WAT Family Bulletin January 2024 Dear WAT Family, I hope you have enjoyed a positive start to the new school term and my thanks for all you are doing to ensure a strong sense of belonging and hope across the WAT family. In our first WAT Family Bulletin of 2024, I am delighted to extend a very warm welcome to the newest members of our trust - Clayton Hall Academy, Newcastle Academy and Sir Thomas Boughey Academy, along with former United Endeavour Trust central team members - following their successful transfer to the WAT Family on 1st January. I had the privilege of spending time at each school and with our new central team colleagues during the first few days of term and was deeply impressed by everyone’s dedication and shared commitment to unlocking the academic and personal potential of our young people. I know everyone will help our new colleagues feel very welcome. Following the growth of our family this academic year from nine to 15 schools, it was wonderful to bring together over 90 leaders from across the trust for a brilliant professional development session on enabling impact this week. The session, which I co-delivered with Leyla Palmer, Head of Professional Learning and Talent, looked at how we effectively lead change at scale and the importance of collaboration in driving our collective success. This month also saw the the launch of the Metacognition and Self Regulation Strand of the Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIA) programme. The strand is being delivered by WAT in partnership with the DfE and I am immensely proud that we have been asked to lead such an important initiative in our region. At the launch event, schools from across Sandwell and Walsall came together to find out more about the opportunity to work alongside Doug Lemov and his team at Teach Like a Champion. You can read more about this later in the Bulletin. Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude to staff across the family for their valuable input in the feedback sessions and focus groups following our staff experience and wellbeing survey. Your honesty is greatly appreciated. Senior leadership teams in schools and our central team will now be working closely with staff to implement actions in response to your feedback. In addition, headteachers will share with you the positive results from our recent student experience and wellbeing survey. As a family of schools, we were above the national benchmarks in all areas - a real testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented staff in helping our young people to thrive and feel a sense of belonging. As we embark on this new chapter as a family of 15 schools, I know we will continue to work together with passion and dedication. I am confident that, with our collective efforts, we will achieve even more great things and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of our students. Thank you, as always, for your unwavering commitment. Warm regards Dawn Haywood CEO Windsor Academy Trust
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move One High Performing Schools Tag Rugby tournament showcases spirited teamwork and skills A vibrant festival of sport unfolded at Windsor High School and Sixth Form, the proud hosts of this year's tag rugby tournament. The event brought together a medley of talent from Cheslyn Hay Academy, Great Wyrley Academy, Kingswinford Academy, and the host team, each ready to make their mark on the field. Students from Years 7 and 8 filled the grounds with an electrifying mix of anticipation and competitive spirit, all eager to demonstrate their prowess in the strategic and fast-paced game of tag rugby. Boys Tournament Highlights: From the initial whistle, the boys' tournament was a showcase of strategic plays and dynamic runs. Cheslyn Hay Academy stood out with their cohesive team plays and sharp reflexes. Their ability to switch from defence to attack seamlessly earned them the champion's title, making them the team to beat in future events. Girls Tournament Highlights: The girls' tournament was equally charged with energy. Windsor High School and Sixth Form's team, with their synchronised tags and strategic passing, broke through their opponents' defences time and again. Their determination paid off, leading them to a well-deserved victory and setting a high bar for future competitions. Teamwork and Leadership: Special commendations go to our Year 12 Leaders, whose refereeing was pivotal to the success of the matches. They guided the games with authority and respect, ensuring that the spirit of fair play was upheld throughout. The tournament came to an end with teams Cheslyn Hay and Windsor High School and Sixth Form holding their victories aloft, but the true triumph was the unity and joy shared by all participants. The event celebrated the spirit of sport far beyond the final scores. For an immersive recap, watch the video below:
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move One High Performing Schools
First place for Great Wyrley dancer in Blackpool Over the Christmas break, Great Wyrley Academy student, Kenzie, went to Winter Gardens in Blackpool to compete in dance at the prestigious venue. His first competition was ballroom in the teacher/student additional needs category in which Kenzie took 1st place. Next was Latin in the teacher/student additional needs category, for which Kenzie also came first. Furthermore, he was entered for the Ruby 14 - 15 category, and danced his way straight through to the semi finals. Huge congratulations to Kenzie. Here he is, proud as punch, with his winner’s trophies.
Kingswinford student to represent the UK in maths Following his success in the British Mathematical Olympiad, Kingswinford Academy student, Sam Griffiths, has been selected to represent the UK in the upcoming International Mathematical Olympiads. The first part of the competition got underway shortly after Christmas when Sam flew to Hungary for the maths training camp. Here, Sam took part in individual problem solving exercises, lectures from visiting speakers, group problem solving, and mathematical games. The main Olympiad is being hosted in the UK this year and will take place in Bath in July. Congratulations, Sam, and good luck!
Windsor High School girls enjoy basketball success Windsor High School and Sixth Form U14 girls played Kinver High School in the Basketball League in December and won with a staggering score of 50-6. They played brilliantly and did the school so proud - well done!
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move One High Performing Schools
Performing arts showcase at Clayton Hall and Sir Thomas Boughey In early January, students from Clayton Hall Academy and Sir Thomas Boughey Academy enjoyed sharing all of their hard work with staff and parents in the schools’ annual performing arts show 'The Power of Love'. The event was held at The Rep Theatre in Stoke, and students loved performing on a 'real' stage with a 'real green room' and 'real wings'. Families and community members enjoyed a wide range of performances from Dance, Chekov, Wicked, Shakespeare, Six and Oliver. There were some fantastic individual performances and an incredible sense of peer support and teamwork. Just superb!
Milton Primary achieves Artsmark Silver Milton Primary Academy has been awarded the Artsmark Silver Award in recognition of the school’s fantastic arts provision. The award recognises the significance of these subjects in the curriculum and reflects an important part of what the school does. Here are some of views from pupils around their experience of the arts at Milton Primary Academy:
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move One High Performing Schools
Spencer in Year 3 said: “I love Art because it's a subject where I can be creative. When I look through my art sketchbook I feel proud of all of the different pieces I have created." Sophie in Year 3 said, "I really love that in Music we have all sang together on stage at the Victoria Hall. We performed in front of hundreds of people!" Abigail in Year 6 said: "I've had the experience of playing the keyboard and performing in a band in front of the whole school in different Rocksteady concerts. I have loved performing at Milton since I joined last year." Well done to everyone at Milton Primary Academy!
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Two Staff Talent Relive the WAT Staff Conference: Thriving We are delighted to share with you the video highlights from the Windsor Academy Trust Conference 2023, Thriving; a vivid celebration of community, belonging, hope, and educational excellence. The conference exemplified our commitment to creating a nurturing environment where both educators and students feel a profound sense of belonging and are inspired to look towards the future with optimism.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Two Staff Talent NPQH and NPQSL applications We are excited to offer the NPQ for Senior Leadership and NPQ for Headship, beginning in February 2024. These courses are currently fully funded for state schools, however, this is the last cohort funded by the Education Recovery Package. To ensure that you don’t miss out, apply for an NPQ with us by 4th February. Our NPQs are delivered by seasoned educators to address the challenges and rewards of school leadership. Windsor Academy Trust is recognised for its outstanding reputation in delivering professional development that makes a real difference. To apply, visit our website here: NPQSL NPQH Select the following options on your application: ● Region: West Midlands ● Associate College: Windsor Academy Trust ● Programme Start Date: February 2024 To book your place email us at: cpl@windsoracademytrust.org.uk For comprehensive details about our NPQ courses and other Continuous Professional Learning opportunities, please visit the Windsor Academy Trust website or contact us at cpl@windsoracademytrust.org.uk.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Two Staff Talent Come and Train to Teach event As part of our role as an Associate College with the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), on Thursday 1st February, we will be holding an open event for anyone interested in finding out more about Initial Teacher Training with Windsor Academy Trust. The drop in, in-person event will be held at WAT’s Halesowen office from 10am to 5pm with a virtual event running from 5pm to 6pm. If you know anyone who may be interested in the event, please do get in touch via the email below. Applications for our Initial Teacher Training programme are open for our September 2024 intake and to support the application process, we are offering a staff referral scheme, with a £200 Amazon voucher gifted to any staff member who recommends a trainee who goes on to undertake and complete their training with us. To find out more, please email us at teachertraining@windsoracademytrust.org.uk
National Apprenticeship Week National Apprenticeship Week takes place from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th February and is an opportunity for organisations across the UK to come together to showcase the many benefits of doing an apprenticeship. During that week, we will be sharing the journey of some of our own apprentices and celebrating their achievements to date. At WAT, we are committed to helping staff reach their potential utilising a range of development opportunities. As well as the significant programmes of development that we design and deliver ourselves, we also utilise apprenticeships to develop existing and newly recruited staff. You can find out more about a range of relevant apprenticeships available for those within education here.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Three Two Staff Leadership Civic Talent Making a difference in our schools’ communities Since the start of this academic year, Civic Leads across the WAT Family have been working to embed the trust’s new Civic codified approach in their schools and identifying an area of focus where they feel they can make a real difference in their communities. Alongside this, Civic Leads are developing action plans to support this, from creating ‘pride of place’ in Great Wyrley to supporting parents and toddlers with their transition to school in Stoke. The aim of the codified approach is to support schools across the WAT Family in building a deeper understanding of their community and provide a clear framework for delivering civic impact. The document is grounded in research from across the schools and universities sectors and includes a range of useful templates to support schools in the delivery of their civic activities. We’ll share more about each school’s civic focus as they develop!
‘Brew Monday’ at Windsor High School and Sixth Form Instead of ‘Blue’ Monday, Windsor High School and Sixth Form had themselves a ‘Brew’ Monday! Staff enjoyed a cuppa and a pastry in the staff room before school on Monday 15th January, annually known as ‘Blue Monday’, providing a chance to catch up on the weekend, chat with colleagues and raise money for the Samaritans.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Three Two Staff Leadership Civic Talent Collaborative partnerships between schools and NHS trusts Last year, we began exploring how we could maximise our civic impact further by taking a strategic and collaborative approach with the NHS trusts serving our schools’ communities. In particular, we were keen to look at ways in which we could work with NHS partners to support: 1) the early prevention of health issues in young people; 2) community health services on school sites and; 3) workforce development, encouraging young people to consider both clinical and non-clinical health and social care roles within the NHS. Much work has been going on in the background and we are delighted to now be fully engaged with NHS partners in each of our learning communities. We have a number of exciting projects underway, including a primary school careers pilot with Stoke and North Staffordshire NHS Trust, a secondary school careers pilot with Birmingham Children’s Hospital, an asthma and community health programme with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, and developing pilots around vaping and mental health in South Staffordshire with Midlands Partnership NHS Trust. We are also in early talks with Walsall NHS Trust and Dudley NHS Trust on similar projects. We’ll share more on this as the partnerships develop.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Four Three Civic Leadership Sustainability WAT Schools sign up to DfE Nature Park’s Hidden Nature Challenge Schools across the WAT family will be taking part in the Hidden Nature Challenge this term, as part of the Department for Education’s Nature Park initiative. Hidden Nature is all about growing confidence in learning outside, and developing observation and recording skills. Students will spend time outside, discovering the hidden nature on our school sites, before uploading their findings to an online map. The shared map will then allow schools to see hidden nature being revealed in places of education across the country. Find out more here.
Windsor Olympus opens its ECO Hub The much-anticipated ECO Hub at Windsor Olympus Academy is now open! Under the guidance of Mr. Carroll, dedicated students at the school are already embarking on curriculum-based projects, showcasing their commitment to learning and the outside environment. Complete with saplings, meadow and pond, the ECO Hub will be a key part of student life at Windsor Olympus and offer a thriving habitat of biodiversity. In the outdoor classroom, students will gain hands-on experience of what it means to build a sustainable environment, enjoy nature and look after our planet. All this while gaining the well-established benefits to health that are associated with being outdoors.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Five WAT Reach WAT welcomes Newcastle under Lyme schools to the family On the 1st January, WAT welcomed three new secondary academies to our family of schools as the transfer of Staffordshire-based Clayton Hall Academy, Newcastle Academy and Sir Thomas Boughey Academy successfully completed. The addition of the three new schools creates a new learning community for WAT in North Staffordshire and brings the WAT family to 15 academies, comprising seven primary and eight secondary schools across the West Midlands region. The decision to transfer Clayton Hall Academy, Newcastle Academy and Sir Thomas Boughey Academy to WAT came after an extensive due diligence process, with the United Endeavour Trust (UET) Board unanimously agreeing that joining with WAT would be beneficial for the future of its three schools. The similarities in educational vision and values between UET and WAT were crucial in the decision-making process. WAT’s proven track record of school improvement and financial stability, along with an experienced executive team and Board of Trustees, were also compelling factors in the decision. Dawn Haywood, WAT CEO, said: "We warmly welcome Clayton Hall Academy, Newcastle Academy, Sir Thomas Boughey Academy and former UET central team colleagues to our family and look forward to working closely together to continue to create thriving environments where every child can unlock their academic and personal potential."
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Five WAT Reach Central offices With the addition of our North Staffordshire schools, the central team will now operate out of three office locations as follows: ● ● ●
WAT Halesowen Office (formerly WAT Central) WAT Great Wyrley Office (formerly WAT North) WAT Newcastle under Lyme Office (based at Newcastle Academy)
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Five WAT Reach WAT’s former CEO awarded an MBE Over the holiday period, we received the fantastic news that Keith Sorrell, WAT's former CEO, has been awarded an MBE for his exceptional services to education. Keith's dedication, spanning six years as CEO for WAT and an impressive 16 years as headteacher at Windsor High School and Sixth Form, has left an indelible mark on education in our region. We can all take pride in this well-deserved recognition, celebrating our collective efforts in putting children first and striving to improve their life chances.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Five WAT Reach WAT partners with the DfE to launch the Sandwell and Walsall PEIA programme to schools It was a privilege to support the launch of the Metacognition and Self Regulation Strand of the Department for Education’s Priority Education Investment Areas (PEIA) programme earlier this month. Schools from across Sandwell and Walsall came together at West Brom Football Club to find out more about the exciting and innovative opportunity to work alongside the globally recognised Doug Lemov and his team at the launch for the programme. The Metacognition and Self Regulation strand of the programme, which is being delivered by WAT in partnership with the DfE and runs from January 2024 to March 2025, is designed to enable long-term and sustainable impact in the region. By participating in this strand of the activity, schools will receive access to some of the most experienced educational leaders and experts in the UK and abroad, including WAT’s Sonya Lanckham, Becky Anderson and Gavina Raindi, and will become part of a localised movement to impact student outcomes for years to come.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024
Big Move Five WAT Reach
Windsor High School and Sixth Form Alumni Network In a commitment to lifelong connections and achievements, the Windsor Alumni Network is proving to be a vital link between past and present students. Accessible through the school's website at www.windsorsixthform.org.uk/alumni/, this dynamic network serves as a virtual bridge, offering a shared space for alumni to stay informed about school updates, share accomplishments, and reflect on the transformative moments of their educational journey. Education doesn't stop when you leave Windsor - the Alumni Network provides continuous learning opportunities, including the chance for former students to present to current students at ASPIRE workshops about their learning journey and career path. More than just a network, this is a community that celebrates achievements, nurtures connections, and shapes the future of education. As alumni continue to make their mark on the world, the network remains a beacon of inspiration for current and future students, showcasing the boundless possibilities beyond the classroom.
WAT Family Bulletin January 2024 Enabler 1: Digital Technology
Arbor transition begins in WAT primaries As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance communication and streamline essential information and data for staff and parents, we have this month started our transition from SIMS/Integris to Arbor in primary schools across the family. Over February half term, we will commence the transition of our secondary schools continuing the alignment of all schools in WAT using the Arbor platform. The comprehensive and user-friendly online platform consolidates various functions used throughout the school, including attendance, assessment and behaviour as well as parent payment systems and parental communications, making it easier for staff to view important data and parents to stay informed. Some key benefits Arbor has to offer are: ● ● ● ●
Consolidation of Information - all school-related information will be accessible from a single platform for parents and staff. Arbor is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it easier for staff and parents to navigate and access information. The Parent Portal will streamline communication channels, ensuring important messages are received promptly. Arbor is a cloud based MIS which increases our cyber security, promotes sustainability through reducing the servers we have on site and allows for more flexible working.