special performance on Friday 7th October, designed to get students thinking about their futures.

The show, which took place at King’s Lynn Academy, saw the National Youth Theatre perform ‘If Chloe Can’ to a room full of year nine students. Esther McVey, broadcaster and former MP, set up the ‘If Chloe Can’ charity and the ‘You Can Do It’ school programmes, to provide career support and an array of role models for students to meet, read about and find out about.

Paul Roseby, CEO and Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, sat on the half-time panel. He grew up in Dersingham and as a teenager, made the decision to follow his dreams by leaving Norfolk and volunteering at the National Youth Theatre, in London. He told the King’s Lynn students to “never take no as an answer”.

Executive Principal of KLA and KES Academy Craig Morrison said: “It’s fantastic for both academies to have this ongoing relationship with Esther and the National Youth Theatre. Time again, this proves to be an inspirational event for our students.”

Downham Market Academy take part in ‘Colour Run’ Students from Downham Market Academy took part in a ‘Colour Run’ for Children in Need. Head of house Karen Stewardson said the event was a huge success.

She said: “We had a fantastic event. 160 children stayed after school to take part in the ‘Colour Run’, supported by lots of staff, who threw paint, and even more taking part in the run with the students. We were also supported by lots of parents who came to watch. The idea for the event came from the Student Leadership Team back in September and the whole event has been brilliantly supported. I have already been asked when the next one is.”

KES Academy raise money for Macmillan

KES Academy held their coffee morning for Macmillan on Friday 30 September, in the school hall, raising in excess of £1600. Organised by the sixth form, this is now an annual fundraising event which receives great support from the students.

Rachel Allsop, assistant director of the sixth form, said: “The MacMillan Coffee Morning has become a cornerstone of KES Academy sixth form life; it kicks off our fundraising for the year and has always been a hugely successful event.

“To date we have raised well over £5000 for this wonderful cause and, equally as important, it empowers our sixth formers, hopefully planting a philanthropic seed that that will stay with them throughout their life.”

Asim Mohamed, 17, said: “This has been a successful day for raising money and we, as a sixth form, are so happy to have exceeded our fundraising target of £1500. Overall, it has been fantastic.”

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KLA join Sky Sports programme

Jade Windley, a British Tennis Player from Lincolnshire, has been assigned as the sporting coach for King’s Lynn Academy as part of their Sky Sports ‘Living for Sport Programme’.

Windley has won three singles and 16 doubles titles on the International Tennis Federation tour in her career.

KLA joined the free initiative earlier this year, which uses sports stars - and skills learnt through sport - to build confidence and develop life skills in students.

The academy’s first project is to work with a group of year 10 students who lack confidence, to plan, organise and deliver a sports festival to Howard Junior School, over a six week period.

Her initial visit on Thursday 10th November provided an opportunity for Jade to meet the students and for KLA to find out more about the agenda. Jade said: “The programme is a fantastic initiative because not only does it get lots of young people involved in sport, but also sets them on the right path to achieving their goals.”

KES Academy turn shoeboxes into gifts Students from King Edward VII Academy have come together to “help make Christmas for underprivileged children a little better” this year, by turning shoeboxes into fun-filled parcels for those less fortunate.

KES sixth formers, who make up part of the Interact Club - the junior arm of the Rotary Club - have been collecting shoe boxes from staff and students, filled with a variety of items from toys to toiletries.

The boxes have been collected on behalf of the Operation Christmas Child shoe box appeal. They will be distributed to those less fortunate, in places such as Syria.

Harvest festival celebrations

CWA Academy Trust academies took part in harvest festival celebrations in October. Nelson Academy held their harvest festival in Downham Market Methodist Church. Students arrived with their donations for Downham Market Foodbank and sang harvest hymns.

Sarah Wilson, Acting Principal of Nelson Academy, said: “We have yet again had an amazing response to our request for food items to be donated in aid of the Downham Market food bank. The whole school has joined together to support this amazing charity which works to help others in our local community.”

Southery Academy invited the Mayor of King’s Lynn to their celebrations in a special school assembly. They performed harvest songs and poems written in class for students’ families, the Mayor and Mayoress and teachers.

Principal Julian Goodrum said: “It was fantastic to see so many family members in the hall and we were very grateful to have the Mayor come in and talk to the children.”

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Downham Market Academy revive memorial garden As a mark of respect to those who fought and lost their lives during wartime, the younger generation of Downham Market have paid tribute to the fallen by reviving the memorial garden in the town.

The entire project – from design and digging to planting and painting - has been carried out by a group of “very enthusiastic and skilful students from Downham Market Academy”, led by Julie Watts, Deputy Head of Oceania House and “willingly supported by local businesses”.

Back in the summer of 2015, Downham Market Academy (DMA) was approached by the Town Council to get students involved in rejuvenating the memorial garden, in the Memorial Playing Field, as part of the Downham in Bloom competition.

Councillor Marion Ross, the Mayor of Downham Market, said: “I am sure you will agree that it is a very fitting tribute by the students to those for whom the garden was first created – those people of Downham Market who gave their lives during the Second World War.”

Eastgate Academy visit Dementia Café

Students from Eastgate Academy brought Christmas cheer to those attending the Dementia Café in King’s Lynn.

The café is run by the Alzheimer’s Society and provides peer support, information and advice for carers of those with dementia. The group meets on the first Friday of every month, 10am – 12noon.

Students sang a mix of Christmas carols and well known classics to a packed out hall, before joining in the festivities and chatting to those in attendance.

Café organiser Andy Peacock, said: “On behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society I would like to thank the children and staff for coming along, they were absolutely fantastic. Everyone joined in and a good time was had by all.”

Nelson Academy reward students with Arbuckles Nelson Academy visited Arbuckles restaurant for a celebratory lunch with certificate-winners, governors and staff. The 30 lucky children in attendance were recognised at a recent governor’s certificate-giving ceremony at the academy, for their efforts throughout the autumn term.

Two children from each class were awarded certificates for either ‘excellent academic achievement’ or for being an ‘outstanding role model’.

This is the first “reward day” of its kind for the primary phase academy. Acting Principal Sarah Wilson explained that this is a new incentive to encourage hard work and dedication in the classroom.

She said: “We invited parents in to the academy and announced that the children would be going to Arbuckles to celebrate, which was a complete surprise for everyone in the room. It’s been a great success here today and we are now looking to repeat the prize-giving and surprise celebration every term.”

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King’s Lynn Academy celebrates success

Students, staff and parents of King’s Lynn Academy celebrated academic achievement and community cohesion at the academy’s annual celebration evening.

Barney Rimmer, head of school, said: “It was fantastic to share in the achievements over the last academic year with KLA students, both past and present. Special thanks must also go to Soul Phoenix, our guest speaker, for his inspiring words and to Wendy Fisher, the Chair of governors, for reminding us all of what makes KLA a great place to come and learn.”

KLA’s guest for the evening was Soul Phoenix, a motivational speaker based in Norfolk. He said: “It was an immense honour to be invited to be the guest speaker at King’s Lynn Academy. I was absolutely thrilled to find the factors that promote success so well integrated into the school environment, a fact that is reflected in the achievements of their amazing students.”

CWA welcomes 13-16 students from CWA Academy Trust Excited young students from local academies have donned overalls and taken to the training rooms at the College of West Anglia (CWA) this week, as part of a new extended partnership between the college and its King’s Lynn secondary stage academies.

For the first time CWA has organised a bespoke programme for two of the King’s Lynn Academies, King’s Lynn Academy and KES Academy which will see students attending college from year nine through to year 11 (age 13+).

Executive Principal of KES and KLA, Craig Morrison, said: “We are delighted that such a wonderful and large group of young people are getting early access to the excellent provision at CWA. Too many students around the country miss out on opportunities to experience high quality vocational learning but we put a lot of importance on it. Our students are making the most of the opportunity and really enjoy their time at college.”

Downham Market Academy’s Christmas concert

Students from Downham Market Academy held their annual Christmas concert on 6th December in the assembly hall at their Bexwell site.

Highlights included a violin solo with dance routine to Danse Macabre, percussion ensemble Hot Rods performing a novelty piece entitled ‘Stool Pigeon’, the ‘Mistletoes and Singing Snowflakes’ performing vocal harmony pieces and a brass quartet.

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