Staff and students at Elements Primary School in Middleton, Leeds warmly welcomed Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn into their classrooms earlier this month, and shared their thoughts on how to improve Leeds.
Elements Primary School pupils, known as ‘world changers’ within their school community, were incredibly excited to meet their special visitor and show them around their recently rated ‘Good’ school. Mr Benn met with every year group and enjoyed participating in phonics and maths lessons. It was Year 3 that really stole the spotlight though when they took the opportunity to read in person the letters they had been writing to him as part of their persuasive writing work. Requests for more parks and museums all featured heavily!
Carrie Green, Executive Principal at Elements Primary School, CEO at Wellspring Academy Trust, said: “We are tremendously proud of our school, and staff and pupils alike were thrilled to be able to show Mr Benn around for the first time since we were inspected by Ofsted. Since opening in 2018, Elements has gone from strength to strength and our young people demonstrated that beautifully. They certainly impressed Mr Benn with their carefully considered and confidently read letters. I’m sure he’s gone back to Westminster with plenty of ideas to think about from our ‘world changers!’
Hilary Benn MP, added: “I much enjoyed visiting Elements Primary and was greatly impressed by the careful thought that the Year 3 pupils had put into their letters to me. They obviously care a lot about their community and they expressed themselves very well. Congratulations to all of them!”
Littlecoates Primary Academy in Grimsby is excited to share its crowdfunding campaign to create a new pond and wildlife area within its school grounds. This comes fast on the heels of the school gardening club being named a top ten finalist in last year’s prestigious RHS School Gardeners of the Year competition. This recognition showcases the school’s commitment to environmental education and sustainable practices, while the crowdfunding campaign aims to provide students with an enhanced learning environment and support local wildlife.
Following on from their achievement, Littlecoates Primary Academy is now moving on to a crowdfunding campaign to fund the development of a dedicated pond and wildlife area on the school grounds. The campaign aims to turn some disused, bramble-covered space into an enriching habitat for local wildlife, including a pond and a hide for observing and learning about the diverse species that inhabit the area. This initiative underscores the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and providing students with immersive educational opportunities.
Neville Wilkinson, Headteacher at Littlecoates Primary Academy, said: “We are immensely proud to be named a finalist in the RHS School Gardeners of the Year competition, recognising the hard work and dedication of our gardening club. This achievement pushes us on to continue our efforts in environmental education. Our crowdfunding campaign for the new wildlife area aligns perfectly with our mission to provide our students with exceptional learning experiences and create a sustainable future for our local ecosystem. For many of our pupils, green space is in short supply at home so offering access to the natural world at school is incredibly important.”
The crowdfunding campaign will enable Littlecoates Primary Academy to transform a large, currently unused portion of their grounds into a thriving wildlife habitat. By supporting the campaign, donors will contribute to the creation of an ecosystem that fosters biodiversity, allowing students to engage with nature and learn about the importance of conservation first hand. The campaign will also provide the wider community with some much needed green space to enjoy and benefit from.
The gardening club at Littlecoates Primary Academy has been instrumental in fostering a love for gardening and nature among the students. The club is supported by Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire (VANEL) and run by volunteer leader and ‘Green Mentor’ Sam Smith. Through various educational activities and projects, the club has empowered children to develop their gardening skills and deepen their understanding of environmental sustainability. The addition of the new wildlife area will provide an immersive setting for students to explore and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.
The combination of being named a finalist in the prestigious competition and launching the crowdfunding campaign highlights Littlecoates Primary Academy’s dedication to environmental education and community engagement. The school invites Littlecoates’ supporters and nature enthusiasts alike to contribute to the crowdfunding campaign and help create a vibrant wildlife area that will inspire generations of students and benefit the whole community.
To learn more about the crowdfunding campaign and contribute to Littlecoates Primary Academy’s new wildlife area, please visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/xxxxxx-5
Twelve new specialist primary school places for children with communication and interaction needs have been created in Grimsby for the first time.
Launchpad – the first school specialist provision of its type in North East Lincolnshire – is designed to be a ‘turnaround provision’ for early years children and those in Key Stage 1 (aged 4, 5 and 6).
The new provision is being delivered by Wellspring’s Littlecoates Primary Academy, and is the result of a partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council.
Littlecoates Launch Pad opening: (from left) Chair of the Children and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Panel at North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Paul Silvester, Littlecoates Primary Academy Principal, Neville Wilkinson, North East Lincolnshire Council’s Director of Children’s Services, Janice Spencer OBE, and Mark Wilson, CEO of Wellspring Academy Trust.
The provision formally launched today (15/09), with 12 new students taking up their places at the school.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the provision, Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:
“This provision is the result of some real innovative work between the Council and Wellspring Academy Trust.
“Our priority here is to ensure that children who might need a little extra help, get that help, and are eventually able to return to mainstream schooling.
“This type of support is in real demand here in North East Lincolnshire, so I’m really pleased that we have managed to get this off the ground and running, and it’s going to be great to see students getting started in September.
“I’d like to thank Wellspring Academy Trust for working with us to make this happen, and I’d like to wish those students attending Launchpad the very best of luck for the forthcoming year of their education.”
Neville Wilkinson, Principal at Littlecoates Primary, said:
“Our new Launchpad provision will offer 12 pupils with SEND the specialist support and teaching to enable them to stay in mainstream education and attend school in their local area. At Littlecoates, we pride ourselves on our welcoming, inclusive approach and are incredibly proud to be able to support children with a wide range of needs. By working together with North East Lincolnshire Council, we have been able to create something that will make a huge difference to the lives of 12 children and their families. We’re looking forward to watching the progress of the first pupils to benefit from this important resource over the coming months and years.”
Victoria McReast, whose daughter attends the new provision, said: “The staff are all extremely welcoming and have excellent communication with parents both in person and via the class Dojo app.
“This includes the activities the children are up to along with photos, and this helps settle myself and my husband as Felicity cannot talk so we constantly worry about her.
“We feel very fortunate that Fliss has got a place at the launchpad as they cater for all the different needs of the children and their interests.
“I just wish the Launchpad ran the entirety of her school life because knowing Fliss has many extra needs, it’s very comforting to know and trust that she is settled in a place that has her best interests at heart.”
Admissions to the new provision have been managed by North East Lincolnshire SEND team, in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015) via annual reviews of EHCPs.
Staff and students at a Wellspring special school in Barnsley are celebrating after being rated Outstanding by Ofsted for the third consecutive time.
In its latest Ofsted report, released over the summer, Greenacre School on Keresforth Hill Road was praised for maintaining its high standard of education and working well with external professionals to ensure pupils get the right support and are well prepared for adulthood.
Inspectors reported that: “The mission to ‘nurture, empower and prepare’ pupils for life is at the heart of this welcoming and inclusive school. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm and nurturing. Leaders listen to pupils. They ensure pupils have a ‘voice and choice’ in their education.”
They also praised the school’s approach to behaviour, stating: “Pupils’ behaviour is exceptional. Highly proficient staff support pupils to manage their behaviour very well. There is a strong ethos of respect for others. They have excellent attitudes to learning. They feel safe and are very well looked after.”
The school’s approach to developing its curriculum and the calibre of its teachers were also highlighted with inspectors reporting that: “The curriculum meets the needs of the range of pupils very well. The ‘access’ curriculum strongly underpins learning across the whole curriculum. It is thoughtfully designed and planned. Pupils, particularly those with complex needs, can engage with learning and develop personally…Teachers are highly skilled. They know individual pupils very well. They check frequently the progress pupils make. They use this information to plan pupils’ next steps effectively.”
Sarah Wilson, Executive Principal at Greenacre School, said: “Greenacre is a wonderful school where staff go above and beyond every single day to ensure our pupils receive the highest quality education and care. Whilst the verdicts of our pupils and parents will always be our most important judgement, it is a great achievement to be rated Outstanding yet again by Ofsted, and we are very proud.
“As we look ahead, we are determined to build on our successes and continue to develop the services, resources and opportunities that we can offer Greenacre pupils. They deserve the very best and the best is what we are committed to providing.”
Mark Wilson, CEO at Wellspring Academy Trust, added: “We are very proud to have had Greenacre School as part of our school community for the last five years. It continues to go from strength to strength, and delivers the quality of education that all our children and young people should enjoy. Sarah and the Greenacre team set the standard for SEND education and ensure that the Barnsley community has an incredible local resource to support some of their most vulnerable residents.”
Established in 2012, Wellspring Academy Trust is a family of mainstream primary and secondary schools, and SEND and Alternative Provision settings operating across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Wellspring’s mantra is ‘We Make A Difference’ and it is committed to providing the best possible education and improving life chances for all its students. By sharing best practice, resources, and expertise, the Trust supports schools to deliver exceptional education and serve the communities in which its academies operate.
As students and staff settle back into school life after the summer, Wellspring Academy Trust has reached a significant milestone in its growth trajectory thanks to two new schools joining its community.
The addition of Parkside School, a mainstream secondary based in Bradford, and Trent View College, a new 60-place post 16 special school in Scunthorpe which opened to students this week, has meant that Wellspring has reached – and surpassed – the key marker of 30 schools. There are now 31 schools that make up the Wellspring school community, ranging from mainstream primaries and secondaries to SEND and AP settings. Its schools span eight local authorities and cover Yorkshire and Humberside, and Lincolnshire.
Mark Wilson, CEO at Wellspring said: “There is something significant about reaching the number 30 and this is a very proud moment for everyone involved in Wellspring. Growing to a community of 31 schools is clear testimony to our approach and the support we offer all our schools.
“Parkside joining Wellspring is an incredibly exciting development. It becomes our second mainstream secondary school, after Beacon Academy in Cleethorpes, and our largest school by pupil numbers so far. Trent View College is our sixth free school to be completed and is a superb showcase of what can be achieved with smart thinking and a commitment to delivering the very best learning environments for all pupils.
“With two new free schools in progress and more schools than ever expressing interest in joining Wellspring, we are looking forward to making a difference for more and more children and young people and their communities. Wellspring is clear about its approach – long term strategic thinking and careful financial management alongside an unwavering focus on compassion, inclusivity and empathy and creative, engaging curricula. That approach is proving highly appealing to many in the education sector.”
Wellspring Academy Trust was founded in 2012 and has gone from strength to strength since then. Whilst supported by Wellspring, 22 schools have been inspected by Ofsted and 11 have improved in grade, with seven moving from Inadequate to Good or Outstanding and four moving to Good from Requires Improvement.
A world-first new special school has opened its doors to students for the very first time.
Trent View College, situated at West Common Lane, Scunthorpe, is a new post-16 college for students with special educational needs designed to remove barriers to learning and help young people develop important life and employability skills and prepare them for adulthood.
Part of Wellspring Academy Trust, the new purpose-built £12 million school provides state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities for the 60 students who will attend. The building is testament to modern design, accessibility and inclusivity in education, and has been carefully designed to meet the learning objectives of those who will attend. A large commercial kitchen space will be used for students to both learn catering skills and prepare the meals for their fellow classmates, whilst a vehicle workshop will allow students to learn about car maintenance and repairs. The building also comprises a cafe which will serve the public and enable students to develop their hospitality skills. Complementing the vocational areas are carefully considered therapeutic spaces to provide support and intervention for young people with more complex needs. These include a hydrotherapy pool, rebound area and fully immersive sensory rooms. The combination of these facilities will support the model of social inclusion allowing all students to work together, providing a space to meet their individual needs and aspirations.
As well as offering the very best in inclusive post-16 learning facilities, the building itself is a world-first when it comes to environmental impact. Designed by HLM Architects and built by Morgan Sindall Construction , the school meets strict Passivhaus standards around energy efficiency and environmental impact. The inclusion of a heat-intensive hydrotherapy pool in the build makes Trent View College the first SEND school with a hydrotherapy pool in the world to achieve Passivhaus standards.
Sarah Parker, Principal at Trent View College, said: “Today is an incredibly exciting moment for the local community and for everyone who has been involved in the efforts to bring this wonderful new school to Scunthorpe. We now have this amazing new building and talented team in place to provide a nurturing space where our students can acquire vital life skills, engage in meaningful work and develop their routes toward independence. It will be life changing for the students attending.
“As well as world-class facilities for our students, this new school will also be a fantastic resource available for use by the wider community. We are very much looking forward to putting Trent View College at the heart of the Scunthorpe community and working closely with businesses and partners across the area.”
Mark Wilson, CEO at Wellspring Academy Trust, added: “This is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and creative thinking from all partners involved in this project, and today is a truly proud moment for us all. At Wellspring, we prioritise inclusivity, forward-thinking, community involvement and a desire to always do things better. Trent View College epitomises that approach. The innovation and ambition behind this project has set the standard for what SEND schools can, and should, be. I look forward to watching the impact of Trent View College on its students and the Scunthorpe community over the coming months and years.”
Ben Hall, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction – Yorkshire, said: “At Morgan Sindall we are committed to equal opportunities and believe that everyone should be given the best possible chance at achieving their goals. It’s therefore a privilege to have contributed to the skills development of young people in the local community with special educational needs through the creation of Trent View College.
“It’s incredibly positive to see more demand for state-of-the-art facilities such as Trent View College. It indicates a change in ideals surrounding our education system and understanding of how we encourage the best out of everyone. Collaboration has been crucial to this project, and the support we’ve had from the Wellspring Academy Trust and HLM has given us the scope to apply our expertise in delivering this fantastic educational environment. Through the deployment of our Intelligent Solutions approach we were able to help this landmark college achieve Passivhaus accreditation.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Wellspring Academy Trust and look forward to seeing the impact of its work – and of Trent View College – in the near future.”
Catherine Ward, Associate & SEN Lead at HLM Architects, added: “HLM are incredibly proud to have been involved in the design and delivery of this unique special school. The new building will not only provide much needed school places and specialist facilities for post 16 students with SEND in North Lincolnshire but, also provide numerous benefits offered by Passivhaus design including; an energy efficient, sustainable, high performing building; lowered running cost; and a comfortable internal environment improving health and wellbeing of students and staff. The success of the design has been achieved through a collaborative process involving the Trust and DfE and provides a contemporary, exemplary sustainable school which meets the very specialist needs of the building users.”
Trent View College is a fully inclusive post-16 college, where individual differences are celebrated and aspirations are supported. Its aim is to develop inquisitive, aspirational and resilient young people who are fully equipped to engage and contribute to their own communities.
Progress towards a new Wellspring SEND school in Selby has advanced with the selection of Bowmer + Kirkland by the Department for Education as the main contractor tasked with bringing forward proposals for the new school.
The new 100 place all-through (3-19 years) school is proposed for a site off the A63 Hull Road in Osgodby and will provide much needed SEND places for the Selby area and new facilities for the community to share. The proposals will deliver a major investment from the Department for Education and North Yorkshire Council and will be part of Wellspring Academy Trust.
The project team is inviting local people to an exhibition to view the plans in more detail on Monday 18th September 2023, from 5-8pm at Barlby Library and Community Hub, or by visiting the project website selbyareasendschoolplans.co.uk where you can register for updates and leave your feedback.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said, “I am absolutely delighted that we are moving forward with the proposals to provide Selby and the surrounding area with a special school for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
“The public engagement planned is an important milestone in the delivery of the new Special School. We will continue to work with the Department for Education and Wellspring Academy Trust to ensure our children and young people who need support have access to high quality specialist provision, local to them.”
James Beeston, Regional Design Manager at Bowmer + Kirkland, said, “Our proposals for the site, which has an education allocation in the draft emerging Selby Local Plan, will meet the latest standards of sustainable building regulations, be largely constructed off-site to help minimise disruption to neighbours and be of a high-quality architectural design that supports the needs of local children with SEND.”
Sean Kiernan, Director of Capital and IT at Wellspring Academy Trust, commented, “We believe that every child has the right to an engaging, exciting education. We champion inclusive education, stronger communities and improved life chances. The proposed new SEND school will help reduce school journey times for SEND pupils in the Selby area whilst providing a calm and safe environment which will make a significant difference to their outcomes.”
In the world of education in North East Lincolnshire, few have made as unforgettable an impact as the Chair of Governors at Beacon Academy, George Krawiec. With unwavering dedication to the school, its staff, and students, George’s leadership and passionate advocacy have played a pivotal role in the incredible transformation of Beacon Academy. As George embarks on a new chapter in life, closer to family, we celebrate the profound impact he has made through his invaluable advice, guidance, and unwavering commitment to governance.
George came to Beacon with a track record of delivering transformation, having turned around North East Lincolnshire Council from zero rated in his role as CEO of the council. This experience proved invaluable during his time at Beacon, and George played a pivotal role in ensuring the survival and success of the school. He was a driving force behind the school joining Wellspring, recognising the alignment between Wellspring’s values and Beacon Academy’s needs. George wholeheartedly advocated for the affiliation, believing it to be the best solution for long-term sustainability and ensuring the local community continued to have a secondary school on its doorstep.
Beyond Beacon Academy, George served as governor at two other schools, including Wellspring’s Phoenix Park and Sevenhills. He also served on the Wellspring Trust Board for a period of time and he has actively participated in Wellspring’s Chairs’ Network and the Governance Working Group, sharing his expertise to advise the Trust Board on governance matters. His efforts to attract new and diverse governors, support professional development initiatives, and promote effective governance have strengthened the Trust and ensured the continued success of the school.
George’s involvement with Beacon has been instrumental in finding exceptional individuals to join the school’s staff team. Recognising the importance of dedicated staff, George has been a regular attendee at interviews to ensure new team members were the right fit for Beacon. His strong support for the school’s ethos and ambitious vision has been crucial. Moreover, George’s unwavering commitment to students facing challenging circumstances, including those who have been excluded from other schools and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, has raised aspirations and provided vital support. His dedication to all pupils at Beacon Academy and his innovative approaches to education have inspired and engaged students, leaving a lasting impact on their educational journeys. Pupils at Beacon know George by name, a rare occurrence for any school governor, and testimony to George’s impact at every level.
George’s most remarkable achievement as Chair of Governors was his unwavering commitment to securing the future of Beacon Academy during its transition from Holy Family Academy. Faced with the looming threat of closure, George passionately fought to preserve the school’s inclusive ethos. Through extensive collaboration with all stakeholders and particularly the DfE and the local MP, George played a vital role in demonstrating that Beacon Academy could thrive under Wellspring’s guidance. The impact has been remarkable, with the school now over subscribed, improved academic outcomes, financial stability, and a commitment from the DfE to build a multi-million pound new school under the government’s School Rebuilding Programme.
George Krawiec’s tenure as Chair of Governors at Beacon Academy has been defined by his unwavering commitment to the school’s students, staff, and governance. Through his passionate advocacy, dedication to raising aspirations, and strategic leadership, George has been a driving force behind the school’s transformation and its importance within Wellspring. As George embarks on new endeavours, we bid him a heartfelt farewell, recognising the enduring legacy of positive change he leaves behind at Beacon Academy. He leaves some very big shoes to fill!
The winners of Wellspring’s first Trust-wide art contest, organised by the team at Phoenix Park Academy, have been revealed.
Developed to inspire creativity and celebrate the artistic talents of pupils in schools across Wellspring, the Wellspring Art Contest invited all 29 Wellspring schools to submit artworks in the theme of “Festival of the Sea” – a nod to Phoenix Park Academy’s coastal location in Grimsby.
The competition has been generously supported by Ørsted, an energy company specialising in renewables including offshore wind technology on the UK’s east coast, and Primary ICT, a leading provider of educational technology. The contest proved to be a tremendous success with over 150 entries being received.
Mark Wilson, CEO of Wellspring, played a vital role in the judging process, alongside Harriet Farmery from Ørsted and Wellspring’s Estates Manager, Keith Beedie. The panel faced the arduous task of reviewing each submission, evaluating the creativity, skill, and adherence to the theme exhibited by the young artists.
After careful consideration, the judges announced the eight winners of the Wellspring Art Contest: a group effort from Tokyo Class at Phoenix House; Charlie Marsh-Lowe from Phoenix Park Academy; Christopher T from The Forest School, Knaresborough; Emily P from The Forest School, Knaresborough; Danni Lawton from Phoenix Park Academy; Frankie from Coomb Briggs Primary School; Logan Pemberton from Springwell Leeds East; and a collective piece from students from Springwell Leeds North (Sinead Greenall, Millie Hague, Adam Taylor-Rossato, Blake Doran, Tyler Carter, Harvi Parker, KC Johnson and Lilly Barton). These exceptional young talents were awarded for their outstanding artistic abilities and unique interpretations of the Festival of the Sea theme.
The winners will receive exclusive goody bags sponsored by Ørsted, Primary ICT and Phoenix Park Academy to further support and encourage the winners’ artistic journeys.
The Wellspring Art Contest has not only provided a platform for creative expression but also fostered collaboration and camaraderie among the participating schools within the Trust. By uniting students from different backgrounds and educational settings, the contest showcased the power of art to connect individuals and communities.
Principal Phil Burns from Phoenix Park Academy explains why he wanted to develop the contest: “Art plays a central role at Phoenix Park Academy and we support some superb artistic talent in our school. We wanted to celebrate that in a way that engaged the whole of Wellspring. The Wellspring Art Contest has been a wonderful opportunity to come together and appreciate the power of art to inspire and connect. We are immensely grateful to Orsted and Primary ICT for their support and to all the talented young artists who participated in this contest.”
The success of the first Wellspring Art Contest means the intention is to develop it as a regular event, offering a platform for creative expression and fostering artistic growth among pupils within the Wellspring community. Watch this space for details of the next one!
The winning art works…
Christopher T – The Forest School
Emily P – The Forest School
Logan P – Springwell Leeds East
Frankie – Coomb Briggs Primary
Springwell Leeds North (Sinead Greenall, Millie Hague, Adam Taylor-Rossato, Blake Doran, Tyler Carter, Harvi Parker, KC Johnson and Lilly Barton)
A Wellspring primary school in Leeds has received official confirmation of its incredible turnaround, with Ofsted inspectors now rating the school Outstanding after it was previously named Inadequate.
In Bramley Park Academy’s latest Ofsted report the school was described as ‘exceptional’ and received praise for its strong curriculum, pupils’ ‘exemplary’ behaviour, the range of extra-curricular experiences offered to pupils and more.
Inspectors reported that: “There are no limits to the ambition that leaders and staff have for them. Pupils enjoy coming to school and live and breathe the school’s vision to ‘believe, persevere and achieve’. Leaders have an unswerving commitment to serving pupils, families and the community. They believe that every pupil can achieve great things.” They highlighted pupils’ behaviour stating: “Behaviour in lessons and around school is exemplary. Pupils are polite and welcoming. They enjoy learning and are engaged and attentive in lessons.”
The curriculum was also praised with inspectors reporting that: “Leaders have developed a highly ambitious and impressive curriculum that begins in Nursery and continues to the end of Year 6. A well-planned sequence of learning is the bedrock for all learning…Pupils in key stage 2 make impressive progress in core subjects and have secure knowledge of what they are learning in the wider curriculum. The curriculum in early years is also impressive. Leaders have identified the end points they want children to reach and to prepare them for key stage 1. The children are confident and independent learners.”
Carrie Green, Executive Principal at Bramley Park Academy, said: “Everyone involved in Bramley Park Academy is absolutely thrilled with this report. The whole team has worked incredibly hard over the past four and half years to create a school which is, as the inspectors put it, ‘exceptional.’ Not only do we wrap all the children in love and care, we are ambitious for them and enable them to reach their full potential, and it is wonderful to have that recognised externally.
“Bramley Park Academy has been on a real journey since joining Wellspring Academy Trust in 2018. It has gone through a huge transformation and is now a school that parents and carers can have 100% confidence in and pupils adore attending. With the support of the Trust, we are providing the top quality, inspiring education that every child deserves.”
Mark Wilson, CEO at Wellspring Academy Trust, added: “Whilst Ofsted reports can only ever tell a fraction of the story about a school, this report is another important landmark in the transformational tale of Bramley Park Academy. Under Carrie Green’s superb leadership and her team’s commitment to constant improvement, Bramley Park has gone from strength to strength. The quality of education and care offered to every pupil, whatever their circumstances, is second to none and I am incredibly proud that Bramley Park Academy is part of our Wellspring family.”
