WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Dear WAT Family, As we enter the last few weeks of the autumn term, I want to thank you for all your hard work, dedication and commitment. I know that the needs of children are more than they have ever been and your determination to be a champion for children is deeply appreciated. Being an educator is by no means the easiest job in the world, but it is a job that makes one of the biggest differences. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all staff participating in the feedback sessions that are currently taking place centrally and in schools following our recent staff experience and wellbeing survey. Your valuable insights are providing us with a deeper understanding of the areas where we are doing well and those that require our attention. Once these sessions have concluded, we will start to undertake focus groups with at least 10% of staff across the family to delve into the specifics of your feedback, ensure your voices are heard and valued, and to agree together actionable strategies that will further enhance our working environments. I am also very much looking forward to our WAT family conference, with this year’s theme ‘Thriving’, taking place at the ICC on Friday 8th December. The event will provide an opportunity for all of us to come together, share ideas and gain insights that will help us, our children and our communities to thrive. The programme for the day is packed with inspirational and internationally renowned keynote speakers, insightful masterclass sessions and the invaluable opportunity to engage with colleagues in our Big Moves in Practice Zone. Furthermore, we will have the privilege of witnessing remarkable performances by our immensely talented students as well as time to celebrate our exceptional staff during the WAT Awards. As we move into December and the Christmas lights begin to brighten the darker evenings, I encourage you all to take the time to enjoy the festivities that will be taking place across our schools. It’s my favourite time of the year as our children are so full of joy and Christmas cheer. It’s important that our staff feel this too and I want to thank you for everything you’re doing to make it such a special time for our young people. Your enthusiasm and hard work continue to inspire me as we strive for excellence in everything we do. Warm regards,
Dawn Haywood CEO Windsor Academy Trust
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move One High Performing Schools Harnessing the Power of Positivity at Colley Lane On Wednesday 15th November, pupils and staff at Colley Lane embraced the Power of the Positive as they took part in Positive Noticing Day. This is the second year that Colley Lane has held this event and forms part of the Paul Dix “When The Adults Change” approach to behaviour. During the day, everyone was given a brown label to write on a positive comment or words about a friend, classmate or teacher and then wear the positive acknowledgements on their bag, jumper or wrist. The positive energy that this created was clear to see and spread onto the playground at the end of the day. As it states on the campaign website: “ The impact of positive noticing is both immediate and long-lasting. It helps build self-esteem and confidence in children and shifts the culture in the classroom so that the right behaviour is always the most sought after behaviour.”
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move One High Performing Schools Pupil Senate Leads the Way at Milton Pupils from the Pupil Senate at Milton Primary Academy demonstrated the Aspire Value of ‘Responsibility’ this month by taking part in a Health and Safety Walk and showcasing their commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all. The children diligently observed and reported various aspects of health and safety around the school premises. Their findings were then shared with our ‘competent person’, contributing valuable insights to further enhance the well-being of our school community. In recognition of their efforts, all participants had the opportunity to enter the monthly draw. We are pleased to announce that a lucky Year 6 student has emerged as the winner. This deserving child will be riding in style as they received a brand-new bike and a helmet. This initiative not only reinforces the importance of responsibility but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration among our pupils. We extend our congratulations to all participants and express our gratitude for their dedication to creating a safe and secure learning environment.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move One High Performing Schools The Wizarding World of Windsor High School To mark Harry Potter Book Day the school library at Windsor High School and Sixth Form held some wonderful wizarding events with the school’s Science Technicians creating fantastic science experiments based on the books. The Sorting Station - the students had to pick a sample from 20 beakers containing different colourless liquids and then add the 'sorting solution' to reveal the colour of the Hogwarts House they were in. The solutions turned either red, yellow, green or blue, based on the chemical present. Potions and Spells - students watched a series of demonstrations and then had to work out, based on the colour that the chemical reaction revealed, what sort of spell/potion it was, e.g. the pink colour was revealed to be a 'love potion'. Levitation Spells - four different experiments using static electricity to move objects took place; by rubbing balloons on their blazers the students were able to create enough charge to move a can of Polyjuice Potion and levitate the 'wings' of the golden snitch, without physically touching them. Shoot the Dementor - this was a fun experiment where the students used an Airzooka to create a doughnut shaped ball of air, which they aimed towards our homemade Dementor in an effort to ruffle its cloak and make it move. Thank you to Windsor’s Science Technicians for creating this wonderful, magical session!
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move One High Performing Schools Windsor Band Shines at The River Rooms Windsor High School and Sixth Form’s school band, E22, showcased their talent again at The River Rooms in Stourbridge. With an impressive turnout of approximately 250 attendees, the band successfully sold 54 tickets for the event, securing a second-to-last slot in the line-up, narrowly missing the coveted headline spot. The performance delivered by E22 surpassed all expectations. Their remarkable confidence and commanding stage presence elevated their show to new heights. While we often commend their efforts, this particular performance truly stood out. Even the venue staff took notice, offering high praise for their exceptional set. We are immensely proud of the progress they have made since their first performance just over a year ago. E22 continues to exceed our expectations and demonstrate their remarkable growth as musicians.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move One High Performing Schools Kingswinford’s Got Talent Amidst the applause and cheers, Kingswinford's Got Talent 2023 crowned its shining star, Lola Wooldridge, a Year 10 student at Kingswinford Academy, as the deserving champion. From a modest audition to a mesmerising, show-stopping performance, Lola's journey has been an inspiring testament to passion and dedication. Lola's ascent through the competition showcased not just her remarkable talent but also her commitment to her craft. With sheer determination and an unwavering dedication, Lola emerged victorious, earning the coveted title of ‘Kingswinford's Got Talent 2023 Champion’. The excitement doesn't end here for Lola. Her win has earned her a prestigious opportunity to headline the upcoming Kingswinford Light Switch On 2023 event. It's an honour that highlights not just her talent but also the promise of a bright future ahead.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Two Staff Talent Windsor Academy Trust Conference: Thriving With our WAT Conference, themed 'Thriving', now fast approaching please look out for key communication that you will be receiving shortly about this exciting event. In the spirit of sustainability, our conference programme this year will be shared with you as a digital document and will include a full overview of the day including the agenda, keynote speakers and registration information, lunch arrangements and an exciting new development entitled our "Big Moves in Practice Zone". We assure you that this will be an event you won't want to miss. We believe that thriving as leaders, educators and professional services staff is crucial for our individual growth and the continued success of our schools and the young people within the Windsor Academy Trust family. This conference will provide an opportunity for all of us to come together, share ideas and gain insights that will help us thrive in our roles. The conference is not only a platform for professional development but also an occasion to connect with colleagues from across the family, exchange experiences and inspire one another. We are confident that 'Thriving' will empower all of us to enhance our impact on the young people we serve. A huge thank you to all of you who contributed to nominating others for the WAT Staff Awards and we are really looking forward to celebrating the hard-work and dedication of all of our staff on this special day as well as recognising key contributions from the shortlisted nominees and overall award winners on the day. Thank you for also selecting your chosen masterclass sessions which are sure to be a key highlight of the event. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Two Staff Talent Leadership NPQ Applications with the National Institute of Teaching We are pleased to announce that the NPQ for Senior Leadership and NPQ for Headship applications, in partnership with our new Lead provider the National Institute of Teaching, starting in February 2024, are NOW OPEN. Interested applicants can find out more about this course, including the link to apply here: NPQ information When completing the application form applicants will need to select the following options: Region: West Midlands Associate College: Windsor Academy Trust Programme Start Date: February 2024 You can also find further information on all our NPQ courses (including course structure, content and eligibility) and our other CPL opportunities on the Windsor Academy Trust Website or you can email us at cpl@windsoracademytrust.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn for regular updates.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Two Staff Talent Initial Teacher Training - Staff Referral Scheme As part of WAT’s partnership with the National Institute of Teaching as an Associate College, we are proud to announce that from September 2024 we will be offering our own teacher training provision. Applications for our Initial Teacher Training programme are now open for our September 2024 intake. Initial Teacher Training is a fully immersive school-centred programme, with school placements available in one of our 12 schools or at one of the six Dudley Academy Trust schools. Applicants will be able to choose their main placement school when applying and we will endeavour to do our best to place applicants in their first choice school. Our trainees are also mentored and have central training once a week. All of our teacher training courses lead to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) and 60 Master’s Level credits. Interested applicants can find out more via our Initial Teacher Training webpage and can apply via the DfE Apply website. You can find us using our provider code 2HE or search for NIoT at WAT. 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
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Two Staff Talent Staff Pay Award and Pay Progressions Teaching staff: This year’s pay award, which has been agreed between the Department for Education and unions, and this year’s approved pay progressions, which have been agreed by the Pay Committee, have now been finalised and will appear in your November pay. This will include a backdated payment to 1st September 2023. Professional services staff: This month, the pay award for professional services staff, which is agreed between the Department for Education and unions, has been approved nationally. We always aim to ensure staff receive the pay award as soon as possible. As the pay award was agreed after the cut off date for November pay, this will now be reflected in your December pay and will be backdated to 1st September 2023. For professional services staff at Milton Primary Academy and Greenways Primary Academy, pay awards will be paid in line with the terms of your TUPE agreement and you will have received an email from your school’s HR lead with full details. Approved pay progressions for professional services staff (grade 10 and above), which have been agreed by the Pay Committee, have now been finalised and will appear in your November pay. This will include a backdated payment to 1st September 2023. Professional services staff (grade 1 to 9) that were due an increment this year received this in September 2023. Finally, a reminder that December's pay date will be early and staff will be paid on the 21st December 2023.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Two Staff Talent WAT Staff Wellbeing Group The summer term of 22/23 saw the launch of the WAT Staff Wellbeing Group to focus on staff health and wellbeing across the family and in each school. The group meets half-termly and is currently undertaking an audit against the DfE Wellbeing Charter, putting in place action plans and sharing best practice across schools. The WAT Wellbeing Champions for each school and the central team are listed below: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Central Team - Raiela Ali and Claire Gething Cheslyn Hay Academy - Sarah Moseley and Sophie Halsted Colley Lane Primary Academy - Jess Edwards Goldsmith Primary Academy - Sharon Middleton Great Wyrley Academy - Sarah Sanford and Nigel Wheeler Greenways Primary Academy - Megan Hazeldine Kingswinford Academy - Becky Deakin Manor Way Primary Academy - Dee Woodward Milton Primary Academy - Laura Parry Rivers Primary Academy - Matt Plant Tenterfields Primary Academy - Dee Woodward Windsor High School and Sixth Form - Gavina Raindi and Laura Dovey Windsor Olympus Academy - Tracy Cockayne
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Three Two Staff Leadership Civic Talent Windsor Academy Trust’s Remembrance Activities Schools from across the Windsor Academy Trust family came together this month to join the nation in remembrance, taking time to pause, breathe and reflect on the service and sacrifices the Armed Forces make on our behalf. As an Armed Forces friendly organisation, staff and students at each of our 12 schools marked Remembrance Day in a variety of poignant ways to proudly stand with service men and women to mark this important occasion. From the Poppy Appeal and wreath laying to student cadets and Remembrance Day parades, here are just some of the ways our family of schools paid its respects: Greenways Primary Academy's students and staff showed great respect at their local Cenotaph. The entire student body partook in a deeply moving two-minute silence, demonstrating collective reverence. At Kingswinford Academy, a sense of pride was evident as key students participated in a local parade and laid a wreath on behalf of their school – a significant gesture of remembrance. Rivers Primary Academy blended creativity with commemoration by creating class wreaths for a profound school-wide assembly. Their Head Boy and Girl represented the school at Blakenall's Peace Tree Service with dignity.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Three Two Staff Leadership Civic Talent
Milton Primary Academy's whole school remembrance service on the playground, which was open to parents, fostered a true sense of community. Their Junior Leadership Team also paid respects at a local crematorium service. Windsor High School and Sixth Form engaged students in a Creative Writing competition centred on WW1, coupled with informative assemblies, enriching their understanding of the significance of remembrance. Great Wyrley Academy's entire school united in a two-minute silence, with students in uniformed organisations leading the wreath-laying in the school's garden. Kelly Moore, headteacher, and select students also honoured the fallen at the Great Wyrley Memorial Gardens. Cheslyn Hay Academy marked Remembrance Day with impactful activities including house assemblies discussing the historical and modern-day impacts of war. The school community actively supported the Poppy Appeal, selling commemorative items at lunchtime. A poignant moment was the whole school, alongside members of the local British Legion and students in various uniforms, gathering on the tennis courts for a two-minute silence - a revered tradition deeply ingrained in the school's culture. Windsor Olympus Academy created a unique and touching tribute by gathering all students in a circle while a teacher performed the Last Post and a student read a poignant poem. This act brought the entire school together in a moment of profound reflection.
A Partnership Approach to Civic Leadership We were delighted that a blog co-written by WAT CEO, Dawn Haywood, and CEO of the Foundation Group of NHS Trusts, Glen Burley, on how collaborative partnerships between school and NHS trusts can help maximise public benefit was published this month on the Confederation of School Trusts’ blog. Read the article in full here: https://cstuk.org.uk/news-publications/cst-blogs/maximising-public-benefit-and-civic-duty/
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Four Three Civic Leadership Sustainability Sustainable Education Summit: Bridging Cultures for a Greener Tomorrow A Two-Day Journey of Learning and Collaboration This month, Windsor Academy Trust took part in a landmark two-day event promoting sustainability and student agency. Day One: The Sustainable Education Summit at Windmill Village The event, hosted by Schools of Tomorrow, commenced at the Windmill Village Hotel, Golf Club & Spa, where the first day was marked by significant contributions from key WAT figures and sustainability experts, speaking to over 120 teachers and students from across the UK and Europe. Colley Lane Primary Academy Headteacher, Dominic Simpson, and Windsor Academy Trust’s Director of Operations, Chris Berry, were among the prominent speakers. Along with a number of our students, they shared thoughts and experiences, embodying the ethos of environmental care and stewardship at the heart of WAT's mission.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Four Three Civic Leadership Sustainability Day Two: Intercultural Exchange at Windsor Academy Trust The Sustainable Education Summit that took place on Day One set the tone for the cultural and educational exchange on the following day. European schools, including Collegi Montserrat Barcelona, Cals College Nieuwegein, and Ir Lely Lyceum Amsterdam as well as Windsor High School, presented their own sustainable strategies and achievements. The workshops, which were hosted at Windsor High School and Sixth Form and WAT Central, focused on practical sustainability solutions, a direct reflection of Big Move Four of the WAT strategy. Building a Network of Sustainable Schools The creation of a network for ongoing collaboration among schools emerged as a key achievement, signifying a major step towards WAT's aspiration to be a leader in sustainable education. This two-day event not only showcased the students' impressive commitment to environmental issues but also highlighted the leadership and vision of WAT educators and administrators. Their collective efforts and the enthusiastic participation of students exemplified the ethos of caring for the environment and the drive towards becoming carbon neutral, core to Big Move Four.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Four Three Civic Leadership Sustainability Green Careers Week To celebrate Green Careers Week, Windsor High School and Sixth Form has committed to celebrating sustainability all month with lots of exciting opportunities for students. The school’s Careers Lead, Mrs Brookes, shared different Green Careers with students each week in November to get students talking about why sustainability is important in the workplace. Parents have been sent the Green Careers Guide to try to encourage conversations with their child about these types of careers. A renewable energy engineer also visited in November to discuss green careers with students. Finally, the school also held an Eco Enterprise House Competition where students designed a sustainable product or service. They needed to think about cost, the environmental impact, minimising waste, and locally sourced materials with the winners receiving House credits.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023
Big Move Five WAT Reach
United Endeavour Trust prepares to join the WAT Family This month, members of the Executive and Central teams spent a day with United Endeavour Trust (UET) to begin onboarding and consulting with staff and parents ahead of Clayton Hall Academy, Newcastle Academy and Sir Thomas Boughey Academy joining the WAT family in early 2024. We spent time with the headteachers of each of the schools to discuss the transition plan and presented to staff and parents about what the transfer will mean for them. Staff and parents are incredibly excited to be joining our family and we look forward to welcoming them to our conference at the ICC on Friday 8th December.
WAT Family Bulletin November 2023 Enabler 3: Resource Allocation Annual Financial Audit As we near the completion of WAT's external financial audit, it's worth reflecting on the journey we've taken thus far. Our audit, which commenced during the summer break, transitioned through an interim phase and culminated in a comprehensive three-week on-site review throughout late October. It's important to note that this external audit is a mandated process for all companies, including Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), requiring an annual financial evaluation. This assessment focuses on three pivotal areas: ●
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Ensuring the financial position is deemed "True and Fair" - affirming that WAT's financial standing for the year ending August 31, 2023, accurately represents income and expenditure in accordance with accounting standards. Adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Academy Trust Handbook and responsibly managing public funds within government policies. Identifying any potential weaknesses in internal financial controls, encompassing issues like unsigned invoices or unauthorised purchase requisitions, as per finance policies. The auditors rigorously sampled and tested over 250 transactions across our Trust.
We're thrilled to announce at this juncture that the auditors have not pinpointed any significant errors or financial control weaknesses. This achievement is a testament to the entire WAT community diligently following established financial procedures, reflecting the success we've maintained in previous external audits. Your commitment and support have been integral to achieving this successful audit. It's crucial to acknowledge that substantial findings during an audit could significantly impact the Trust and hinder our capacity to fulfil our strategic objectives. The Finance Team extends its gratitude to everyone in our schools for their patience and cooperation throughout September and October. Your support enabled the WAT family to accurately record nearly £45 million, furthering our mission to unlock the academic and personal potential of our young people.