Heads Up
Friday 26th June 2026
Lack
CEO’s Welcome
ear Colleagues,
s I write, we are coming to the end of a particularly warm week across our schools. I would like to thank all staff for heir efforts in ensuring that pupils and colleagues have remained safe and comfortable during this period of unusual eat Our schools have, as always, risen to the challenge and provided excellent support to their communities
Over the past two weeks, Monega Primary School has undergone its Ofsted inspection. I am delighted to share that he school performed very well, and we are incredibly proud of both the outcome and the recognition of its many chievements. We look forward to sharing the full report with you, hopefully before the end of term.
s we approach the close of the academic year, our schools are busy with a range of events, including summer fetes, ports days, residential trips, and preparations for end-of-term performances. Year 6 pupils are once again ollaborating with Brick Lane for their production, which this year is Peter Pan.
We know how hard all Year 6 pupils are working, and we hope many of you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of hese fantastic performances before we break for the summer.
wish you all a very pleasant weekend and hope you enjoy this edition of Heads Up!.
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 08 Jun 2026 and 19 Jun 2026
Nursery Learning
The pupils have been making the most of the lovely weather by taking their learning outdoors and enjoying a range of activities They practised writing, explored building, developed their balancing skills and particularly enjoyed playing golf It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and engagement in the outdoor environment
Year 2 Explore Islands
This week, Year 2 have been developing their Geography knowledge by exploring islands from around the world Using atlases, the children worked enthusiastically to locate a variety of islands and identify their positions on maps
They learnt to recognise and describe key physical features, including beaches, cliffs and mountains, as well as human features such as houses and harbours The children enjoyed spotting these features and discussing what makes each island special and unique Well done, Year 2, for your excellent work and curiosity you are becoming confident young geographers
Year 4 PSHE
In class, we have been learning about the lives of children in different countries around the world We explored how children live, go to school, and spend their free time in places such as Mexico, Kenya, and India
We discovered that although children everywhere enjoy things like playing with friends and learning new things, their daily lives can be very different Some children may walk long distances to school, help their families at home, or have fewer resources than we do in the UK
As part of our learning, we completed a special task where we wrote letters to a girl named Alejandra, sharing positive advice and telling her about life in the UK
Year 5 visit the Tate Modern
Our Year 5 artists had a fantastic trip to the Tate Modern to see the artwork of Robin Brooks! This visit linked perfectly with our art lessons, where the children have been learning how to create texture and create a 3D effect Seeing these techniques used on such a large scale truly inspired them, and they put their skills to the test with some brilliant sketching in the gallery We are so proud of their creativity and excellent behaviour!
Reception Learning
This week in Reception, we enjoyed reading ‘Grandad’s Island’. This story as well as Jan Matson’s beach painting inspired us to create our own beach paintings. We also used building blocks to create models of Grandad’s island and playdough to make vehicles and characters from the story.
Staff Accolade: Zobia
Zobia is the driving force behind the beautiful displays across our school. Her creativity and attention to detail bring our environment to life and make every space inspiring for our children. What makes Zobia truly special is her willingness to get stuck in nothing is ever too much and she is always ready to go the extra mile to support others. Thank you, Zobia, for everything you do to make our school such a vibrant and welcoming place.
Around the World Day
Monega was transformed into a vibrant celebration of culture, diversity and global learning during our exciting Around the World Day Pupils embarked on a journey across continents, exploring different countries, traditions, languages, music, food and customs through a range of engaging and interactive activities
Mr Canning and Hamza
Hamza, a pupil from Monega, is a fantastic ambassador for all things related to the Boleyn Trust.
During the school’s Ofsted inspection, Hamza took the initiative to reach out to Martin Stanley, our Head of Inclusion, to share how much he enjoys being part of a Trust school. He also expressed a wish to meet Mr Canning one day.
Fortunately, Mr Canning was visiting Monega on that very day and had the opportunity to meet Hamza in person a moment that was clearly special for them both. It is fair to say that Mr Canning was just as delighted to meet Hamza as Hamza was to meet him.
Sports Day
We enjoyed a fantastic Sports Day filled with energy, enthusiasm and teamwork Throughout the day, pupils participated in a range of exciting events, demonstrating determination and resilience We are incredibly proud of all our pupils for their effort, encouragement of one another and positive attitudes A special thank you goes to our dedicated staff for organising such a successful event and to our parents and carers for their support and enthusiastic cheering from the sidelines
Year 5 at Harry Potter Studio
Monega was transformed into a vibrant celebration of culture, diversity and global learning during our exciting Around the World Day. Pupils embarked on a journey across continents, exploring different countries, traditions, languages, music, food and customs through a range of engaging and interactive activities.
Year 6 Careers Day
A huge thank you to all our parents and members of the community who generously volunteered their time to support our Year 6 Careers Day The children had a fantastic opportunity to learn about a wide range of careers, including architecture, gardening, make-up artistry, the NHS, Microsoft, and many more Your contributions made the day both inspiring and memorable We look forward to seeing how these experiences shape the children’s future aspirations and hearing all about their career choices in the years to come
Mr Terry’s Fitness Club
Mr Terry’s Fitness Club is a popular lunchtime club designed to support targeted pupils, including those with additional needs and children who may not have access to after-school clubs. Through a range of fun and engaging physical activities, pupils develop their fitness, confidence, communication and teamwork skills in a supportive environment. The club is highly valued by the children, who look forward to attending each week and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to be active, work together and achieve success.
Staff Accolade-A Message of Thanks to All Staff
As we reflect on our recent Ofsted inspection, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to every member of the Monega team The last few weeks have required an extraordinary level of dedication, commitment, and teamwork, and we could not be prouder of how everyone came together From the classroom to the office, from support staff to site staff, every single person played a vital role in ensuring that our school was represented at its very best Throughout the inspection, you demonstrated professionalism, expertise, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our children The inspectors were able to see what we witness every day – a staff team that cares deeply, works tirelessly, and consistently goes above and beyond to provide the very best opportunities and experiences for our pupils We would also like to celebrate our incredible children, who were an absolute credit to Monega
Their kindness, enthusiasm, confidence, and love of learning shone through at every opportunity They spoke proudly about their school, engaged thoughtfully in their learning, and embodied the values that make our community so special We know that their success is a direct reflection of the care, support, encouragement, and high expectations that our staff provide every day
Most importantly, this inspection gave us the opportunity to showcase what makes Monega such a special place It highlighted the strength of our school community, the positive relationships we build, and the unwavering belief we all share that every child deserves the very best None of this would be possible without your dedication, passion, and commitment Together, we showcased the very best of Monega School Thank you for everything you do and for the difference you make every single day You should all feel incredibly proud of what we have achieved together
Learning Hub Sports Day
The Learning Hub had an incredible Sports Day on Friday! The sun was shining and the energy was high. The children took part in a variety of activities including basketball shooting and boccia. The children showed amazing sportsmanship and resilience. A massive thank you to all the parents and carers who came along to cheer, support and join in the fun.
Science Show
New City Primary School had a visit from The Royal Institution’s Science in Schools programme for an exciting workshop called "Explosive Foods" Pupils enjoyed a fun and engaging session where they explored the science behind chemical reactions and energy through a series of safe, dramatic demonstrations, including controlled explosions The workshop sparked curiosity and enthusiasm, helping children to see science as both exciting and relevant, while inspiring a deeper interest in learning about the world around them
Commonwealth Choir visit Cambridge
Six Year 6 children Alana, Tianna, Yovikaa, Eni, Carla and Ahlaam visited Christ’s College in Cambridge last week to perform alongside other choirs in the Commonwealth Choir. During the visit, they had the exciting opportunity to rehearse with the Director of Music, Professor David Rowland. The children greatly enjoyed the experience and felt inspired by performing in such a prestigious setting, building their confidence and deepening their love of music
Year 6 Stubbers Trip
Year 6 visited Stubbers as a reward for completing their SATs. The children enjoyed an exciting adventure camp, taking part in activities such as archery, axe throwing, abseiling, climbing, and cooking over an open fire. The experience ended with a fun disco, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. It was a happy and memorable trip, providing the children with new challenges and opportunities to build confidence and teamwork skills. This visit was a well deserved treat after all their hard work. A big thank you to all the staff who gave up their time to support and make this wonderful experience possible for the children.
Year 3 Gamelan
Year 3 pupils have been exploring traditional Indonesian gamelan folktales and music this term. The children combined music with storytelling by using puppets, bringing their pieces to life in a creative and imaginative way. We are very proud of their enthusiasm and the confidence in their performances
Year 4 Science Experiment
Our Year 4 pupils have been learning about the digestive system this term. To demonstrate how it all works, they added different foods and drink into a clear plastic bag and then squeezed and squished it into one big mushy state. This was then pushed into a pair of tights to resemble the passing of the digested food through the body; a hole was then cut and the food pushed out. Needless to say that the children found this hilarious and disgusting all at the same time!
Wellbeing Team Ice Cream Sale
Our Wellbeing Team held our first Ice Cream Sale this week, luckily it was a very hot afternoon! The sale was another successful event with all money raised going towards future events for the children.
Reception Money Ready Workshops
Money Ready is a charity dedicated to creating a financially fluent population. Our Reception pupils read about squirrels saving their acorns and acted out the story using toy animals. The aim was to show children the importance of saving and keeping money safe.
Good Attendance Visit to Horizon 22
Our top attendees in Years 3 – 5 were treated to a day out to Horizon 22, one of London’s tallest buildings The children were excited to point out the different landmarks from Wembley Stadium to St Paul’s Cathedral and Battersea Power Station one pupil even managed to point out Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre After this, the children had lunch around Bishopsgate before making their way back to school
The Eco Garden
Rosetta was recently visited by Kathy from 'Regenerous' and some of our KS2 children had an amazing sensory and planting experience. Our Eco-garden now has a sensory space, within which the children enjoyed planting a variety of aromatic herbs. They shared their already amazing knowledge and learned about the specific plants and why gardening is good for all of us. The children had a fabulous time and showed what amazing learners they are and demonstrated excellent manners to our visitor, who was very impressed.
The Water Cycle
Year 3 did a fantastic job demonstrating their understanding of how the water cycle works. The children worked collaboratively to create detailed diagrams on flipchart paper, showing the different stages of the water cycle. They then confidently presented their work to the class, explaining each stage and sharing their learning. We were incredibly impressed with their knowledge, teamwork, and presentation skills.
National Archives
Year 6 recently enjoyed an exciting and educational visit to the National Archives, where they developed their historical enquiry skills through the exploration of a range of fascinating primary sources and case studies During the visit, the children investigated real historical documents, learning how historians use evidence to build an understanding of the past They explored a number of different case studies, analysing clues, asking thoughtful questions and evaluating the reliability of sources Through these activities, pupils gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of historical evidence and the role it plays in uncovering significant events and stories from history It was a memorable and enriching day that further developed their curiosity and enthusiasm for history!
RE
Year 1 have been learning all about special objects in RE This week we explored objects that are special to Islam The children enjoyed getting to touch or look at these special objects as well as discussing their purpose and how to handle them respectfully
Living Things in the Eco Garden
This week the Year 4s observed the characteristics of living things in their school eco-garden Throughout the term, children will be learning in detail about the 7 characteristics of living things and the study of animal classification
DT in Year 1
In Year 1, the children took part in a fun and engaging healthy eating activity for DT. They began by designing their own healthy menu, carefully considering balanced food choices. Following this, they wrote clear instructions for making pitta pizzas and fruit kebabs, focusing on sequencing and using appropriate instructional language. The children then had the opportunity to put their plans into action by preparing and making the food themselves. To celebrate their learning, they enjoyed a healthy picnic together, where they shared and tasted the delicious food they had created.
Year 4
This term in Year 4 Art, the children have explored sculpture and painting through the theme of the Tudor Rose This week, they created their own Tudor Rose sculptures using clay, carefully shaping and constructing their artwork using a range of artistic techniques They also learnt about sighting, a technique used by artists to help measure proportions and improve accuracy when observing and drawing objects The children then painted their Tudor Roses inspired by the work of George Thomson, exploring colour blending, pattern and detail They showed great creativity and enthusiasm throughout the project and were very proud of their finished artwork
Year 5 Theydon Bois
This week, Year 5 visited Theydon Bois for our educational visit to carry out a fieldwork study They observed the area and different amenities, types of nature and wildlife They used their mapping skills, and they worked collaboratively to locate features in the village Through this work, the children developed a great understanding of semi-rural areas and began to contrast this with urban localities
Year 2 Aquarium
Year 2 had a brilliant and fun trip to the aquarium as part of their Science and Geography learning about habitats and coasts. The children enjoyed exploring different sea life and were excited to see amazing creatures up close. It was a fun and memorable day that helped bring their learning to life.
Reception
Continuous provision in Receptionchildren were exploring space theme as well as engaging in own initiative- in moment learning Lots of opportunities for developing language and enriching existing word bank
Year 6
In Year Six, children have had the opportunity to make their own 'Newton Disc' inspired by the work of Sir Isaac Newton in the 17 century. He understood that white light could be separated into seven colours and these spinners are a way of demonstrating that. th
West Ham Academy
Our very own- Umar Adam of class 3E has officially signed a contract with West Ham Academy We are very proud of his achievement and cannot wait to follow his journey of football
Year 3
This week, year 3 visited ‘Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara’, where they learnt about the main lessons of Sikhism and how the religion has influences from other religious practises. Student voice: “One key take away from the priest’s discussion was ‘Sikhs respect all religions’ and the experience was ‘informative and interesting’.” The children particularly enjoyed learning about the Khanda and seeing the different types of swords. It has been a very insightful R.E trip.
Fairplay House
Shaftesbury pupils went on a residential to Fairplay house The children fully immersed themselves in the amazing Fairplay House experience Children have been putting the 5cs into practice constantly with several tasks that not only test themselves and their determination but also their teamwork skills and ability to community effectively as a group
Staff Accolade Nurjha Patel Learning Mentor
Our learning mentor- NurJha has played a vital role in supporting the high number of mid-phase entry pupils settling into our school community. She is friendly, approachable and consistently flexible, always willing to provide support and cover across the school where needed. Nurjha’s positivity, caring nature and ever-present smile make a real difference to both pupils and staff alike. Thank you very much Nurjha for everything you do.
Year 5 Enjoy Memorable Trip to Lille, France
At the beginning of June, our Year 5 pupils embarked on an exciting day trip to Lille, France, giving them the opportunity to put their French language skills into practice in real-life situations.
Throughout the day, children confidently used the French they have been learning in school to communicate while purchasing souvenirs and other items. This valuable experience helped bring their classroom learning to life and gave them a taste of everyday life in France.
Although the day began with some challenging weather, spirits remained high and, fortunately, the skies cleared to reveal beautiful sunshine by the afternoon. Pupils enjoyed exploring the city, learning about the rich history and culture of Lille and gaining a deeper understanding of French life. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the local zoo, where children had the opportunity to observe a variety of animals and learn more about wildlife conservation. It was a fantastic experience that was enjoyed by all. The trip was both educational and enjoyable, providing pupils with lasting memories and increased confidence in their French language skills. By the end of the day, many children were already looking forward to their next visit to France!
Bravo, Year 5!
Year 3 Step Back in Time at the British Museum
Year 3 recently enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to the British Museum as part of their history topic on the Ancient Egyptians.
The visit provided pupils with a fantastic opportunity to bring their classroom learning to life by exploring a range of fascinating Egyptian artefacts, including statues, jewellery, sarcophagi, and ancient inscriptions. Children were amazed by the wealth of history on display and enjoyed discovering how the Ancient Egyptians lived, worked, and worshipped thousands of years ago.
Throughout the day, pupils demonstrated excellent behaviour, enthusiasm and curiosity as they explored the museum ' s world-famous galleries. They asked thoughtful questions, engaged enthusiastically with the exhibits, and deepened their understanding of key aspects of Ancient Egyptian civilisation, including mummification, pharaohs and hieroglyphics. The trip was a valuable learning experience and provided pupils with a deeper appreciation of one of the world's most fascinating ancient cultures. Year 3 returned to school inspired and eager to continue their learning about the Ancient Egyptians. Well done, Year 3, for representing Clara Grant Primary School so brilliantly!
Building Bright Futures: Construction Industry Inspires Clara Grant Pupils
Last Friday, we were delighted to welcome members of the construction team from the One Appold Street project to Clara Grant Primary School for an inspiring and informative day with our pupils
The team delivered engaging presentations to Key Stage 2 children, providing valuable insight into the wide range of careers available within the construction industry Pupils learned about the different job roles involved in bringing a largescale construction project to life, from engineers and architects to project managers and site teams The visitors also highlighted the importance of health and safety, teamwork, communication, and supporting one another's mental wellbeing in the workplace
Following the presentations, the team worked closely with our Year 5 pupils on an exciting hands-on challenge Children were tasked with designing and constructing a model of a building they would like to live in, encouraging them to think creatively while applying problem-solving, teamwork, and design skills The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the activity and were proud to share their innovative ideas with the construction professionals
The visit provided a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about future career pathways while developing a deeper understanding of the skills and qualities needed to succeed in the world of work
A huge thank you to the One Appold Street team for giving their time, expertise and enthusiasm to inspire the next generation Their visit was both educational and memorable, and our pupils gained valuable knowledge and skills that will stay with them for years to come
Staff Accolade: Ms Robinson
Ms Robinson is an absolute asset to our Early Years team Her warmth, patience and dedication create a nurturing environment where every child feels valued and supported She consistently goes above and beyond for both the children and her colleagues, always ready to lend a helping hand and uplift those around her
Year 6 Visit Morgan Stanley
During the visit to Morgan Stanley, children took part in an engaging chocolate trading game that helped them understand the concept of supply and demand. Through strategic decisionmaking and teamwork, they developed valuable skills such as communication, problem-solving and thinking ahead. The experience was both enjoyable and highly educational.
Tollgate Football Team
The team had an excellent tournament in the annual Neham Football Tournament, finishing top of their group unbeaten with two wins and one draw They reached the semi-finals, drawing 1–1 at full time, before a tense penalty shoot-out that went to sudden death, where they were narrowly defeated Showing great resilience, the team went on to win the 3rd/4th place play-off 1–0 Goals on the day came from Nile (3), Luca and Maksim
Get Real Youth Workshops
Pupils in Years 5 and 6 recently took part in a series of engaging and informative workshops delivered by Get Real Youth. These sessions focused on key safeguarding themes relevant to pupils approaching transition to secondary school.
The workshops covered Knife crime and personal safety, Secondary school transition, Child exploitation (including county lines) and Harmful social media use.
The sessions were age-appropriate, interactive, and designed to empower pupils with knowledge and confidence. Pupils were encouraged to ask questions, discuss real-life scenarios, and reflect on how to keep themselves and others safe. Feedback from staff and pupils was very positive, with many demonstrating increased awareness of risks and a clearer understanding of how to respond to challenging situations.
Governor Pupil Voice
During the recent Governors’ Day, governors met with pupils across the school to gather their views on the curriculum Children spoke confidently about what they have been learning and shared what they enjoy most, including engaging lessons and practical activities Governors were pleased to see pupils’ enthusiasm for learning and pride in their work, gaining valuable insight into the impact of the school’s curriculum
Staff Appreciation Corner
We would like to recognise the hard work of Maddie Rodgers who has been an excellent addition to the team since starting in Y3 at Christmas. Her hard work and willingness to try new things has been excellent!
QTS Final Assessment Visits
Enoch at Excelsior Academy in Hackney - part of Community Schools Trust.
Melissa at Royal Liberty in Havering.
QTS Final Assessment visit
Saira at Crownfield Infants School in Havering
QTS Final Assessment Visits
Successful trainees at Drapers’ Academy and Hall Mead School in Havering.
QTS Final Assessment Visit
Ellie at Scargill Junior School in Havering
Primary QTS Final Assessment Visits
Sameha at Clara and Conor at Whybridge Juniors in Havering.
Quality Assurance and Fidelity Check Visit
A Quality Assurance and fidelity check across Beal, The Forest Academy, and Beal Business Innovation Hub (an Alternative Provision school) in Redbridge Meetings were held with the Induction Tutor, Liz; Principals of each school; alongside engagement insight from ECT1s, ECT2s, and mentors through both in-person and virtual sessions
These sessions form a crucial part of meeting our DfE targets and KPIs across the Teaching School Hub
Early Career Teacher Reduction of Induction
Michelle visited Olive AP Academy to agree a reduction of Induction for their KS3 Foot Tech teacher.
As you can see - the outcome of the session was kebabs!
LDE Out and About...
Not 100% sure why we only have 1 picture of Sarah out and about this week!
Maybe we need to rename this section: the travels of Sarah Bartley!
Many of us went to other schools this week, but naughty LDE team members ‘forget’ to take photos!
NPQs Recruitment Open!
All schools in the Boleyn Trust are strategically placing their staff onto NPQs from Autumn Term
We are having a focused Boleyn Trust NPQ SEND group this year, led by Martin Stanley our Trust SEND Lead
We also have many more teachers attending NPQ Early Years Leadership - which is a bit like NPQH for Early Years leads
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
