MET MAIL
Welcome to the latest edition of the Mercian Educational Trust's Newsletter!
We are thrilled to update you on our activities and achievements throughout the Autumn Term. It's been a busy, productive, and enjoyable period, brimming with opportunities to enrich our pupils' and students' learning experiences.
This term, we have immersed ourselves in national and local events, supporting our communities through Harvest Festival donations, Children in Need fundraisers, and Remembrance Day activities. We have also brought pupils from across the Trust together for special events and shared residential and educational trips, extending learning beyond the classroom and school gates.
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Our dedicated colleagues have embarked on exciting development projects to empower our schools to thrive. We've collaboratively advanced our learning approaches and curriculum, and some of our team members even travelled thousands of miles to Tanzania to enhance our global links and bring back unique learning experiences to our MET Schools.
We invite you to dive into the rest of our Newsletter and discover more about the vibrant and dynamic environment at Mercian Educational Trust. If you're curious to learn more or get involved, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Enjoy
and stay inspired!
Mr Dafydd Lawday
SPORTS NEWS
This term has been filled with incredible sporting achievements across our schools. Pupils from several schools, including Leigh and Bransford Primary School, Northleigh CE Primary School and Somers Park Primary School, participated in Cross Country events. Special congratulations to Thea from Leigh and Bransford Primary School and Darcey L, Oscar D, Anna K and Isla H from Somers Park Primary School, for qualifying for the County Cross Country Championships. Meanwhile, pupils from The Brookfield School participated in the Herefordshire School Values Games, which celebrate the core values of sport: respect, determination, teamwork, honesty, self-belief, and passion. A huge well done to Poppy, who participated in every athletic event, and Jacob, who showed remarkable determination competing against children two years older than himself. Congratulations to The Brookfield School for receiving the Gold Sports Mark Award for the third time. Fantastic achievements all around!
SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES
Leigh and Bransford pupils have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Hockey, Dodgeball, Football and even bowling/
This term has been full of inspiring opportunities for our pupils to explore new skills and deepen their learning beyond the classroom. From hands-on activities to collaborative projects, our pupils have had the chance to engage in experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence. These moments not only enrich education but also help build essential life skills.
LEARNING OF THE
Great Malvern Primary School pupils brought their reading to life this term with exciting experiences. A visit to Malvern Library gave them access to a wide variety of books, sparking a love for literature and discovery. Meanwhile, pupils who had been reading the captivating Wild Robot enjoyed a special outing to watch the film adaptation at the Into Film Festival, held at Malvern Theatre. These activities enriched their learning and elevated their reading journey.
OUTSIDE CLASSROOM
Pupils at Leigh and Bransford Primary School have studied science beyond the classroom with two exciting experiences. A visit to Slimbridge Wetland Centre brought the water cycle to life and highlighted the impact of plastic pollution on the wetlands, while a science lesson at Dyson Perrins High School gave them a taste of high school science.
Pupils at Somers Park Primary School had the unique opportunity to visit places of worship, deepening their understanding of different cultures and beliefs. Year 5 visited the Balaji Temple as part of their Hinduism topic. Back in the classroom, No Pen Day took creativity to a whole new level! With pens set aside, pupils embraced hands-on learning- building with marshmallows and spaghetti, using story cubes to spark imagination, and discovering new ways to collaborate and problem-solve. It has been a fantastic term of exploration and innovative learning.
History provides pupils with a well-rounded education. Studying History helps children understand the connections between the past and present while exploring the richness and diversity of human societies. Pupils also develop key skills, such as critical analysis and considering different perspectives.
YOUNGVOICESAND NEW VISIONS
This term, pupils have returned to the past, taking part in historical experiences. Pupils participated in Remembrance Day events, learning about the sacrifices made by past generations. At Honeywell, the focus has been on experiential learning, with every class enjoying visits to museums and historical sites. Highlights included trips to the Bewdley Museum, the Roman Baths, and Harvington Hall. Pupils from The Brookfield School have had the chance to visit the Judges Lodging.
Taking history lessons beyond the classroom sparks curiosity and inspires pupils to see the relevance of History in their own lives, equipping them with insights and skills for the future.
Pupils from Northleigh CE Primary School, Great Malvern Primary School, and Somers Park Primary School took part in a language afternoon at The Chase School, featuring conversational French, Spanish Bingo, and even tasting delicious French delicacies. They also enjoyed the interaction with Year 10 pupils. Meanwhile, pupils at The Brookfield School participated in a dynamic MFL morning, enhancing their language learning experiences.
We Will Them
Pupils took part in a variety of activities to commemorate Remembrance Day, from art projects to assemblies and trips.
Remembrance Day Activities not only teach our pupils resilience, team work and empathy they also bring History to life.
democracy in action leadership
Our pupil elected representatives have had a busy term. At Great Malvern Primary School, pupils represented their school with pride during the local Remembrance Day service at the library. At Somers Park Primary, Pupil Parliament members met with Jacqui Smith, MP, to gain insights into leadership and public service and pupils took part in UK Parliament Week. Whilst at Northleigh CE Primary and Leigh and Bransford Primary, Year 6 pupils applied for roles like House Captain and Subject Ambassador, demonstrating their commitment to school values and their readiness to lead by example.
Through these platforms, pupils gain a voice in decisions that shape their school experience. Pupil Parliaments foster confidence, encourage active citizenship, and provide a democratic model within the school setting. This structure builds skills like teamwork and problem-solving and instils a sense of responsibility and pride.
The ambitions of Pupil Parliaments are far-reaching. Across the Trust, pupils are planning activities such as fundraising for local and global causes, improving outdoor provisions, and organising visits to the Houses of Parliament.
Preparing for their future roles as active members of society
ANTI BULLYING WEEK
All the Trust schools promote a positive and supportive culture. This year pupils have taken part in Anti-bullying Week, a national awareness week (15th – 21st November), spreading kindness, positivity and acceptance. Showing kindness is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to care for someone. Everyone deserves to be shown a little kindness, and one kind word leads to another. Anti-Bullying Week is a way for us all to spread this message.
anyone, is at school, work, or at home. This National important as it reminds us all to have patience, respect towards others, and this reinstatement and morals helps in the prevention of bullying.
For pupils, they must understand and feel about their experiences and ensure that child has the right to an education that violence or bullying and this starts by ensuring set a good example and the children are taught bullying and how to tackle it appropriately.
These fun key events ensure important messages are never forgotten.
Wellbeing
Across our schools promoting and supporting the well-being of our pupils is a priority for all. This term schools have arranged well-being trips, held Well-Being Days and took part in Wear Yellow for Mental Health. From Yoga, to cooking pupils have taken part in fun and varied activities boosting resilience and cementing their friendships.
children in need
Pupils from across Mercian Educational Trust took part in Children in Need. Pudsey even popped into a music lesson!
Christmas Celebrations
Christmas has been in full swing across our schools, with festive fun happening every day! Pupils have dashed through Rudolph Runs, lit up Christingle celebrations, wowed us in nativity plays, and filled the air with beautiful carols. A big well done to everyone involved, and a huge thank you to our parents and guardians for cheering on our amazing pupils!
MET CHRISTMAS MET CHRISTMAS CAROLS CAROLS
Festive Choir Collaboration Brings Christmas Cheer
On Friday, December 6th, the school hall resonated with the joyous sounds of Christmas as choirs from Leigh and Bransford, Northleigh, Somers Park, and Great Malvern came together for a spectacular festive performance. Each choir showcased their talent beautifully, filling the room with harmonies that celebrated the Christmas spirit.
The highlight of the morning was a lively group performance of the "Calypso Carol," which brought a burst of energy and joy, leaving everyone in high spirits. The event was a fantastic opportunity for the choirs to connect, perform, and enjoy the festive season together. A great time was had by all, and the anticipation for next year's gathering is already in the air. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this wonderful event!
Global Links: Tanga 2024
At Mercian Educational Trust, we believe that a true education extends beyond the classroom, reaching across borders and cultures. Our global links programme is a vital part of this vision, preparing our communities to understand what it means to be responsible global citizens. By fostering these connections, we help our pupils and teachers thrive in an interconnected world.
As part of this programme, teachers recently travelled to Tanga, Tanzania, where they immersed themselves in local schools and communities. They observed firsthand the realities of school life in a different culture, from engaging in traditional ceremonies to teaching in classrooms with over 100 pupils. This experience allowed our teachers to see the world through a different lens, building valuable relationships with their African counterparts.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, our pupils had their own unique experience, preparing them to thrive in a globalised world.
Through virtual exchanges, they connected directly with African students, sharing stories and learning about each other's daily school lives. This opportunity deepened their understanding of cultural differences and brought to life the impact of their donations and money raised from events including Non-Uniform Days. Pupils could see how their support benefits children in another part of the world, creating a tangible link between their efforts and the positive outcomes they help create.
One student in Tanzania has accredited this programme as his motivation to study at University.
DIRECTOR OF LEARNING UPDATE
E N G A G I N G A N D E F F E C T I V E LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
It has been another busy term for the Merican Educational Trust School Improvement Service. Our team has been dedicated to providing both challenge and support to our trust schools, ensuring they continue to strive for excellence. This term, we have conducted numerous visits to review and validate self-evaluation documents, helping schools assess their strengths and areas for development accurately. This has led to the creating of a standards board committee of trustees, who have provided essential support and challenge.
STUART BUSBY Director of Learning
In addition to these reviews, we have been actively working with school leaders to refine their teaching and learning pedagogy, focusing on strategies to model learning. This support has included tailored workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions aimed at enhancing instructional strategies and classroom practices. By focusing on evidence-based approaches, we are helping educators to create more engaging and effective learning environments for their pupils.
We have also collaborated with several external schools and professionals, including reviewing specialist schools within London. This collaboration is expanding our knowledge for developing our school-based alternative provisions. Our Trust Director of Learning has also enjoyed working with Sir Martyn Oliver, senior inspector for Ofsted, to guide how the inspection framework will be shaped from September 2025.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue our collaborative efforts with trust schools. Our upcoming initiatives include further professional development opportunities and the introduction of new resources to support continuous improvement. We are particularly excited to develop our Trust Curriculum Networks, which will empower subject leaders to support the development of best practices in their curriculum areas across the wider learning community. We are also continuing to build opportunities for using the latest educational research, focusing on leading the development of specialist provision across our trust and curriculum enhancements. This includes a focus on building opportunities for global growth, supported by our Director of Learning's current PhD study in this area.
We remain committed to fostering a culture of high expectations and continuous growth, ensuring that every pupil has access to the highest quality education. By maintaining our focus on evidence-based practices and collaborative efforts, we aim to support our schools in providing exceptional learning experiences. Our dedication to professional development and curriculum innovation will continue to drive our mission forward, benefiting educators and pupils alike.
HEAD OF GOVERNANCE UPDATE
As we near the close of the autumn term, I am filled with awe for the collective efforts of our governance volunteers across the Trust. Their dedication and collaboration have set the stage for an impactful academic year ahead and I’d like to take a moment to reflect on some key developments and share our vision for the future.
DevelopingOurSkillsandFocusAreas
This term, we hosted a successful Governor and Trustee Development Day, delving into critical areas such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), safeguarding and exploring strategies for preparing meetings that enable robust strategic questioning. It was inspiring to see our volunteers coming together to deepen their understanding and align on how we can best serve our schools and communities. Additionally, our participation in Sterling Education Group networking events has been invaluable. Engaging with peers across the sector has sparked fresh ideas around governance, resulting in tangible improvements. We’ve begun redeveloping our board and governor packs to ensure they are even more informative and effective, and we’ve taken steps to enhance how we celebrate and support our governance volunteers. These changes will help us continue to attract, retain, and empower talented individuals across the Trust.
EmpoweringNewVolunteers
One of the highlights of the autumn term has been completing the induction training for 22 new governance volunteers who joined us in the spring term. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives are already making a difference and I look forward to seeing them grow into their roles as they contribute to the Trust’s success.
LookingAhead
KATE JOINER
Head of Governance
While autumn has been a time for reflection and preparation, spring is about empowerment. To that end, we are planning a Trust Strategy Session, where all governors and trustees will come together to explore the Trust’s overarching strategy and align our goals for the future. These sessions will be critical in ensuring that our collective vision remains clear and ambitious.
By the time summer rolls around, I hope to see all of our governance volunteers thriving as a result of the development opportunities, collaboration and strategic clarity we are fostering now. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
RESIDENTIAL SCRAPBOOK
Friendships,andfunadventures
Despite the changeable weather pupils have had a fantastic time away at various Residential trips. Year 3 pupils from The Brookfield School visited Wyre Valley near Goodrich. Pupils from Leigh and Bransford Primary School and Northleigh CE Primary School took part in a joint residential to Llanrug. We look forward to hearing about the adventures next term.
In other news
Pupils at The Brookfield School took part in Coding Week. This takes place in the third week of September each year. This week is run by volunteers in a variety of settings such as schools, libraries, hubs and businesses.
pPupilsacrosstheTrusthaveenjoyedtaking oartinmuddyForestSchoolsessionsand utdooractivitiesthister.
AHoneywellYear4pupilfromUkrainewas askedtosingintheperformance,byLviv NationalPhilharmonicOrchestraofUkraine atBirminghamSymphonyHall.
cHarvestfestivalsboughtourfantastic ommunitytogether.
