Heads Up
Friday 12th June 2026
Lack
CEO’s Welcome
Dear Colleagues,
I settle into my new role as CEO Designate, one of the real highlights of the past few weeks has been ting back into our schools and spending time with colleagues and pupils across the Trust. Every visit has minded me what a special community we are part of.
been wonderful to see the breadth of opportunities on offer, the dedication of our staff, and, most portantly, the enthusiasm and achievements of our young people. Whether in classrooms, sports halls, formance spaces or playgrounds, there is so much to celebrate across our schools, and this edition of ads Up captures just a small snapshot of that work.
now this may come as a bit of a surprise, but like many of you, I’ve also been enjoying the excitement ding up to the start of the World Cup. Major sporting events bring people together through a shared sense purpose, teamwork and ambition. The most successful teams are rarely those with the greatest individual ent alone; they are the ones that work together, support one another and continually strive to improve.
ose same qualities sit at the heart of great education, and they also reflect what it means to be part of The eyn Trust. That sense of togetherness is what makes our Trust special, and it is something I have seen so arly in my visits over the past few weeks.
ope you enjoy reading about the many successes, events and achievements featured in this edition. Thank u to everyone who contributes so much to making our schools vibrant, ambitious and inspiring places to learn and work.
Best wishes,
Sarah Lack CEO Designate
Sarah
Attendance
Attendance Data
Below is the attendance and persistent absence data from across the Trust for the period of 18 May 2026 and 05 Jun 2026
Monega Primary School
Cleves Primary School
New City Primary School
Shaftesbury Primary Tollgate Primary School
Stay and Play: Supporting Communication Through Play
Our pre-formal learners’ Stay and Play session provided families with the opportunity to engage in a range of activities, including the playdough table, car racing track, games table and space exploration tent Parents were also introduced to the use of the Core Board to support communication and interaction during play, while exploring simple activities and games that their children enjoy at school
The session offered a valuable opportunity for families to develop their understanding of strategies used within the school environment and was an enjoyable, supportive learning experience for all involved
Numeracy Day
Pupils took part in games, challenges and problem-solving tasks that helped bring maths to life It was a great opportunity to build confidence, enjoy learning and see how Maths plays an important role in everyday life
Cultural Heritage Day
We recently celebrated Cultural Heritage Day, recognising the different backgrounds that make up our school community Pupils and staff shared their traditions, languages and stories It was a real reminder of how our differences make our school such a special place
Staff Accolade
In light of our recent Ofsted report, I wanted to express how incredibly proud and privileged I am to be leading such a dedicated and talented team. The outcome of our inspection reflects the commitment, care and passion that each of you brings to Cleves every single day.
Your hard work and unwavering focus on our pupils have created a school where children are inspired to achieve their best. You consistently go above and beyond for our pupils and community.
Thank you for everything you do you should all feel immensely proud of this achievement.
Liza Christofides, Head
Teacher
Stay and Play
Last week, our Reception classes at Monega warmly welcomed new families to a stay-and-play session It was wonderful to see children confidently exploring the learning environment, engaging with activities, and beginning to feel at home Families had the opportunity to meet our friendly team of teachers and staff, helping to build those all-important first connections as we look ahead to an exciting start to the school year
Disco Therapy
Pupils at Monega benefit from attending Lunchtime Disco Therapy, a fun and supportive group that provides the chance to build confidence, develop social communication skills and enjoy positive interactions with peers Through music, movement and structured activities, pupils are encouraged to express themselves, regulate emotions and strengthen friendships in a safe and inclusive environment The group promotes wellbeing, teamwork and self-esteem, helping children feel happy, valued and connected within the school community
British Values
Pupils at Monega have proudly been sharing their knowledge of the British Values with new pupils joining the school community They enjoyed leading tours around the school, exploring the vibrant displays that showcase Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance Through these discussions, pupils demonstrated confidence in explaining what the values mean and how they are lived out at Monega every day They have also been enthusiastically learning the new British Values rap, using music and repetition to help them remember and celebrate these important principles in a fun and engaging way
Staff Accolade
We are incredibly proud of Sophie Martin, one of our talented trainee teachers at Monega, who has recently completed her final observation and presentation to an outstanding level. Sophie has made remarkable progress throughout her training year, showing dedication, resilience and a real passion for teaching and learning. She has become a valued member of the Monega team and we are delighted that she will be starting her ECT year with us in September. We feel very lucky to have Sophie working at Monega and look forward to seeing her continue to flourish in her teaching career.
AI Workshop
This week, we were delighted to welcome our parent governor, Miguel Cunhal from Salesforce, who delivered an engaging workshop on artificial intelligence to pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6. The session was designed to spark curiosity and build awareness of AI, helping children understand what it is, how it is used, and why it is important to use it safely and responsibly. A strong focus was placed on online safety and digital trust, giving pupils practical strategies to protect their information and make sensible choices when interacting with technology.
Led by an experienced industry professional, the workshop offered valuable real-world perspectives and examples that brought the topic to life. Pupils explored how AI can support learning and everyday life, while also discussing potential risks and ethical considerations. The interactive nature of the session encouraged thoughtful questions and active participation throughout.
As a result, children developed new knowledge, confidence, and critical thinking skills in relation to emerging technologies. They thoroughly enjoyed this informative and inspiring experience, which has helped prepare them for navigating an increasingly digital world. Importantly, the workshop reinforced attitudes towards innovation, ensuring pupils feel empowered, informed, and ready to engage with technological developments in a responsible way.
Year 3 Geography Field Work
As part of our Geography topic, Improving Our Local Area, Year 3 recently took part in a fieldwork walk around the local community The children carefully observed the streets and public spaces, identifying areas where rubbish had accumulated and locating the bins available for public use
The children showed excellent observation skills and enthusiasm throughout the activity Their fieldwork will help them develop thoughtful suggestions for improving our local area and becoming responsible citizens who care for their environment
Year 1 Faith In Schools
This week Year 1 were visited by Faith in Schools, who shared a biblical story about forgiveness The children worked together to assemble a 30-piece scene that helped bring the story to life Through the story, the children learned about God’s love and forgiveness, and how being honest and taking responsibility for their actions can help them learn from mistakes and grow into kind, thoughtful, and responsible individuals in everyday situations They enjoyed the hands-on activity and meaningful discussion, developing empathy, reflection, and an understanding of making positive choices in their lives and relationships with others around them each day
Chinese Bridge International Competition
We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils who recently took part in the Chinese Bridge International Competition
Our pupils confidently showcased their developing Mandarin skills through a range of performances, including songs, poetry recitals and dance This exciting opportunity allowed them to engage with a global language in a meaningful and creative way, while also building their confidence in performing to a wider audience
Taking part in an international event such as this supports our school’s commitment to developing global awareness It gives pupils the chance to connect with another culture, broaden their perspectives and take pride in their learning beyond the classroom
We are extremely proud of all the children who participated and represented our school so positively Please enjoy watching their performances below
EYFS –Chicks
This term, our EYFS children have been learning about the life cycle of chicks To help us with this topic, we had our very own hatchery with several eggs and an incubator to keep them warm We then had the opportunity to see the eggs hatch and the chicks grow whilst taking care of them which is a valuable life skill for them
Board Games Club
Last term, we offered a new Board Games club to children to encourage them to not only play games but also learn how to play fairly
The children have enjoyed playing with classic games and spirits have been high with a high level of sportsmanship being shown
Year 2 & Year 5 Fire Brigade Safety Visit
Our Years 2 & 5 have taken part in a Fire Safety workshop this week. They’ve been learning how to keep themselves safe in the home, which included playing a game of ‘Fire Cluedo’. This involved the children playing detective to work out the causes of fires in different areas of the house. The children also discussed making safety plans for their own home.
Food Session –Explorers Class
Our Explorers have been reading ‘Jasper’s Beanstalk’; the children had food that was related to the story which they picked out and matched to their learning board and worksheets. They also enjoyed eating many of the items too!
Maths in Reception
This week in Maths, we focused on developing our understanding of odd and even numbers. To help reinforce our learning, we took our lesson outside to the playground for a fun and active sorting activity.
We placed two hula hoops on the playground, one labelled Odd and the other Even. Hidden around the playground were number cards for the children to find. The children each chose a starting point and, when the bell rang, searched for a hidden odd number before placing it in the correct hoop. They then repeated the challenge, this time finding an even number and sorting it into the even hoop.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the activity and showed great enthusiasm throughout. They demonstrated excellent teamwork, helping one another to identify whether numbers were odd or even and discussing their ideas with their friends. After all the numbers had been collected, we worked together to check each hoop and talk about whether the numbers had been sorted correctly.
It was wonderful to see the children confidently applying their understanding of odd and even numbers in such an engaging and collaborative way while developing their mathematical language and reasoning skills.
No Pen Day
On Monday, the exciting and crea with lots of mem began with a del where everyone and enjoy spend around the scho exciting activities see what they go
Park Trip and Oil Painting
The fun continued with a trip to the park, where the children explored, played games, and made wonderful memories with their friends Back in class, the creativity really shone as the children used oil pastels to create beautiful artwork inspired by their experiences at the park Their colourful drawings were full of imagination and fantastic detail!
To finish off the day, the children enjoyed watching films together, making it the perfect end to a fun filled and welldeserved day of learning beyond the pen It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces throughout the day!
Handa’s Surprise
This week we introduced our story Handa's Surprise by Eileen Browne, which explores a variety of tropical fruits We brought in different fruits for the children to taste and explore The children thoroughly enjoyed tasting the different fruits and discussing which ones were their favourites They then wrote sentences to describe how the fruits tasted, using adjectives such as “sweet,” “soft,” and “juicy ”
Litter Picking
In year 4 they have been learning about how to support their local community in RE In this lesson we asked the children how we could make a direct impact on improving our local area and many of the children said picking up litter They showed great concern for wildlife, air quality and the general cleanliness of our local park So we did what any good citizen would do and we went to the park with big black bags, litter pickers, gloves and lots of helpful hands We made a significant difference in just one short session of litter picking and all of the children enjoyed getting involved and making a visible difference
Escape Room
Later, the classroom was transformed into an Escape Room challenge. The children worked brilliantly in teams to solve puzzles, crack clues, and complete tasks in order to stop a hacker from gaining access to the school’s systems. It was fantastic to see such excellent communication, resilience, and teamwork throughout the activity.
4P Paper Aeroplane Competition
The children began the day by designing, making, and decorating their very own paper airplanes before taking part in a fun flying competition to see whose plane could travel the furthest and stay in the air the longest.
Trifle making and picnic
In the afternoon, the children enjoyed making delicious trifles before ending the day with a lovely picnic in the park. Everyone had a wonderful time and showed fantastic enthusiasm and cooperation all day long.
The Great Fire of London
1M went on a trip to the London archives. The visit further improved their understanding and knowledge of The Great Fire of London, which they have enjoyed learning about during history lessons. They showed excellent knowledge and were able to correctly identify different documents such as a map of London from 1666 and a plan showing the house of Thomas Fariner, which is believed to be the place where the great fire of London began.
TFL- Year 6
'TFL offers free in-school presentations for London schools, focusing on road safety, independent travel, and active travel. They target the Year 6 transition from primary to secondary. These interactive sessions cover bus safety, Zip Oyster usage, and personal safety.'
Geography in Year 3
This week, Year 3's Geography lesson looked at the Layers of the Atmosphere. Working in mixed ability groups, each person was responsible for designing and illustrating a specific atmospheric layer. To reinforce their understanding, the children concluded the activity by arranging the layers into the correct order, showcasing their ability to identify the unique characteristics of each layer.
St Francis of Assisi
In this lesson, Year 4 explored the influential figures in St. Francis of Assisi’s life with a special visit from Faith in Schools. Through a series of engaging practical activities, students looked at how Francis’ environment and faith shaped his journey. By the end of the session, children were able to make meaningful connections between core religious teachings and how they are lived out by dedicated followers like St. Francis.
History Project
This week, Asraa, from 1R, has gone above and beyond and has completed a fantastic history project about 'The Great Fire of London! She has clearly put in a lot of effort. Hafsah, Yusuf, Nayab and Aanshi have also completed their History project about 'The Great Fire of London' at home. Fantastic work!
Student Council
The Year 2 JLT had the opportunity to attend a Student Council Conference. On the day, they met children from other schools and took part in a range of activities. They took part in a scavenger hunt, a discussion about the characteristics that are required to be a good JLT and how to be a good listener. They also looked at different emotions and ways to manage different emotions.
Reception –Police visit
Reception children have been learning about people who help them. The police visited today and they talked about how the police keep people safe. Children were also able to see and use some of the police equipment!
Homework projects
Mishka and Asra have created amazing 3D projects at home taking learning beyond the classroom. So impressive!
Year 1Temple visit
Children in Year 1 went to visit the temple
. They learnt about Hindu beliefs and different Gods and Goddesses who help answer prayers.
Summer Fair
Shaftesbury pupils and families enjoyed our summer fair- this year in addition to all the activities and stalls we have, there was go karting too! This was a big hit with the children. It was a joyous event brining the whole community together-a big thank you to all the staff, parents/carers and local restaurants for supporting our event.
Staff Accolade
CJ- Site supervisor
CJ joined us this academic year and has already become a valued member of the team. He works collaboratively with colleagues, bringing a consistently positive attitude and approaches every task with enthusiasm and professionalism. CJ is always willing to help others and gets the jobs done efficiently - contribute greatly to the smooth running of the school. Thank you CJ for all your hard work!
A Journey Through History: Our Unforgettable Trip to Rome
This week, we are delighted to share highlights from our incredible trip to Rome. Over five unforgettable days, our pupils had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history, culture and traditions of one of the world's most fascinating cities. From the moment we arrived, the children represented Clara Grant impeccably. Their behaviour, curiosity and enthusiasm were a credit to both the school and their families, with members of the public, tour guides and venue staff regularly commenting on their excellent conduct.
The Magnificent Colosseum
The trip was packed with memorable experiences. Pupils explored the magnificent Colosseum, where they learned about the gladiators and spectacles that entertained ancient Romans nearly 2,000 years ago. Walking through the Roman Forum allowed the children to step back in time and imagine what life was like at the heart of the Roman Empire.
Our Visit to Vatican City
A visit to Vatican City provided another highlight. Pupils were amazed by the scale and beauty of St Peter's Basilica and had the opportunity to learn about its importance to millions of people around the world. The group also enjoyed discovering the rich history, art and architecture that make Rome such a unique destination.
Tasting the Local Cusine
Of course, no visit to Italy would be complete without experiencing the local culture. Pupils enjoyed authentic Italian food, sampled delicious gelato and took in some of Rome's most famous landmarks, including the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
Travelling abroad
Beyond the educational experiences, the trip provided invaluable opportunities for pupils to develop their independence, confidence and resilience. Travelling abroad, navigating a new city and sharing these experiences with friends created memories that will last a lifetime. We are incredibly proud of every pupil who took part. They embraced every opportunity, asked thoughtful questions and demonstrated the values of Clara Grant throughout the trip.
A huge thank you goes to all the staff who gave up their time to make the visit possible and to the families who supported the trip. We look forward to building on this success and providing many more enriching experiences for our pupils in the future
"My favourite part was visiting the Colosseum because I couldn't believe how big it was. It felt like walking through history!" – Year 6 pupil
"I loved seeing the Trevi Fountain and trying real Italian gelato. Rome was amazing!" – Year 6 pupil
Staff Accolade
Ms. Yogalingamis a truly dedicated member of staff who works tirelessly to ensure every child thrives. She consistently goes above and beyond, giving her time and energy selflessly to support pupils both academically and emotionally. Her commitment, care and willingness to go the extra mile make a lasting difference to the children and are greatly valued by all.
Year 6 Visit the Shipman Centre
Our Year 6 pupils recently visited the local Shipman Youth Centre, where they had an engaging opportunity to learn about the valuable support and activities the centre provides for young people in the community. During the visit, pupils explored the facilities, met staff members, and discovered the range of programmes available, including sports, creative projects and social spaces. The experience helped pupils gain a better understanding of community resources available to them as they move on to secondary school, while also building confidence in accessing new environments and opportunities beyond the classroom.
Bikeability in Year 6
Some of our Year 6 students completed a Bikeability course which is designed to help children develop the skills and confidence they need to ride safely and independently on the road. Throughout the course, pupils learn essential techniques such as balancing, signalling, road positioning, and awareness of traffic and other road users. Delivered in a supportive and practical environment, the sessions build confidence step by step, ensuring every child feels secure and capable on their bike. By the end of the course, pupils will not only be more confident riders but also more responsible and safety-conscious road users.
Year 2 Celebration
The Year 2 celebration following the end of Key Stage 1 SATs was a joyful and memorable occasion, filled with laughter, excitement, and a real sense of achievement. After weeks of hard work and determination, the children came together to relax and enjoy a well-earned break. The atmosphere was lively and cheerful, with smiles all around as pupils took part in fun activities, games, and shared treats with friends. There was a strong sense of pride in everything they had accomplished, and the celebration provided a wonderful opportunity to recognise both their effort and resilience. The children enjoyed spending time together, laughing and making happy memories, while staff shared in their success and helped create a warm, supportive environment.
Overall, it was a fantastic way to mark the end of the assessments—a day full of positivity, camaraderie, and well-deserved celebration.
Year 5 Lille Visit
Year 5 had an unforgettable trip to Lille, travelling in style on the Eurostar, which added to the excitement from the very start. The journey itself was a highlight, giving pupils a taste of international travel and building anticipation for the adventure ahead. Once in Lille, the children enjoyed exploring the city, experiencing a different culture, and taking part in a range of engaging activities. There was a wonderful sense of curiosity and enthusiasm as they discovered new sights, tried out their language skills, and spent quality time together. Throughout the trip, behaviour was exemplary, and pupils represented the school brilliantly. Most importantly, everyone had a fantastic time, returning with happy memories, newfound confidence, and plenty of stories to share.
RISE Reception Network
Tollgate is designated as a RISE Reception Network Lead School and held a Reception Showcase on Thursday for 40 Early Years leads from all over London.
The class teachers and pupils were total superstars during the day - the children’s confidence and learning behaviours was exceptional.
Thank you to Mrs. O’Connor for leading the day and to Miss Moss and Miss Ijeoma for their incredible planning and teaching.
Tollgate’s RISE work
Mrs O’Connor and Mr Lilleyman were proud to represent Tollgate at the Department for Education, attending a Reception Network roundtable. As a lead school, they contributed to professional discussions focused on how best to support other settings in improving practice and pupil outcomes in the early years.
The session provided a valuable opportunity to share Tollgate’s expertise, reflect on effective approaches, and collaborate with other educators and leaders. Their contributions highlighted the school’s commitment to excellence in early years education and its role in supporting wider school improvement.
Overall, it was a significant and positive experience, reinforcing Tollgate’s position as a leading voice in shaping high-quality practice and outcomes for young learners.
Staff Accolade
This week we would like to show our gratitude to the wonderful Mrs Wicks who works tirelessly to ensure the children in the Resource Provision receive the best education.
RISE: Visit to Griffin Primary School in Battersea
Laura and Jennifer from Tollgate will now be supporting at our RISE school - Griffin Primary school each week until the end of term
We went to Griffin on Tuesday afternoon and worked with the EY pupils and met with the HT to plan our support for the next year of this 2 year RISE support project
QTS Assessment Visits at Forest Gate
More Secondary trainees being awarded
Qualified Teacher Status at Forest Gate Community School in Newham.
Thank you to the incredible Assistant Head Eloise Hart for nurturing our trainees.
Final ITT Visit at Shaftesbury and Quality Assurance visit from Ambition.
More Primary trainees being signed off at Shaftesbury Primary School in The Boleyn Trust.
Thank you to Harriet Harvey-Moore - our Ambition Institute ITT Fellow, in attendance to quality assure the judgements of our LDE Lead Mentors and tutors.
Thank you to all staff at Shaftesbury for nurturing these wonderful new teachers.
Final ITT Visit at Haggerston School in Hackney and Quality Assurance visit from Ambition.
Our Secondary trainee being signed off at Haggerston School in Hackney.
Harriet Harvey-Moore - our Ambition Institute ITT Fellow was in attendance to quality assure. .
Final Assessment Visits at Cleves and New City
More Primary trainees being signed off at both New City and Cleves Primary Schools in The Boleyn Trust.
Thank you to all staff for nurturing these wonderful new teachers.
Monega Final Assessment Visit and Ambition QA
Ambition Institute also visited Monega
Primary school to quality assure the final sign off for our Primary trainee.
Thank you to all staff for nurturing these wonderful new teachers.
The Ambition staff were exhausted after spending a day in our schools with our Lead Mentors!
NPQH at Drew PrimaryOrganisational Management
Our April 2024 NPQH Cohort is drawing to a close - with our second to last clinic session on Organisational Management.
Thank you to Julie Clancy - DHT at Drew Primary School in the Learning In Harmony Trust, for hosting the session at Drew.
This is our last group to go to assessment before we start two new groups in Autumn 2026.
APPLICATIONS are now open for all Autumn 2026:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/rUpCzaR0Y1
LDE at the Strategic Maths Hub
LDE has a role in signposting all other CPD offered by the government to all schools across the Hub area.
To support the Maths Hub at Elmhurst Primary school we run NPQ Leading Primary Maths with them and signpost and collaborate on all of their programmes.
We also have Laurice Prempeh DHT at Rosetta Primary School who is an NCETM Maths Mastery Specialist with the local Maths Hub.
Final Assessment Visits for QTS in Redbridge
This time Nightingale Primary School in Redbridge and our Secondary Trainee at Wanstead High School.
Final Assessment Visit at Hunters Hall
Primary in Dagenham
All of the trainees placed across the Hub area have to present a formal presentation as part of their final assessment to show how they meet the Teacher Standards for Qualified Teacher Status.
Final Assessment Visit Sanders Draper in Havering.
Rosetta Robinson attending another final assessment visit in Havering.
Appropriate Body ServicesReduction of Induction
We often get requests from schools asking for us to sign of an ECT - Early Career Teacher (not a trainee this time) before the end of their 2 year Induction Period.
This is allowed in exceptional circumstances and this is Michelle visiting Concordia Academy in Romford.
Appropriate Body Services
- Reduction of Induction
Another early sign off happened this weekthis time at Bower Park in Havering.
Michelle said: ‘An absolute pleasure to observe a reduction of induction lesson masterclass - Key Stage 3 Jazz Dance lesson with this ECT. I so wanted to join in!’
LDE Out and About...
Sarah Bartley covers Newham schools for the Appropriate Body Service and has been out and about at St Lukes and Langdon. amongst other places this week.
Train to teach?
If you know anyone with a degree who would be amazing as one our teachers of the future, then please ask them to come and talk to us about teacher training...
We also welcome school visits for potential trainees to any of our schools, so please get in touch.
Or contact our Director of Teacher Training directly:
rosetta.robinson@londondistricteast.org
