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2024 SUMMER Newsletter

Get ready to tune in, because there's a brand new radio station taking the airwaves by storm – and it's being run entirely by our very own junior school students at Cheam Common Junior Academy!

On the 29th of April, Cheam Common Junior Academy was equipped with top-of-the-range broadcasting equipment in their newly designed space called the ‘Innovation Hub’ This state-of-the-art technology, along with the comprehensive training provided by Mr. Russell Prue has given our young student broadcasters the perfect platform to launch their very own radio station, ‘CCJ Radio’, and showcase their creative talents!

This exciting project wouldn't be possible without the help, support and guidance of professional broadcaster and school radio supplier Russell Prue from Anderton Tiger Mr Prue spent four incredible days with our staff and students, sharing his expertise and providing them with the skills they needed to become radio stars The training covered everything from mastering the technology to developing presenting confidence, and it was clear that our young broadcasters were absolute naturals!

Since then, the student-led radio station has been buzzing with activity. During lunchtimes, the playground comes alive with daily broadcasts, keeping everyone entertained with their latest shows including jokes, updates, shoutouts and songs But that's not all! Each week, the station also produces live podcasts that are broadcasted to the world – talk about going global! To date the CCJ Radio Crew have produced over nine quality magazine style podcast shows that are broadcast live each week. These shows are then made available to a global audience through Mixcloud, a popular online platform for listening to and sharing radio shows, DJ mixes, and podcasts. Think of it as a giant library specifically for these types of audio programs, where anyone can tune in and listen to the CCJ Radio Crew's creations!

With the support and encouragement of Miss Govier and Mr Francis, and continued mentoring from Russell, the team has gone from strength to strength producing high quality and engaging shows on a weekly basis Their programming is incredibly diverse, covering a range of topics relevant to the school community Listeners can tune in for school updates and reminders, learn interesting facts about relevant topics and themes, hear students share their experiences from trips, like the Year 6 residential trip on the Isle of Wight, and events, and even enjoy live interviews with fascinating guests like the awesome Alan and Gustavo from the Texthelp team and even an ex-professional footballer - Gary Chivers!

Overall, the CCJ Radio Crew isn't just about on-air talent; they're committed to getting the whole school involved! To achieve this, they've developed a daily rota system. This system brings students across the school into the studio, providing them with interview opportunities and even allowing them to participate in pupil-led training sessions. This not only adds fresh perspectives to the shows but also empowers other students to master the radio technology. The result? A steadily growing CCJ Radio Crew with more capacity to produce even more exciting content. This opens up wider opportunities for as many students as possible to participate in this fantastic initiative.

But the engagement doesn't stop there! To truly represent the school spirit on the airwaves, Miss Govier launched a whole-school competition to design a logo for the CCJ Radio station. The response was phenomenal – over 60 stunning designs were submitted! After careful consideration, 10 finalists were chosen, and the entire school community, including staff, students, and even Mr Hedger, CEO of our trust, came together to vote for their favourite design. They can't wait to unveil the winning logo soon, and it's sure to be a symbol of the collaborative spirit and creative energy that drives the CCJ Radio Crew!

This fantastic initiative is a wonderful way for our students to develop their communication skills, creativity, and teamwork in a fun and engaging environment. We're incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication, and we can't wait to hear what amazing shows they come up with next. Stay tuned for more updates on our junior radio station, and who knows, you might even catch a live broadcast from the playground yourself! We are also looking forward to rolling out radios to all the schools across the Trust, and can’t wait to hear the unique and diverse voices from our schools as they share their stories, music, and news

If you would like to listen to previous CCJ Radio shows, please click here

"I think radio is great because it really brings out your personality The best part is that everyone gets involved "

Avi, Year 5

"I love the radio because it is fun and it is entertaining to everyone listening to us, it is an amazing experience"

Finlay, Year 5

I love the radio, it's fun, easy to use and we are very independent It's super fun and everyone loves using it "

Jenny, Year 5

"I think radio is brilliant because it has definitely improved my self confidence."

Lucas, Year 5

LEO Academy Trust and Texthelp joined forces recently for a celebratory event that showcased the positive impact of their partnership on student learning. The event, held at the Cryer Arts Centre in Carshalton, brought together LEO staff, Texthelp representatives, parents, and most importantly, the students themselves.

A Focus on Student Voices

The event's highlight was the student presentations. LEO pupils from various schools within the Trust took centre stage, sharing their experiences with Texthelp's assistive technology tools These tools, which include Read&Write, Orbit Note, and Fluency Tutor, are designed to support students with diverse learning needs

The children's enthusiasm was infectious as they explained how Texthelp has empowered them in the classroom One student spoke about the confidence boost they received using the text-to-speech feature in Read&Write, whilst another explained how the tools had totally transformed his approach to school. These firsthand accounts resonated with the audience, leaving no doubt about the positive impact the technology is having.

LEO and Texthelp: A Shared Vision

LEO Academy Trust, with its core values of Learning, Excellence, and Opportunity, aligns perfectly with Texthelp's mission to provide inclusive learning solutions The event served as a testament to the success of this partnership.

"We believe every student deserves the chance to excel," stated a LEO spokesperson. "Texthelp's tools have been instrumental in creating classrooms where all learners can flourish."

A Celebration of Inclusive Education

The LEO Academy Trust and Texthelp celebration event went beyond showcasing technological advancements. It was a celebration of inclusive education, where every student's voice is heard and valued. The children's presentations were a powerful reminder that with the right support, all students can achieve their full potential

This successful event paves the way for a continued collaboration between LEO and Texthelp, ensuring a brighter learning future for all LEO students.

This year, we have hosted six Digital Discovery Days, which has brought together over 300 educators and leaders from across the education sector. The days were designed to provide attendees with a firsthand look at how our schools are using technology to transform teaching and learning, and to unpick further the findings from the Pedtech Impact report we published in December 2023.

The events featured a variety of sessions, including:

Overview of our digital strategy

Lesson visits

Presentations by leaders and our teacher cloud champions from across the trust

Opportunities to network with other educators

Attendees were able to see firsthand how technology is being used to engage pupils, promote active l d f ll b Th l had the opportunity to learn about our innovative ded learning model and our use of personalised learning

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many commented on the creativity and innovation of our approach, as well as the thoughtfulness and care with which we have implemented technology in our schools

“The Digital Discovery Day was an eye-opener! Seeing how technology is being used so creatively in the classroom was truly inspiring.”

“I had such a great day. Your children are AMAZING. To reach this standard takes a huge amount of hard work and dedication from a whole army of people. Thank you. ”

We are grateful for the opportunity to share our insights and expertise with the wider educational community. We believe that technology has the potential to transform education, and we are committed to leading the way in this transformation

We look forward to continuing to work with educators and leaders to develop innovative and effective ways to use technology in the classroom as we move into the new school year

OUR DIGITAL DISCOVERY DAYS HAVE OUR DIGITAL DISCOVERY DAYS HAVE

BEEN ATTENDED BY: BEEN ATTENDED BY:

300 Over members of staff

143

Multi Academy Trusts and schools that represents over

400,000 pupils from across the UK

L E O A C A D E M Y

T R U S T & C E N T U R Y

How can AI-powered personalised teaching and learning improve outcomes in KS1 & KS2?

@MrsShirley8 shares how we use data analytics to pinpoint knowledge gaps & proactively address them to increase attainment.

Click here to read the full article.

L E O A C A D E M Y

T R U S T & M O T E

How LEO Academy Trust uses Mote to achieve its ambitious feedback policy objectives

Discover how Mote has become the tool of choice for teachers providing students with feedback during their writing process.

Click here to read the full article.

L E O A C A D E M Y

T R U S T & T H E

C H A R T E R E D C O L L E G E O F T E A C H I N G

Pedagogy and digital: Insights, impact and implications.

A year-long study from @FionaAS & @LEOacademies shares groundbreaking insights into the impact of digital technology in schools.

Click here to read the full article

L E O A T T H E

E R A A W A R D S

I N B I R M I N G H A M

We were absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted alongside the well-respected Texthelp as finalists for an ERA Award in the 'Collaboration between School & Supplier' category Being recognized amongst such esteemed company is a true testament to the hard work and dedication our team has poured into fostering a collaborative and impactful partnership with our schools.

This is a validation of our commitment to going beyond simply providing resources, but rather working hand-in-hand to develop solutions that truly address their unique needs and empower them to create exceptional learning experiences for our students.

We were delighted that our CEO, Mr Hedger, had the opportunity to participate in a vital discussion about the future of education. On April 18th, he joined an Education Technology roundtable held at the Cabinet Office This prestigious event brought together leading figures in the field, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan.

Alongside other education and policy experts, they convened to explore the potential of technology to transform learning outcomes for students. Mr Hedger's presence at the roundtable reflects our company ' s deep commitment to innovation in education. We believe that technology, when harnessed effectively, can be a powerful tool for educators and students alike.

At the Ashtead Village Day, our school had a vibrant stall that promoted the school's values and achievements Interactive activities and displays engaged visitors, while staff enthusiastically answered questions and shared information about the school's programs and upcoming events. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and showcase the best of West Ashtead Primary School.

The school choir also participated in the centenary celebrations at the Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall. Their beautiful rendition of "Sing" by Gary Barlow filled the hall with joy and emotion The students' passion and talent shone through, earning them a well-deserved round of applause from the appreciative audience.

These two events highlighted Ashtead School's commitment to community engagement and the nurturing of student talent We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their outstanding contributions to both the Village Day and the centenary celebrations

We look forward to many more opportunities to collaborate with our community and celebrate the achievements of our talented students

LEO Academy Trust held a week-long celebration of creativity, expression, and exploration through the arts: LEO Academy Trust's Art Week!

They presented a diverse array of workshops, all curated to inspire and engage students in the vibrant world of art

Students had the opportunity to explore the Trust's comprehensive arts curriculum, designed to foster imagination and skill development, complemented by exciting workshops and enriching timetables

The event took place from 1st July to 5th July, inviting everyone to embrace the transformative power of art

Click here to view our detailed flyer and discover how LEO Academy Trust ignited passion and creativity through our Art Week festivities.

LEO Academy Trust is taking a step towards a more international future for its students The organization recently submitted four proposals to the Turing Scheme, a UK program that funds educational placements abroad

If successful, these bids would create exciting opportunities for LEO children to gain valuable international experience The Turing Scheme aligns with LEO's mission to provide a well-rounded education, and this global exposure would undoubtedly benefit its students.

LEO Academy Trust has been shortlisted for an Impact Project Award in the Google for Education Reference School & College Awards 2024! This prestigious recognition shines a spotlight on the incredible work and dedication of both the students and staff across LEO Academy Trust

The award acknowledges the Trust's impactful projects that leverage Google for Education tools to enhance learning and empower students This is a testament to the collaborative spirit and innovative approaches fostered within LEO Academy Trust, ensuring all children have the resources and support they need to thrive

Congratulations to Miss Tofts, who has achieved a remarkable distinction in all parts of her Level 3 apprenticeship qualification, and congratulations to Miss King on being selected for a prestigious training program as a Primary Mastering Specialist with the London South West Maths Hub.

This is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to their hard work and dedication, and we are incredibly proud of both Miss Tofts and Miss King for their achievements!

Children in Year 6 are brimming with excitement after graduating from The Scholars Programme by the Brilliant Club. This program offers Year 6 pupils a taste of university life, igniting their curiosity and fostering a love of learning

The Scholars Programme pairs pupils with passionate PhD tutors, who guide them through seven engaging tutorials on a unique real-world topic related to the tutor's field of study. Over the course of the term, children in small groups delve deep into the subject, building their knowledge and critical thinking skills. The program culminates in a challenging 1,000-word final assignment, a testament to the children's dedication and intellectual growth.

The graduation ceremony, held at a partner university, marks a momentous occasion for the young scholars. It's a chance for them to celebrate their achievements alongside their peers, meet university student ambassadors, and experience firsthand what university life is all about.

This program goes beyond academics It instils confidence and self-belief in young minds, encouraging them to dream big and see themselves thriving in higher education. Research shows that graduates of The Scholars Programme not only develop stronger communication and critical thinking skills, but also demonstrate improved academic performance in their later years and this is definitely reflected in the recent project evaluations for LEO pupils.

Congratulations to these bright young graduates! Their journey with The Scholars Programme is a stepping stone to a future filled with academic exploration and endless possibilities.

N E W S & B L O G S S E C T I O N

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand new section on our website: News & Blogs! This dedicated space will be your one-stop shop for insightful articles, LEO updates, and inspiring stories.

We encourage you to head over to this section on our website to explore our most recent blogs, which include Leaders Of Tomorrow: Preparing Children For A Digital Future, 4 Ways A Digital Classroom Can Benefit Teachers, and LEO Academy Trust Schools Among Parent Power Guide’s Top 500 Schools In England. Click on the icons below to read the full blogs.

We hope you enjoy this new addition to our website, and make sure to keep an eye out for new releases!

L E O A C A D E M Y T R U S T P A R T N E R S W I T H F I N N I S H S C H O O L

LEO Academy Trust is delighted to announce a new partnership with Siltamäki Primary School in Helsinki, Finland. This exciting collaboration will provide a platform for both schools to share best practices and learn from each other's educational approaches

The partnership will involve reciprocal visits by staff from both schools. LEO staff will be travelling to Helsinki for a visit to Siltamäki Primary, allowing for deeper connections to be built between educators and fostering the exchange of innovative ideas. This cross-cultural exchange will undoubtedly benefit the respective students, bringing fresh perspectives and enhancing the learning experience for all

We look forward to a successful partnership with Siltamäki Primary School and sharing updates on the exciting initiatives that emerge from this collaboration

L E O

F O U N D A T I O N

The LEO Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing wider opportunities and education to disadvantaged pupils, has outlined a comprehensive strategy to maximise its impact and achieve its mission. This strategy focuses on diversifying fundraising channels, expanding grant-making reach, enhancing program effectiveness, and strengthening the foundation's reputation.

Diversify Fundraising Channels

Expand Grant-Making Reach

Thousands of teachers will have access to exceptional training and development close to where they live. The National Institute of Teaching is expanding its delivery locations across England to make its programmes easier to get to.

Two trusts will become Associate Colleges of the NIoT – the Laurus Trust in south Manchester, Stockport and Cheshire East, and LEO Academy Trust in Sutton and Surrey. As well as playing a key role in the delivery of our programmes, these Associate Colleges also contribute to their design, drawing on local expertise and knowledge. This ensures that programmes reflect their local contexts and the needs of the communities they serve This partnership approach will enable us to extend our reach across the country, delivering targeted professional development where the need is greatest.

Together, these new locations will reduce teachers’ - and trainees’ travel time, helping them have a better work-life balance and spend more time in their local communities . It will also be easier to network with local teachers – and those training to be teachers – increasing peer support and allowing more opportunities for collective problem-solving.

The NIoT's suite of programmes, which range from initial teacher training, to early career support, to the National Professional Qualifications, are designed to empower teachers with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their profession. This expansion also includes a focus on initial teacher training, ensuring that the next generation of educators is equipped with the tools for success from the very beginning, tapping into local knowledge and local role models

A nine-school academy trust in Surrey and Sutton, England, undertook a digital transformation with a student-centered approach Their goal? To equip pupils with not only strong literacy and numeracy skills, but also the foundational digital tools needed to navigate the ever-expanding world of technology.

R E S I D E N T I A L L E O A C A D E M

This year, LEO Academy Trust has provided our students with unforgettable experiences through their exciting residential trips, fostering both adventure and learning outside the classroom.

The Year 4 students spent their residential trip at Sold High Ashurst in Box Hill Surrey, where they stayed in teepees and cabins. They had a fantastic time climbing the high ropes, tackling Jacob's Ladder, orienteering and woodland skills, practising building dens, and roasting marshmallows around the fire The adventurous spirit was further kindled with other exciting activities.

The Year 4’s at Manor Park went on an overnight trip to Juniper Hall, Dorking. The children were able to explore a wide range of different activities throughout their stay, including walking, building shelters and creating habitat homes

The Year 4 West Ashtead residential was to New Barn in Doncaster Children were delighted to try out orienteering, den building and bushcraft activities during the day and were entranced by the storyteller's epic tale before bedtime They also learned all about the iron age hillfort during a visit to Maiden Castle

The Year 5 students ventured to Bideford, North Devon, staying with Kingswood for a week. They tried their hand at surfing, paddle boarding, coasteering and a water obstacle course They also engaged in forest skills, mountain boarding, climbing and enjoyed a visit to The Big Sheep, among many other fun activities.

The Year 6 group explored the Isle of Wight, where they enjoyed numerous water activities and visits to iconic locations such as The Needles, Tapnell Farm, Blackgang Chine, and Osborne House. They even experienced the thrill of a theatre visit, making it a perfect send-off as they prepare for new adventures in secondary school.

Year 6 at Manor Park had an amazing time on their residential trip to Kingswood Staffordshire. They took part in many activities including caving, zipline, rock climbing, abseiling, Jacob's ladder, leap of faith and of course, the disco!

At West Ashtead the Year 6 ventured north to Shropshire. Based at Wilderhope Manor, a Grade I Elizabethan manor house, our activities ranged from handling Colin the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach at the West Midlands Safari Park, racing buggies at the Enginuity Centre, donning a harness and scaling a 12m 'Tall Wall' and time-travelling back to 1900 at Blists Hill a Victorian Town. Last stop was a visit to Cadbury World

These residential trips have been a tremendous success, providing students with invaluable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Cheam Fields Primary Academy was thrilled to be nominated and shortlisted from over 20 schools to the top 4 at the EduFuturists Uprising 2024 in the Primary School of the Year category. The awards ceremony was held at the Uprising in Leeds on 11th July.

While they did not win its category, the nomination and shortlisting are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, students and parents Cheam Fields is proud to be recognised for its commitment to providing an innovative and forward-thinking education to its students.

Cheam Fields Primary Academy is honoured to have been nominated for this prestigious award. The academy is committed to continuing to provide its students with an exceptional education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century

T R A I N I N G A N D

P R O F E S S I O N A L

D E V E L O P M E N T

The Summer Term has been busy for @LEOtraining5, as we continued to provide an array of professional learning opportunities for staff across LEO Academy Trust. This term featured training programmess, twilight sessions, teacher research groups, Network Learning Community (NLC) meetings, and much more

First-year Early Career Teachers (ECTs) have continued to benefit from a range of professional learning opportunities during the summer term of their induction LEO has continued its partnership with Harris Teaching School Hub to provide training for ECTs, both within the trust and at other schools in Sutton and Croydon. This term's sessions have focused on the questions ‘How can you plan a coherent curriculum’ and ‘How can you support all pupils to achieve?’ The ECT induction programme this term also included professional learning sessions for mentors, ensuring that they are well-equipped to support their mentees' professional learning and in particular how they can engage in collaborative planning

Alongside the Harris ECT sessions, we have also worked with colleagues from the Sutton Education Trust (SET) to offer ECTs in person subject specific sessions on a half termly basis These sessions are a wonderful opportunity for ECTs to network with other ECTs both in and outside of the trust and to develop their subject knowledge across the curriculum.

In Summer 1, ECTs enjoyed a practical session focused on Digital Skills and Computing and in Summer 2 ECTs joined an informative science professional learning session where they had the opportunity to take part in a learning walk to see science teaching and learning in action. Both professional learning sessions provided numerous opportunities for ECTs to collaborate and to learn alongside one another

Professional learning has also continued for our second year ECTs as they engaged in the completion of their second year practitioner inquiries as part of the Early Career Framework In Summer 2, ECTs had the opportunity to share their findings from their inquiries with fellow ECTs and Senior Leaders from across the trust. Their presentations were absolutely brilliant and it was wonderful to hear about the progress each ECT has made in their classrooms in their chosen area for exploration A massive congratulations to all of our amazing second year ECTs for successfully completing their two year induction period. You should all be very proud of the progress you have made and we look forward to seeing all that you go on to achieve in the rest of your teaching career Thank you to our wonderful mentors for the invaluable support you have provided to your ECTs throughout the induction period. Your guidance has been pivotal to their development.

As part of our Challenge Partners Hub Programme of Events, colleagues from across LEO and SET joined together to take part in writing network meetings. The purpose of these sessions are to help to ensure a robust approach to moderating writing and to further develop knowledge and understanding of writing across the curriculum Colleagues valued the opportunity to network with colleagues outside of their own school and trust and to look closely at each other's books, sharing ideas and effective practice. Thank you to the wonderful senior leaders that facilitated these sessions One of our hub priorities this year was to further develop the skills of our middle leaders and as such Shawley Community Primary kindly hosted the first Middle Leader Quality Assurance Review. This review was a brilliant opportunity to evaluate the quality of the curriculum in key subject areas. The review encouraged high quality learning conversations between leaders at all levels and from different schools. A brilliant way to identify & share effective practice!

This term also saw new cohorts of colleagues from across the trust benefiting from the suite of Olevi Alliance Training Programmes including. All programmes are led by Senior Leaders at LEO Schools and also members of the LEO Executive Team All programmes have been well received by staff from across the trust and we can’t wait to welcome more colleagues to further Olevi programmes across the Summer Term We have also continued to host termly Network Learning Community Meetings in a range of areas including but not limited to: curriculum, writing, inclusion and safeguarding. These sessions have provided colleagues with a great opportunity to share ideas and to work together on common themes and projects

Thank you to all those who have led professional learning sessions this term and to those who have taken part in those sessions. Look out for more exciting professional learning opportunities coming up in the new academic year on the @LEOtraining5 Twitter page

E N G L I S H A T L E O

A C A D E M Y T R U S T

This summer edition of the LEO newsletter is brimming with fantastic achievements from all our schools, all centered around promoting a love for English Reading and Writing!

Firstly, we want to extend a huge congratulations to all our LEO schools, teachers, and pupils for their hard work and dedication leading up to both the recent KS2 SATs and Year 1 Phonics test Your commitment to encouraging a love of literacy shines through in the fantastic achievements we are celebrating this term! A special note of recognition goes to several LEO schools, including Brookfield Primary and Cheam Common Junior, who had been selected for moderation in Writing by the local borough Their performance was nothing short of exceptional, receiving glowing feedback on their professional dialogue and ability to confidently and accurately articulate their understanding of the ‘pupil can ’ statements. This achievement is a testament to the outstanding teaching practices and commitment to growth within each of our LEO schools

At Hurst Park, pupils participated in the AIM High workshops, led by renowned children's author Michael De Souza ("Rastamouse" series) and inspirational poet Kimba These workshops ignited imaginations, explored the power of words, and sparked a passion for storytelling Hurst Park also welcomed author Adam Searle, who shared his inspiring journey to becoming a published author. His message of perseverance resonated with students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams.

In Shawley Primary, the school hosted their first ever heartwarming, "Drop in and Read" session, encouraging parents to connect with their children through shared reading. This well-attended event highlighted the importance of parental involvement in fostering literacy. They also played host to the first Challenge Partners Middle Leaders Quality Assurance Review This review, conducted by English leads within and outside the LEO trust, identified the teaching of reading at Shawley as a strength across the school. This achievement is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the teachers and staff.

Pupils at Manor Park flexed their grammatical muscles in a recent English Writing challenge hosted by Sutton Grammar High School. The competition was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their writing skills, and it seems they thoroughly enjoyed putting their knowledge to the test! Manor Park is particularly proud of several students who received awards, with a special shout-out to Elsa (Year 5) for taking first place! Congratulations to all participants!

Cheam Common Junior launched their very own radio station, 'CCJ Radio' this term! This exciting pupil-run initiative offers pupils from all year groups the opportunity to develop their communication skills through the power of oracy: honing their speaking and listening abilities, learning to express themselves clearly and confidently, as well as actively listening and engaging with different perspectives

Finally, a huge congratulations to Mrs Smith (Shawley Primary) and Mrs King (Cheam Park Farm) for achieving their prestigious NPQLL qualifications! This demonstrates their dedication and expertise in leading English language learning within their schools.

Well done to all for the many exciting developments taking place in LEO schools We are incredibly proud of our pupils and staff for their commitment to literacy, and we look forward to celebrating even more triumphs in the upcoming school year!

M A T H S A T L E O

A C A D E M Y T R U S T

We have had a fantastic celebration of mathematics achievement across LEO Academy Trust this Summer Term

Maths Week London

We are proud ambassadors of Maths Week London, a week solely dedicated to Maths enjoyment through quizzes, activities, competitions and more. This year, the Maths Leaders decided that the cross curricular link for Maths Week London would be Geography. So there’s been a week of Maths and maps as children in all year groups have grappled with directions, coordinates, keys and map scales. Maths Week London very kindly sponsored a competition across LEO Academies. All children were invited to create their own map of their favourite or imaginary place including coordinates and a key. The winners in each school won a £20 Amazon gift card!

Reading maps is also an essential life skill, whether on paper or on a digital device, so it’s been a fantastic opportunity for children to practise these skills and relate them to real life KS2 children all found their school on google maps and plotted the route that they take home- calculating the distance and length of time it takes. A perfect example of maps and Maths in the real world!

MTC

Year 4 children across the Trust have been busy practicing their times tables in preparation for the Multiplication Tables Check. As well as utilising online platforms such as Times Table Rockstars, there have been many games, competitions, problem solving and tournaments hosted too. All of this has contributed to a brilliantly successful year with more children than ever achieving the full marks of 25/25 Of course, Maths learning is not just about test scores, but it is clear that children at LEO are statistically being given the best opportunity at understanding a multitude of other topics without being held back with barriers in fluency

Maths Clubs

Maths Clubs have been in full swing across LEO Academies, with schools taking part in the Mayor’s Fund for London Wondermaths Challenge. The Wondermaths Challenge is a maths enrichment programme and tournament for primary pupils in Years 4 and 5 across London After using the Wondermaths activities and resources in school with their class, Year group and/or maths club, teachers will select a team of 5 pupils to participate in a very exciting tournament, starting with regional Heats and culminating in a tense and hard-fought Final. Try out one of the challenges yourself HERE - can you make the shape of a house using these Tangram shapes?

TRGs

It hasn’t just been the children who have been busy with their maths learning- all Maths Leaders from across LEO Academies and Cirrus Trust have been gathering for termly TRGs with London South West Maths Hub This year, the topics have been:

Mathematical Leadership

Additive Fluency - a focus on the Mastering number programme Assessment at KS1

One of the 5 Big Ideas of Teaching for Mastering - Structure and Representation

Collaborative planning as a form of professional development

Mrs Dolling, the LEO Maths Director, spoke about what it entails to be a workgroup lead and how being part of the Local Leaders of Maths Education has had an impact on the maths teaching and learning in schools Click below to hear a snippet while we await the full video!

This year also saw the introduction and trial of ‘Expectations of a Maths leader’. It was the perfect opportunity to answer the question, What does it involve to be a successful Maths Leader and lead this important subject in schools? Six key areas were come up with which could be translated into leading any subject area. Maths Leaders have reflected on each of these expectations and have been proud to collaborate on ‘celebrate your subject’ with the rollout of Maths Week London. Click here to view these expectations. We look forward to reflecting on our progress this year as well as refining our expectations for 2024-2025.

Finally, I round up this year ’ s great work with a question: What’s a maths teacher’s favourite holiday destination? Times Square!

Have a good summer and check back with @LEO maths in September!

C O M P U T I N G A T L E O

A C A D E M Y T R U S T

This year, our computing curriculum has undergone some significant updates and enhancements to ensure that our pupils receive the best possible education in Computing. Our dedicated computing subject leaders have been hard at work reviewing and refining the curriculum to align with the latest educational standards and technological advancements, including AI literacy as part of our commitment to keeping children safe online and staying up to date with the technology that is in our lives.

In addition to curriculum revisions, we have also been providing essential training for staff. Our Early Career Teachers (ECTs) have received training to support their understanding of coding in KS1 and KS2 and we have also hosted some subject specific dates for other staff across the trust

We have also been lucky enough to get hold of some funded Microbits, provided by the BBC which we are looking forward to using in the new academic year. Computing Leads have been training up on how to use them, and we can’t wait to see our pupils having a go!

LEO Academy Trust is nurturing a generation of eco-conscious leaders through its recent Sustainability Week, a jam-packed initiative brimming with creative activities and a focus on innovation

The week aimed to empower students across all LEO schools to understand and embrace sustainable practices. From interactive workshops to student-led initiatives, the focus was on fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment

Innovation Takes Centre Stage

One of the highlights of the week was the exciting collaboration with Innovation X Students participated in the Sustainable Development Goal sustainability online assemblies and meetups, showcasing their innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges. This project allowed students to tap into their creativity and problem-solving skills, developing ideas that could make a real difference in their communities.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Sustainability Week wasn't confined to the classroom walls. LEO Academy Trust understands the importance of experiential learning. Students participated in a variety of activities that brought sustainability to life. This could have included tree planting initiatives, schoolyard cleanups, or even creating art projects from recycled materials.

Building a Sustainable Future

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond a single week. Their dedication to a greener future is evident in our ongoing initiatives, such as our partnership with Acer to implement a sustainable one-to-one Chromebook program.

Sustainability Week served as a springboard for continued learning and action By fostering innovation and encouraging student participation, LEO Academy Trust is equipping its students with the knowledge, skills, and passion to become responsible stewards of the environment.

A Showcase of Sustainability

Demonstrating their commitment to a greener future, LEO Academy Trust has been busy creating a sustainability video. This video showcases the ways they're working towards a more sustainable future, both in the classrooms and across the entire Trust.

Click above to watch the video

S P O R T A T L E O

A C A D E M Y T R U S T

This term, LEO Academy Trust schools have been a hive of activity! From prestigious events like Wimbledon to local athletics competitions, our students have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of exciting sports and hone their skills Let's take a look back at some of the highlights:

Wimbledon

In a successful bid, all LEO Academy Trust schools participated in the LTA Youth Schools ballot this year. We were delighted to receive tickets for six of our schools, allowing 8 students from each to attend the prestigious Wimbledon Championships held at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

This truly is a magical event for all the pupils at the LEO Academy Trust that were fortunate enough to be involved

These lucky students enjoyed courtside views, ranging from Court 1 to Court 3, witnessing some of the world's best tennis players compete Beyond the thrilling matches, the event offered a variety of interactive games and activities that kept the students engaged and pupils were able to experience the magnificent venue and enjoy the tournament's famous strawberries and cream!

Borough Sports

We were pleased to be a part of the 2024 Sutton Borough Athletics competition at David Weir Leisure centre 31 schools attended the event across the morning or afternoon sessions Each school provided 8 pupils from Years 5 and 6 to compete in a series of athletics track events, 80m sprint, 75m relay and 400m relay. It was a very successful day with all LEO pupils competing incredibly well, creating some very close and entertaining races All schools showed exemplary teamwork, encouraging and supporting every member of their team.

All Stars & Dynamos Programs

Once again the LEO Academy Trust renewed their partnership with Surrey Cricket and the ECB, with our hugely successful All Stars & Dynamos programs.

All Stars Cricket provides boys and girls from 5-8 years old with 6 weeks of non-stop fun The activity and game based programme is suitable for all skill levels, providing your child with the foundations to begin a lifelong love of physical activity and cricket, while making

Dynamos Cricket provides boys and girls from 8-11 years old with 6 engaging sessions. Each week there will be a focus on a different cricket skill to build their confidence and ability, before they take part in a 60-ball countdown cricket match. Dynamos Cricket will help grow your child's love of the game, and will give them the opportunity to socialise and make friends in a safe environment.

Thank you to the amazing Surrey Coaches that deliver the sessions and to Cheam Fields Primary and Shawley Community Primary for hosting the two programs.

LEO Gymnastics & Cricket Events

Partnering with Gymkids we hosted two brilliant gymnastics events for our Year 3 & 4 and Year 5 & 6 pupils Both events were incredibly competitive with very fine margins separating the brilliantly talented pupils.

A part of our pledge to provide more cricketing opportunities this year, we have also held LEO Girls’ Dynamos Cricket competition and have the Boys’ Hardball Cricket coming up next week. We were so pleased to see the level of cricket improving and we will continue to develop further next year bridging the gap between LEO schools and some of the Private schools we have competed against this year.

This summer has been a fantastic season for LEO Academy Trust sports We are committed to providing our students with diverse opportunities to develop their athletic abilities, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

Back on a cold winter's day in November 2023, 8 young spirited girls from Cheam Common Junior Academy left the comfort of their classroom chairs to don the red and black strip of Cheam Common at Fulham FC’s Motspur Park Training Ground.

The prize on offer, a trip to an unknown Premier League stadium to represent Fulham FC in the Premier League Primary Stars National Finals, competing with schools from as far as Newcastle and Bournemouth

A group stage victory, 2 penalty shootouts and 10 goals from Jas later and the team were on their way to the big leagues!

Roll around Wednesday 12th June, after months of wait and mystery, the girls are on their way to Brentford FC’s GTech Community Stadium, a pitch regularly taken to by England’s Euro 2024 hero Ivan Toney The trip started with a presentation of their Fulham kit (printed with their names and numbers), a training session and some Domino's pizza on the Monday prior; a great build up to the event for the girls.

Wednesday 12th June, 6am, Motspur Park Training Ground - the Fulham FC first team coach arrives Double decker, leather seats, coffee machines and continental breakfast, you name it they have it; there was even a driver too Arrive in style Hats off to you Fulham FC.

Coupled with the Boys representatives for Fulham FC, the teams took a short parade through South West London to the GTech Community Stadium, pulling up at the players arrival just as superstars like Phil Foden would have A few steps into the stadium and over to their seating area, overlooking a carpet like venue split into 4 smaller pitches for the tournament - the day many have been looking forward to for 7 months!

Group D: Newcastle, Burnley, Aston Villa, West Ham, Fulham. There we have it, our opponents.

First up, Burnley. A great chess-like battle between two intelligent teams looking to play football in an effective manner to create chances in the 10 minutes they have. A close encounter between two very evenly matched teams was decided by two fierce long range strikes from the same Burnley player who seemed to catch both these efforts with precision and power. Two great goals

On to Aston Villa. The girls come out strong, dominating the game throughout. An inch away from a through ball, a shot off the post and chances that just won’t become goals A confident and dominant performance leaves the pitch as a 0-0 result. A great performance to build on and our first point.

Next up West Ham. Playing on the pitch in front of the parents stand and off the back of a dominant performance, the girls set out to make sure they took it all from this game. Making light work of controlling the game as they had against Aston Villa, the chances start rolling in, but turning them into goals seems just as challenging. Referee’s whistle!! PENALTY!! Here we go…

Off the post! Who walked under a ladder on the way in?!

The girls continue to push, showing the same determination that got them here and lo and behold, with 1 minute left the ball falls to Jas in the penalty area... GOAL!! Cheam Common take a 1-0 lead and victory which offers them their first 3 points to add to the 1 they gained against Aston Villa

1 game to go Newcastle on 7 points, Burnley on 7 points, Aston Villa on 4 points, Fulham on 4 points; it’s all to play for. As only the top team from the group advances, only a win for Fulham against Newcastle and a West Ham victory over Burnley could see Fulham into the semi finals. Let’s go!

Back to the turf and the girls begin producing some more of the dominant, free flowing football that they have been enlightening the crowd with all day. Attacks build as Newcastle struggle to leave their half, but getting the ball across that goal line is proving to be the curse of the day.

Only a win will do so all caution is thrown to the wind as the team goes all out to drive that ball across the line It was courageous, it was brave but on this occasion it did not work Two late counter attacks, as space opened up for Newcastle to break into, saw 2 goals take the game away from Fulham. Out at the group stage

The attitude, the footballing performance, th determination and the togetherness of the girls wa exemplary from start to finish. A three-leaf clover awa from the day going in their favour and getting a opportunity to show their stuff in the semi finals, but tha is the nature of sport sometimes.

As the tournament came to an end the closing ceremon presented teams for winning the tournament, winning th fair play award and individual players for top goalscore We had all watched the finals and knew who wa victorious with clear expectations of which young starlets would win the top goalscorer award too. On to the Fair Play award Cheam Common knew they could win this, we targeted it at the start of the day. We did ourselves proud with the football but just as proud with our demeanour.

Announcer: “Our Fair Play award winners for the girls section… Representing Fulham FC… Cheam Common Junior Academy!!”

The crowd goes WILD!! Reminiscent of London in 1966! Thousands begin to chant “It’s coming home, it’s coming home”!

The girls take to the presentation stage to collect their medals and trophy in front of everyone for winning the fair play award Thoroughly deserved, doing the school, their families and themselves proud.

A great end to a great day and a wonderful experience for all the girls. This one will live long in the memory bank of a lifetime and no doubt be told around many a table for years to come.

This term, at Manor Park, there has been a wealth of outstanding sporting achievements From teamwork on the pitch to recognition for dedication to physical activity, Manor Park pupils continue to excel both in the field of sport.

Award-Winning Commitment:

Firstly, Manor Park is thrilled to announce the renewal of our AfPE (Association for Physical Education) award with distinction. This prestigious recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional Physical Education (PE), School Sport, and Physical Activity (PA) opportunities for all pupils, encouraging a love for movement and its positive impact on health, well-being, and learning.

London Youth Games Glory:

Pupils from Manor Park proudly represented the London Borough of Sutton at the recent London Youth Games Four of our talented teams competed across various disciplines, showcasing their dedication and competitive spirit The Boys' and Girls' KS2 Cricket teams, the Y5/6 Tag Rugby team, and the Y3/4 Tennis team all gave outstanding performances, leaving us incredibly proud of their achievements.

A Visit from an Olympian:

This term, Manor Park pupils were treated to a special visit by Olympian Courtney Orange organised by 'Sports For Schools'! This inspiring session provided pupils with the unique opportunity to learn from a true sporting hero, who shared words of encouragement and experiences that will further motivate our young athletes to pursue their dreams.

We are incredibly proud of the dedication, resilience, and teamwork displayed by our pupils throughout the summer term. Manor Park remains committed to providing a nurturing environment where pupils can develop their sporting skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of physical activity We look forward to celebrating many more victories and achievements in the upcoming school year.

M U S I C A T L E O

A C A D E M Y T R U S T

Key Stage 1 Big Sing

On the 30th April and 1st May, Year 1 and 2 pupils from across the Trust had the opportunity to make waves (of sound!) at the recent Key Stage 1 Big Sing. Organised by Sutton Music Trust and held at St Andrew's Church on 30th April and 1st May, the concerts were a fantastic celebration of all things sea-related!

The theme for this year ' s Big Sing was "Sounds of the Sea," and our young singers certainly brought the ocean to life! Each school performed two of their own well-rehearsed songs, showcasing the talent and dedication of our budding musicians.

But the real magic happened when all the schools came together as a giant choir. The sound of hundreds of young voices singing the four specially chosen mass choir songs filled the church with an energy that was truly unforgettable From a beautiful rendition of “Candle On The Water" from Walt Disney’s Pete’s Dragon to the rousing chorus of the sea shanty “Drunken Sailor," the children sang with gusto, creating a performance that was both heartwarming and impressive.

The Big Sing is a wonderful opportunity for our Key Stage 1 pupils to experience the joy of singing as part of a large group It allows them to develop their confidence, teamwork skills, and of course, their musicality It was a joy to see the smiles on their faces as they performed for a supportive audience of families and friends

Key Stage 2 Big Sing

Junior choirs from across the Trust recently took to the stage at St Andrew's Church for Sutton Music Trust's Key Stage 2 Big Sing! Held on the 11th and 12th of June, the concert was a vibrant celebration of music and self-belief, with the uplifting theme of "Incredible You " Each school showcased their talent with two individual songs they'd been working hard on The dedication and musicality of our young singers truly shone through, with a variety of styles and emotions filling the church.

But the highlight of the event was undoubtedly the massed choir experience Joining forces with other Sutton schools, our choirs created a vocal powerhouse! The four specially chosen songs for the massed choir allowed them to sing together as one, their voices blending beautifully to create a truly awe-inspiring sound. From the uplifting message of "Power in Me" to the lyrical melody of “Kis nay Banaayaa," the children sang with confidence and energy, leaving the audience feeling inspired and proud

The Big Sing is a fantastic opportunity for our Key Stage 2 pupils to experience the magic of singing on a larger scale. It helps them develop their teamwork, performance skills, and of course, their love for music Witnessing the joy on their faces as they performed for a supportive audience of families and friends was a truly heartwarming experience.

A huge congratulations to all our young singers for their incredible performance! They truly embodied the theme of the concert, showcasing just how incredible they are!

Our School’s Approach to Teaching Character Education

I am currently a Year Five Teacher, Science Leader and Curriculum Leader at Cheam Common Junior School, which is part of LEO Academy Trust Cheam Common Junior Academy is a Google Reference School, and all children across the school have 1:1 Chromebook devices. Digital technology and online learning platforms are an integral part of teaching and learning within daily life across the school. In addition, Cheam Common Junior Academy passionately strives to go beyond academics by nurturing the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow with the explicit teaching and development of character strengths using its own bespoke wider curriculum, Amazing People Schools stories and resources, LEO Explorer Values, and the wealth of other enrichment opportunities provided to its pupils.

Amazing Person Model Strength Groups

In today’s world, so much emphasis is placed on assessments, test scores and academic performance. But what about the essential qualities that transform children into the leaders, innovators, compassionate citizens, and original thinkers of tomorrow? That’s where character strengths come in! Character strengths are the positive traits and qualities we all possess. They shape how we think, feel, and act. By helping children identify and develop their unique strengths, we equip them with the tools to make positive choices, overcome challenges, and become the best versions of themselves.

A Game-Changer for Your Classroom

This is where Amazing People Schools, for me personally, has been a real game-changer in my classroom. The Amazing People Schools online platform is jam-packed with many engaging and rich resources that make teaching character strengths a real breeze. From interactive lessons on historical figures like Marie Curie or Mahatma Gandhi, to inspiring stories about modern heroes like Malala Yousafzai or David Attenborough featured in the ‘Contemporary Corner’, the platform sparks rich and meaningful discussions and learning opportunities. The pupils in my class love exploring the platform’s library of historical characters complete with stories, timelines, videos, audios and quizzes, and it has been incredible seeing the children connect character strengths to their own lives, goals and ambitions.

But, Why Teach Character Strengths?

Research indicates that focusing on character strengths results in:

Improved Wellbeing: Children with a strong understanding of their strengths have greater self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

Academic Achievement: Character strengths, such as perseverance and self-regulation, are directly linked to success in school

Stronger Relationships: Emphasising the strengths of kindness, teamwork, and honesty, helps to foster positive connections with others

Meaningful Contribution: Encouraging children to use their strengths helps them feel empowered to make a positive impact on the world.

The Power of Character Strengths: Our Journey at CCJ

At Cheam Common Junior Academy, we passionately aim to inspire the next generation of change-makers, leaders, and creative thinkers by using our own ‘Amazing People’, featuring a diverse range of carefully selected role models who have shaped the world we live in today! We have identified, designed and promoted these role models, both past and present, who have made significant contributions to their areas of expertise. This allows us to build confidence, character and resilience, promote wellbeing and inspire learning across our whole curriculum! As a curriculum leader and having a previous background in art and graphic design, I have digitally designed ‘Amazing People’ illustrations to represent each of our discrete subject areas across our whole school curriculum These are used across all subjects, lessons and displays, to reflect core values and inspire our students to be confident, resilient and respectful citizens, skilled to face the future!

Harnessing Technology to Bring Role Models into the Classroom

The next step in our journey was to bring these contemporary and historical figures to life and find meaningful, relatable and engaging ways to deliver character education for all of our pupils

As a Google Reference School and a LEO Academy Trust School, with a huge focus on integrating technology into the curriculum, we are constantly seeking ways in which we can harness technology and online learning platforms to enrich and enhance our classroom experiences

That’s where we discovered Amazing People Schools, an online platform packed with resources specifically designed for this! Amazing People Schools offer:

Inspirational Stories: The platform showcases stories of real people throughout history and in contemporary life who demonstrate specific character strengths. These stories help students to better understand the strengths in action.

Fun Activities: The resources include creative lesson plans, activities, and discussion guides to bring character strengths to life in the classroom.

Personal Reflection: Students have the opportunity to reflect on their own character strengths, which promotes self-awareness.

We have found that Amazing People Schools provides a fantastic foundation to build our bespoke character education program. The materials are readily adaptable, ensuring our young people are always engaged Furthermore, a large majority of the role models we had already selected to represent our subjects and areas of the curriculum were also beautifully illustrated and represented on the Amazing People Schools online platform This allows us to easily align our vision and core values With a trust-wide subscription to Amazing People Schools, fortunately, our school has ongoing access to the award-winning learning platform and the wealth of learning materials available.

Important Reflections in the Classroom

In my role as a Year 5 classroom teacher, I have been using Amazing People Schools almost on a daily basis with my class. To start, I was using the easy-to-use online platform at the end of the day After a busy school day, I always like to set aside a few minutes for quiet reflection. Amazing People Schools has been a wonderful resource for this Their videos featuring inspiring individuals, both past and present, provide the perfect springboard for contemplation, reflection and discussion.

For example, after learning about the important concepts of racism and diversity in a PSHE lesson delivered earlier one day, we watched a short video highlighting the life, story and work of US civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King Jr. It sparked rich and insightful discussions and thoroughly deepened my pupils’ understanding of these concepts. We were also able to complete the short retrieval quiz provided and refer to the transcript of the story too, to check for comprehension and understanding

Using Role Models to Motivate and Inspire Students

Since then, we regularly choose a significant figure from the past and watch their short video highlighting a specific character strength that connects to subjects or topics that we covered earlier in the day The videos spark fascinating discussions about how the featured individuals embodied the strength, the challenges they potentially faced, and how students can apply similar traits in their own lives. It’s a powerful way to reinforce learning and my students leave the classroom feeling motivated and inspired

Classroom Resources Integral to Our Curriculum Objectives

As a result of the positive response from my students, along with how easy it is to use the platform, I was inspired to delve deeper into the extensive teaching resources on Amazing People Schools. I’ve discovered that I can create full lessons aligned with our curriculum objectives. The ready-made resources require minimal preparation, allowing me to focus my energy on facilitating meaningful discussions and activities that promote character development. This has been a game-changer, making it effortless to integrate character strengths education seamlessly into our core subject areas For example, I wanted to develop a PSHE lesson to reinforce our LEO Explorer Value of ‘Empathy’ and I was able to effortlessly search and download a range of teaching materials and resources to make this a reality. The full lesson can be viewed here as well as the Jamboard children’s task

Amazing People Schools: The Future for CCJ

As a curriculum leader, I believe passionately in sharing effective teaching strategies with my colleagues. I’ve started to share my experiences with Amazing People Schools within my team I’m delighted to see that several teachers across the school have also begun adopting this platform. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how it supports our broader curriculum vision and helps us to nurture a generation of well-rounded, compassionate, and capable young people

Finally, we are now taking things to the next level! I’m excited to share that our commitment to character strengths education has gone a step further! We have now started working closely with the Education Team at Amazing People Schools Together, we ’ re carefully mapping out our curriculum to identify areas where the platform’s resources can directly support and enhance our existing curriculum goals. This collaboration ensures that character development becomes a seamless and integral part of our students’ overall learning experience

F O R E S T S C H O O L A T

L E O A C A D E M Y T R U S T

As we reach the end of another enriching and adventurous academic year at Forest School, we are thrilled to share some of the highlights and successes that have made this year unforgettable

RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival

The children at Manor Park have been busy creating a haven for bees! They designed and planted a bug barrel for the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, aiming to inspire visitors with a positive and bee-friendly environment. Their creation, called the "Bee Bug Barrel", features an array of inspirational messages like "bee happy" and "bee kind," alongside a variety of bee-friendly plants and homemade bee homes This nurturing habitat will provide essential pollinators with a welcoming place to thrive The children put in a lot of hard work and were excited to see their Bee Bug Barrel on display at Hampton Court when they visited and got to talk to the public about how they made it

Trips to RHS Wisley

Children from various LEO schools thoroughly enjoyed their RHS Wisley trips, beginning with engaging morning workshops led by the RHS team. In the afternoon, they explored the beautiful gardens, marvelling at the diverse plant life Their adventures included discovering the wonders inside the glasshouses, examining exotic palms, observing adorable ducklings, and noting the variety and sizes of different trees. The trip has been a fantastic experience, and everyone is eagerly looking forward to next year ’ s excursions.

Allotment

This year at Brookfield we started an Allotment that has been bustling with activity. We've seen amazing progress in our vegetable garden, with the children enthusiastically participating in planting, tending, and harvesting a variety of crops. The hands-on experience has not only taught them about sustainable gardening but also about the nutritional value and satisfaction of growing their own food. From plump tomatoes to crisp carrots, our allotment is thriving thanks to the collective effort and enthusiasm of our young gardeners.

Outdoor Classroom Day Success

All of our schools took part in Outdoor Classroom Day, and it was a phenomenal success! Children across different LEO schools engaged with nature in a myriad of ways, including chalk rangoli patterns, minibeast hunting, reading, exploring the concepts of symmetry, measurement and coordinates, to name a few

Wildlife Discoveries

At Cheam Fields, we were delighted to discover a blue tit nest, providing a real-life look into the world of birds and their breeding habits. Manor Park students were thrilled to find stag beetles, which sparked discussions about biodiversity and conservation Across most of our schools, children were excited to observe frogs and their frogspawn, giving them a firsthand experience of the fascinating life cycle of amphibians The excitement didn’t stop there Our explorations and observations have led to a significant increase in the children's understanding and appreciation of wildlife. From identifying different species to understanding their roles in the ecosystem, our children have developed a deeper connection with the natural world

Cooking on a Fire

Building on their practical skills, the children have also been learning the art of cooking on a fire. This activity has not only been a fun and engaging way to learn about outdoor survival skills but also an opportunity to appreciate the effort involved in preparing food From marshmallow toasting to cooking simple snacks like bannock bread the children have embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and creativity

As we wrap up the year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents, guardians, who have supported Forest School. Your encouragement and involvement are crucial to our success, and we look forward to another year of growth, discovery, and adventure.

E Y F S A T L E O

A C A D E M Y T R U S T

Celebrating Early Years Inclusion: A Discovery Day Success

As we all know, mainstream education is not the same as it was 10 years ago, and it is vital that educators are responsive to the needs of all learners in our settings. This might involve thinking outside the box and doing things differently, which is exactly the approach taken by us at LEO. We see the uniqueness of every child and do all we can to help them thrive

In a recent collaboration with the London Borough of Sutton and Cognus, we were honored to be asked to host a two-day Early Years Inclusion Discovery event, sharing our approach to inclusion in the Early Years. The event was open to practitioners from across the borough and was designed to be an enriching professional development experience, focused on enhancing inclusive practices and effectively meeting the diverse needs of all children.

Throughout the day, we shared our comprehensive approach to inclusion, delving into key areas such as exploring our Early Years Strategy and the vital role it plays in creating exceptional early years experiences. We discussed the importance of strong home-school partnerships and seamless transitions for children, showcasing how to design engaging and inclusive learning spaces that support all learners and are not over stimulating. We also demonstrated strategies for adapting the curriculum to meet individual needs and foster a love of learning, highlighting the role of play and exploration in early childhood development

Later in the morning we shared effective methods for observing and assessing children's progress to inform personalised support, emphasising the importance of involving parents as partners in their child's learning journey. Exploring a range of evidence-based strategies to support children with high levels of need and how to document children's learning and development summarised the morning and supported delegates to understand the role this plays in informing ongoing support.

Throughout the day we addressed the unique challenges of supporting children with a high level of need, particularly with decreasing budgets across the sector and in the afternoon provided delegates with the opportunity to see our approach in action It was empowering to hear several practitioners ask where the children with high needs were.

The day culminated in a lively exchange of ideas and a sense of shared commitment to creating nurturing and inclusive environments for all children Delegates left with some vital key messages:

Every adult in the Trust is a leader of SEND

Every behaviour is telling us something

High expectations are key but so is celebrating the small wins

1:1 support is rotated around adults (dependent on safety) and the goal is always to promote independence

Inclusion education is an ever-evolving journey and adaptability is key

We are incredibly proud of the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from attendees

One participant shared:

"The morning at Manor Park was a really good showcase of not only the setting but how you are supporting children with both complex and emerging SEND needs. I work closely with Cheam Common Infants and see first hand just how inclusive that is. I know from the people I spoke to they all found the morning useful and had taken away ideas, which is always amazing!" -

Cognus Representative

This successful Discovery Day reaffirms our dedication to championing inclusion in the early years and beyond. We are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work of all of our staff in making this possible and are excited to continue collaborating with our partners to create a brighter future for all children in our community.

I N C L U S I O N A N D S E N D A T

L E O A C A D E M Y T R U S T

Manor Park's Summer Open Day Shines Light on Inclusive Culture and SEMH Excellence

On June 21st, Manor Park Primary Academy hosted our Summer 2024 Open Day, sharing our leading role in the DfE's Behaviour Hubs programme

The day began with an inspiring presentation from our SENDCo, Ms Thomas, who unveiled the school and Trust's holistic approach to Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) We delved into how emotional assessments pinpoint individual needs and how our graduated response effectively supports SEMH learners A tour of the school then brought our policies, culture, and systems to life, showcasing how inclusion and a positive behaviour culture create a thriving learning environment for all children.

One visitor commented, "It was an absolute pleasure to walk the school... Every single interaction observed...was rooted in mutual respect, consideration, and inclusivity. Lessons were calm and purposeful - truly, a delight to experience "

In the afternoon, we explored how our wider support network uplifts families The 'empowerment triangle' model, which strengthens the home-school connection, resonated with attendees. Mrs Webb, our Trust SEMH and Behaviour lead, provided further insight into our emotional screeners and behaviour plans, essential tools for supporting children with more complex behaviours

The day ended on a reflective note, encouraging participants to consider the profound impact we can have on children's lives

Manor Park's Summer Open Day was a resounding success, bringing together practitioners from across the country to learn about our effective approach to SEMH and inclusive culture We hope this experience will empower them to further develop and enhance SEMH provision in their own schools.

LEO Academy Trust's SEND Provision Under the Spotlight: National Consultant's Positive Audit

On June 3rd, LEO Academy Trust welcomed National SEND Consultant Natalie Packer for a comprehensive audit of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision Ms Packer's visit focused on understanding the breadth and depth of our support for SEND learners across the Trust.

During her time with us, Ms. Packer met with the dedicated Inclusion team, including Ms Scrase, Executive Director for Inclusion, gaining valuable insights into our strategic approach to SEND. She also embarked on a walk-through of one of our schools, observing firsthand the implementation of effective adaptive teaching techniques in various classrooms. These observations provided a real-world glimpse into how our children with SEND are empowered to thrive in inclusive learning environments

Ms. Packer's comprehensive approach extended to engaging with key stakeholders, including Principals, SENDCos (Special Educational Needs Coordinators), and, most importantly, the children themselves By gathering staff and pupil voice, she gained a holistic understanding of the impact of our SEND provision from multiple perspectives

We are pleased to report that Ms. Packer's audit findings were overwhelmingly positive, affirming our commitment to providing high-quality, individualised support for all SEND learners Her feedback highlighted the dedication and expertise of our staff, the effectiveness of our adaptive teaching strategies, and the positive impact of our inclusive culture

LEO Academy Trust is proud to be recognised for its leading SEND provision. We remain dedicated to continuous improvement, ensuring that every child, regardless of their individual needs, has the opportunity to reach their full potential within our supportive and inclusive learning community.

LEO Academy Trust remains committed to continuous improvement in SEND provision and we extend our gratitude to Ms Packer for her valuable insights and commend the entire Trust community for their unwavering dedication to the success of our SEND learners

T R A N S P O R T A T

L E O A C A D E M Y T R U S T

This has been another busy academic year for the transport team, with their fleet of minibuses growing to 9 this school year, to increase much needed capacity. This increased capacity has enabled them to continue to deliver an excellent service and ensure an increased amount of children can enjoy the excellence LEO are offering

The driver team has also grown and they now have a dedicated team of 10 drivers working various hours across the working week. The team is delighted to have driven in excess of 24,000 children across the Trust to 1,000 various events Trips include educational, sporting, swimming and residential events The mileage covered by the minibus fleet is truly amazing and will be in excess of 8,000 miles at the end of the 2023/24 academic year.

The team look forward to continuing this essential service which gives LEO Academies the opportunity to enrich their children's educational experience

Miles covered by the minibuses is equivalent to travelling to the Falkland Islands

740 Year 4 children transported to their High Ashurst residential One bus was supplied all week for the Year 5 Devon residential and undertook many duties including becoming a first aid post Passenger numbers are 48% higher than last academic year No accidents or incidents on the minibuses during this academic year

Our final sports camps of the year are just around the corner, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn new skills, make friends, and have a blast this summer!

We have two fantastic camps to choose from:

Multi-sports and eSports Camp:

This action-packed camp at Cheam Park Farm Primary Academy will keep your child engaged all day long. They'll participate in a variety of traditional sports activities, and can also explore the exciting world of eSports in a supervised environment.

Gym, Dance and Cheerleading Camp:

This energetic camp at Brookfield Primary Academy will combine gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading instruction, helping your child develop their coordination, creativity, and teamwork skills

Click here to secure your child's spot!