A very positive start in all three academies after a very interesting summer. Some important milestones. New sixth form started at Twickenham Academy. Building underway at Ipswich after the archaeological dig into medieval field patterns discovered in the first dig.

Hampton students arrive next Monday to an unrecognisable school site. Students will move into the two new lower colleges in October. In the meantime we are demolising the existing build ready to build the third college. Scary. But the new build looks fantastic and is a great tribute to the Kunskapsskolan design and concept. So six challenging weeks. Let’s hope the sun continues to shine!

It is really good to get back into the the daily flow after the shock of this year’s GCSE English results. We need to keep working to get a fair deal for our students. It is so clearly an injustice.

The introduction of a new IT sytem across the Trust has been established and goes live over the next couple of weeks. This will not only bring greater security and speed  to the system but it will integrate a whole range of applications and operations. Some of students will shortly be receiving their individual tablet devices. Developing a new pedagogy and set of protocols to exploit maximum advantage of the tablets and the mobiles students already carry. A protocol based on respect and responsibility rather than banning and confiscation.

We also welcome Elizabeth Woodville to the team. Students in year 7 and 8 are using our concept and resources and have created some great learning spaces over the summer. They are hoping to convert to become an LST academy from December. What is more they are already contributing to the partnership by sharing their English  success and expertise and sixth form experience.