Caring, collaborative and excellent

@AthelstanTrust@BradonForestSch@MalmesburySch@TheDeanAcademy@AvonTSAwww.theathelstantrust.org

Edition 1November 2019

Athelstan ArgusTrust Staff Newsletter

SIR WILLIAM ROMNEY’S SCHOOL POISED TO JOIN THE TRUST

‘ S i r W i l l i a m R o m n e y ’s continues to grow in numbers and we are very proud of students’ achievements not only in GCSE exams but across all aspects of our curriculum. Staff, governors and leaders across Sir William Romney’s  are extremely positive about the prospect of joining The Athelstan Trust as it will further enrich the opportunities we can offer students in and outside of the classroom.’Jon Bell, Headteacher

The Athelstan Trust came into being as a Multi-Academy Trust in February 2015 and since then, we have evolved into a successful, collaborative family of schools. This time last year, the Board set itself a target of growth but stated that the Trust would not grow for growth sake. New schools would only be added if there would be mutual benefit for the schools already in the Trust as

well as those joining. We are delighted that the Governing Body at Sir William Romney’s School in Tetbury recently voted to join the Trust. They are a good school with strong outcomes and their student numbers are growing. They are within close proximity of Malmesbury and Bradon Forest and we have a history of working together through the ‘Gaining Ground Project’

and the Model United Nations. They have joined the Avon teaching School Alliance and are working closely with us and our other partners. The aim is for them to join the Trust by Eas te r 2020 . S taff f rom schools within the Trust have already visited Sir William Romney’s and identified ways to work together and learn from each other.

MESSAGE FROM RICHARD BOGGIS-ROLFE, CHAIR OF THE TRUST

Another year starts! Some things change, but what must never change is our commitment to give our students the very best possible start in life. To do this the Trust’s most important role is to retain, attract, care for and motivate wonderful teachers, leaders and support staff – like you. To give you the support you deserve, we need a well-resourced but lean team which can operate independently from any of our schools - so we are working on a plan to strengthen the team at the centre. The word synergy is often overused, but by working together we really can achieve so much more than by working in silos. We believe that the opportunity to develop careers by working with different schools in the Trust and therefore without changing employer can be exciting and motivating.

The decision of Sir William Romney’s School, Malmesbury School’s nearest neighbour, to join the Trust early next year is an important step; it will greatly benefit them as well helping us on our journey towards having the resources to provide truly exceptional support to our staff and students.

This important development comes after a year we can all be proud of so I would like to start the new year by giving special thanks to our leaders:

• Julie, our new Head at Bradon Forest was an internal promotion who has made a significant impact in her first year. • John has been an exceptional Associate Head of Malmesbury – he has now acted as head of two schools in the Trust. • The Dean Academy under Tom’s leadership continues to do better and better. •Tim’s evolution from Head of Malmesbury to CEO of the Trust is important for our future and the growth of the Trust is thanks to his energy and vision.

None of this would matter if it did not translate into a great quality of education for our students. Our results this year show some areas of real improvement from last year and, as ever, some areas for us to work on further.

I hope you all had a really restful half term break. The first half term of the year is always frantically busy with Open Events; I know how much effort you put into this important start of a school year.

I would like to remind all staff in the Trust that we are committed to supporting flexible working whenever we can. Staff who are interested in working part-time can always ask and we will do all we can to accommodate requests. We have large numbers of staff who have changed their hours to fit round family life. We are open to job share requests for all roles in our schools. All staff should feel able to ask for support with absence requests for urgent family issues. Staff who feel that their workload is unreasonable or who are struggling at a particular point in the term should always feel able to approach their line manager or Headteacher to discuss what support is available. We will always try to ensure staff enjoy a reasonable work/life balance.

It has been lovely to welcome so many new staff to the Athelstan Trust this year. I hope that one you feel that you have settled in and feel part of the team. We are very keen to hear your impressions of our schools particularly if you have seen something that we could do better, or you have experience of another school that does something better - please do let us know.

I have really enjoyed seeing so many more staff working together across our schools – if you haven’t taken the chance to visit a colleague in another Trust school yet try to book a visit this term and take something great to share with you!

MESSAGE FROM TIM GILSON, CEO

TRUST WIDE EXAM RESULTS 2019

GCSE RESULTS

BRADON FOREST

MALMESBURY THE DEAN

% 5* A-C E & M% 5+ E

& M% A*/A 7,8,9% 2+

Science A* - CInitial

Progress 8

70 75 48

69 54 46

21 27 5.7

69 83 53

-0.17 0.16 -0.45

A-LEVEL RESULTS - MALMESBURY

A* / A %

A* - B % A2

A - C % A2

% AAB in 3 subjects inc 2 fac. Sub.

32

62

80

25

NEW STAFFWe would like to extend a very warm welcome to

all the new staff joining the Athelstan Trust:

BRADON FOREST SCHOOL

Catherine Chappell- Assistant Headteacher (returning from sabbatical)Paul Dipple- Assistant HeadteacherDave McDonald- Assistant HeadteacherRachel Clarke - Teacher of English NQTAnnabel Elkington- Teacher of Music (0.6) NQTJack Thurlow- Teacher of PE NQTKayla Verlander - Trainee Teacher of EnglishMathew Vines- Teacher of Science NQTVeena Pegado - Teacher of Science/Cover SupervisorCordula Wiltshire- Cover Supervisor (0.6)

THE DEAN ACADEMY Sarah Haines- Deputy Headteacher Jennie Howe- Assistant Headteacher Richard Wells- Associate Assistant

HeadteacherDeclan Mooney- Deputy Headteacher

Natalie Longman- Teacher of Geography and HumanitiesTom Fessey,- Teacher of MathsCaitriona Tyndall- Teacher of EnglishKylie Weaver- Head of Maths

MALMESBURY SCHOOL

Tom Summerbee- Teacher of MFL NQTSarah McCombe - Teacher of Maths and Computing NQTJosie May Cable- Teacher of Maths and Computing NQT

Mark McCurdy- Teacher of Science NQTMark Shadrick- Assistant Headteacher Rhona Brownlie- Head of GeographyTara Griffin- Teacher of Science (0.6)Katie Alner- Girls PE TeacherDavid Tomlinson- Boys PE TeacherJames Cole- Teacher of Maths and ComputingKelley Boulton- Teacher of History

We have a number of new staff that have settled in well in each school. There has been quite a significant change to the leadership teams in all three schools. At The Dean Academy, Sarah Haines (Deputy Head – 2 days a week), Jennie Howe (Assistant Head – 1 day a fortnight) and Richard Wells (Associate Assistant Head – 1.5 days a week) join the leadership team seconded from Malmesbury. Declan Mooney (Deputy Head) makes the return journey and joins Malmesbury Leadership team 1 day per fortnight. Malmesbury are also joined by Mark Shaddrick as Assistant Headteacher. At Bradon Forest it is great to have Catherine Chappell back from her sabbatical and we are also joined by Paul Dipple and David MacDonald both as Assistant Headteachers. Across the Trust this represents a real strengthening of leadership capacity.

Jennie Howe, Assistant Headteacher, Malmesbury and The Dean Academy

“It is a real privilege for me to be working across two schools within the Athelstan Trust. Each school has its own unique culture but it is great to see evidence of so much collaboration and shared practice being embedded as we work together to achieve common goals. My role at The Dean Academy is to work with the Maths faculty to provide further leadership capacity and support, with a specific focus on developing outstanding classroom practice. I am also responsible for appraisal and developing how this framework can be used as a platform for the professional development of all staff.”

J e n n i e a n d h e r husband are currently r e n o v a t i n g h o u s e number three so she is looking forward to a dust-filled Term 2 of r e w i r i n g a n d r e -plumbing.

Sarah Haines, Deputy Headteacher, The Dean Academy and Assistant Headteacher, Malmesbury

"I am excited to be working two days a week at The Dean Academy as deputy and I have already had a very warm welcome from the school community. I wi l l be l ine managing English and SEND as well as running research groups with middle leaders and working collaboratively with colleagues to develop aspects of teaching and learning both in lessons and across the school.  As Avon Teaching School director, I am also hoping to develop further CPD  links in the area with other schools to facilitate greater opportunities for colleagues."

Sarah is building up to another trail half-marathon in November. A lot of her spare time is spent ferrying around her two teenage children and squeezing in a combination of friends, drinks and food when she can.

Declan Mooney, Deputy Headteacher, The Dean Academy

I felt valued when I was asked to spend 1 day a fortnight at Malmesbury School. This has enabled me to enhance aspects of the cross-trust work that I feel is important. I believe every school within the trust offers something unique, and by working in two schools, I can

have a larger impact on more people with our trust community. I will be working with the

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW SLT

Malmesbury SLT and pastoral team, looking at how to streamline systems so staff can work more effectively. I will be reviewing elements of safeguarding and developing the use of Class Charts across the trust.

Mark Shadrick, Assistant Headteacher, Malmesbury School

“I joined Malmesbury School this year after 4 years as Head of Maths at Devizes School and 6 years at Sheldon before that. I have enjoyed g e t t i n g t o k n o w t h e friendly staff and students and I am impressed by how happy, caring and excellent the school really is. There is a strong sense of doing what is right for the individual student not just because of the impact on league tables. The strength of the school’s message is in its simplicity and the fact that it is something everyone can relate to. I am looking forward to making a bigger impact beyond the Maths department and I hope my enthusiasm, passion about education and drive to do the right thing will help me to make a difference.” Mark’s wife, Mel is a Maths teacher at Malmesbury School but she is currently on maternity leave. Baby Arthur may well know his 2 times table before he takes his first steps.

Paul D ipple , Ass istant Headteacher, Bradon Forest School

“I have recently joined Bradon Forest School after re-locating from London, where I worked as an Assistant Head for the Harris Federation. I am delighted to have joined The Athelstan Trust and am extremely grateful to staff for the warm welcome I have received since starting. As part of my role I will be looking to develop student systems and culture across the school, I am

working with some fantastic students and professionals and I look forward to seeing the positive impact we can have across the year. As part of the Trust, I am working to develop the Bradon Forest sixth form provision in conjunction with Malmesbury and have enjoyed the initial stages of teaming up with staff over at Malmesbury to market and plan the offer. Moving forward, I look forward to working with a wide variety of staff across the Trust and wish everyone a successful year!

Paul is a lifelong Spurs fan and still holds a season ticket, making the trip back for home games whenever he can.

David McDonald, Assistant Headteacher, Bradon Forest School

“I have recently joined Bradon Forest School as an Assistant Headteacher after previously working as a Leader of Learning for Maths, Computing and Business at Sir Will iam Romney's School in Tetbury. I've been made to feel incredibly welcome in my first few weeks at Bradon Forest and have been really impressed the strength of teaching at the school and the positive attitudes of all the students. I've thoroughly enjoyed navigating the data systems and timetabling at a new school and as an Assistant Headteacher I'm looking forward to making a real positive difference at a whole school level. “ 

Outside of school David a k e e n c y c l i s t a n d i s enjoying the leisurely 10 mile commute to work m o s t m o r n i n g s ( a significant reduction on the 18 mi les he was cycling to Tetbury!).

One of key strengths of our Trust is the way staff embrace and welcome the opportunity to collaborate. This year, each Headteacher has chosen a topic which will be reviewed by a team of staff and governors from the different schools.

Bradon Forest have chosen Creative Arts (both curriculum and whole school).Team: Michelle Kilburn-Bond from Malmesbury School (Lead); Deborah Gray (Malmesbury School governor); Alex Edwards from the Dean Academy

•Part of the brief is to see if it would be possible to stage a Trust Performance with musicians working together and performing for a night at each school.

•The topic is timely because of the Art Garden.•The review will include outside space; looking at Pupil Premium engagement and building cultural capital.

Malmesbury School will focus on mental health and student well-being.Team: Emily Smith from The Dean Academy (Lead); Martin Bray from Bradon Forest; Emma McCarthy (Bradon Forest Governor)

• This topic was inspired by comments made by sixth formers being interviewed for senior

student positions about the stress students feel.

• We want to find out:- what messages are given at school- what messages are given at home - what support could be put in place

The Dean Academy will look at Student Services and our pastoral system.Team: Gren Heathcote from Bradon Forest (Lead); Kerry Beet from Bradon Forest and Dan Baker from Malmesbury School.

For the last 18 months The Dean Academy has been implementing a new behaviour policy and more restorative approach. We have also developed the role of Heads of Year to try to bring the whole pastoral team together.

• We want to look at:- what is working well- progress since change in procedures- how effective this system is being in supporting the wellbeing of students- how staff/students are finding the system- what we can do to develop the pastoral system further

SCHOOL REVIEWS

MARVELLOUS MONDAYSOne of Paul Dipple’s new initiatives at Bradon Forest is the introduction of the Marvellous Monday email to all staff. Paul visits learning areas throughout the week to highlight some best practice happening around the school which promotes and celebrates the school’s values. Paul is hoping that this will encourage staff to share great ideas and show off their own and their students’ achievements. For example; “Year 9 students in Jamie’s music class aspire to replicate and improve upon music from the 1980s!”

One of the highlights of the academic year is the chance to showcase our excellent schools to prospective students and parents. Every year our dedicated and enthusiastic teachers and support staff come up with ingenious and creative ways to advertise our values, promote our broad curriculum and leave students in no doubt that our school is the place for them. These are the ways we did it this year…

BRADON FOREST SCHOOLAttendance at the September Open Evening was excellent. Parents were extremely complimentary about the atmosphere in school, the warmth and approachability of our staff and students, and the great choice in activities to do in the classrooms.

This year Julie shortened her normal welcome speech and students spoke to parents about their Bradon Forest experience. They all did an excellent job!

THE DEAN ACADEMY The Dean Academy’s History teacher Mr Hole and his students recreated a World War One Casualty Clearing Station where wounded soldiers were assessed by the severity of their injuries. In Science there was organ dissection, maggot racing and a murder mystery to solve. In Performance children could look at and make their own musical instruments, and in PE there were lots of fun physical activities on offer for all abilities.

MALMESBURY SCHOOLPupils were issued a Passport challenge inviting them to collect stamps in each faculty and win a prize.

“I thought the entire evening (we spent a good 2 hours there) was absolutely brilliant! Both of my children, age 10 and 7 enjoyed the whole experience, even I joined in with the activities!”

These were some of the activities on offer:• Work alongside a Y7 Art student to design

your own Hare• Look at a box of items found in an old house

and tell us something about who owned it and

the story behind it • Make a food, textiles or resistant materials gift

to take home • Solve a tangram puzzle and estimate the

number of sweets in the jar • Begin your language journey by trying some

international flavours and matching the cheese to the country

• Be a forensic expert in our science lab• See how quickly you can pick up a dance

routine “The pleasant students and very helpful tour guides and are all a credit to your school, and  I can’t wait for my daughter to join in 2020.”

OPEN EVENINGS

“It was a perfect way to meet the teachers and get a feel for the types ofactivities they will be involved in during their time at school.”

A YEAR OFF IN NUMBERS6,100km, 5,500 photographs, 6 countries, 3 ripped tyres, 2 broken saddles and 1 split wheel rim...

Catherine Chappell, Assistant Headteacher at Bradon Forest, returns from her sabbatical with strong legs, a great tan and feels she is a better teacher:

“The highlight of our trip was having time to talk to people and change plans so we could go to events and places we saw advertised at the last minute. It was a great feeling of freedom to be able to be so flexible. It’s too difficult to choose the best destination! Rome was amazing, we were made to feel so welcome in Munich, I loved living in Alora, Spain for three months, and Die, France, was stunningly beautiful.

The main challenge we had to overcome was learning enough Italian to get bike tyres fixed and trying to find transport to the nearest bike shop (50km) away, when there was no bus, no train and no taxis!

The experience reminded me of something that Ray Goodwin (my old mountaineering leadership instructor) told me years ago: “To be a good teacher you should challenge yourself every year to learn something new. That way you remember all the frustrations, fears and worries that the people you teach are going through. It's very easy to forget all that once you get to be the 'expert'!” Trying to follow conversations in Spanish, French, Italian or German when I only really speak French and a bit of Spanish, gave me an insight again as to how students must feel when I'm teaching them science with a completely new vocabulary, or we have EAL students join the school.”

Dean Academy Students Create Remembrance DisplayA group of students from The Dean Academy helped the Lydney Branch of The Royal British Legion to kickstart their 2019 Poppy Appeal when they paid a visit to The Dean Heritage Centre in Soudley to create a special display recording their recent school trip to the war cemeteries in Belgium.

One student in Year 10 explained “In Belgium we visited many war cemeteries including Tyne Cot and Langemark. It was an amazing and insightful journey through the history of World War One and was a once in a lifetime opportunity to retrace the footsteps of the soldiers who battled against the invading German army.”