LDBS Academies Trust Spring 25

LDBS ACADEMIES TRUST

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL VISIT

NEWSLETTER SPRING 25

Autumn 24 St Michael’s St Ann’s Meridian Angel St Andrew and St Francis Holy Trinity Milbrook Park St Paul’s and All Hallow’s St Richard’s Stanwell Fields CEO

https://www.ldbsact.org/

LDBS Academies Trust London Diocesan House, 36 Causton Street, London, SW1P 4AU

St Michael’s St. Michael’s recently welcomed the Autism Team and representatives from Haringey local authority to check out our informal alternative provision. We were thrilled to receive such positive feedback—they said we have the best provision in the borough! In fact, they couldn’t think of any recommendations for improvement, which is a huge compliment to our dedicated staff and the support we provide for our students with autism.

The visit was a celebration of how far we’ve come in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, with tailored support for each individual student. We have been asked to help other schools in the area set up similar provisions. It’s exciting to be recognised as leaders in this area, and we’re looking forward to working with local schools to share what we’ve learned and help raise the bar for autism support across the borough.

St Michael’s

More photos linked to the provision for children with autismn at St Michael’s.

St. Michael’s School Community Supports Family After Devastating House Fire The St. Michael’s School community has come together in a remarkable display of solidarity and support following a devastating house fire that left a local family with nothing. The fire, caused by an electrical fault in the family’s fridge, destroyed their home and belongings, leaving them facing an uncertain future.

In response to the tragedy, the school quickly mobilized efforts to provide assistance. Staff, students, and parents all contributed to a collection of clothing, household items, and financial donations. The school’s PTA organized a fundraising drive, and students worked to raise awareness and gather contributions.

The local church also played a crucial role, offering meals, clothing, and temporary accommodation for the family. Their support, alongside the school’s efforts, has helped provide the family with essential resources during this difficult time.

This outpouring of kindness and generosity is a true reflection of the values upheld by St. Michael’s School and its surrounding community. Through the combined efforts of the school, parents, students, and the church, the family has received the help they need to begin the long road to recovery.

Performance at the Royal Albert Hall We recently had the incredible opportunity to perform at the iconic Royal Albert Hall as part of Haringey Music’s celebration of local talent. Our students delivered a fantastic performance, showcasing their hard work and dedication in front of a large, enthusiastic audience. The experience was not only a moment of pride for the school but also a testament to the students' musical abilities. It was a truly memorable occasion that highlighted the importance of music in our school community.

St Ann’s

A BUSY TERM AT ST ANN’S

Number Day: St Ann's celebrated all things numerical and mathematical on Number Day. Children dressed in clothing with numbers on and spent the day engaged in practical maths investigations.

Synagogue Visit: Children in Year 3 visited Hampstead Synagogue to support their RE learning.

Shrove Tuesday: Nursery enjoyed making & eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday!

Meridian Angel

Young Voices Choir Performance at the O2 Arena Our school choir had the opportunity to take part in the Young Voices concert at the O2 Arena – the largest children's choir concert in the world.

Performing alongside thousands of other young singers and professional musicians, our pupils showcased their talent, teamwork, and passion for music in an unforgettable evening of song and celebration.

Experiences like this go far beyond the stage.

Taking part in such a large-scale event helps builds confidence, encourages discipline and resilience, and nurtures a lifelong love of music and we were so happy to be part of it.

We know the children would have created memories that them and their families will treasure forever.

Ballet Recital: The rescheduled ballet recital happened in the Spring Term.

It really was worth the wait.

A massive well done to all the children involved, they were fantastic and a heartfelt thank you to Ms Marshall for her incredible support and guidance in helping the children bring their routines to life.

Ballet is not only a beautiful art form, but also a discipline that builds strength, coordination, focus, and resilience, which is why we wanted to introduce it to our children.

They embraced it and they danced with such grace, confidence, and emotion.

They had both me and the entire audience were moved.

Their hard work and dedication shone through every step, and I honestly cannot wait for their next performance.

Easter Church Visit Easter is a time of reflection, hope, and renewal, and our talented children reminded us of that with their performance They took us on a journey through one of the most powerful stories ever told.

Through drama, music, and heartfelt performances, they brought to life the events of the Holy Week.

Our children worked incredibly hard to prepare this performance, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reverend Tina (our clergy and Chair of Governors) was with us to see it and she said, “It was amazing.”

Y2 and Y6 visit Pizza Express: They spent the morning making pizzas.

The children were excited to roll up their sleeves and become mini chefs for the day.

They learnt how pizza dough is made from scratch, explored a variety of tasty toppings, and discovered how long pizzas take to cook in a real pizza oven.

As well as the fun of hands-on cooking, the visit helped develop practical life skills such as food preparation and hygiene.

Travelling by bus also gave the children an opportunity to apply road safety principles, and develop confidence in navigating the local area.

It was a fantastic, memorable experience that brought learning to life outside the classroom.

St Andrew and St Francis Year 5 had an action-packed day during their Viking workshop, where they stepped into the shoes of Viking warriors and explored their fascinating history! The students learned about Viking battle formations and tactics, even acting them out to experience firsthand how these fierce warriors fought. They also enjoyed playing traditional Viking board games, gaining insight into the pastimes of the Norse people. As part of their exploration, Year 5 delved into Viking myths, discovering the rich stories and legends that shaped their culture. The workshop also gave the children a chance to become archaeologists, as they carefully dug up and examined artefacts, uncovering clues about Viking life. It was an unforgettable day of hands-on learning and adventure!

Year 3 had an exciting and immersive experience during their Egyptian workshops, where they journeyed back in time to explore the wonders of Ancient Egypt! The students learned the fascinating process of mummification and even had the chance to try it themselves. They also discovered the art of writing in hieroglyphics, creating their own messages in this ancient script. As part of the workshop, Year 3 built their own Egyptian city, imagining what life was like thousands of years ago. They also played traditional games that Egyptian children would have enjoyed, offering a hands-on connection to the past. To deepen their understanding, the class examined a range of fascinating Egyptian artefacts, bringing the history to life in a truly memorable way!

SASF Primary School recently celebrated World Book Day in a fun and engaging way, embracing our love of reading! Both staff and students dressed up as their favourite characters, showcasing their creativity in a lively catwalk event that allowed everyone to share their literary-inspired costumes with the whole school. The excitement continued with a door decorating competition, where each class transformed their classroom door to represent beloved books, bringing the magic of stories to life.

To top it off, we were joined by special guest readers – characters from our favourite books – who visited the classrooms to read with the children, making the day even more memorable. It was a wonderful celebration of reading, imagination, and community!

Holy Trinity In Reception we have been learning about what is needed to make a car. We looked at different 3D shapes in maths and held an experiment to find out which shapes and toys roll faster. We then looked at how wheels turned and explored wheels and axles – taking wheels off toys and putting them back together again. Once we had understood the mechanisms, we were ready to make our own!

Year 2 were eye witnesses to The Great Fire of London!

We recreated 1666 London’s narrow streets and wooden houses, then burned them to ashes! It was a shocking and exciting experience which helped us understand on a deeper level the thoughts and feelings of Londoners in 1666.

Hapa Zome or ‘tapping flowers’ in Y2 forest school session today. A Japanese printing technique that we used to decorate the Choo Choo curtains 🪻

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Millbrook Park

Visiting St Paul’s This term, our Spirituality Leaders had the truly special opportunity to visit St Paul’s Cathedral—a place steeped in history, awe and beauty.

From the moment we arrived, the children were captivated by the grandeur of the building and the powerful stories it holds. The guided tour, by one of our own Governors, took us through the Cathedral’s incredible architecture and into its sacred spaces, where we paused to reflect, ask questions, and appreciate the deep spiritual and cultural importance of this place.

Future Lionesses!

This term we ran our first Football Festival for Girls, which kicked off in style!

Every girl in school had the chance to get involved, playing games and learning new skills throughout the morning. It was a brilliant event, full of energy and enthusiasm, and we hope it will inspire more of our girls to take up football in the future.

It was lovely to see our Year 5 and 6 girls leading the sessions.

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome so many of our families to our latest Share Our Learning Day (SOLD). We loved sharing the children’s fantastic work with them and seeing families engage in creative activities together. A particular highlight was the stunning artwork inspired by Spirituality – We can’t wait to display many of these pieces around the school for everyone to enjoy.

St Paul and All Hallow’s

London Fire Brigade This term, we had an exciting and educational visit from the London Fire Brigade!

It was one of the highlights of the term, and everyone had a fantastic time learning about fire safety.

Special workshops were delivered to teach us how to stay safe in case of a fire.

They explained the importance of smoke alarms, having an escape plan, and what to do if there is a fire at home. We even learned how to call 999 in an emergency!

One of the most exciting parts of the visit was in the Reception class, where the children got to dress up as firefighters! They pretended to be real firefighters ready to save the day. It was so much fun, and they all looked brilliant in their outfits.

The visit from the London Fire Brigade was a great experience for everyone. We learned important safety tips in a fun and engaging way. A big thank you to the London Fire Brigade for coming to our school and teaching us how to stay safe!

A Magical Day of Reading!

We had an amazing time celebrating World Book Day! The day began with a special assembly where everyone—teachers and pupils—wore cosy pyjamas, setting the perfect mood for storytelling.

We were delighted to welcome Mrs. Talabi, our Business Manager, who shared her inspiring journey as an author. Throughout the day, a surprise bell signalled spontaneous reading moments, turning every lesson into an adventure!

In the afternoon, pupils swapped books and stories with friends from different classes. A special visit from Father Staffan, who enchanted Year 1 and Year 2 with his storytelling, made the day truly magical!

Cooking as Part of our Curriculum We have been working closely with the Elliott Foundation and our Executive Chef, Emma Wiltshire, to introduce cooking as part of our curriculum. Cooking is a fun and valuable skill that helps our pupils learn in exciting ways.

These cooking experiences not only teach our pupils the basic cooking skills, but also encourage healthy eating, and boost creativity. In addition to this, they also use the experience to support their understanding of topics taught across the curriculum.

St Richard’s Library Update!

St Richard’s has never had an official library space before so we have been working incredibly hard to build a great space which the children will love. We wanted a space that will further inspire them to read but also be a place of calm. This last term, a group of parent volunteers have been very busy getting book donations, scanning in all the thousands of books and trying to organise the library. Today (Wednesday 23rd April) we had the grand opening of our library to all the children, parents and local community.

We were especially excited to welcome Zoe Antoniades, a local author, who led a whole school assembly and then opened our library. The children (and staff) were fully engaged in her stories and were giggling in the background. The children then had the opportunity to meet her and buy a signed book which they loved. Seema Malhotra, who is our local MP, came along and met with groups of children and parents in the library. This was an amazing morning which was shared with so many members of the community.

Stanwell Fields Promoting Pupils' Personal Development

At Stanwell Fields this term, we have had a strong focus on pupils' personal development and ensuring all pupils get a breadth of opportunities and experiences beyond the curriculum. We want our children to become responsible and confident individuals with positive attitudes and behaviour. To support this, we have had a range of activities taking place.

Bikeability Our Year 6 pupils took part in Level 2 cycling training learning how to: start and stop with confidence; pass stationary vehicles parked on a road; understand signals, signs and road markings; negotiate quiet junctions, crossroads and roundabouts; and share the road with other vehicles.

St Paul's Cathedral In January, a group of Year 5 pupils represented Stanwell Fields at the LDBS Schools' Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London. The service was also attended by the other schools in the Trust. The children particularly enjoyed the steel band from Holy Trinity!

Hot Chocolate Friday To encourage the best behaviour, children who always demonstrate 'The Stanwell Standard' now have the chance to have hot chocolate (and marshmallows!) with the Headteacher. They even get to enjoy this in the staff room. VIP treatment indeed!

Stanwell Fields 100% Attendance - At Stanwell Feilds, we promote excellent attendance through a variety of incentives and rewards. At the end of this term, all the children with 100% attendance for the school year so far were given an Easter egg. If they can maintain their perfect attendance, they will also go into a raffle at the end of the year to win an iPad!

St Paul’s Cathedral

A privilege that a number of our children have been lucky enough to visit this very important place.

CEO Partnership at the Heart of Our MAT At the core of our Trusts (LAT and LAT 2), lies an unwavering commitment to both our pupils and the staff who dedicate themselves to their success. We firmly believe that education is not just about curriculum delivery—it is about relationships. From the connections formed in the classroom to the camaraderie among colleagues, from inter-school collaboration to the wider Trust network, partnerships shape everything we do.

We value strength in relationships. Teaching is a profoundly human endeavour. The bonds between teachers and students create an environment where young minds feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. But these relationships don’t exist in isolation. The staffroom is just as important—a place where educators share ideas, offer encouragement, and find solidarity in their mission. When schools work together, they amplify their impact, ensuring that expertise, resources, and best practices are shared across the trust. Our partnership flows beyond our Trusts. This term, along with 150 Church schools in the Diocese of London, we attended the LDBS Annual Service at St Paul’s Cathedral. The service explored the theme of ‘Strength Beyond Time: The God of Eternity.

We also attended the LDBS Spring Residential about living wisely for Senior Leaders in Eastbourne. The setting was stunning and the speakers were remarkable. There were opportunities to grow, network and reflect. We all left recharged and ready to continue our leadership journeys with deeper wisdom. The combination of a beautiful setting, inspiring speakers, and meaningful connections made the residential truly special.

Our role as a Trust is clear: to support our schools so they can focus on what truly matters—teaching and learning. This means providing guidance, professional development, and a framework that enables schools to flourish while maintaining their unique identities. This term saw a Trust Writing Summit, Years 2 and 6 moderation and many more professional networking opportunities. By fostering a culture of collaboration, we create opportunities for staff and pupils alike to thrive. We are guided by Jesus’ teachings; we are deeply rooted in Christian distinctiveness, and our aim is to nurture, inspire, and educate every individual within our community.

Our commitment to the communities we serve is ongoing. We deeply appreciate the dedication, resilience, and passion that educators bring to our schools every day. Their hard work is what makes the difference in the lives of so many young people. Please be assured of our steadfast support—now and always. Together, through partnership, we will continue to build a brighter future for our pupils and communities.

As we celebrate the joy and hope of Easter, we are reminded of the power of renewal, faith, and love. The resurrection of Christ is a testament to God’s unwavering grace and the promise of new beginnings. May this Easter bring you peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose in all that you do. We are grateful for our Christian community and for the shared commitment to faith, learning, and service. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and joyful Easter.

Warmest wishes, Christalla Jamil, CEO