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Autumn 2025 Trust Newsletter | ISSUE 30 marchesacademytrust.co.uk

Our family

Marches School

Sir John Talbot’s School

Lower Heath CE Primary School

Grange Primary School

Longlands Primary School

Oakmeadow CE Primary School

Selattyn CE Primary School

Kinnerley CE Primary School

Tilstock CE Primary School

The Alliance of Leading Learning

Shrewsbury Academy

Crifitins CE Primary School

St Andrew's CE Primary School

4All Foundation

#togetherwegrow Trust Newsletter | Autumn 2025

Idsall School

Woodlands School

Cockshutt CE Primary School

West Felton CE Primary School

Grove School

Weston Lullingfields CE Primary School

MATi

Hello from our CEO

Rooted in purpose. Driven by excellence. Achieving through care.

his winter, our growing family of schools celebrates what happens when strong values meet bold ambition. From nurturing starts in nursery to widening pathways in Sixth Form, we’re lifting learning, and lives, through relational practice that puts people first. You’ll see how collaboration across our Trust creates richer experiences, broader choices, and a deeper sense of belonging for every child and young person. This is excellence made daily: in classrooms, in playgrounds, and across our communities. Over the past 12 months, our family of schools has grown significantly, united by a shared vision and values that place excellence and care at the heart of everything we do. Selattyn CE Primary School, Criftins CE Primary School, Cockshutt CE Primary School, St Andrew’s CE Primary School, West Felton CE Primary School, Weston Lullingfields CE Primary School, and Kinnerley CE Primary School have all joined our Trust because they recognise that our commitment to driving excellence through relational practice aligns with their own aspirations. This collaborative journey has strengthened bonds and enabled the sharing of best practice, ensuring that every child benefits from the collective expertise of our schools. Our relentless focus is on delivering the best possible learning experiences. From outstanding nursery provision to our innovative Sixth Form development, Open6, excellence is evident at every stage. Open6 has transformed our Sixth Form offer, enabling us to broaden subject choices and retain 30 more young people this year. By combining asynchronous learning with a university-style seminar approach, we have created a model that offers flexibility without compromising quality. Feedback from our young people and staff confirms that this approach is not only effective but inspiring, and we are committed to further expanding opportunities for future cohorts. Driving excellence also means creating experiences that shape character and ambition. This year, our first cross-Trust United Nations event for children in Year 6, Year 8, and Sixth Form exemplified this commitment. Initiated by Gareth Von Dinther at Sir John Talbot’s School, it is now a cross-Trust event, encouraging young people to think globally and act responsibly.

Our partnership with the 4All Foundation amplifies this vision by extending learning beyond the classroom. From youth clubs to IT and fraud awareness sessions, these initiatives strengthen our communities and reflect our belief that education is a lifelong journey. When we all keep learning, we all keep growing. Thank you for being part of this journey. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and an even better New Year.

Sarah Finch

Connect with us to find out more about our mission. marchesacademytrust.co.uk @MarchesAcademyTrust Together We Grow Podcast

CEO | The Marches Academy Trust

A message from our Chair of Trustees

very year it feels as though reaching the end of the first term is something to be celebrated. Not only is it a long term, but for so many within our Trust it can be the most intense part of the year, whether that's making a start in a new school setting or taking mocks at the start of an exam year. Across the Trust we have also been embracing the challenges presented by the new Ofsted inspection framework, which adopts a more holistic view of the ways in which we support our children and young people. While this adds pressure to an already demanding term, it’s also an opportunity to challenge ourselves and reflect on the impact we make, from classrooms to the community work of the 4All Foundation.

This commitment to supporting and strengthening local communities has been further demonstrated in just the last few weeks, as we have been excited to welcome the latest group of schools from the Westcliffe Federation to join the Trust. So thank you, everyone, and well done for a successful start to the year. I wish you all a lovely and well-deserved Christmas break, and a Happy New Year!

Alex Fry

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Shared Services - Rooted in Purpose: Driving Excellence Through Relational Practice Every team has worked together to achieve excellence through caring relationships. HR has championed wellbeing initiatives supporting our recruitment and retention strategy. Data has driven innovation with PowerBI, streamlining systems to enhance efficiency allowing for more forensic data scrutiny and quality assurance. IT have aligned every technology decision with the Trust mission and acted as a strategic entity and a major support function. They create added value, enhancing user experience, and driving innovation while upholding security, compliance, and social responsibility. Marketing has highlighted our successes, sharing inspiring stories that reflect our commitment to community and achievement. Governance has strengthened compliance

and transparency, while Finance has safeguarded resources, and provided real-time financial data, to enable growth and sustainability. Enrichment programmes have flourished, offering children and young people opportunities that nurture creativity and confidence. Two schools have been accepted onto the Shropshire Inclusive Attendance Trial and it’s clear our systems are well aligned with the new Ofsted Framework, reinforcing our commitment to inclusion and high standards. Together, these efforts embody our purpose: building strong connections that empower success. As we look ahead, we remain committed to relational practice as the foundation for progress, ensuring every decision reflects our care for children, staff, and passion for excellence.

Building Meaningful Connections during the School Holidays with the 4All Foundation During the school holidays, building meaningful connections becomes especially important for children, families, and the wider community. Time away from the classroom can lead to isolation or reduced access to routines, but it also offers a unique opportunity to bring people together in ways that are fun, supportive, and memorable. The 4All Foundation has embraced this opportunity by creating spaces where children can stay active, feel supported, and connect with others in a positive, welcoming environment. By offering fully funded holiday and community programmes, the foundation helps ensure that every child regardless of background has access to enriching experiences that strengthen their wellbeing and sense of belonging. Over the past two school holidays, this commitment has supported more than 900 children across 11

Trust Newsletter | Autumn 2025

locations within our Trust. Each day, our young people received a warm breakfast and lunch, ensuring that their basic needs were met while they took part in a wide range of active and engaging activities. Through the 4All Foundation’s ongoing partnership with our Trust, families can feel reassured that their children are safe, supported, and connected, even when schools are closed.

MATi “I have This autumn has been a time of growth and strengthened connections improved on working as across our schools. Guided by our a team.” shared purpose of driving excellence through practice using the Learning for Life Framework. MATi staff have worked closely with school teams to embed “I have our vision and values into improved on everyday learning. Our aim my behaviour the remains clear: to ensure most. My favourite achievement is nurtured part was the through care, collaboration, carpentry.” and meaningful relationships. One of the standout highlights this term has been the launch of MATisland at the Shrewsbury Climbing Hut. This exciting initiative has given children and young people the chance to experience indoor climbing while working towards the National Indoor Climbing Qualification. Beyond physical skills, this opportunity “I have has helped build confidence improved on and resilience outside the speaking classroom. the most.”

Across the Trust, staff have embraced innovative approaches through embedding Learning for Life processes, creating environments where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to succeed.

“Gave me motivation to get to lessons and I improved my cooking skills.”

For those children attending MATislands in the autumn term, their feedback was over 85% positive across all ten areas of reflection. Every child received a skills builder assessment, resulting in an achievement certificate.

“It helped me because it distracted me from school. It helped me forget about the things I was struggling with at school. It has made coming into school better because I've had a positive experience.”

Alliance of Leading Learning: Nurturing Future Educators, Rooted in Purpose Training to be a teacher is, at its heart, rooted in purpose. Initial teacher training equips aspiring educators with the vital knowledge, skills and values needed to shape young lives and create nurturing, inclusive classrooms where every pupil can thrive. Through reflective practice and hands-on experience, our trainees learn how to build positive relationships, respond to individual needs and promote achievement through caring. This approach ensures that even at the outset of their careers, teachers are prepared for the significant responsibility of inspiring and supporting the next generation.

"The Alliance of Leading Learning has boosted my confidence, clarified my purpose and reinforced my commitment to making a difference as a teacher." Katie Lee

More than just preparation for a profession, teacher training is a wholehearted commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children, their families and the wider community and the opportunity to truly transform lives and help every child fulfil their potential.

"My placement has revealed the impact of a supportive school community and highlighted how the right encouragement has strengthened my purpose as a teacher." Connor Jones

"As a trainee teacher, I deeply value the experience and support I get from ALL and my placement school to feel rooted in my purpose of wanting to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the children I teach." Taylor Lewis

Cockshutt CE Primary School At Cockshutt CE Primary School and Nursery, we recognise the many benefits of offering children a wide range of enrichment activities. This term, our children have already enjoyed several exciting opportunities that have broadened their learning and inspired their curiosity.

“I loved learning about the animals at Chester Zoo and the water workshop, it made me think about how we can help the planet Whole school trip every day!” to Chester

Our whole-school Chester Zoo Conservation Project sparked a passion for protecting wildlife and the environment. Chester Zoo staff visited our school to lead engaging workshops, helping children explore conservation topics in depth. Two exciting trips to Chester Zoo then gave children the chance to see conservation in action and deepen their Sound Gong understanding of Workshop endangered species. Creativity and music took centre stage with a mesmerising Sound Gong Workshop and an electrifying Rock Band performance that had everyone tapping their feet! Sport was celebrated at the This Girl Can

Zoo

Child at Cockshutt CE Primary School

event, empowering children to try new activities and build confidence.

Rock Band performance

The Futures Fayre opened doors to endless possibilities, inspiring children to dream big about careers and ambitions. We also learned how small changes c

Severn Trent Workshop

Criftins CE Primary School This autumn term at Criftins has been truly bright, With children growing, learning, reaching new height. Our staff's dedication and relational care, Create a nurturing place beyond compare.

Parents engaged with harvest and more, Heritage afternoons we all adore. St. Matthew's Church and consultation nights, Partnerships that reach such wonderful heights.

Historic England honoured us with pride, Champion History Heritage, standing side by side. Ellesmere Rotary joined our charitable quest, Rotakids Book Sale showed our children at their best.

Our children excelled in sport and play, Girls at Lilleshall had their special day. Padel training, new skills to explore, Active bodies, minds that soar. From Nursery settling to Year 6 leading strong, Every child here knows they belong. Food bank collections showed hearts that care, Yellow Day for mental health, kindness everywhere. Music Week brought melodies so sweet, Guitar, piano, voices, what a treat! Remembrance Service, moving and profound, Brought our whole community around.

Trust Newsletter | Autumn 2025

As retirement season draws near, Miss Evans and Mr Jones will steer, Criftins forward with vision clear and true, Rooted in respect, in all we do.

Grange Primary School

Our Grangers have been working incredibly hard this term, showing determination and enthusiasm in all areas of learning. Staff have also been developing their teaching skills through StepLab, ensuring the very best classroom experiences for our children. A highlight for our Year 6 Grangers was their visit to the Futures Fayre at Alderford Lake, where they left feeling inspired and excited about the opportunities ahead. One parent shared: “Just wanted to feedback on the careers fayre today. He has not stopped talking about it and how interested he is in certain careers he's seen today.” Year 1 and 2 enjoyed a fascinating trip to the British Ironworks, exploring creativity and craftsmanship. Year 4 and 5 have been attending weekly singing and dancing workshops at Shrewsbury School, building confidence and teamwork through the arts.

British Ironworks Centre

We’re also continuing to develop our school environment, creating spaces that encourage learning and play. It’s been wonderful to see so many families joining us for our Christmas events, bringing festive cheer to our community. Thank you for your ongoing support – together, we’re making Grange a place where every child can thrive.

Futures Fayre

“Just wanted to feedback on the careers fayre today. He has not stopped talking about it and how interested he is in certain careers he's seen today.” Parent at Grange Primary School

Grove School This term has been another term of transformation here at Team Grove. Amongst the many links into our community, a highlight was the return of the Grove Fireworks, which was attended by over 1200 members of the local community. A night of real community and purpose – rooted in the hard work of our newly-formed Parent Partnership group. The PPG have planned several events throughout this academic year with the hope of creating a new space for our children in the coming months. On site, we have had several enrichment opportunities that have inspired our children. Visits from Helen Morgan, MP, and professional rugby star Kruise Leeming provided invaluable contact to people who are excelling in their respective fields. Our enrichment trips have continued to broaden our childrens' experiences across all key stages, and our linked community

work, including work with the 4All Foundation, has seen our children starting to make real difference in our wonderful community. In addition, we are proud to announce the establishment of our first-ever Grove Parliament, a pioneering initiative designed to empower student voice and leadership. Following a democratic election process, Bobby Allen has been appointed as our inaugural Prime Minister. Bobby has formed a dedicated cabinet, with each member leading a team aligned to one of our core values. This structure not only promotes collaboration and responsibility but also ensures that our values are embedded in every aspect of school life. Together, these developments underscore our commitment to providing enriching experiences and fostering leadership. By connecting children with influential figures and creating platforms for active participation, we are cultivating a culture of aspiration, confidence, and community.

Why We Do What We Do at Idsall School As parents, you want the very best for your child and so do we. At Idsall School, every decision we make is guided by one question: What will help our young people thrive? We know that education is about more than grades. It’s about building confidence, resilience, and character so that every child leaves school ready for life.

Fundraising for Stonewall - Equality Group

Our PSHE programme, safeguarding culture, and mental health initiatives ensure children feel safe and supported. Beyond the classroom, we offer enrichment opportunities in sport, performing arts, and leadership, helping children discover their passions and develop skills for the future. We do what we do because we believe in partnership. Leadership is central to this vision and it happens at every opportunity and by everyone. From staff guiding strategic priorities to children leading projects like CPR training,

One Voice creating a sensory garden for the SEND base

fundraising initiatives, and our wellbeing garden, leadership is something we nurture across the school. These experiences empower young people to take responsibility, work as a team, and make a positive impact. We do what we do because we believe in the potential of every individual.

Together, we make Idsall a place where learning, kindness, and wellbeing flourish because when we lead, care, and grow as one community, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Medical Corps Army event

"Because Together, We Make a Difference."

Longlands Primary School This term at Longlands has been packed with exciting learning and celebrations! Year 1 have been working hard on writing and computing, showing fantastic progress and creativity. Year 2 explored the Great Fire of London through engaging lessons and activities that brought history to life. Our older children in Years 4, 5 and 6 have enjoyed a wide range of experiences in dance, design, art and PE, while Nursery impressed us with their excellent creative work. Reading has been a huge focus across the school, ensuring every child can access the best learning opportunities and develop a deep understanding.

famous L Factor, alongside exhibitions of children’s work. Beyond the classroom, we’ve recognised amazing achievements in activities outside school from Quinn’s football success and Dexter’s football award to Sophie’s Irish dancing and Archie’s performance in The Addams Family, plus many more!

We’ve celebrated Children in Need and showcased talent in the

It’s been a term full of learning, creativity and community spirit, well done to all our children!

Trust Newsletter | Autumn 2025

Wear It Orange for the 4All Foundation

Lower Heath CE Primary School This term has been all about driving excellence through relational "I was the teacher for a practice, building confidence, whole lesson! At first nurturing talents and creating I was nervous, but opportunities for every child everyone listened and joined in. It made me to shine. feel really proud and showed me I can do One highlight was our Children hard things if I try." in Charge Day, where children Archie, Year 4 stepped into leadership roles, teaching lessons and supporting lunchtime duties. It was inspiring to see them embrace challenge and grow in confidence. Our KS1 Skylark Class now enjoys an incredible new continuous provision approach, including a dedicated outdoor area - the Curiosity Courtyard - which has sparked creativity and a real love of writing. Meanwhile, Year 6 attended the Marches Futures Fayre at Alderford Lake, exploring careers and aspirations in a way that makes the future exciting and accessible. We’ve celebrated talents through Music Heroes and DCP Drums tuition, and our children’s sporting achievements include winning the

Varsity Swimming Trophy and "The Futures competing in the Varsity Cricket Fayre was so event. Thanks to the 4All interesting! I didn’t know there were jobs Foundation, children have like designing games or loved after-school clubs in working with animals. archery, dance and football, It made me think about what I might want to led by fantastic coaches do when I’m older." who make every Reuben, Year 6 session engaging. At Lower Heath, we believe every child has unique strengths, and this term has shown just how much they can achieve when relationships Futures and opportunities Fayre come first.

Marches School As we look back on the autumn term, there’s so much to celebrate. It’s been a term full of energy, excitement, and opportunities for our young people to shine.

The relationships being built are fantastic, and recent student voice feedback shows that our children value Crew as a space where they feel heard and supported.

One of the biggest changes has been the introduction of our new Crew model, replacing the traditional form tutor system. Crew is all about making sure everyone belongs and no one is left behind. Each morning, Crews “circle up” with their leader to share plans for the day, talk through any challenges, and set themselves up for success.

Alongside this, we’ve seen excellence in so many areas. Our Year 9 football team showed real determination to reach the North Shropshire finals, while our choirs brought festive cheer to the community at the Oswestry Lights Switch-On and Rotary Tree of Light Appeal. Children have also embraced enrichment—from Gardening Club brightening our grounds to Chess Club making a strong comeback.

Year 9 Football

School of Rock Workshop

These achievements aren’t just about winning or performing, they are about confidence, teamwork, and caring relationships rooted in purpose. This is what makes The Marches School special.

Oakmeadow CE Primary School At Oakmeadow, everything we do is rooted in our purpose: to live out our vision for children to experience 'life in all its fullness'. Our school values guide every decision, every event, and every achievement, ensuring that we work together as a strong community to help every child thrive. This term has been a shining example of that commitment. Our spectacular fireworks event organised between staff and our committed PTA brought families together, celebrating community spirit and shared joy. Year 6 children attended The Trust Futures Fayre, exploring careers and broadening horizons, an important step in preparing them for the opportunities ahead. Year 6 also took part in the Shoebox Appeal, where they bought and packaged gifts sent to children living in war zones. This helped our children appreciate the importance of spreading love and joy worldwide.

Shoebox Appeal

During Anti-Bullying Week, our ‘Odd Socks Day’ reminded us of the beauty of uniqueness and the importance of kindness,

reinforcing our values in everyday life.

Celebrating our PSQM award

Academic excellence remains central to our purpose, and we are proud to have been awarded the Primary Quality Science Mark (PQSM) in recognition of our dedication to delivering high-quality science education. Beyond the classroom, our sports teams have excelled, emerging as champions in several tournaments, including the Trust Varsity Games—showcasing teamwork, resilience, and ambition. Every success reflects our unwavering commitment to our vision and values.

Selattyn CE Primary School

We have been having a busy autumn term here at Selattyn Primary School. The children and staff have been working incredibly hard as we strive to be the best we can and make the most of our time at school. We have welcomed Miss McVoy and our new Assistant Head Ms Hughes to school this term. We have been delighted how quickly they have settled into their roles and have made a positive contribution to our team. We have provided the opportunity for all children to attend wrap around provision from 8am until 5pm daily this academic year. Children have been able to take part in a wide range of activities including outdoor sports, super movers, board games, arts and crafts and much more. We continue to enrich the curriculum as much as possible and promote student

Trust Newsletter | Autumn 2025

voice throughout the school. Our Year 6 children greatly enjoyed visiting the Futures Fayre with lots of positive feedback while the One Voice Team have already started the ball rolling with their new project of refreshing our outdoor classroom Year 4 trip to Roman and held a very Chester successful cake sale in November. Year 4 visited Roman Chester as part of their history studies as we try to bring our work to real life to give all children the best possible opportunities available. In December we will be performing our Christmas Concert in the parish church before we round off our term with a trip to the pantomime! Happy Christmas to you all!

Sir John Talbot’s School Children at SJT have been living the vision and values of Achievement through Caring during Circle Up Time. With an emphasis on being kind and respectful, children have led the way when it comes to building a positive culture during Crew sessions. The highlight of each session Circle Up Time with is always the appreciations, where Year 11 each crew member says a thank you to someone who has helped them during the past week. It has been wonderful to see the children taking ownership of Circle Up time, speaking with passion and eloquence about their school experience, and the positive effect this has had on the relationships and togetherness within our crews. Year 7 have spent the first term focusing on building strong relationships with both their Crews and Crew Leaders, this has been a very important focus for us as a school to ensure that all of the Year 7s have a sense of belonging and security and feel valued

Year 7 Crew Trips

by their Crew leaders. They spent their first day of Year 7 visiting their Crew locations, for example 7Alderford32 spent a lovely morning exploring Alderford lake, bonding Crew, with their new Crew and Coffee and Cake finding creative ways to record their visits. This visit then prompted lots of beautiful drawings and poetry that has filled their Crew rooms. We hosted a very successful “Crew, Coffee and Cake” event, welcoming Year 7 parents to enjoy tea and cake while each Crew shared what being part of a Crew means to them. At the end of the first half term the Year 7s dressed up for their Halloween disco with prizes for the best dressed. For the end of this term the Crew leaders are excited to Year 7 Halloween spend the afternoon at Disco the Theatre with the Year 7s for their reward trip and ending the term with a Crew competition of who can decorate the best Crew door.

Shrewsbury Academy

We continue to champion extra-curricular opportunities and celebrate our childrens success. George in Year 8 exemplifies this, earning promotion to Lance Corporal with the Shropshire Army Cadet Force—a true ambassador and inspiration to peers.

This term, a major theme has been enhancing belonging, through consistent, research-informed teaching routines. Our new facilities, including science labs, maths rooms, D&T spaces, and a stunning New library have strengthened our Science Lab and school culture, fostering trust, Food Tech Facilties ambition, and connection amongst staff and children. We were delighted to welcome the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Jane Trowbridge JP, whose visit provided a valuable insight into daily school life and allowed us to share both current initiatives and future plans. Enrichment activities such as STEAM Club, orchestral collaborations, and careers input have widened horizons and reinforced relational practice, showing that excellence grows through strong relationships.

STEAM Club

Visit from the High Sheriff of Shropshire

George with Army Cadets Award

Finally, our children enjoyed a vibrant Colour Run, raising funds for the 4All Foundation, a fantastic event filled with an abundance of colourful fun and community spirit. Our children and staff joined together to create a memorable event.

Click here to hear Beth in Year 11 talk about her thoughts on our new STEM building.

Colour Run

Tilstock CE Primary School We believe that purposeful learning happens when children are engaged in rich, meaningful experiences that connect knowledge to the real world. This term, our children have thrived in a variety of contexts and mediums, exploring nature in our new outdoor classrooms, welcoming expert visitors like historians to understand Ancient Egypt better, or venturing into our local environment – even in the rain and mud!

This recognition celebrates our commitment to music education: children can learn piano, guitar, and drums, enjoy a full year of whole-class ukulele tuition, and regularly perform to share their talents.

A highlight was Badgers’ visit to Fordhall Farm, where they learned about sustainable farming and food miles, linking their enquiry on power and resources to real-life practices. Our youngest learners are also building strong foundations through experiences that foster connection, oracy, and curiosity, such as Forest School adventures in any weather, and open-ended exploration in the continuous provision in Squirrel Class.

Alongside music, our investment in new PE equipment is helping children develop coordination, stamina, and confidence, because strong bodies make strong writers! Outdoor learning continues to enrich science, language, and motor skills, while special events like our Harvest Festival and Christingle Service bring our community together in gratitude and reflection.

We are proud to announce that Tilstock has been awarded Champion School Status as a Music Hero School!

Every experience is rooted in purpose, ensuring our children know more, remember more, and flourish.

Woodlands School At the heart of our Trust’s vision is a simple yet powerful truth: Achievement Through Caring. This term, we’ve seen incredible examples of how learners are not only meeting expectations but exceeding them, thanks to a culture rooted in relational practice and a shared commitment to excellence. Our approach is more than teaching; it’s about building relationships that inspire confidence, resilience, and ambition. By fostering trust and understanding, we create an environment where learners feel supported to take on challenges and push beyond limits. One of the most inspiring outcomes has been the progress in functional skills in Maths and English. Learners are working exceptionally hard, demonstrating determination and perseverance. These achievements are not just about passing exams; they represent growth in essential life skills that open doors to future opportunities. Every success story reflects hours of focused effort, guided by caring teachers and mentors who believe in the potential of every learner.

Trust Newsletter | Autumn 2025

Driving excellence through relational practice means we celebrate every milestone, big or small. It’s about recognising that achievement is a shared journey, where learners, staff, and the wider community "I never thought work together to create a I’d be able to pass my English exam. My tutor culture of success. believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Now I feel proud and ready for the next challenge." Current Learner As we look ahead, we’ll continue to champion this ethos: Achievement Through Caring. Together, we’re proving that when relationships lead the way, achievement follows.

Relational Practice at Longlands Primary School Connection Comes First: At the start of the year, we went on a residential. We asked Year 6 teacher It wasn’t just fun, it helped us really Katie Collins, understand each other. We built trust and respect. Children here “How do you get such good know staff truly care about them, outcomes?" not just about their grades. That matters because when someone truly cares, you want to do your "It's all best for them. about the relationships we have Fun and Respect: Learning is in class." serious, but it doesn’t have to be Katie Collins boring. We laugh, we share ideas, and we respect each other. I meet them where they are - I don’t expect them to know everything straight away. I take time to really know them – on the playground, before school, after school, before they are even in my class. And trust me, they can tell if it’s not genuine! When it is, it feels amazing. You can feel the energy in the classroom. You Are Your Class: That means what we do together matters. We are one and we’re in a constant cycle of learning, helping, and improving. It’s not just about me, it’s about all of us. I learn with them. If a child doesn’t ‘get’ something, I reflect and think ‘How can I teach this in a way they will understand?’ Collaboration and Mistakes: We work together a lot. There’s a culture where making mistakes is okay. In fact, mistakes help us learn. That makes us feel safe to try new things without worrying about getting it wrong. Growing Confidence Through Independence: Sometimes we work on our own, and that’s important too. When a child finishes a piece of work by themselves,

they feel proud. It helps them grow in confidence because they know what they can do without help. Looking back at a test paper from last term and comparing it to the one they’ve just done. They can see where they’ve improved, where they made mistakes, and what they can do even better next time, self-reflection or self-assessment, and it matters against any criteria. It shows them that learning isn’t about being perfect; it’s about progress. High Expectations: In Year 6, high expectations are nonnegotiable. We expect the very best from every child, both in their learning and in their behaviour. Support and nurture are always present, but they are never an excuse for giving less than 100% or for being disrespectful. Consistency is key: children feel secure because they know exactly what is expected of them every day. They feel valued because we challenge them, identify their strengths, and help them grow. As staff, we model these expectations too. We value hard work, kindness, and respect - and we expect the same from our children. This shared commitment creates a culture where effort and empathy go hand in hand, and where every child knows that high standards are a sign of care and belief in their potential. As one member of staff said “we believe in the children, so they believe in themselves.” Why Does This Work? All of this - connection, fun, respect, collaboration - creates strong, genuine relationships. When you have that, you get mutual respect and trust. And when you trust each other, you work hard for each other. It’s like any positive relationship: you need to be seen for who you are and know that someone genuinely cares about you. That’s what makes Year 6 amazing. It’s not just about lessons - it’s about people.

Trust Newsletter | Autumn 2025