As we have now completed our first half term of the new school year – it is an opportune moment to reflect on the key developments in the Trust and share our strategic direction as we move forward.
We are delighted to officially welcome Blackshaw Lane Primary School, Oldham, into the Trust and we are continuing to benefit from our shared working and collaboration. Welcoming Cromwell High School, Tameside into the Trust is imminent – we just need the final sign off – but again, we are continuing to work with Cromwell and are enjoying getting to know the students and staff better.
We enjoyed our full Trust development day on Friday 1st September and it was wonderful to see all our 6 schools together alongside some Members, Trustees and Governors. Everyone was able to take time to get to know each other and further their understanding of what Kingfisher Learning Trust is about within the themes of:
- Collaborative working as part of a big team
- Effective communication
- Creating learning opportunities for all
- Collective responsibility
- Seeing change as an opportunity.
We enjoyed the wisdom of John Shiels, MBE – the Chief Exec of Manchester United Foundation and then an afternoon with the SUMO guy to help us look at change in a positive way.
We continue to forge relationships and communication channels across the Trust. The Trustees’ termly visit on Wednesday 18th October was at Cromwell and then Medlock Valley. Trustees very much enjoyed the opportunity to see the great learning opportunities that each school is providing and to meet the children, young people and staff.
The Trustees met after the school visits to further enhance our strategy and clarify our intent as a Trust. This was an extremely positive and productive meeting, helping us to ensure that our strategic decisions are aligned with our vision and values.
The Governors from all our schools have met together to collaborate and develop our Governance practice and this was a great opportunity to get to know each other and learn from each other.
In October we held our first choral speaking event – ‘Everybody’s Voice’ where children form Medlock Valley, Littlemoor and Halcyon Way celebrated together along with a film of the children from Kingfisher. The event was wonderful and we look forward to our children and young people working in partnership as we grow stronger as one organisation.
We continue to be grateful to all of our Members, Trustees and Governors who give so generously of their time. I would also like to thank all the staff across the Trust for all their work in helping our schools become beacons of inclusive practice and to ensure we get it right for the children and young people we serve.
All the best
Anne Redmond
