To improve the life chances of young people by delivering an exceptional education for all in a nurturing learning environment which leads them to excellent academic outcomes and happy and successful futures.
“Exceptional Education for All”
Academic Rigour Creative and Cultural Learning Development of Skills and Qualities
Our Mindsets > Our Behaviours > Our Success
How do we think?
• Open minded
• Solution focussed
• Collectively responsible
• With intention to improve
How do we behave?
• Honest
• Kind
• Ambitious
• Professional
• With unconditional positive regard
Riddlesdown Collegiate 11-18 Founding School
Gossops Green Primary School 4-11 1st November 2016
Waterfield Primary School 3-11 1st March 2018
Courtwood Primary School 4-11 1st June 2018
Quest Primary School 3-11 1st June 2018
The Quest Academy 11-18 1st June 2018
Kenley Primary School 4-11 1st September 2021
Woodcote High School 11-18 1st April 2023
Ifield Community College 11-18 1st June 2025
A Message from our CEO
Welcome to this Spring Term Newsletter which again shares a wide range of stories from across our schools. Whilst this term may have been a relatively short one, it has been no less packed with great learning opportunities and experiences, both within and beyond our classrooms. Our vision of an exceptional education for all has, at its core, three core components – academic rigour, creative and cultural learning and the development of personal skills and qualities – and the accounts of the activities captured in this newsletter are just some examples of how we are delivering on this vision.
Alongside the activities which feature here is, of course, the high-quality learning that takes place day in, day out in each of our schools. For some students, that has included mock examinations and practice tests in advance of public exams and SATs after Easter, whilst others have been thinking carefully about their next steps – Year 6 pupils will now know which secondary school they will be going to in September, Year 9 students will have selected their GCSE/KS4 options, Year 11 students will have been guided through their planning for Post-16/Sixth Form and many Year 13 students will have been receiving university offers, for example. These transition points are important and by planning for them effectively, we make it more likely that they will be smooth and successful for all.
How do we succeed?
Through cohesion, a strong sense of belonging and our shared determination to deliver and enable our vision of an exceptional education for all
Mr D Osborne
Mrs S Dunne
Mr J Purveur
Mrs N Grant
Miss J Stawman
Mr A Crofts
Mrs M Smy
Ms K Marrill
Mr D Conlon
In addition to pupils’ learning, this term has been full of opportunities for our staff to learn too. At TCT, we know that high quality adult learning leads directly to high quality pupil learning and so we very deliberately invest in the professional development of our team. Over the last few weeks, this has included an Early Years Conference bringing together colleagues who teach, support and lead our Reception and Nursery classes, an Early Career Teachers Conference for those teachers towards the beginning of their careers nearing completion of their induction period, and our annual Leadership Conference, this year entitled Shaping Tomorrow and focussing on how a coherent curriculum will set out the entitlement and exceptional educational experience for all.
This comes at a time following the publication of the national Curriculum & Assessment Review and the Schools White Paper entitled Every Child Achieving and Thriving. This is a formal document, prepared by the Department for Education, which sets out the government’s intentions and the direction of travel for education nationally. Put simply, it is their plan to help every child do well at school. In addition to the full paper, there is also an “easy read” version available here. Significantly, the paper talks about the government’s aim of one inclusive education system for all children, including those with SEND, and alongside the paper it has launched a consultation into SEND reform which invites responses from children and families, as well as teachers and school leaders. It certainly feels like we are entering a new phase in education; one which, we hope, will deliver even better learning experiences for all young people and will even better prepare them for life in the modern world.
As we head towards Easter, I wish everyone a restful break and look forward to a sunny Summer Term ahead.
Soumick Dey Chief Executive Officer
Storytelling with Margaret Bateson Hill
Immersing in the World of Storytelling
Courtwood pupils were delighted to be invited to attend a special storytelling session with Margaret Bateson Hill. The session gave our children the chance to immerse themselves in the world of storytelling. They were able to meet a real author, ask thoughtful questions, and explore how stories are created, sparking their literacy, creativity and confidence. This was a wonderful opportunity for our children to extend their learning beyond the classroom and celebrate the wonder of books in a memorable and inspiring way.
Bridges for Schools
Structural Design, Problem Solving, Teamwork and Critical thinking
Year 4 and Year 5 pupils enjoyed an exciting and hands on day developing their engineering skills while working with Bridges for Schools. During the sessions, pupils explored structural design, problem solving, teamwork and critical thinking skills as they constructed and tested bridge models. Children worked throughout the day to build an impressive bridge in the school hall, which they were then able to walk across from one side to the other bringing their engineering learning to life in a truly memorable way.
Courtwood Primary School | The Collegiate Trust | Spring 2026
Courtwood Concert
Rocksteady Bands!
We were thrilled to enjoy a brilliant Courtwood Concert, showcasing the growing talents of our Rocksteady bands. Pupils took to the stage with confidence, performing a range of wellrehearsed rock and pop pieces that had the whole audience smiling and tapping along. It was wonderful to see the teamwork, dedication and musical progress each group has made, and we were immensely proud of every performer.
Enhanced Learning Provision
In our Enhanced Learning Provision, pupils benefited from a wide range of opportunities that enrich and extend the curriculum. Recently, Chestnut Class took part in the Croydon School Sports Partnership and the Panathlon KS1 and KS2 Ten Pin Bowling Competition, where they demonstrated fantastic teamwork, determination and enthusiasm. This week, the class are looking forward to a trip to Waterstones to further nurture their love of reading.
KS1 & KS2 Chestnut Class
Moon Zoom
Astronauts, Aliens, Stars, and Planets
Our Year 1 pupils and teachers took a thrilling journey through space to celebrate their new ‘Moon Zoom’ topic! The classroom was filled with astronauts, aliens, stars, and planets as everyone dressed in their out-of-this-world outfits. In the afternoon, the children engaged in a range of exciting space-themed activities, including designing their own alien faces with craft, making space helmets and even creating their own space passports. It was a day full of imagination, creativity and hands-on learning.
This February
The school was awash with colour on Friday 13th February’s Dress to Express day with children embracing the opportunity to wear clothes that expressed their interests, clubs and cultures. Dress to Express
Safe Roads; Safe Children
NO Parking/Stopping
A local business sponsored these fantastic pupil themed ‘NO parking/stopping’ signs to remind drivers about how to keep our children safe.
They have proven very popular with our children who walk to school and have kick-started Mrs Dunne’s new ‘Safe roads; safe children’ initiative, which has its inaugural meeting soon.
Ensemble Reza and a Visit from Tor
Freeman
Music and Illustration
Our Year 3 and Year 4 pupils have been treated to a performance by Ensemble Reza, a local community musical group and a visit by author Tor Freeman, who ran an illustration workshop, answered children’s questions and then signed copies of her books.
Year 7 Spelling Bee
Winners from 7PVO and 7LHR!
We were delighted to congratulate all the students who took part in the Year 7 Spelling Bee recently and especially our fantastic winners, who demonstrated impressive spelling skills, focus, and determination. The event was extremely positive, with all students in Year 7 showing enthusiastic support for our contestants.
Every participant who took the stage showed bravery and a willingness to challenge themselves, but a special congratulations goes to our first-place winner, Davey-Ray (7PVO), and runner-up Aafee (7LHR). Our winner has received a trophy and a £20 Amazon gift voucher; our ten runners up received a badge and there were sweet treats for all participants.
Geography Trip to Iceland
Waterfalls, Volcanoes and Black Sand Beaches
In February half-term, 32 of our Year 10 and Year 11 Geographers embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Iceland, braving sub-zero temperatures and flying across a visibly frozen sea to experience one of the most geologically fascinating places on Earth.
Within an hour of landing, students were already standing at the famous Bridge Between Continents, straddling the newly forming rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Over the course of the trip, the group encountered waterfalls, volcanoes and black sand beaches.
The students were also thrilled to
experience the geothermal baths and explore Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. Beyond the spectacular landscapes and extreme temperatures, what truly stood out was the resilience, enthusiasm and camaraderie shown by our students. They embraced every challenge, growing in confidence, building lasting friendships and demonstrating exceptional maturity throughout.
Share Some Love
£140 Raised for Charity!
On Friday 13th February ICC Sixth Form distributed over 100 balloons with personalised cards to students and staff across the school in aid of Men Who Talk, an excellent mental health charity. Founded in January 2022, Men Who Talk is a registered UK charity offering safe, inclusive spaces for men to open up, connect and support one another.
The annual Share Some Love event brought smiles to many faces and raised over £140 for Men Who Talk.
Thanks must go to the Student Leadership Group and to all the Sixth Formers who supported with the balloon distribution. They did an excellent job!
World Book Day
Thursday 5th March
5th March was World Book Day; we celebrated at ICC with various members of staff dressing up as book characters, drawing and writing competitions and a book sale in the reading room. In assemblies during the week, Miss Turner shared with students some interesting statistics on reading and explained how reading plays a valuable role in everyone’s life. In tutor time, students had been learning about when and where their tutors read, and how we read every single day, often without realising.
We also had fabulous news from the author Matt Goodfellow who visited ICC before Christmas. Matt launched a country wide poetry competition; students were able to write about a topic of their choice, and their poem could be of any length.
We are delighted that Jeyanisha in 7SFI won the Key Stage 3 category! Jeyanisha’s poem was judged to be the best poem from all of the Year 7 to Year 9 entries from across the country! If you would like to read Jeyanisha’s fantastic poem, please visit: https://www.booktrust.org. uk/about-us/news-updates/writer-inresidence-matt-goodfellow-announcesthe-winners-of-his-competition-and-saysgoodbye/
Children’s Mental Health Week
Worry Box, Well-being & Yoga
For Children’s Mental Health Week, our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors ran some dedicated wellbeing activities in the Hive during lunchtimes. These included mindful colouring, breathing exercises and yoga activities, accompanied by calming background music. The Ambassadors also designed a Worry Box, which is available to any pupils who may have something they would like to share with a trusted adult.
Emotional Regulation
Whole School Approach
As part of the whole school approach to emotional regulation, our pupils completed emotions check-ins, identifying what they needed to support them with their emotions. Discovery Class (Reception) really enjoyed the calming grounding activities, including saying positive affirmations to themselves. Year 6 especially enjoyed the connecting activities, particularly the collaborative drawing!
Developing STEM Skills
Friday Shake Up!
We have been developing our STEM skills through DT as part of our Friday Shake Up enrichment. Pupils across different year groups collaborated to see who could make the tallest tower using just paper, card and art straws. Some towers were several metres tall! The teamwork, problem-solving and verbal communication skills demonstrated were excellent!
MathsWorld
Year 5
During their trip to MathsWorld, Year 5 explored a range of hands-on mathematical activities. One of the main highlights was the Leonardo Dome, where they worked together to build a large wooden structure using shapes, angles, and problem-solving skills. This activity helped them understand how geometry and engineering connect in real-life construction.
They also took part in other interactive maths challenges around the centre, designed to make mathematical thinking fun and practical. These included puzzles, exploration zones, and teamwork tasks that encouraged creativity, reasoning, and collaboration.
Overall, the visit gave them an exciting, active way to experience maths beyond the classroom.
Careers Fair
Broadening Horizons
Our careers fair is a key event in the school calendar as it supports our pupils to broaden horizons by meeting people from a range of different occupations. It was wonderful to see the children engaging so positively with the volunteers, approaching them confidently, asking questions and learning more about the variety of roles out there, and the key skills needed to do them.
A huge thank you to each of our volunteers who took time from their busy schedule to attend and ensure that we could offer this opportunity to the pupils. We are very grateful for your kindness and willingness to support our pupils.
Road Safety Campaign
Travel for Life Ambassadors
Our Travel for Life Ambassadors have been busy outside the school gates at collection and drop off, politely reminding parents and others using the local roads, not to park on the zig zag lines outside the entrances to the school, to help keep everyone safe. We were even joined by an enforcement officer from the council, who was very impressed with the children’s efforts, even in the pouring rain! Thank you to all of the parents and passers-by who offered encouragement and to everyone for parking a bit further up the road to ensure our pupils can travel to and from school safely.
Young Voices
At the end of January, our KS2 choir had the unforgettable opportunity to perform at the O2 Arena as part of Young Voices, joining more than 8,000 children from across the country. Our pupils sang their hearts out and danced the night away with incredible enthusiasm. Their commitment, positivity and sheer energy were inspiring to watch — they represented our school brilliantly, and we couldn’t be prouder.
A huge thank you to our staff and families for your support in making this experience possible. These memories will stay with the children forever.
Houses of Parliament Trip
Anti-Bullying Ambassadors
Our Pupil Parliament reps (Years 3-6) and our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors had a brilliant visit to the Houses of Parliament. The children were able to witness the Speaker’s Procession into the House of Commons and were very excited to be in the building at the same time as the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who was taking part in the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions. The children were able to enter the House of Lords and were presented with a copy of the bill that was being discussed that day, which happened to be The Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill.
After a tour of the rest of the building the children took part in a workshop, where we were delighted to be joined by our Croydon East MP, Natasha Irons.
KS2 Choir
Disneyland Paris Trip
Bonjour!
Our Year 9 Maths trip to Disneyland Paris was an unforgettable experience. Students took part in an engaging maths seminar exploring real-life applications of gravitational potential and kinetic energy on the rides, as well as investigating the scaling of Disney characters and even looking at the finances behind running such a huge park. It was exciting to see how maths connects to the real world in such a fun and interactive setting. After the seminar, the rest of the day was spent enjoying attractions in both Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park, going on thrilling rides and ending the day by watching the spectacular lights display.
Under 15 National Elite Finalists
Success for our Boys!
Our Year 10 boys football team finally made their first National Final after three years of searching and many heart breaks. Faced with an extremely strong Northampton School for Boys team, the boys dug deep and reaped the rewards for perseverance, showing how much they had developed as a squad. A complete team effort is now rewarded with a special day out at the National Finals at Stoke City FC. Thanks to all the travelling parents who cheered the boys on and the staff that assisted and supported the journey. The boys are also on track to make a double national final, after beating Collingwood College in the quarter finals 3-0. The boys now travel to Norwich to take on St Thorpe School in the ESFA National Semi-Finals. Riddlesdown are the only school in England left in both competitions and are currently the number 1 ranked school, and only undefeated Year 10 team in England: https://schoolsfootball. co.uk/leagues/performance/2025-2026/football/boys-u15a
Daniel Spargo-Mabbs
I Love You Mum – I Promise I Won’t Die
As part of the PSHE curriculum, our Year 10 students took part in a powerful and deeply moving experience through the play I Love You Mum – I Promise I Won’t Die. The play tells the true story of a young person’s life cut tragically short by the hidden dangers of drugs. Following the performance, the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation led a thoughtful and age-appropriate workshop that gave students the chance to ask questions, challenge myths, and develop a clearer understanding of risk, decision-making, personal safety and the very real choices and pressures faced by young people today; messages that will hopefully stay with our students for a long time.
Iceland Trip
Surreal Landscapes and the Northern Lights
The Iceland 2026 trip allowed students to explore ‘surreal’ landscapes, from soaking in the Blue Lagoon during a snowfall to climbing a glacier. They felt the intense heat of a lava show and ventured through a tunnel carved by an ancient eruption.
The curriculum came to life as students stood between tectonic plates and marvelled at massive waterfalls.
They saw geothermal energy in action within greenhouses, spa pools, and the exploding waters of Geysir. To top it off, the Northern Lights appeared on the final night – the perfect highlight to an amazing journey. Several students called it the best trip of their lives and shared how grateful they were for the opportunity.
Trip to Berlin
Over half term a group of Quest students went on an exciting four-day school trip to Berlin. The students enjoyed seeing what they have learnt in the classroom brought to life. Year 9 Student review: “Imagine it is the morning of August 13th, 1961. You are just about to get out of bed, when you hear a loud rumbling from the other side of the street. You look outside your window, and you see large amounts of building material and fencing being dumped and a convoy of Soviet military jeeps. All around the city, metal fences are being put up and before you know it, the city is split into two. As we learnt on our trip, this would be the case for 28 years till the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. I would like to thank the teachers for this fabulous trip – it allowed me to make new friendships but most of all it gave me a chance to visit new historical places.”
London Life Savers CPR
8
As part of careers, our Year 8 students recently took part in an engaging and practical session delivered by London Lifesavers, an organisation that works with schools to teach essential lifesaving first aid skills. During the visit, students learned how to recognise emergencies, respond calmly and confidently, understand the basics of CPR, and know when and how to call for emergency help. The session taught students the simple steps to follow when someone is in cardiac arrest by providing CPR. The session was hands-on, informative, and empowering, helping students realise that they can make a real difference in serious situations. Our Year 8s showed excellent focus and maturity throughout, and many left feeling more confident and prepared to help others if needed.
Turandot at the Royal Opera House
Creative Arts
Our Creative arts trip went out on 4th February to see Puccini’s Turandot opera at the Royal opera house in Covent Garden. Student review: Our school trip to see Turandot was honestly the best trip. When we first arrived, the building already looked impressive and going inside made it even more unreal. Everything was fancy, with red seats, a gold and turquoise ceiling and a beautiful view of the stage. The story was exciting and a little scary, which made it interesting. The costumes were colourful and made in a traditional Chinese style, along with the set.
The opera was in Italian, but we could still understand how the characters felt. The best part was singing Nessun Dorma at the end. It was a great way to finish a very special day out at the opera.
Quest Cadets on Camp
TQA Cadets
Over half term Ms Rose took our amazing TQA cadets to the Ministry of Defence Rollestone Camp in Wiltshire. The cadets were great ambassadors for The Quest Academy and the whole camp experience was great fun.
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
To round off their study of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Year 4 were invited to participate in the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. The children arrived dressed as an array of characters or in formal wear. At the tea party, jam, marmalade, and cheese and cucumber sandwiches were served alongside a wide selection of savoury treats and cakes. The guests behaved impeccably and brought their high energy to party games, drama performances, art activities and card games throughout the afternoon.
MP Visit
Peter Lamb MP brought excitement to Waterfield when he visited the school, and two very proud Year 6 House Captains were ready and waiting to give him the grand tour. They led him through classrooms, shared the projects everyone had been working on, and made sure he saw just how much pride the children take in their school community.
After the tour, he joined a panel of pupils from across the school who had prepared a whole range of thoughtful (and sometimes tricky!) questions about his role as an MP. From how laws are made to what inspires him in his job, the children kept him on his toes, and he answered each question with warmth and honesty. He then headed to Year 4, who were especially excited to meet him. Some had already visited the Houses of Parliament and were eager to compare notes, while others are preparing for their upcoming trip. The whole visit left the school with a renewed sense of how important it is to understand the world of politics and decision-making. It was a proud day for Waterfield and a memorable one for the children who took part.
Visit to Houses of Parliament
Year 4
Year 4 were up bright and early for a trip to the Houses of Parliament, and the excitement started the moment the coach pulled away. By the time they reached Westminster, the children were wide awake and full of energy, especially when Big Ben came into view. Inside Parliament, the group explored the historic halls, learned how laws are made, and even took part in a workshop. Seeing the House of Commons and House of Lords in person was a real highlight. The early start was quickly forgotten as Year 4 returned to school buzzing with stories, new knowledge about democracy, and a sense of pride at visiting such an important place.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The Eco Team came back from a trip to the Biffa recycling facility absolutely buzzing with stories. They watched huge machines whizz and clatter as they sorted different materials, and they were amazed at how much of our everyday rubbish can actually be reused if it’s put in the right bin. One of the biggest surprises was just how carefully everything had to be separated. A single wrong item can slow the whole process down, which made everyone think twice about what they throw away at home and at school.
The team also learned that recycling wasn’t just about getting rid of rubbish, but also about giving materials a second life. Plastic bottles can become fleece jumpers, old cans can turn into new ones in just a few weeks, and cardboard can be recycled again and again. They left feeling like recycling superheroes, ready to spread the word.
Peter Lamb MP
Ski Trip
This February, our amazing Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils set off on an unforgettable adventure on the slopes of Passo del Tonale, Italy! From the moment they arrived, everyone threw themselves into the challenge of skiing, with many trying it for the first time and others sharpening their skills across miles of snowy pistes. The updates shared on Woodcote WHS PE Instagram show smiling faces, impressive progress and some very stylish turns in the snow!
Whether mastering new techniques on the blue runs, enjoying the stunning mountain views,
or having fun with friends, the trip was an excellent example of students embodying our WHS ASPIRE values. Staff and students alike had an absolute blast, making memories that will last long after the ski boots are packed away.
Author & Illustrator Visit
Julian Sedgwick & Chie Kutsuwada
What a wonderful way to conclude our week-long celebrations of World Book Day! Today we were delighted to welcome Julian Sedgwick and Chie Kutsuwada for a lively and engaging presentation about their work and creative journeys. The pair introduced students to two of their books, Tsunami Girl and 100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Café, sharing insights into how the stories were inspired and developed.
Through discussion and storytelling, Julian and Chie explained how earthquakes and tsunamis affect both landscapes and communities,
helping students understand the real-world context behind some of the themes in their work.
The presentation also introduced students to the fascinating world of Yōkaisupernatural creatures and spirits from Japanese folklore. Students listened to several eerie and entertaining tales, which brought a touch of mystery and excitement to the assembly and sparked strong curiosity about traditional storytelling from Japan.
Anti-Bullying Ambassadors
Year 8 and 9
Our Year 8 and 9 Anti-Bullying Ambassadors recently met to celebrate the start of their role and begin planning their work for the year. During the meeting, students were presented with their official ambassador badges, recognising their commitment to promoting kindness and respect across the school. The group also discussed their next steps in helping to prevent bullying and creating a positive school environment. Ideas included speaking in school assemblies to raise awareness, organising visits to the local primary school to support younger students, and planning bake sales to raise funds and promote anti-bullying initiatives. Our ambassadors showed great enthusiasm and are looking forward to putting their plans into action!
“We
are so proud of our ambassadors and excited to see what they can achieve together!”
Miss
Foley & Mr David
High School Musical
Getcha’ Head in the Game!
After months of rehearsals, choreography sessions, line learning, and lots of Wildcat spirit, High School Musical finally hit the WHS last week, and our cast and crew were thrilled to share their version of this iconic stage show with you all.
While High School Musical centres on cliques and social divides, this production symbolized its core message:
that we are all in this together. Productions such as this highlight just how vital the arts are within schools.
They provide young people with opportunities to build confidence, develop collaboration skills, and discover their own unique voices in a supportive and creative environment.
The students involved were an absolute delight to work with throughout the process. Their dedication, joy, and endless creativity were evident in every performance, and we couldn’t be prouder of everything they have achieved.
Passo del Tonale, Italy
Attendance & Safeguarding
Good attendance is not just about learning - it is an important part of keeping children safe. When children are in school every day, they are:
• Seen regularly by trusted adults
• Able to share worries and get support quickly
• Connected to friends and a safe environment
If children are absent frequently, it can be harder for us to check on their well-being and provide the right support.
How We Support
Our schools monitor attendance closely and will always follow up on absences to ensure children are safe. Where needed, we work with families to understand any challenges and offer support.
World Book Day
Across the Trust, schools have been celebrating the joy of reading together this World Book Day. Our staff and students have brought stories to life with creativity, imagination, and fantastic costumes. It’s been wonderful to see everyone getting involved and sharing the excitement. A truly fun and memorable day for all!
