Dear colleagues,
As we approach the end of the year, I'm excited to share some updates from across Maritime Academy Trust. Our team continues to drive forward and we are making real progress on our strategic goals.
Inside This Issue
Welcome from our CEO
BHAG updates
Estates update
Child and family network
Hook Lane's home visits
Celebrating an award winner in the central team
Danecourt's 'desert divas'
Get to know.... the nance team
Send us your ideas
Employee referral scheme
Copy here
Our Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) remains at the heart of everything we do. This term, we ' ve made substantial progress in various areas, including community engagement initiatives and the expansion of the Maritime Skills Academy into Medway. The home visit programme had another successful year and we are keen to develop this further, next year It really does help to build deeper connections with our families and allows us to understand the unique challenges our pupils face Read about Hook Lane’s experience of home visits on page 11.
This term saw the launch of our CPD platform LearnUpon and it is great to hear how many of you have already benefited from this platform. If you haven’t yet, please do have a look at all of the courses available on the platform. Our CPD Lead, Amy Eccles, tells us more about this on page 6
Our finance team is instrumental in supporting our strategic objectives Every member works incredibly hard to navigate the complex financial landscape of education. From streamlining processes to identifying cost-e ective solutions, it continues to be the backbone of our operational success. You can find out more about the team on page 14
Read about Hook Lane's home visits on page 11 JessDriscoll, year6teacher; AmyHunt, year2teacher; Flavia, year6pupil;Fiona, year2pupil, andFlaviaand Fiona’smum, Franziska.
One achievement I am particularly proud of this term is the sta team at Danecourt who took part in a Sahara Desert trek during the October half term. Well done to Zoe, Lauren, Megan, Jayne and Becca who raised a fantastic £6,149 (and counting!) for Danecourt’s Imagine the Impossible campaign. This will make a huge di erence towards the fundraising target
Don’t forget about our recently updated employee referral bonus, too - we have a number of opportunities available across our schools, so if you know anyone who may be interested in working for us, please do reach out to the HR team.
As we look forward to the Christmas break, I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the entire team across the trust. Your continued hard work and commitment make everything we do possible. Together, we ' re making a real di erence in the lives of our pupils and our communities Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas
Warm regards,
Nick CEO, Maritime Academy Trust
Nick Osborne Chief Executive
Danecourt's 'desert divas' conquer the Sahara on page 12
* Our BHAG
Maritime's Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) is to positively disrupt education to ensure all children get an excellent start in life, and we're consistently working hard behind the scenes to make this happen. Here's what's been happening recently...
We are delighted that our Maritime Children’s Foundation was registered by the Charity Commission in September! We can now apply for a wider range of grants and support.
This term our priorities have been:
a) Applying for grants from trusts and foundations - Mel Melvin, our Fundraising Lead, has applied for a wide range of grants to support our work. This process involves lots of careful application writing, then waiting months to hear back. We will keep you updated on our successes as they come!
b) Creating networks across the areas we work in: Since September, I have had over 30 meetings with di erent organisations across Medway, Kent, Bexley and Greenwich. There are lots of organisations with similar aims to us who are keen to work with Maritime and our schools, which is great to see! So far, we have created useful links with colleagues in the NHS, Medway Council, local charities, as well as local businesses, too. Our foundation is very new, so we need to spend lots of time raising our profile and getting to know who is who!
c) Building our programmes of support: We have three core programmes at this stage
•
Our *Big Hairy Audacious Goal is to positively disrupt education to ensure all children get an excellent start in life. W ve every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and reach their e committed to doing everything we can to make that happen.
Parenting support from the start of life: This is our Maritime Strong Foundations programme, which began this year at Bligh School. Sarah Ryan is leading this work, and will have our first programme of support for parents of babies and toddlers in January from the new community room at Bligh!
•
Parenting support throughout the primary school years: This is run through our Maritime Community Ambassadors. Katie-Louise Lawrence is leading our team of Community Ambassadors, with Katie at Brooklands, and Danielle at Hook Lane. To find out more our recent community ambassador work, turn to page 8
Extra curricular opportunities for our children: This is delivered through our Maritime Skills Academies, which are running at Greenacres, and now Featherby, too! Each week, we have around 70 children attending a Maritime Skills Academy having fun with art, coding, multi-sports...and the list goes on! You'll find an update on the recently-launched Medway Skills Academy on page 7.
If you would like to support The Maritime Children's Foundation, you can donate through our donation page here. Every donation makes a huge di erence to the support we can provide and we really are so grateful!
Our *Big Hairy Audacious Goal is to positively disrupt education to ensur excellent start in life. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and r full potential, and we are committed to doing everything we can to mak
Susan Mathes CEO, Maritime Children's Foundati
Our BHAG
CPD Update
Following the successful launch of LearnUpon in September, we now have over 45 online modules available. This includes SEN training, EYFS, safeguarding, ECT training, admin support, coaching and digital learning, to name but a few!
The resource section also includes ‘how to’ guides, from technical support to our Maritime principles guide If there is any content you would like to see, please do get in touch with me at a.eccles@mato ce.org.
We have now launched the National College too. All Maritime sta have access to the National Collegesimply go to the website and log in with your email address, and ‘forgot password’ There, you'll find online learning, webinars and resources for all sta roles across Maritime.
Live Training
This term has seen a significant increase in the o er of live training to Maritime sta . Last year, I sent a survey to all sta and asked what training you would like to see being o ered and we have been able to build our o er on those requests. Next term, we have live training for: sensory processing, principles of communication, colourful semantics, foundation digital learning and advanced digital learning. The sign up for these courses will be available soon. We are also going to be launching our second cohort on the key principles of teaching pathway. The pathway is a hybrid course with in-person sessions and three virtual sessions that allows teachers the opportunity to observe other practice in Maritime schools, reflect on the observations with peers, and then implement new strategies in their own practice.
If there are other live training events you would like to see being o ered, again, please email me at a eccles@mato ce org
Amy
Eccles
Trust DSL and CPD Lead
The Medway Skills Academy has now been running for two terms and we have had an amazing uptake from the pupils who attend Barnsole and Featherby!
The children have enjoyed making new friends and taking part in the range of exciting activities o ered. It's been incredible to see how they have challenged themselves and tried something new, growing in confidence each week.
Our external providers have been wonderful, too, being on hand to provide encouragement and support for the children to take on new challenges, and push themselves out of their comfort zone.
"It's been heartwarming to see the children learn and develop new skills," says Rachel Ferguson, who manages the Medway Skills Academy. "We're looking forward to returning in 2025 andcontinuingwherewelefto !"
Matthew Bulpitt Deputy CEO
This terms theme has been connecting. I have made it my mission to be a useful resource for connecting others, as well as meeting new people, too
I have launched a new group within Maritime schools called the community engagement committee. This involves members of sta in community-facing roles coming together to discuss the wonderful work we are doing in our own communities. It's a chance to share ideas, best practices, and usefully, contacts We had our first meeting this term and it was so helpful to hear about the creative initiatives taking place, and the engagement they’ve had with families and children Thank you to each of them for giving up their time. I can’t wait for next term!
This year saw the launch of Bligh’s convening group - a group for members of the Strood West community to come together to support positive change for everybody living in the area We've had a successful year with the group and worked with many local organisations to help our families and children. This term, I have reached out to other schools across the country who have created convening groups to find out more about the journey, and the projects, a convening group can achieve. As a result, we are moving o ine and into in-person breakfast meetings to encourage our community to come together. We're really looking forward to our first breakfast in January, where our agenda is focusing on a combined e ort to produce a community event.
The community engagement team has gone from strength-to-strength this term Establishing yourself in a newlycreated role can be daunting (I've had that feeling myself!), but the ambassadors, Katie and Danielle, have hit the ground running, creating amazing opportunities for their schools, families and wider community.
Over at Ebbsfleet, the heads of school and I discussed how wonderful it would be to have a thriving, supportive community for our dads and male caregivers. This sparked an idea to involve sport, which led to a dad's football team! Through initial research, I found a charity that supports mental fitness and football, called Head in the Game. Head in the Game o ered a community membership to their charity to support a 12-week programme where volunteers can be trained to deliver sessions of mental fitness.
The programme involved training a group of dads to run the football sessions, and happily, five Ebbsfleet Green parents stepped forward and volunteered I applied for funding during the summer holidays to the Ebbsfleet Garden City Trust and we were successful, meaning we ' re now partnered with the charity, and will start our 12week programme in January! The dads have been attending community football sessions to shadow how sessions are run and get ideas on how to form their sessions back at school I'm so proud of their willingness to support others and their resilience. We are all looking forward to the new year and can't wait to share more with you then
Katie-Louise Lawrence
Community Engagement Lead
Estates Update
Each year, Maritime receives an allocation of money from the DfE (SCA Fund) for the maintenance and improvement of the schools land and buildings. This means that over the past 12 months, we have been able to address all necessary urgent work, ensuring the continued health and safety of sta and children in our schools. These included the completion of the roof replacement at Bligh, a fire alarm system upgrade at Greenacres, a roof replacement at Barnsole, the roofing works at Brooklands, and the roof replacement at Greenacres, which will be completed in the New Year
Early Years Improvement Fund 2023/24
Maritime funded £100k towards the improvement in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Barnsole Primary School used this to improve its outdoor area, reading corners, resources and nursery kitchen facilities. At Featherby Primary School a new EYFS outdoor play area is now complete and looking amazing.
Estates Improvement Fund 2023/2024
Once again, schools were invited to apply for a share of £100k made available for bigger projects. Bligh now has a new canopy in its courtyard, Brooklands benefited from both a new decking area and EYFS outdoor play area, Hook Lane had its carpets replaced, and Millennium has a new EYFS outdoor play area.
Early Years and Estates Improvement Funds Awarded 2024/2025
Further projects being funded in 2024/25 include Timbercroft, which is having its MUGA resurfaced, plus air conditioning installed in one of the halls; Bligh’s EYFS outdoor area is being refurbished; Millennium is redecorating its EYFS classrooms and communal areas, and further developing its outdoor area; Hook Lane will be having a washroom refurbishment, while at Greenacres, its first-floor classrooms will be receiving a makeover.
We'll continue to invest in our schools to ensure they're not only safe, but also a lovely place to be for all of us!
Susan Matheson Chief Operating O cer
Child and Family Mentoring Network
This term, we have set up a child and family mentoring network. This brings together all sta across our Maritime schools who are working on mentoring programmes. We discuss the di erent interventions that are being used and how e ective they are, as well as what makes them work (or not) We share resources, such as free training on new parent mentoring programmes, too. If you would like to join the network, please email Susan Matheson at smatheson@mato ce.org. We meet online three times a year and our next meeting is in January.
Susan Matheson Chief Operating O cer
Join us on our journey 'to positively disrupt education to ensure all children get an excellent start in life'.
Discover our current opportunities
Home Visits at Hook Lane Primary
Three days, more than 400 home visits and too many cups of tea to count! For the second year, every child in every year group at Hook Lane received a 15-20 minute visit from their new class teacher as part of Maritime Academy Trust’s home and in-school visits programme.
The home visits programme aims to cultivate strong partnerships between schools, parents/carers and pupils, ensuring that children receive ample support, and can thrive by enjoying the best possible experience as they move through primary school.
A key aspect of the programme is Maritime’s ‘partnership around the child agreement’, in which every child, family and teacher signs a pledge to take their part in ensuring each child gets the best from their time at school
“Parentshavearelationshipwiththeschoolasawhole, buteachyeartheystarta newpartnershipwiththeirchild’snewteacherandformanychildren, areallyvital relationship with the TA, too,'" says Headteacher, Joy Sheekey. We bring the partnership together to learn from each other to achieve the best possible outcomefortheirchild”.
The one-to-one time allows families to get to know teachers within the comfort of their own homes, giving everyone the chance to discuss expectations in class, as well as any concerns the child or family might have Additionally, the visits allow teachers time to get to know each individual child, becoming familiar with their interests and needs, and therefore tailoring lessons accordingly.
The visits are especially important for parents whose children attend the school’s breakfast or after-school club, since their first opportunity to meet the teacher might be at parents’ evening several weeks into the new school year, or only if a problem should arise and need addressing The response to Hook Lane’s home visits has been overwhelmingly positive.
I'm so pleased to see how popular the home visits are with teachers, leaders, parents and children alike. I think we are showing deep kindness and care by visiting each family and creating meaningful relationships from day one Thank you to every sta member who is making this such a powerful approach.
Susan Matheso Chief Operating O c
Maritime's Finance Manager Scoops Award
We're very proud to share that Lesley Colbert - Maritime's Finance Managerhas won the award for Business Manager/ Bursar of the Year at the Education Today School & Supplier Awards 2024.
Nominated by our Chief Financial O cer, Louise Mitchell, for her work to reduce debt across our schools, Lesley was presented with the award at a ceremony in London on the 6th December by actor and ex-Eastenders star, Shaun Williamson.
Please join us in congratulating Lesley on this brilliant achievement - she beat o sti competition, which goes to show what a deserving winner she is!
Danecourt's 'Desert Divas' Take on the Sahara
While most of us were enjoying a relaxing half term break, sta members from Danecourt School were trekking across the Sahara desert to help raise money for the school's Imagine the Impossible campaign
The six-day self-funded expedition saw Zoe, Lauren, Megan, Jayne and Becca climb to the top of the Erg Chigaga dunes to take in breathtaking views of the Moroccan sunrise, guided by North African Berbers.
The team's trek has already raised over £6k for the campaign, which plans to build an immersive classroom for the school's pupils to enjoy, o ering an incredible multi-sensory experience that allows the children to bring the real world to them - from swimming with dolphins to travelling into space
Costing £150k to build, Danecourt's sta and community have already taken part in a range of challenges to support the fundraising e orts
You can make a donation to the 'desert divas' here. 12
Get to know...
Louise Mitchell Chief Financial O cer
I've been at Maritime since 2020 and oversee the finance team You will hear me use the word ‘audit’ pretty much constantlycan only apologise!
After an intense three years, I passed my final exam (of 12!) in July and am now a chartered accountant. I'm so pleased I stuck with it - it was worth it in the end!
The thing I enjoy most about my job is the people I work with I'm at my best when I like the environment I'm working in, and humour is a huge part of who I am, which makes Maritime a great fit for me.
Something you may not know about me is that I used to be a competitive baton twirler and, with my team, was a world champion in 1996!
Lisa Mattock Finance O cer
I've been part of the team for 18 months My role is varied but most of my time is spent sourcing, managing purchase orders and paying invoices for everything – from toilet rolls and wiggly eyes, to ordering hundreds of Pritt Sticks It’s definitely never dull!
Bobby Morgan
Finance O cer
I joined as an apprentice in 2022. Earlier this year, I completed my Level 2 AAT Apprenticeship, then transitioned into a full-time role as a finance o cer. The course helped me build a foundation of knowledge in finance, especially as I didn’t have prior experience coming straight from school!
On a day-to-day basis, my main responsibilities include ordering supplies for the schools, processing invoices, and overseeing the school trips across the Trust.
I really enjoy finding solutions to the unexpected queries that come our team's way.
Something you may not know about me is that I love music and always enjoy discovering new artists and genres to listen to.
I love the problem-solving aspect of my role – whether it’s untangling tricky school queries or making sure the Trust has all the resources it needs to function smoothly, I enjoy the challenge of making it all work.
The team is fantastic, full of humour and good-natured banter! We're great at helping each other out, which makes even the busiest days feel manageable. There’s a real sense of camaraderie that makes getting things done both easier and a lot more enjoyable.
If you don't already know, I’m a huge Mini fan – I’ve owned 12 of them over the years! I’m pretty passionate about those little cars!
Luke Webster Assistant Account Apprentice
I joined the trust after my A-levels in September 2022 and am currently studying towards my Level 4 Diploma
My main day-to-day tasks involve handling purchase orders, processing invoices, and supporting school sta with queries. I also deal with the schools’ energy consumption and billing, so any power outages might be because of me!
I love the challenges the work brings, as well as being able to help people with the work I do. The team is wonderful, from being helpful with any issues I have, to always keeping things upbeat and positive - jokes and banter are dished out daily!
Something you might not know about me is that I used to judo when I was nine until I was 12. I got a green belt with two tags, and I still have my uniform and trophies in the loft!
Paula Carter Finance O cer
"I've been in my role just over a year, helping to manage our day-to-day supplier accounts - from processing orders and invoices, supporting the schools with any queries, and ensuring everything is in tip-top shape
The thing I enjoy most about my job is the problem-solving aspect of it, and helping out the wider team
Something you might not know about me is that I love listening to country music, and one of my favourite artists is Luke Combs.
Haveasuggestionforateamwe shouldfeatureinafuture edition?Letusknow!
Janet Finch Finance Operations Manager
I support the North Greenwich hub, Hook Lane and Nightingale with their budgets, and have been at Maritime since it all began in 2016! Before this, I was the School Business Manager at Timbercroft Primary School
I love a challenge, and my favourite part of the job is reconciliation and problem solving. It's the satisfaction I get when it all comes together
I enjoy the work that I do and the team I work with are great to be around - everyone is very supportive of one another, and the atmosphere in the o ce is a fun, happy one!
Something you might not know about me is that I am an escape room and ghost walk addict - everywhere I visit, I make sure I fit one (or both!) of these activities in.
Lesley Colbert Finance Manager
I've been at Maritime for just over two years after spending over 20 years as a school business manager in Medway. I was unsure if I was making the right move by changing jobs, but I have absolutely no regrets!
Apart from Danecourt, I support the Maritime schools in Medway with their budgets, working with the SLT advising on how they can best maximise the income they receive for the benefit of the whole school community. I also monitor schools' debts, putting policies and procedures in place to support the school o ces.
Aditionally, I'm the Estates Finance Lead, which involves monitoring, advising and supporting all large capital building projects, including the estates improvement and early years improvement funds.
Something you might not know about me is that I am both a UK and Irish citizen.
Frankie Morgan Assistant Finance Manager
I joined the team in 2020, and support the South Greenwich hub and Danecourt with their budgets. It's a varied role, ranging from supporting the purchase ledger team, to audits and monthly financial control checks
In August, I was proud (and relieved!) to complete my level 7 diploma in school financial and operational leadership, which has given me further confidence in my day-to-day role.
I love the team environment, and how as a team, we tackle challenges and share ideas together.
Something that you may not know about me is that I went travelling for a year to Australia just before turning 19 My best memory is completing a 15,000ft skydive over the Great Barrier Reef. Not sure I'd repeat this now since hitting my 30s and entering my 'dad era ' though!
I started with the Trust four years ago as an administration apprentice at Featherby before progressing into a full-time position at Ebbsfleet Green Despite a new environment and role, I managed to achieve a distinction in my apprenticeship
After a year at Ebbsfleet Green, an exciting opportunity to work with the central finance team came up I was keen to start a career in finance and with this being in the same trust, it was a smooth transition. After 7 months working as a finance o cer, I took the next step in my career, and am now Assistant Finance Manager. My role mainly includes dealing with the di erent forms of income across the Trust
I am a Finance Operations Manager and support the North Greenwich hub, Hook Lane and Nightingale with their budgets.
I have been at Maritime since it all began in 2016 and prior to that I was the School Business Manager at Timbercroft from 2014
I started studying to become a chartered accountant in March. Since then, I have passed my first two exams, and am working toward my next two exams, which I'm taking in December.
I love a challenge and my favourite part of my job is reconciliation and problem solving, it’s the satisfaction I get when it all comes together.
Something you may not know about me is that I play semi-professional football, and am currently playing for Folkestone Invicta in step 3 of the non-league football pyramid.
I enjoy the work that I do and the team I work with are great to be around, everyone is very supportive of one another and the atmosphere in the o ce is a fun, happy one!
Keiran Humphreys Finance Manager
