This week's edition includes:

Stronger Together

By Simon Eardley, Headteacher, Orton Wistow Primary School 

I still remember how isolated I felt as a new headteacher in Peterborough when I joined Orton Wistow over sixteen years ago. I had come from Cambridgeshire where I had well-established relationships with other school leaders. My school at the time was part of a strong partnership of schools that supported one another, and I had had first-hand experience of the power of working collaboratively. 

Thankfully, it wasn’t long before other heads reached out to me, and friendships and partnerships developed. For me, Jacki and Stuart were part of that support network, and it was soon apparent that we shared similar values and philosophies. When we had reached the point when Orton Wistow wanted to have a more formal relationship with other schools, Nene Valley and Woodston were obvious choices, and I am grateful that they had also come to the same conclusion. 

I have worked in education for almost thirty-two years and know that the reason that I have never been bored is that no two days are ever the same. My enthusiasm for dealing with the unexpected has been tested in the last two years, and in a recent school newsletter, I wrote about how we were thankfully returning to ‘normal’. We have started to have parents back into school, and it has been wonderful to see them at the Honours Award assembly, 2 Can Learn, Family Learning, and Stay and Play. 

Of course, we aren’t back to ‘normal’ because the world and the world of education have also moved on since the start of the pandemic. I think that one of the signs of good schools and Trusts is that they move with the times. We adapt, evolve, change and improve. Our Trust was born out of the belief that by coming together, the three schools would be stronger than we were apart. A true example of ‘the whole being greater than the sum of its parts’. We can thank Aristotle for that! 

It is this strength and unity that have enabled us to grow and develop, even whilst managing the pandemic and all that it has meant to schools. As a Trust, the prospect of dealing with a pandemic brought us even closer together, and I was grateful that I wasn’t having to deal with it on my own. Personally, dealing with the pandemic has made me reflect on what adds the most value to my life and what is important. As a school, we have gained from having to focus on what is also most important. This has made us choosier about what we do and where we invest our efforts, energy and enthusiasm. 

Sadly, Covid restrictions and the pressure of having to keep schools up and running safely meant that the pace of some OWN initiatives also had to slow down. Thankfully, as we have made our way through this year, there have been more opportunities to work together and nurture talent. There are already well-established groups for the Office Managers. SENCos, EYFS Leads, Safeguarding Leads, and the newly formed Trust Community Working Party. Hopefully, before the end of this school year, we can create further opportunities for subject leaders to meet to share best practices. 

As you would expect, there has been a lot going on behind the scenes. The Leadership Group has been hard at work refining the Trust Improvement Plan and creating our Five-Year Strategy. We are excited about sharing this with everyone later this year. 

For now, I would like to thank everyone in the OWN community for their ongoing support and commitment to what we do. This is an exciting Trust and one that is going places. This is only possible because of the talents of the many people who are part of OWN. 

Simon Eardley

Headteacher

Orton Wistow Primary School

^{Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash}

Discover what's been happening at the OWN Trust over the last half-term.

SEN Link Meeting 28.04.22

By Linda Harries, SENCo, Orton Wistow Primary School (OWN Trust)

On Thursday 28th April 2022, the bi-annual meeting of SENCos and Link Governors within the OWN Trust took place. The agenda for the meeting was a general update on the SEND profile for each school and to discuss the implications of the Government Green Paper; SEND Review: Right support, Right place, Right time. The meeting took place virtually.

The meeting was attended by Mary Foreman (OWN Trust Chair of Trustees), Stuart Mansell (OWN Trust CEO), Jan Neish (OWN Trust Governance & Compliance Manager), Linda Harries (Orton Wistow Primary School SENCo), Carly Pearson (Nene Valley Primary School SENCo), Laura Hurrell (Woodston Primary School SENCo), Lucinda Robinson (Woodston Primary School SENCo), Amanda Norman (Woodston Primary School Link SEN Governor). Adam Green (Orton Wistow Primary School SEN Link Governor) and Sadie Wiles (Nene Valley Primary School Link SEN Governor) sent their apologies.

Laura, Lucinda, Linda and Carly gave a brief overview of SEND in their respective schools. They also discussed the likelihood of new Foundation Stage children starting school in September 2022, who have been issued with an Education, Health and Care Plan, who will need TAs who are experienced in providing more specialised provision. 

This triggered a discussion about early identification of needs across the city and the impact that lockdown may have had on this. There may be children whose needs have not been identified, due to gaps in their early years' education or who potentially did not attend pre-school or nursery.

The group also discussed the impact so far on the children engaged in the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI). 

Stuart briefly outlined the OWN Trust Safeguarding Strategy and said he would like to set up an SEND Strategy. Lucinda kindly volunteered to start this process.  

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to the Green Paper. Lucinda had prepared a PowerPoint that highlighted the key messages from the Green Paper, namely that there will be:

• a new set of 'national SEND standards;
• an updated Code of Practice;
• local SEND partnerships;
• local inclusion plans;
• new local multi-agency panels;
• a new placement process;
• a new banding system for price tariffs for high needs funding;
• a digital, standard EHCP template;
• streamlining to the appeals process;
• investment in schools' budgets;
• a new SENCo National Qualification (NPQ);
•  improved teacher training and CPD to improve mainstream provision;
• an increase in respite placements;
• improved provision for pupils requiring alternative provision;
• and the recommendation that all children, by 2030, will be taught in a family of schools.

^{Photo by Alan Rodriguez on Unsplash}

OWN Trust Community Working Party 

By Fiona Schneider, Digital Lead, OWN Trust 

On Wednesday 27th April 2022, the first meeting of the OWN Trust Community Working Party took place at Woodston Primary School. Representatives from each of the Trust schools - Carly Pearson (NVPS), Kelly Bradshaw-Fenton (WPS) and Hayley Fidgett (OWPS) - together with Stuart Mansell (OWN Trust CEO) and Fiona Schneider attended the meeting.

The meeting began with an overview of why the working party was set up and how we hoped to strengthen the sense of community at the OWN Trust. It was agreed that being three schools on different sites, together with two years of Covid restrictions and the fact that OWN is a relatively new Trust (founded in 2019) means that we needed a strategy to develop the sense of community for all members.

We looked at the Four Elements needed to create a Sense of Community (as outlined in McMillan and Chavis’s Psychological Sense of Community, 1986) and will refer to these as we move forward:

1. Membership – Boundaries, structure, sense of security and belonging, symbols
2. Influence – bidirectional, individual members can influence the group and vice versus, and exchange views
3. Integration and fulfilment of needs – an interdependence based on shared values and goals
4. Shared emotional connection – a shared history, sense of purpose, goals, experience, stories written, moments of celebration.

We also discussed one of the challenges from the OWN Trust 5-Year Plan and adapted it to create an end goal. The end goal that we agreed upon is: 

To establish and develop the OWN culture so that it is known, understood, and exemplified to the relevant extent by everyone within its community, including parents, children, school staff, OWN Trust central office staff, local governors, trustees, and members.  

We looked at how to make this a SMART goal and aim to achieve it by 2027. We also agreed that success will be measured by the degree to which the OWN culture is evident around the schools (in activities and visible signs), and the extent to which everyone within its community can articulate what means to be a member of the community.  

The working party aims to meet at least every term but will meet at other times by zoom and in person if necessary. 

We agreed that our first milestone is to research the extent to which all members are aware of belonging to the OWN Trust Community, starting with the staff. A short questionnaire to gauge feedback has been created and distributed across the three schools, and the findings discussed by the Community Working Party at another meeting in June.

It was great to meet face-to-face and enjoy a fabulous lunch provided by Woodston Primary School. The meeting was positive and productive and established a secure footing for improving the sense of community in long-lasting and meaningful ways over the next five years.

Find out what's been happening across the OWN Trust at Orton Wistow, Woodston and Nene Valley Primary Schools.

OWN Trust Schools' Residential Trips

Residential trips benefit children in a variety of different ways as they:

• Encourage independence
• Boost confidence and self-esteem
• Provide children with new experiences
• Create learning opportunities outside the classroom
• Strengthen children's relationship with peers and teachers
• Engage children who might not be as motivated in a school-setting
• Inspire life-long memories

Each of the OWN Trust schools has a rich tradition of taking children on residential trips, with staff always going the extra mile to ensure that children get the most out of their time away. Before the Covid pandemic, residential trips were an annual rite of passage for children to opt-in to if they wished. Those that weren't ready to be away from home were still assured of a 'different' experience at school whilst the rest of their classmates were away with fun, engaging activities arranged instead of the usual lessons.

The covid pandemic, however, prevented any residential trips from taking place from March 2020 and until now.  Parents, children and teachers all felt regret that they could not take place.  Schools did their best to ensure that children still had a range of experiences within the boundaries of covid regulations, but even these efforts couldn't make up for the experience of going away on a residential trip.

The return of residential trips, therefore, has been met with great excitement across the Trust. Whether it's been Nene Valley children at Stibbington, OWPS children at Grafham Water or Woodston children at Caythorpe Court, it's clear that the OWN Trust schools are making the most of what residential trips can offer.

Nene Valley Primary School

Year 3 & 4 have returned from staying overnight locally at Stibbington Outdoor Centre.  All three classes have visited during this first summer half-term.  While there they have delved into the environmental world, dissected owl pellets and had a huge campfire with marshmallows. For many, it was their first time away from parents, being independent, learning how to put a sheet on a bed and look after their own clothes.  The children did Nene Valley proud with polite behaviour, thoughtful actions towards each other and adults and generally being able to manage a lot themselves.  This was after one group got very, very wet on the first day – memories made, never forgotten.

After SATs, the Year 6 children went off to PGL. Luckily we managed to take the 2021 leavers, so this is not the first overnight trip the adults in Year 6 have managed.  It is so important that the children learn through residential, gaining independence, teamwork skills and challenging themselves to take a step outside their comfort zones (and away from the ever-present screens).  

Orton Wistow Primary School

In March, Year 3 children were lucky enough to go on a residential trip to Burwell House in Cambridgeshire. One of the highlights was using the TV studio. The children all had the opportunity to present in front of the camera as well as try out behind-the-camera roles such as directing, being sound engineers, or camera operators.

Also in March, the Year 5 children went to Hilltop and had a fantastic time enjoying the adventure facilities. In May, children in Year 4 enjoyed a residential visit at the Grafham Water Centre. During the stay, everyone had the opportunity to try a range of land and water-based activities, many of which were ones they hadn’t tried before, and for many children, out of their comfort zone.

In June, a cohort of Year Six children will be travelling to London for a 3-day trip. Highlights will include: two evening meals at chain restaurants and a trip to see a West End musical, as well as visits to the London Eye, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the Globe Theatre.  

It has been wonderful to return to offering residential trips and to see the children broadening their horizons and gaining independence and new skills. 

Woodston Primary School

In May, the Year 6 children from Woodston Primary School went to Caythorpe Court PGL in Lincolnshire.  They enjoyed a variety of activities including abseiling, games like 'Capture the Flag', the giant swing, climbing wall, archery and raft building.  The weather was sunny which meant the children could make the most of the beautiful outdoor grounds spanning 65 acres. 

It was great to see the happy, smiling faces of the children as they worked in teams and encouraged each other to try new things and gain new skills.  In addition to the exciting activities, the children enjoyed the accommodation and 'mouth-watering' food, especially the meat and vegetarian burgers on the last day. As one child commented: 'The memories are still with us.  It was one of the best experiences of our lives.'  This sums up perfectly what residential trips are all about!

Catch up on what's been happening within the OWN Trust community.

Welcome and Farewell to Staff

Nene Valley Primary School 

Since March 2022, we've been delighted to welcome back Hannah Scothern in her role as a Year 3/4 Class teacher after returning from maternity leave.

We would like to say farewell and good luck to Nicola Thomson, a Year 3/4 Class teacher, and Patricia Hayden who was employed as a relief teacher and had been with us for many years.

Woodston Primary School 

Since the last newsletter, we have said good luck and farewell to one of our teachers, Zoe Armstrong.

We have been delighted to welcome the following new members to Woodston: Lisa Eddings – SEN Team, Christine Rose – Teaching Assistant, Sarah Griffiths – Teaching Assistant, and Camila Alves Miranda Gomes – Midday Supervisor.

Orton Wistow Primary School 

Since March 2022, we have welcomed a new HLTA to the team, Claire Cawston, who joined us at the start of May. 

We have also said goodbye to Kirsten Taylor Scarff, Year 2 Class Teacher, and Tracey O'Hara, HLTA, and we wish them both well in their new roles.

OWN Trust Central Office

We have been delighted to welcome three new members of staff to the OWN Trust Central Office, which is based at Woodston Primary School.  Sophie Lewis has joined us as Finance Officer, Adam Charlton has joined us as IT Manager and Lynsey Mason has joined the team as HR Officer.

We have said goodbye to Collette Hunter, Trust Business Manager, and Andrei-Nicolae Pastiu, and wish them the best of luck in their new roles.

^{Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash}

Your Views

As outlined in the above article about the OWN Trust Community Working Party, we are keen to get a baseline of staff views about the OWN Trust community.

The OWN Trust was formed in 2019 by Orton Wistow Primary School, Woodston Primary School and Nene Valley Primary School.  Since then, the Trust has been working in areas such as HR, Site Management, Finances, Leadership, SENDCO, Governance and much more. 

Now, as Covid restrictions lift, we are looking at ways to strengthen the sense of community within the OWN Trust. Staff in each of the three schools have been asked to complete a short, anonymous OWN Trust Community Questionnaire by 27th May 2022, and we are keen to hear from everyone.

The feedback from staff will be extremely valuable and will inform the next steps towards strengthening the OWN Trust Community.  Results from the questionnaire will be posted in the next newsletter which is due to be published on 12th July 2022.

Each half-term, we learn more about the daily life of those who work in the OWN Trust.

This week it's the turn of Sadie Wiles, Chief Finance Officer at the OWN Trust Central Office, and Carly Pearson, SENCO at Nene Valley Primary School.

Before I come to work I...I always start the day with a coffee (milk with one) and then commence battle with my two daughters (aged 9 and 7) to get them ready for school. I also feed our three cats & two guinea pigs. I never eat breakfast myself but at least the brood are fed and watered. I've normally done around 3000 steps and feel like I've run a marathon before I even turn up to work!

My typical day includes... I'm always ready for my second coffee of the day when I get to work, then I head to my room and get my head down. My day typically involves discussing children's provision with class teachers, liaising with the other member of the Inclusion Team, meeting with parents of SEND children, cracking on with the endless amount of paperwork that SEND processes requires and liaising with external agencies. It's a challenging and varied role, but I love my job!

Right now I'm feeling...It's Tuesday today (my day off) and one of my favourite days of the week, not just because I'm not at work, but because it gives me chance to catch up with myself and run my household as well as spending some quality time with my daughters. Tonight we've made a crumble with our home-grown rhubarb - I'm feeling pretty chuffed - because those that know me well will vouch for the fact that I am neither green-fingered nor a good cook!

My favourite work snack is...Ooooh, that's a tricky one - I'd have to say either a Chunky Peanut Butter Kit Kat, Oreo Cookies or Skittles. All extremely healthy options....not!

To relax I...I'm not very good at relaxing but I'm trying to get better at it and make more time for myself. At the moment, I'm enjoying going to the gym and try to squeeze in two workouts a week. The rest of the time I relax when I sleep.

My most memorable moment is... How do I choose?! I'm blessed with a great life, a supportive family and the best friends anyone could ask for - and I work with a great bunch of people too. A fairly recent memorable moment was when I went to Brighton for the weekend in October last year to see London Grammar with my not-so-little brother. It was quite emotional to be seeing such phenomenal live music again after the pandemic with someone who is very special to me.

One day, I would like to...Learn to step out of my comfort zone, quit being such a control freak and take bigger risks including overcoming my fear of flying, so my girls can experience a holiday overseas. And to make all that possible, would a lottery win be too much to ask?!