LDBS Academies Trust Spring 2026

Spring Term Magazine

March 2026

LDBS Academies Trust Excellence and Equity for all Children in a Christian Context

https://www.ldbsact.org/

Spring Term Magazine

March 2026

Contents Page 3

Our Schools at a Glance

Page(s) 4 - 6

Message from CEO

Page(s) 7 - 8

St Ann’s

Page(s) 9 - 10

St Michael’s

Page(s) 11 - 12

Stanwell Fields

Page(s) 13 - 14

Millbrook Park

Page(s) 15 - 16

Holy Trinity

Page(s) 17 - 18

St Andrew’s and St Francis

Page(s) 19 - 20

St Paul’s and All Hallows

Page(s) 21 - 22

St Richard’s

Page(s) 23 - 24

Meridian Angel

Page 25

Round Up from Executive Chef

3

Our Schools at a Glance St Ann’s Primary School: https://www.stannsn15.ldbsact.org/ A friendly, inclusive and welcoming school with high aspirations for every child.

St Michael’s Primary School: https://www.stmichaelsn22.ldbsact.org/ A school with a unique quality; it's a friendly, inclusive and welcoming school with a history of high aspirations for all of the children who learn at the school.

Stanwell Fields Primary School: https://www.stanwellfields.surrey.sch.uk/ A nurturing environment where children flourish through the experiences provided to support them to keep learning in exciting and engaging ways: such as WOW days, open afternoons and trips.

Millbrook Park Primary School: https://millbrookparkschool.ldbsact.org/ A school that aims for every student to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally during their primary school years, equipping them with the resilience needed for success in the years ahead.

Holy Trinity Primary School: https://www.holytrinityn17.ldbsact.org/ A learning environment that prepares young people for a happy, confident entry into the world, through our teaching of Christian values.

St Andrew’s and St Francis Primary School: https://www.standrewandstfrancis.org/ Our school aims to provide a good, aspirational education based on Christian values for all of the community it serves.

St Paul’s and All Hallows Primary School: https://www.spah.org.uk/ Our school community is committed to providing an exceptional education for every child, where high standards, strong values and a culture of continuous improvement sit at the heart of all that we do.

St Richard’s Primary School: https://strichardsprimaryschool.com/ A school where every child is known, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Meridian Angel Primary School: https://www.meridianangel.org.uk/ A school that celebrates diversity, creativity and community, inspiring pupils to shape a better future.

3

Message from CEO Strengthening Professional Expertise Across the Trust A central driver of improvement across our Trust continues to be the deliberate and sustained investment in high quality professional development for staff at every level. This term has seen a wide range of professional learning opportunities designed to strengthen leadership capacity, improve classroom practice and ensure that our schools continue to deliver the very best outcomes for all pupils.

Colleagues across the Trust have engaged in a structured programme of continuing professional development spanning multiple areas of school leadership and teaching practice. Early Years practitioners have participated in focused training to further strengthen pedagogy in the foundational stage of children’s learning. SENDCo colleagues have taken part in dedicated conferences that have enabled them to share expertise, review provision and develop more consistent approaches to supporting pupils with additional needs across our schools.

Our Headteachers have also met regularly to evaluate the term to date, providing an opportunity for reflective dialogue, challenge and mutual support. These sessions are an important mechanism for strengthening leadership across the Trust and ensuring that school improvement remains both rigorous and collaborative.

Alongside this, senior leaders have undertaken training on the development and refinement of School Self Evaluation and School Improvement Plans. This work supports robust selfevaluation and ensures that strategic planning is evidence informed and aligned with the Trust’s wider improvement priorities. Teachers have also engaged in writing development training and cross-school moderation activities, strengthening consistency of assessment and supporting improved teaching practice across our classroom.

Much of this work has been facilitated by our educational consultants, alongside peer networks of leaders who continue to play an important role in developing professional dialogue across the Trust. These collaborative networks enable leaders and teachers to learn from one another, share effective practice and build collective expertise.

4 3

Message from CEO continued ...

Professional development has also extended to operational leadership. Our School Business Managers have engaged in training provided by our central team, supporting schools to strengthen financial sustainability and maximise the effective use of resources.

An important strand of leadership development this year has been the exploration of the distinction between collective responsibility and collective accountability. This theme was first introduced at a Headteacher gathering earlier in the year and was further developed during the Trust’s residential conference in October with our external Trust leadership coach. This work has supported leaders in thinking more deeply about how we ensure that shared commitment across the Trust translates into measurable improvement for pupils.

The Trust’s approach to professional development is grounded in evidence. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation consistently highlights that the most effective professional development is sustained over time, collaborative in nature and closely linked to classroom practice. Similarly, the work of John Hattie demonstrates that collective teacher efficacy has one of the strongest impacts on pupil outcomes. By investing in structured professional learning across our schools, we are therefore strengthening the conditions in which pupils can succeed.

In addition to formal training, opportunities for leaders and colleagues to come together informally, including time spent in professional fellowship with the central team, have helped to strengthen relationships and reinforce the culture of collaboration that underpins our Trust.

This commitment to professional growth reflects both our strategic priorities and our shared values as a Trust community. The importance of learning together and supporting one another in the pursuit of excellence is well captured in The Bible: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 11:14) Through sustained professional learning, reflective leadership and strong collaboration across our schools, we continue to build the collective capacity required to improve outcomes for every pupil in our care.

5

4

Message from CEO continued ...

As we approach the end of the term and the celebration of Easter, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all colleagues, pupils, families and governors across our Trust community for their continued commitment, care and collaboration. The dedication shown across our schools each day makes a profound difference to the lives of the children we serve. I hope that the Easter period offers everyone a well deserved opportunity for rest, reflection and time with family and loved ones. I wish all members of our community a peaceful and joyful Easter.

Members of the Trust Team break bread together, strengthening collaboration and shaping the next steps.

6

5

St Ann’s CE Primary School Bringing RE to Life - Visits to Places of Worship: All year groups had the opportunity to visit different places of worship to enhance their learning in RE. Visits take place throughout the year. During the Spring Term children visited St Ann's Church, St Paul's Cathedral, a Buddhist Temple, Synagogue and a Hindu Temple.

7

St Ann’s CE Primary School Strong Foundations Art Workshops:

During the first two weeks of the half term, classes took part in art workshops exploring our vision to provide 'strong foundations' for all pupils. Children started by discussing the parable of the Wise Man which inspires and informs our vision, then they worked together to create a wall representing the strong foundations of learning, friendship and spirituality we build at St Ann's.

8

St Michael’s CE Primary School MP Visit We were delighted to welcome Bambos Charalambous MP to our school during the Spring Term. As the Member of Parliament for Southgate and Wood Green, he was eager to learn more about our community, meet pupils and staff and see first-hand the fantastic progress made across the year.

During his visit, Mr Charalambous spent time reading with children, speaking warmly with them about their learning and celebrating their enthusiasm for books. He toured classrooms, observed learning across the school and shared how impressed he was by the pupils’ confidence, curiosity and positive attitudes.

He also took the opportunity to commend the school on our achievements over the last year, recognising the dedication of both staff and families in creating such a supportive and aspirational environment. Mr Charalambous has a long-standing interest in education and community work, as reflected in his parliamentary contributions, including his involvement in debates such as the International Day of Education discussion held in January 2026.

We are grateful for his visit and his thoughtful words of encouragement. It was a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to meet their local MP and to feel proud of the vibrant, ambitious school community they help to shape every day.

9

St Michael’s CE Primary School

St Michael’s Shine at the O2 with Young Voices This month, pupils from St Michael’s had the unforgettable opportunity to perform at the O2 Arena as part of the Young Voices choir—one of the largest school choirs in the world.

Surrounded by thousands of other young singers, our children experienced the thrill of singing on a professional stage, complete with live musicians, dazzling lights and an electrifying atmosphere.

For many of our pupils, this was their first time visiting a major London arena, and the excitement was evident from the moment they arrived. They sang with confidence, joy and unity, representing the school with pride. The event provided a powerful boost to their cultural capital, giving them access to an experience that broadened their horizons, nurtured ambition, and helped them see themselves as part of something bigger.

Taking part in Young Voices also encouraged teamwork, resilience and dedication—skills that will stay with them long after the final note has faded. The children returned buzzing with inspiration, and staff were incredibly proud of their hard work and the maturity they showed throughout the day.

This was a truly magical experience and a highlight of the school year.

10

Stanwell Fields CE Primary school Flourishing Beyond the Curriculum at Stanwell Fields CE Primary School At Stanwell Fields CE Primary School, pupils continue to flourish not only through the taught curriculum but also through rich opportunities that promote health and wellbeing. Recent activities across the school highlight our commitment to nurturing confident, active, and well-rounded children.

Year 4 Embrace Healthy Living Through Surrey’s Be Your Best Programme Our Year 4 pupils have taken an enthusiastic step toward healthier lifestyles by participating in Surrey County Council’s Be Your Best programme. Be Your Best is a county-wide healthy lifestyle initiative designed to help children to eat better, move more and improve their overall wellbeing. Over the five-week programme, children learned about: * The importance of a balanced diet and where nutrition comes from * Staying active and the benefits of regular exercise * Looking after their mental wellbeing M * Making healthy choices in everyday life

Through this enriching experience, our Year 4 pupils not only deepened their understanding of healthy living but also developed the confidence and motivation to apply these skills— supporting their flourishing both in and beyond school.

11

Stanwell Fields CE Primary school Success and Sportsmanship at the Spelthorne Cross Country Tournament Representing Stanwell Fields with pride and resilience, a group of KS2 pupils took part in the Spelthorne Cross Country Tournament held at The Hazelwood Centre, the renowned home of London Irish Rugby Club. The event saw children challenge themselves in a competitive but supportive environment, demonstrating perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Their commitment to giving their best reflects the school’s values in action.

Year 5/6 Footballers Shine at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust Tournament Our Year 5 and 6 football teams—both boys and girls—recently competed in the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust Football Tournament in a round-robin against other local schools. We are delighted to share that our Year 5/6 girls’ team brought home the Beehive Cup Plate, a testament to their determination, teamwork, and impressive skill on the pitch. Their success showcases the growing sports culture at Stanwell Fields.

12

Millbrook Park CE Primary School Science Day We had a truly fantastic Science Day this week, filled with curiosity, excitement and hands-on learning. The children were fully immersed in a wide range of practical activities, including the ever-popular slime making, which brought plenty of smiles (and a little bit of mess!). We were also delighted to welcome an external visitor who led engaging, high-quality sessions that really captured the children’s interest. Across the day, it was wonderful to hear the rich scientific language being used so confidently by the children as they explored, predicted and reflected on their learning. Opportunities like this really help to bring science to life, and it was clear just how much the children loved every moment.

Mosaic Making Our Year 6 children have been thoroughly enjoying working alongside a talented mosaic artist to create beautiful tiles for our prayer garden. This has been a fantastic opportunity for them to learn new artistic skills, from carefully designing their pieces to understanding the techniques involved in creating mosaics. The children have approached the project with great care, creativity and pride, and it has been lovely to see their ideas come to life. We are very much looking forward to seeing the finished pieces installed on the cross in our prayer garden, where they will be a lasting and meaningful contribution for our whole school community to enjoy.

13

Millbrook Park CE Primary School Coding Workshop with Affinity Water Following our recent competition success, our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils were fortunate to take part in an exciting coding workshop led by Affinity Water. Using LEGO resources, the children worked collaboratively to design, build and code solutions, developing their problem-solving and teamwork skills along the way. It was fantastic to see such high levels of engagement, with pupils demonstrating resilience, creativity and logical thinking throughout the sessions. Experiences like this not only enrich the curriculum but also inspire our children to think about future pathways — we may well have some budding engineers and programmers in our midst!

Wildlife Camera Our wildlife camera, kindly secured by one of our parents through a grant, continues to capture the imagination of our children. Each week brings new excitement as we review the latest footage together — from our now familiar visiting fox to, most recently, the incredible sight of an owl. The children absolutely love discussing where the camera should be placed each evening, carefully considering habitats and animal behaviour in the hope of spotting something new. It has become a wonderful way to connect our children with the natural world, sparking curiosity, conversation and a real sense of shared anticipation.

14

Holy Trinity CE Primary School Njinga Mbandi class had a food filled day with pizza making AND smores at Forest School. We remembered our fire safety and were lucky enough to finally have a dry session to toast our marshmallows to perfection… and get sticky mouths and fingers, of course! With a sparkle in our eyes, ignited by curiosity of the fire and smoke and just loving being outside. It was a delight to be part of.

15

Holy Trinity CE Primary School

What a wonderful Book Day we had!

The children had lots of fun bringing stories to life.

We made our very own caterpillars using colourful paints and stamps, just like in The Very Hungry Caterpillar. There were lots of giggles as everyone explored the colour patterns and enjoyed every moment.

We also spent time reading our favourite books, sharing cosy moments with the characters we love.

It was a joyful day full of colour, imagination, and laughter—a perfect way to celebrate our love of books and the characters that make storytime so magical!

16

St

St Andrew’s and St Francis CE Primary School

Our Reception classes were thrilled to welcome firefighters from Willesden Fire Station as part of their topic, People Who Help Us. The visit gave pupils an exciting hands‑on experience, allowing them to explore the firefighters’ protective uniforms, climb inside the fire engine, and even have a turn using the hose. The children were captivated throughout, gaining a deeper understanding of the vital role firefighters play in keeping our community safe. It was a memorable and inspiring visit for all!

Year 3 enjoyed an exciting Stone Age workshop this term to deepen and embed their knowledge of the period from their Autumn History topic. Pupils explored a range of real and replica artefacts, created their own cave art using stone slabs, and took part in practical activities such as archery and making arrows to understand how Stone Age people crafted tools for survival. It was a fantastic hands‑on learning experience that really brought history to life!

17

St Andrew’s and St Francis CE Primary School Year 4 took part in a fantastic cooking session led by the Trust’s Executive Chef, Emma Wiltshire, linking directly to their Geography topic on Agriculture.

The children explored how food travels from ‘farm to fork’, gaining a deeper understanding of the journey our ingredients take before reaching our plates. They then put their learning into practice by making their own flatbreads, developing practical cooking skills while seeing firsthand how agricultural products can be transformed into delicious food. It was an engaging and hands‑on experience the pupils thoroughly enjoyed!

To mark World Sleep Day, SASF pupils took part in a special workshop exploring the importance of healthy sleep for children. The session helped pupils understand why good sleep habits matter for both physical and mental wellbeing, and they learned practical ways to improve their own sleep routines. discussed what makes a calming bedtime routine, the impact of light and screens, and how keeping bedrooms cool, dark and quiet supports better rest. Pupils also explored recommended sleep amounts for different ages and discovered how healthy habits—such as regular schedules, avoiding caffeine, and winding down properly—can help everyone enjoy safer, higher‑quality sleep. It was a valuable and informative way to promote wellbeing across our school community.

18

St Paul’s and All Hallows CE Primary School

Online Safety at SPAH At SPAH, we are continually working to ensure that our pupils understand the importance of staying safe online and knowing what to do to protect themselves. We were delighted to welcome Mary Rebello to our school, who delivered engaging and highly effective workshops for both our pupils and parents, helping to raise awareness about online safety and responsible digital behaviour.

We were also very privileged to host George Nicolaou, founder of the Christoforos Charity Foundation. George shared the deeply moving story of his son, Christoforos, who tragically lost his life as a result of online bullying.

His powerful presentation delivered an important message in a child-friendly and sensitive way, while still conveying the very real and serious harm that online bullying can cause. These sessions were incredibly impactful and helped reinforce our commitment to educating our school community about the importance of kindness, respect, and safety in the online world.

World Book day To celebrate World Book Day, pupils came to school dressed as different phonetic sounds, showing great creativity and enthusiasm. From a a astronaut to p p pirates and many other imaginative ideas, the school was filled with colourful costumes and smiling faces. Throughout the day, pupils took part in a range of activities celebrating the joy of reading, storytelling and imagination. It was wonderful to see the children sharing their favourite books and talking about the characters they love.

It was a fantastic day that highlighted the importance of reading for pleasure, and everyone had a brilliant time celebrating together. A great day was had by all

19

St Paul’s and All Hallows CE Primary School

Year 6 residential at Pendarren Our Year 6 pupils enjoyed a fantastic residential visit to Pendarren in Wales. During their stay, they took part in a wide range of exciting activities, including canoeing, mountain walks and flying kites on the beach. Despite some challenging weather, they showed great resilience and enthusiasm throughout the trip. The pupils were excellent ambassadors for the school, and we are incredibly proud of the way they represented us. They should be just as proud of themselves!

20

St Richard’s CE Primary school

Science week at St Richards Last week we thoroughly enjoyed doing a range of events and workshops at our school all linked to science. They included Hounslow Urban Farm, Mad Science Workshops, VR groups, talks and trips to the science museum.

Hounslow Urban Farm As part of our science week, Hounslow Urban Farm came into school and did a workshop with every class. They brought a range of animals with them to show to the children which included: a tarantula, scorpion, turtle, snail, stick insect, cockroach, lizard, chinchilla and various types of snakes. The children were so brave and were able to touch and hold the animals. It was such a marvellous experience and one which we hope to repeat again.

21

St Richard’s CE Primary school

Mad Science Workshop The Mad Science company came into school and started with an explosive assembly. The children were hooked straight away into the joys and wonder of science. This continued throughout the day when each class got their own individual workshops. The workshops included rockets, slimes, rocks, lights and animals.

22

Meridian Angel Primary School

World Reimagined Globe Installation We were excited to welcome a very special Globe, “Tributaries of Knowledge” by Bryony Benge-Abbott, onto our school grounds. it will be with us to the end of the next half term.

Linked to the theme Still We Rise, it will helps us reflect on the history and legacy of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans – reminding us that this is all of our history. As part of The World Reimagined, it’s a powerful opportunity for learning, reflection and conversation within our community.

This links closely to our school values of Hope, Friendship and Resilience, as we come together to learn from the past and shape a better future.

Community-focused World Book Day As part of our courageous advocacy initiative, the children chose to spend their World Book Day with the local care home residents. The children further developed meaningful relationships with the residents through shared reading and conversation. This experience helped them to further nurture their empathy, strengthen their communication skills and deepen their social awareness. It also highlighted for them the importance of community connection and the value of serving others.

23

Meridian Angel Primary School

Easter and performance enrichment The children presented a Song Sack performance, which showcased their talents and strengthened family engagement through the high levels of attendance and support. Pupils performed with confidence and energy, demonstrating their creativity and enjoyment of the arts. The event provided a valuable opportunity to bring families together and celebrate the achievements of the children This year’s Easter egg hunt encouraged children to apply problem-solving skills and work collaboratively as they navigated the school grounds. Pupils followed clues, worked in teams and supported one another to complete the challenge successfully. The activity created a sense of excitement and enjoyment while reinforcing the importance of teamwork and resilience..

We ended the Spring Term with Year 3 and Year 4 pupils delivering an Easter production that developed their confidence while strengthening their performance and teamwork skills.

They worked collaboratively to learn lines, rehearse scenes and support one another throughout the process. The final performance was a great success, with pupils demonstrating pride, enthusiasm and growing self-belief on stage.

243

Round Up from Emma Wiltshire (Trust Executive Chef)

Green Curriculum & Graduation Station!

At the start of this term, I officially graduated and am now a qualified teacher.

It has been great to see more schools reach out for support with the Green Curriculum which has seen me running regular sessions at SPAH, St Michael’s and SASF. Lessons have included: Early Years: Eating the rainbow and why it’s important.

Year 1 and 2: Eatwell Plate – preparing salad for lunch service.

Year 3: Judaism – Babka making Year 4: Farm to Fork – Flour and flatbread making.

Year 5: Anglo Saxon – Baking with basic ingredients.

Ahead of the summer term, I’ve worked on Geography Curriculum Links, planning sessions for St Richards and Holy Trinity. It’s a pleasure to see the curiosity, wonder and pride as our children are introduced to a new recipe or dish.

Kitchen Swap It has been great to start the Chef Swap initiative this term, giving the opportunity initially for chefs to be able to shadow and learn from other kitchen teams within the Trust. We have lots of talent and skills in our kitchen teams and it’s exciting to be able to tap in to this as an opportunity for growth.

Benedict’s Law New legislation has passed which will see all schools review their food allergen policies and training.

Social Media: Instagram = @serving_smiles_ldbstrust Do follow us on the Instagram handle above to see the love, care and effort that goes on in the school kitchens - thank you!

25

LDBS ACADEMIES TRUST Wishing everyone a peaceful and joyful Easter 24