Our family
Marches School
Sir John Talbot’s School
Tilstock CE Primary School Grove School
Lower Heath CE Primary School
Grange Primary School
Shrewsbury Academy
Longlands Primary School
Oakmeadow CE Primary School
Idsall School Woodlands School
Selattyn CE Primary School
Cockshutt CE Primary School
Crifitins CE Primary School
Kinnerley CE Primary School
West Felton CE Primary School
St Andrew's CE Primary School
Weston Lullingfields CE Primary School
The Alliance of Leading Learning
4All Foundation MATi
Hello from our CEO
Investing in People to Inspire Every Learner
Across the Marches Academy Trust, we want every child to experience a curriculum that feels exciting, creative and full of opportunities to explore and learn.
To make this happen, we’re investing heavily in our staff. All our teachers are currently being trained in Teach Like a Champion (TLAC) a highly effective teaching approach developed in the USA by Doug Lemov and embedded in high‑performing schools across both the US and UK. By supporting our staff to grow, we’re ensuring that children benefit from engaging lessons and inspiring learning every day.
This year, our Trust conferences for teaching and associate staff have continued to go from strength to strength. These events give colleagues the chance to connect, hear from brilliant guest speakers, and share great practice with each other. This kind of collaboration is already making a real difference in early years, maths, reading, and teaching and learning across our schools.
Our weekly staff bulletin regularly showcases colleagues who have progressed through the Talent Pathway, sharing inspirational case studies of career development across our family of schools. We are incredibly proud of the dedication and enthusiasm our staff bring to their roles, and the impact this has on our children.
Our Learning for Life framework helps ensure that every child and young person in our Trust is seen, heard and supported. It focuses on five key areas: learning, health and wellbeing, individual development, safeguarding and attendance, and involvement in our local communities. It’s all about helping children flourish as learners and as young people. Across the year, pupils have enjoyed a range of opportunities to grow their confidence and talents such as school productions and Trust wide varsity competitions.
Open6 is a great example of how our Sixth Form schools are working together to give young people access to a wider range of subjects and opportunities, while also supporting staff development and helping students connect with peers from across the Trust.
Everything we do is rooted in our People First approach. By investing in our staff and working together as a family of schools, we’re creating rich, irresistible learning experiences that help every child and young person thrive.
Sarah Finch CEO | The Marches Academy Trust
Connect with us to find out more about our mission
marchesacademytrust.co.uk
@MarchesAcademyTrust Together We Grow Podcast
A message from our Vice Chair of Trustees
Looking back on this term and our growth to eighteen schools, it’s easy to focus on how much we’ve expanded. But a Trust isn’t just buildings or systems, it’s the people who make it what it is.
Our theme, "Growing Together," is all about the energy everyone brings to our schools every day. We’ve always been a close knit community but seeing that across all eighteen schools is genuinely inspiring. Whether it’s a teacher sharing an idea through Professional Learning, a colleague stepping into a new role through our Talent Pathways, or our Trustees and Governors supporting our long term vision everyone plays a vital part.
This term has reminded us that when we put people first, we create a space where everyone, from our pupils to our central team, feels they truly belong. That sense of belonging is what makes Learning for Life possible.
Thank you to our staff, parents, and volunteers for being the heartbeat of this Trust and for proving that our greatest strength will always be the people who bring our schools to life.
Rob Peters Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Professional Development & Opportunities Update from The Alliance of Leading Learning
The Alliance of Leading Learning thrives on the energy and teamwork of its people, developing their talent and offering opportunities to collaborate.
National Professional Qualifications
Congratulations to all our 36 colleagues who achieved their NPQ in the October assessment window, we’re incredibly proud of you.
43 of our staff started NPQ's in November and are already making a real difference in our schools. You’re now part of our dynamic team of 597 NPQ participants across Shropshire and Telford future leaders driving life changing impact for children and young people!
New Teaching Internship Opportunity
We are thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new teaching internship as part of the DfE “Get into Teaching” initiative.
Our teaching internship is already a hit, with 12 placements secured across Grove, Idsall, Marches and SJT! This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone considering a future in education. If someone you know wants a paid, three week taste of teaching this summer, send them to the Alliance of Leading Learning website.
Trust Conference 2026
“Sparking Creativity with AI and Embedding Reading Strategies for Every Learner”
Our conference facilitators did a sterling job and this was proven in 95% of attendees strongly Agreeing / Agreeing.
Click here to visit our website for more information.
“A really well organised and enjoyable conference. The balance of keynote speakers, practical ideas and opportunities to connect with colleagues made it a very valuable day”
Hannah Lowndes Idsall School
MATi - Learning for Life Spotlight
This term, MATi has continued to strengthen its Learning for Life vision through the continuation of the MATislands vocational pathway and the implementation of the Youth Work in Schools pilot working with Shropshire Council as part of the Youth Transformation Project.
The MATislands programme offers young people meaningful opportunities to develop real world skills through practical based experiences. These activities help build confidence, communication, problem solving, and independence, giving them a supportive environment to explore future pathways.
The Youth Work in Schools pilot has just been implemented at two of our secondary schools, Grove and Sir John Talbot’s, and will involve youth workers offering onsite support one day a week supporting wellbeing, resilience, and personal development of our young people. Through mentoring, group projects,
and targeted interventions, youth workers will help build positive relationships, manage challenges, and feel more confident in themselves and their learning.
A highlight of the term was the presentation of the prestigious High Sheriff Award to MATi, recognising MATi’s great and valuable service to young people and its community. This award reflects the dedication and creativity of our staff, whose work ensures every child is supported not only academically but emotionally and socially.
The High Sheriff of Shropshire shared; “I’m delighted to award the High Sheriff’s Award to The Marches Academy Trust Inclusion School. I came to hear all about what they did about three weeks ago and I was so impressed by their work. How they bring young people in and change their lives around. They each have a speciality they do so well, and I think it’s just a wonderful model. I think they all deserve an award recognising their care, dedication and commitment to the young.”
Growing Together - Shared Services Update
Colleagues from schools and the HR team came together for a collaborative HR Partnership Day, strengthening how we work together to support our people and align our approach to talent, wellbeing and professional development across the Trust. This shared focus reflects our commitment to putting people first and building a strong, connected workforce.
the recent Trustee Strategy Session, helping to shape future priorities and ensure our services continue to support schools in a way that is both effective and sustainable.
Our Marketing team has also been working closely with schools, delivering social media training to empower staff to confidently share authentic stories and celebrate success. This will help to enhance schools’ digital presence and support CYP recruitment through more engaging and timely content.
Members of Shared Services were pleased to contribute to
Alongside this, colleagues have attended key sector events, including the CST Finance and Operations Conference and the Communications Summit, bringing back fresh ideas and best practice to strengthen our approach.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the CST Communications Summit. The speakers offered invaluable insight and have inspired me to review our communications strategy.”
Rosina Norton Marketing Officer
Across all areas, we remain focused on collaboration, continuous improvement and working together to support our schools, ensuring the very best outcomes for CYP and staff.
West Felton CE Primary School
At West Felton, our Worship Leaders programme empowers pupils to play a meaningful role in the spiritual life of the school.
Each year, ten Year 5 and 6 pupils are nominated by staff to serve as Worship Leaders, taking on this special responsibility for the whole year.
The journey begins with an inspiring training day shared with our sister schools, where pupils explore their faith, learn about the purpose and structure of worship, and collaborate to plan creative and engaging acts of worship.
Throughout the year, our Worship Leaders lead whole school worship both in school and in church, confidently sharing prayers,
reflections, and messages that encourage our community to think about faith and values.
They play a pivotal role in our church services and are a visible example of pupil leadership in action. Through this programme, pupils develop confidence, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of Christian worship, while helping to shape the spiritual life of the school.
Idsall School
This term has demonstrated Idsall School’s continued commitment to putting people first and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to grow. Our investment in staff has remained a priority, with colleagues accessing high‑quality exam board training, the full suite of National Professional Qualifications, and bespoke professional learning shaped carefully around individual needs and career progression. This strong focus on talent development is helping us build a confident and future‑ready workforce across the school.
Students have also benefitted from meaningful leadership opportunities, taking active roles in whole‑school assemblies, student‑led initiatives, and charity events supporting local organisations. These experiences are helping pupils develop essential skills in communication, teamwork and social responsibility.
Our Worship Leaders are truly at the heart of West Felton’s Christian ethos, guiding and inspiring others in worship and reflection.
Alongside this, our ongoing partnership with the 4 All Foundation continues to strengthen. Our work together on enrichment and wellbeing opportunities for the local area, both in and beyond school, ensures that every young person can find a place to belong and thrive.
There is a real buzz around Idsall at the moment, with staff and students increasingly involved in school life beyond the classroom, living out our shared commitment to Learning for Life.
Click here to hear Phoebe in Year 8 talk about the OneVoice work she has been involved with.
Click here to hear Nihal in Year 8 talk about the importance of religious diversity.
Click here to hear Summer present on International Womens Day 2026.
Lower Heath CE Primary School
This term has been filled with opportunities for children to grow in confidence, collaborate with others and take pride in their achievements. Our Bright Sparks One Voice group has continued to flourish through their partnership with Whitchurch Rotary. Their Great Big School Clean event brought our community together, encouraging everyone to play an active role in caring for our local environment.
Children embraced a range of enrichment and personal development opportunities including our Colour Run in support of Riding for the Disabled and Dog’s Trust, a joyful celebration of Holi and togetherness, and a fantastic Varsity football win at the Trust event. World Book Day was another highlight with activities linked to the National Year of Reading which strengthened our learning for life focus and love of reading.
Outdoor learning has been a real strength this term as the weather improves. Children have
immersed themselves in planting and growing using our wonderful Allwood World. Their curiosity and teamwork have grown as they have explored and learned together in our beautiful school grounds.
We also celebrated our annual drama performance to a packed audience with children shining on stage and showing confidence, teamwork and creativity. As always, our term ended with us coming together at Holy Immanuel Church for our Easter Service, one of our favourite moments as a school family.
Thank you to all our children, families and staff for your support and enthusiasm throughout this busy term. We look forward to more shared successes as we move into the summer term.
Selattyn CE Primary School
Our small school with a big heart has been bursting with energy and adventure since the start of the new year! From the moment the term began, our children have thrown themselves into an incredible variety of activities, challenges, and enrichment experiences, both inside and outside the classroom.
They’ve raced, jumped, splashed and aimed their way through sports hall athletics, thrilling swimming galas, and even archery competitions! And that’s just the beginning. Every learner has also taken part in a meaningful community project exploring spirituality through the powerful concepts of windows, mirrors, and doors, culminating in a beautiful art project expressing what spirituality means to them.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. Many of our pupils have been taking part in the fantastic ‘Reading the Game’ programme with Shrewsbury Town Football Club, blending literacy, teamwork, and football fun while strengthening a whole range of curriculum skills.
To top off an action packed term, our older children headed into the great outdoors for an unforgettable residential at Bryntysilio Hall in Llangollen. From adventurous challenges to exploring nature’s wonders, they embraced every moment with enthusiasm and resilience.
It’s been a term full of discovery, creativity, and unforgettable experiences, proving once again that our little school can achieve truly amazing things.
Cockshutt CE Primary School
We’ve had a busy and productive term at Cockshutt CE Primary School and Nursery and I’m pleased to share some of the key projects and activities happening across our school.
Our One Voice project is progressing well. The group has been working hard to develop a wildlife area with a pond, and we’ve been grateful for the support from local businesses who have donated plants, bug houses, bird boxes and seeds. Our children have also been working closely with the PTA to help move the project forward.
This term, we’ve added three new clubs, archery, book club and chess, giving children more opportunities to try new activities and build their skills.
The Reading the Game programme has also been a highlight. Shrewsbury Football Club has been working with children in Years 2, 3 and 4 to link reading with their interest in football, and it’s been great to see how well the children have responded.
Woodlands School
A highlight this term has been the opening of our new school library. This beautiful space was brought to life through the combined effort of staff and learners, who worked to curate books, create displays and design an environment that inspires curiosity and imagination. It stands as a powerful example of what happens when our community collaborates with purpose and pride.
Our Nursery children also enjoyed a visit to the commmunity library van, giving them a chance to explore new books and develop their early love of reading.
A group of children are also working with the Go Zero climate action team to create a climate plan for our school, showing their growing awareness of environmental issues.
Finally, the All 4 Foundation held a well attended half term holiday club, which was fantastic to see so many children enjoy.
Our celebration of World Book Day further showcased the talents within our school community. Families, staff and learners came together to celebrate the people and stories that shape our world, recognising not only global authors but also the creativity and strengths of those around us.
This sense of togetherness continued with our hugely successful Easter Bingo, where families gathered for an afternoon of laughter, celebration and community spirit.
Events like this strengthen relationships across our school and create memories that children and families’ treasure.
We are incredibly proud of Eliza and Matthew, who took on the exciting challenge of pitching for project funding to the Trust. They travelled to Trust Central in Shrewsbury and confidently presented their idea for a planter with seating to a panel of five dragons. Their clarity, enthusiasm and teamwork were outstanding. Their preparation and determination truly shone, setting a fantastic example for their peers and demonstrating the incredible talent within our school community.
Through collaboration, shared purpose and a belief in each other, our school continues to grow confident learners and empowered staff who truly shine.
Grange Primary School
This half term has been a wonderful showcase of our Grangers’ curiosity, creativity, and community spirit. During our recent PD Day, staff from across the school came together to strengthen our shared work on the Science of Reading, collaborating with real enthusiasm to support reading development for every Granger.
Our One Voice group represented the school brilliantly at the Dragons’ Den event, sharing their ideas with confidence and teamwork. We also loved welcoming families into school for our Mother’s Day celebration, creating warm and memorable moments for everyone involved.
Science learning has been a real highlight. All children experienced an incredible planetarium dome, exploring the solar system in a fully immersive environment that sparked awe and endless questions. Our Science Fair showcased inventive projects, and the STEM workshop on glue strengthening gave Grangers the chance to investigate how different mixtures can change adhesive strength through hands on exploration.
World Book Day brought an explosion of vocabulary as Grangers arrived dressed as a word, celebrating language in the most imaginative way.
It has been a fantastic half term, and we are already looking forward to all the exciting learning the summer term will bring.
Sir John Talbot's School
This term has been an exciting time for Sir John Talbot’s in professional learning and helping our staff grow along our talent pathway. We’ve had teaching colleagues leading workshops on the most recent developments of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at our Trust wide conference, as well as whole staff training on the Science of Reading underpinned by the academic research of Doug Lemov. All of which has allowed staff as professionals to develop coaching others, as well as collaborating in developing professional learning modules.
George Stanyard, Director of Science shares his experience: “I was given the opportunity to lead a workshop on improving productivity and workload within science and this helped me to build on my skills delivering Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
The most nerve-wracking part was standing in front of people who had been part of my teacher training only 6 years ago. I really enjoyed the opportunity to share the project I had been working on.”
Russell Thomas, Teacher of Physics and Lead Practitioner commented “I enjoyed sharing ideas regarding using AI to produce literacy resources in a collaborative environment with colleagues from across the Trust.”
For our support staff, we have seen exciting recruitment through our talent pathway, with appointments made to the role of Crew Inclusion Leader (CIL), each attached to specific year groups across the school. The CILs have undertaken an extensive induction programme and a range of training opportunities, ensuring they are well equipped to support both families and young people. This has included
training on the Learning for Life framework, literacy interventions, Early Help, and a range of safeguarding modules. Together, this has strengthened the support we are able to offer our children and young people (CYP).
Emma Lewis, Crew Inclusion Leader (CIL) Year 10 commented “The induction programme has helped me to develop a clear understanding of the tools, procedures, and support available, and has enabled me to perform my responsibilities with confidence. I have been able to build connections with students and help make a difference within the year group.”
Shrewsbury Academy
This term has been a vibrant showcase of learning, creativity and ambition across Shrewsbury Academy.
as they explored the structure and function of flowers and plants.
Students have immersed themselves in a wide range of subjects, from intricate science investigations to expressive arts projects, demonstrating impressive talent at every year level. Our extra curricular programme has flourished too, with an exciting launch of this year’s Duke of Edinburgh Award. Nearly 50 enthusiastic Year 9 students attended the first session, our highest number yet, highlighting their eagerness to challenge themselves and grow.
Meanwhile, Year 9 took part in a dynamic STEM Tower Building Challenge led by the Royal Navy Youth Engagement Team. Every student had the chance to participate, developing teamwork, communication, leadership and problem solving skills.
Rehearsals for our school production, Matilda Jr., have also been in full swing, adding to a truly inspiring term.
Year 7 students impressed their science teachers with excellent dissection skills
Grove School
Our Spring term has been filled with celebration, collaboration, and a real sense of shared purpose across Team Grove. Our corridors were buzzing with excitement as students and staff brought the stage to life in their fantastic version of Oliver!, a wonderful showcase of talent, dedication, and the diverse creativity within our school community. It cemented the real sense of the arts being central to our ambitious future.
We are also proud to celebrate the outstanding success of our Year 9 girls’ football team, newly crowned U14 Shrewsbury School Girls Champions, a fantastic achievement that reflects teamwork, determination, and collective pride.
The Royal Navy team praised students for their creativity, resilience and positive attitudes, and the activity gave pupils a valuable insight into the organisation’s global responsibilities.
Elsewhere, our Travel and Tourism students became real world researchers, gathering qualitative insights through thoughtful questioning, learning that felt relevant, engaging and fun.
Click here to hear from Lexi and Mia about rehearsing for Matilda Jr.
Alongside these celebrations, our commitment to consultation and community involvement continues to grow. Recent parental feedback has already shaped our approach to uniform changes, structure of the school day and our journey towards becoming a phone‑free school. These conversations are vital in shaping a school environment that supports every child’s wellbeing and success. We are equally delighted to be working with the Local Authority on our new SEND Resource Hub, an exciting collaborative project that will strengthen local provision for years to come. With three brand new toilet blocks,
the physical building is really starting to feel as impressive as the culture we have inside it.
Thank you for your continued engagement, partnership, and support. Together, we keep moving Team Grove forward.
Oakmeadow CE Primary School
This term, our school community has truly embodied the theme of growing together. From staff collaboration to family involvement and courageous pupil achievements, we have seen countless moments that show what can happen when we learn, support and flourish as one.
Our term began with Collaboration Day, a valuable opportunity for all staff to unite and focus on our shared priorities. The energy, teamwork and professional dialogue demonstrated how much we can achieve when we work together. World Book Day continued this spirit, bringing staff and children together to celebrate a shared love of reading, with stories sparking imagination and connection across the school.
A standout highlight was the Year 6 residential at Arthog, where pupils and staff developed new skills side by side. From conquering fears to cheering one another on, it was a powerful reminder of how shared experiences build confidence and resilience.
Marches School
This term has been filled with the kind of moments that truly show our students at their best. We began the year with renewed focus as pupils in Year 11 took on our Revision Curriculum, learning strategies such as flashcards, spaced learning and self‑quizzing to build confidence ahead of exams. Our Year 11s showed real maturity through POWER UP! to GCSE Day, embracing workshops designed to boost mindset and resilience.
We are incredibly proud to have been awarded the FFT National School Attendance Award, placing us in the top 10% of FFT schools nationally, an achievement that reflects the strong partnership between our families and school.
Reception have also enjoyed their ‘People Who Help Us’ topic, enriched by parents who generously gave their time to speak about their jobs. Alongside this, children across the school have benefited from a number of historical workshops, made possible thanks to the dedication and support of our wonderful PTA, The Friends of Oakmeadow.
We are also delighted that Bayston Hill Junior FC have sponsored our new football kit, giving children more opportunities to play, grow and represent Oakmeadow with pride, further strengthening our partnership with the local community.
“The different songs all sounded amazing… it was great to hear them performedby a full orchestra.”
Lucy Hawley
One of the real highlights has been the incredible range of careers experiences across the school. Year 9 impressed local employers during Speed Networking Day, sharing their hopes and asking thoughtful questions. Our whole‑school Careers Fair, which brought together 38 exhibitors and 1,300 students, created a real sense of excitement as young people explored routes they had never considered before.
Enrichment has been incredibly strong this term, with students enjoying a wide variety of trips and experiences that have broadened their horizons.
As Lucy Hawley reflected after the Birmingham Symphony Hall visit, “The different songs all sounded amazing… it was great to hear them performed by a full orchestra.”
And of course, this term’s standout moment was our School of Rock production. The talent, teamwork and sheer joy on stage were unforgettable, with one audience member even saying it was better than the West End. It was a powerful celebration of everything our students are capable of when they work together, support one another, and shine.
Criftins CE Primary School
This term at Criftins has shown how much can be achieved when staff, families, volunteers and the wider community come together. Despite being a small school, we offered pupils 12 extra curricular clubs this term, thanks to the commitment of our brilliant staff.
Learning at Criftins goes far beyond the classroom. All of our pupils enjoyed village walks and weekly Forest School sessions, exploring nature and building confidence. Year 6 embraced Bikeability, while KS1 explored Ellesmere’s history, spotting Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian buildings as part of our heritage curriculum. A fantastic residential trip to Min y Don for Years 5 and 6 fostered resilience and independence. Cross school opportunities grew too, including our whole school Journey Day exploring Holy Week and our book buddies programme.
EYFS children welcomed nurses, while Shropshire Music Service brought music lessons to life. Pupils had a Shakespeare workshop with Moreton Hall, a Ramadan project with Coleg Cambria and a session with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Our school thrives thanks to community support. Volunteers helped with tree planting, crafts, and 1:1 reading. We are grateful to our PTA, and also the Rotary Club, who meet weekly with our RotaKids to organise fundraising events. The community joined us for our Easter Bonnet Parade, Easter Church Service and our weekly celebration worship. The World Book Day reading afternoon, themed Bedtime Stories, also brought families together with stories and hot chocolate. We were also delighted to welcome Helen Morgan MP, who praised our warm, welcoming atmosphere and pupils’ achievements.
With new staff settled, a growing nursery, and a supportive culture, Criftins remains a place where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to flourish. We look forward to building on this term’s successes and seeing our children continue to thrive in the Summer term.
Kinnerley CE Primary School
Our younger learners, Owlets and Barn Owls, had a wonderful visit from author Michael McCarthy. They found out that Michael, despite the challenges he faced following a car accident at the age of 8, has persevered to fulfil his dream of becoming an author. It was inspiring for our children to learn what can be achieved with determination and teamwork.
In turn we all celebrated authors and became authors ourselves during World Book Day.
Our amazing staff at Kinnerley have been determined too. On top of normal duties (and duties in a Primary school are not always normal…), our staff are all about professional learning and personal achievement too. Currently the administrator is undertaking a School Business Manager apprenticeship, the Early Years teacher the NPQ for Early Years and our Y56 teacher taking on the NPQ Literacy Lead. A TA is doing HLTA training, the Headteacher completing the NPQSENCO qualification, and a lunchtime assistant a Level 2 Autism Course. This of course is in addition to all the high quality training provided in school and by the Trust, all of which upskills our staff and benefits our wonderful children.
St Andrews CE Primary School
Book Blind Date Event Book Blind Date Event
The Pupil Parliament organised a ‘Book Blind Date’. All the proceeds from the event were donated to Tenovus Cancer Care
St Andrew’s CE Primary School has embraced the spirit of ‘Growing Together’ this term. As part of the Marches Academy Trust family, our staff have enjoyed collaborating with colleagues across the Trust, strengthening our practice and developing new opportunities that put people first. These partnerships have supported our professional learning and helped us deepen our commitment to inclusion, belonging and learning for life.
Our children have been just as enthusiastic about the term’s activities. They are looking forward to events such as the Battle of the Books and the Trust’s upcoming 15‑year anniversary celebrations, which are helping to build excitement and unity across our school community. Outdoor learning has also been a highlight, with children taking great delight in adding frog spawn to our wildlife area. They are eager to watch the tadpoles grow and to learn more about the natural world around them.
look forward to many more adventures as we continue growing together.
Book Blind Date Event Book Blind Date Event
EYFS EYFS
The Pupil Parliament organised a ‘Book Blind Date’. All the proceeds from the event were donated to Tenovus Cancer Care
Our youngest l off their indep and serv
We also enjoyed our Pupil Parliament’s ‘Book Blind Date’ event, which raised funds for Tenovus Cancer Care and brought everyone together through a shared love of reading. Our youngest learners have continued to grow in independence by preparing and serving their own snacks.
We are proud to be part of a Trust that champions collaboration, inclusion and aspiration. We look forward to continuing to grow together.
Weston Lullingfields CE Primary School
Mother’s Day Celebration Worship
This month, our Year 6 Worship Leaders brought our theme of Growing Together to life as they guided the whole school, families and our wider community through a heartfelt Mother’s Day Celebration Worship. Their confidence and compassion shone as they led prayers, readings and thoughtful reflections that honoured the important women who help us learn, flourish and feel loved.
The service beautifully demonstrated how our pupils are developing their individual talents while learning the value of collaboration. By planning and delivering an inclusive, pupil led worship, the children showcased leadership skills, strengthened their communication and created a sense of belonging for everyone present. Their work truly reflected our commitment to People First and to nurturing the gifts within every child.
Condover Residential
Embodying our vision to ‘soar on wings like eagles’, pupils stepped outside their comfort zones, building resilience, courage and independence. Throughout activities such as high ropes, climbing, kayaking and team problem‑solving, children supported one another, shared ideas and celebrated each achievement, big or small.
“It will always be in my heart, and my favourite was aerial trek and kayaking.
I LOVED it!”
Sadie
Our recent residential visit to Condover Hall offered our children a powerful opportunity to continue growing together beyond the classroom.
“I really loved Condover and especially the climbing wall, it was amazing! Oh and definitely the food.” Piper
These experiences helped children recognise their strengths, appreciate the talents of others and understand the impact of collaboration.
The residential not only strengthened friendships and teamwork but also contributed to children’s broader Learning for Life, reinforcing key values around inclusion, determination and mutual respect. It was inspiring to see every child grow in confidence while helping others to do the same.
Longlands Primary School
This term at Longlands has been filled with rich learning, creativity and meaningful connections, reflecting our commitment to People First and Learning for Life. Just before half‑term, Fir Class ventured to Exotic Zoo in Telford, bravely handling creatures such as a tree frog, tenrec, stick insect and a snake as part of their work on animal classification. Their enthusiasm and curiosity truly brought science to life.
Our passion for storytelling continues to shine across the school. In Reception, Drawing Club has immersed children in magical stories that build early literacy, imagination and vocabulary.
This approach evolves in Year 1 through Curious Quests, where children step into imaginative worlds filled with poetry, characters and adventure. Huge congratulations to our EYFS and KS1 pupils who have received Headteacher awards this term for their exceptional work.
History learning has been driven by powerful discussion around the Suffragettes, democracy and children’s rights, enriched by links to current Newsround debates. Year 4 also enjoyed a hands‑on experience at Shrewsbury Museum, exploring Ancient Roman artefacts and army formations. Meanwhile, Year 3 thrived at the Burwardsley Iron Age Centre, thanks to M7 funding, experiencing archaeology, roundhouses, clay pottery and Iron Age tools. Their reflections showed just how memorable this learning has been.
Tilstock CE Primary School
This term has been an exceptional example of how our community continues to grow together through curiosity, collaboration and meaningful learning experiences. As part of our ongoing commitment to Learning for Life, our KS2 pupils were inspired by a hands on Science session led by Mr Busby Hicks from Skydive Tilstock. His demonstration of forces, air resistance and gravity brought the curriculum alive, allowing pupils to see STEM learning applied in real world careers while strengthening our valued community partnerships.
In KS2, our Learning for Life maths programme continues to build essential future skills. This week, pupils explored mortgages, budgeting and percentages, researching local properties and applying maths to meaningful, real world contexts.
Our dedication to pupil voice was also celebrated as the Tilstock ONEVoice group secured a £100 award at Trust Central for their confident and purposeful project pitch. Judges recognised their creativity, teamwork and clear sense of impact an outstanding achievement that showcased the power of empowering young leaders.
We were delighted to gather as a whole community for our beautiful Mothering Sunday service at Christ Church, where
each class shared thoughtful readings and performances that reflected our values of nurture, respect, hope, aspire, achieve and joy.
