It had to be a fast-paced affair when the Leadership Group met on 18th May at Woodston. There was a significant amount of business to cover by the CEO, three Headteachers and two Executive Deputy Headteachers, and the two hours flew by.

Nick File led on plans for our October training Day. Yes, we do have to plan that far ahead! In response to feedback from our staff survey, we are holding two concurrent events. Teachers will be at Orton Wistow looking at the development of subject leadership, whilst the Teaching Assistants will all be joining together at Woodston Primary for the day. The plans are for some input on special educational needs in the morning and a visit from the fantastic Shonette Bason-Wood in the afternoon.

A little way into the meeting we had a presentation from Elizabeth Hobday, OWN Trust Mathematics Impact Network Champion. She provided an excellent analysis of forecasts for the Y4 Multiplication Tables Check for each of the schools, followed by a look at plans for progressing mathematics across the Trust.

As this meeting didn’t have a standards focus, much else of what was covered related to governance, Headteacher reporting, HR issues, and arrangements for our new Early Careers Teachers that will be joining us officially as employees in September. With four excellent appointments across the Trust, we are in a very good position to avoid the potential impact of the national recruitment crisis.

The meeting finished off with a look at new supervision expectations for safeguarding leads and teams, delivered by Colin Marks, before reviewing a proposal to become the ‘school’ in residence with Nene Park Trust for the coming year.

Huge thanks, as always, to Woodston Primary School for their excellent hosting!