Wellspring Academy Trust Logo
Governor Portal
Wellspring Digital
Menu

Latest News

IMG_7400 resized

The Forest Academy’s Outstanding Journey

, , , ,

A Barnsley primary is celebrating after receiving a coveted Outstanding rating from Ofsted.

In its latest Ofsted report, the school’s phenomenal success has been confirmed with inspectors praising staff for providing the very best education for its pupils, improving life chances, creating a caring, safe environment and delivering an ambitious curriculum.

Inspectors reported that: “The ‘Forest Promise’ of ‘Be the best that you can be,’ is lived and breathed by all in this community of excellence and achievement. An ethos of care and compassion runs through the school. Nobody is left behind. Staff share a relentless commitment to giving all pupils the very best education and improving their life chances.” 

They also praised the school’s approach to reading, stating: “Opportunities for reading are everywhere in this school… Pupils quickly become confident, fluent readers through the phonics curriculum that leaders have chosen… Pupils develop a love of reading and a love of being read to.”

The school’s leadership was also highlighted with inspectors reporting that: “Leaders are sharply focused on their commitment to giving pupils the best education possible. They share a common goal and mission to improve the life chances of pupils. They know that this also has a positive impact on the school community. Leaders ensure that staff are given very high quality training to ensure that they have the skills to deliver the ambitious curriculum that leaders have designed.”

Katie Pierce, Head of School at The Forest Academy, said: “This is tremendous news for the whole community and something we’re all incredibly proud of. We know we have a very special team here at Forest doing extraordinary things but to have that recognised externally by Ofsted is wonderful.

“Our school is living proof of what can be achieved with the right focus, energy and support. 10 years ago, things were very different for this school but the unwavering commitment and belief of school leaders and staff, combined with the support and expertise from our Trust, has created an environment where every child can thrive and meet their potential. All children deserve an outstanding education and parents and carers can be 100% confident that that’s what we offer here at Forest.”

The Forest Academy has been on a decade-long journey of improvement since joining Wellspring in 2013.  Back then, the school was labelled the 32nd Worst Performing School in England.  Now, it is among only 7% of schools countrywide that carry the Outstanding label.

Mark Wilson, CEO at Wellspring Academy Trust, added: “The Forest Academy is a wonderful school. It was the first school that joined the Trust and it epitomises everything we are about – joy, compassion, ambition, community-mindedness and the belief that every child should have access to an exceptional education. Katie and the team at Forest have created magic: an outstanding school that plays an outstanding role in serving the whole community. Everyone involved should feel very proud.”  

Elements Primary School in Leeds celebrates its Ofsted report

Elements Primary School Rated ‘Good’ in First Ever Inspection

, , , ,

Elements Primary School in Middleton, Leeds, which opened its doors to pupils in 2018 has been rated Good in all areas in its first Ofsted report.

In the report, released this week, inspectors praised the school for its high ambitions for pupils, its strong curriculum and its highly effective teaching of reading.

Inspectors reported that: “This is a school where leaders welcome and encourage pupils to be ‘world-changers’. Leaders want pupils to aim high. They have designed an ‘Elements’ curriculum to broaden pupils’ ambitions.” They also commended the leadership with comments such as: “Senior leaders and those responsible for governance speak with passion about the school. They act to improve the educational and wider experiences on offer for all pupils.

Early years provision was also singled out for praise with inspectors stating: “Leaders have planned the knowledge, skills and personal qualities that they want children to learn in the early years. Adults know their children well and adapt the curriculum to meet their needs…Leaders continue to enhance the learning environment.”

Carrie Green, Executive Principal at Elements, said: “Any Ofsted inspection is an anxious time for a school but when it is the very first one, it is a particularly nerve wracking experience. I’m delighted with the way the team handled it and showcased brilliantly the excellent work that they do every day here at Elements.

“Since opening in 2018, we have worked tirelessly to develop a rich and exciting curriculum, a nurturing and supportive environment, and to embed the school firmly in the local community. We are thrilled that the inspectors saw what a fantastic school Elements is and acknowledged the way the team are creating a whole new generation of ‘world changers’ in our little corner of Leeds. The report is testimony to the efforts and talents of the whole Elements family and I’m incredibly proud of them.”

Mark Wilson, CEO of Wellspring Academy Trust which sponsors Elements, added: “Creating a successful new school from scratch is no easy feat. This report is welcome recognition of the superb job Carrie and the team have done, which has built on the important groundwork laid by Carrie’s predecessor Sarah Horsbrough. I am extremely pleased that the inspectors have recognised the quality of education on offer at Elements, alongside the high ambitions for all pupils and warm, supportive ethos.”

Elements opened in temporary facilities in 2018 before its £6m purpose-built school site opened in 2020. Operating a staggered opening, the Middleton free school is now home to children from reception level to year 4, and will be open to pupils in all years from September 2025.

FOL_TWITTER_LOGO_STATIC_0123_ST1

Educators Urged To Embrace Creativity at 4th Festival of Learning

, , , ,

Earlier this month Wellspring held its fourth Festival of Learning, bringing together experts and colleagues from across the trust to share their knowledge and expertise, and be inspired by a range of speakers. 

This year’s festival, which was held online for the third time, kicked off with a thought-provoking keynote speech by Ian Gilbert, founder of Independent Thinking, and a leading voice in the field of education. Ian’s speech focused on the need for educators to embrace creativity and innovation in their teaching practices, and to encourage their students to think critically with curiosity.

Discussing the increasing use of AI and the changing nature of the skills required in today’s workplaces, Ian explained how ‘thinking logically isn’t enough,’ and encouraged teachers to provoke debate and emphasise creative thinking in their students. In a world where Google can teach basic facts, Ian argued that educators have a very different role to play and focus should be on giving students the space and confidence to explore new ideas and perspectives.

Ian’s speech was followed by a series of workshops and discussions, covering a wide range of topics, from teaching strategies for students with special educational needs, to the latest developments in subject-specific areas. 49 different sessions were held throughout the day, and there were 3138 session bookings, with many sessions being viewed by multiple colleagues at their own school settings. 

“Our Festival of Learning just seems to be getting better and better each year, and we’re delighted with how the day went,” said Natalie Hardman, Chief Administration Officer at Wellspring Academy Trust. “It’s been fantastic to see so many amazing education experts coming together to explore new ideas and to share their knowledge and experiences. We’re committed to providing the best possible education for our students alongside continuous staff development, and events like this are an important part of that. “

 

Conversion Day-5

Wellspring Welcomes Coomb Briggs Primary!

, , , ,

Coomb Briggs Primary School in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, has today become the latest school to join Wellspring Academy Trust, taking the total number of academies in the Trust to 29. 

With nearly 200 pupils across seven classes and a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating, Coomb Briggs Primary School is the 12th mainstream primary to join the Wellspring community. It is the 5th Wellspring academy in the North East Lincolnshire unitary authority area, joining Littlecoates Primary, Beacon Academy, Phoenix Park, and Sevenhills Academy.

“We are thrilled to be joining Wellspring Academy Trust,” said Helen Redmond, Headteacher of Coomb Briggs Primary School. “Wellspring’s ethos and values very clearly align with our own, and the support they have already provided the team and I with has been exceptional. Becoming part of a growing community with an abundance of talent and expertise is really exciting.

“The children are all really proud of their new school uniform, which features a new school logo designed by one of our very talented pupils. It all marks a new era for Coomb Briggs and we’re feeling incredibly positive about what the future might hold.”

Mark Wilson, CEO of Wellspring Academy Trust, added: “Coomb Briggs is a wonderful school with a strong commitment to its pupils and wider community, and we’re delighted to welcome it to the Wellspring family. The team’s decision to join Wellspring is a great endorsement of the support and vision we offer all our schools. We have no doubt that Coomb Briggs will fit in perfectly and be a great addition to our thriving community of academies.”

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.

Coomb Briggs Primary School is a well-established primary school in Immingham with a reputation for being caring and inclusive and providing a safe, happy and stimulating environment for learning in which every child is valued.

 

Screenshot_20230124_172646_Instagram

Jonathan Runs Through January for Mental Health Charity

Wellspring’s Facilities, Contracts and Compliance Manager Jonathan Hookham is going the extra mile this January to raise money for Sport in Mind, a charity that promotes the use of physical activity as a way to improve mental wellbeing. 

Jonathan is taking part in the Red January, a fundraiser that aims to beat the winter blues by challenging participants to run, swim, cycle or undertake any other fitness activity every day throughout January. Jonathan’s pledged to run at least a mile everyday and donate £1 per mile.

Jonathan said: “I’m really enjoying taking on this challenge and raising cash for such a worthy cause. Sport in Mind does really important work in helping people suffering from mental health issues, and it’s great to be able to contribute in some small way.

“It would be fantastic if my efforts could inspire others to get involved and support Sport in Mind. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and we all have a responsibility to take care of ourselves and those around us.”

Jonathan has set a fundraising goal of £500 and is encouraging family, friends and colleagues to support him. Anyone who wishes to contribute to Jonathan’s fundraiser can visit his page here.

 

Horncastle Primary School

School Rebuild Secured for Horncastle Primary

, , , ,

Last month (Dec 2022), the Department for Education announced the latest schools to be rebuilt or substantially refurbished under the government’s School Rebuilding Programme – and Horncastle Primary School was on the list!

239 schools were named in this latest announcement, bringing the total number of schools to receive funding up to 500. Horncastle Primary School joins Wellspring’s Beacon Academy, which secured rebuild funding under the School Rebuilding Programme in a previous round.

The funding for Horncastle Primary School will help deliver a state of the art learning environment and enable the school to completely renovate and modernise its facilities. The rebuild is due to be completed in the next three to five years.

Mark Wilson, CEO at Wellspring, said: “At Wellspring, we understand that the quality of the environment in which children learn is of central importance. It affects their educational outcomes, school experience and their overall wellbeing.

“The announcement that Horncastle Primary School is to be improved under the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme is very welcome news, and will ensure that pupils have an improved school building that supports every aspect of their learning, now and well into the future.”

IMG-6967

Wellspring Appoints New Chair to the Board

, , , , ,

Wellspring Academy Trust, Yorkshire’s largest mixed sector multi-academy trust, has appointed a new chair to the board. 

Cheryl Hobson takes over from former chair Hearl Lenton and brings more than 30 years’ experience in finance, local government and the NHS to the role. Cheryl has been involved in Wellspring’s governance as a board member and co-opted member of the Finance and Resources Committee since 2015.

Mark Wilson, CEO at Wellspring, said: “Cheryl’s appointment is excellent news for the Trust and all our schools within it. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the role and is fully committed to our ethos and mission to make a difference. I am confident of her ability to offer the Wellspring board the effective leadership and guidance required as we push forward with our ambitions for our next 10 years.

“I would also like to thank Hearl Lenton, our former chair, for his superb work during his tenure and the role he has played in Wellspring’s success to date.”

Cheryl Hobson, chair of Wellspring Academy Trust board, added: “Being part of Wellspring’s journey so far has brought me a huge sense of pride and joy, so I’m honoured to take on the role of chair of the board. As someone born and raised in Barnsley and a product of the comprehensive school system here, I understand the communities in which a lot of Wellspring’s schools are based. The positive impact the Trust is having on those communities is phenomenal. 

“Looking forward, it’s a really exciting time for Wellspring – three new free schools in progress, rebuilds of existing schools in planning and more schools than ever expressing interest in joining the Trust. On the board, we have some fantastic new people joining us to work alongside experienced members and opportunities to recruit more skills and talent. I’m really looking forward to building a strong team and being able to offer the executive team the exceptional levels of support and governance that an ambitious, fast growing trust like Wellspring needs.”   

IMG-6966 (1)

Communicolour Art Installation Inspires Grimsby Pupils

, , , ,

School’s getting a whole lot brighter for pupils in Grimsby thanks to Communicolour, an innovative new project that brings together schools and leading artists.

Phoenix Park Academy is the latest school to benefit from an inspiring, bold Communicolour art installation. Designed by acclaimed Sheffield-based artist Marcus Method, a sculpture series is transforming the outdoor space at Phoenix Park with vibrant colour and pattern.

Communicolour is a groundbreaking new initiative from Wellspring Academy Trust and aims to create a world less grey for pupils and communities by converting forgotten grey spaces into riots of colour and contemporary design. Playgrounds, fences, sides of buildings and more in schools across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have been reimagined as canvases and now display striking and engaging art.

Mark Wilson, Chief Executive at Wellspring Academy Trust, explains: “Education is really about igniting the imaginations of children and young people. Our sense of space and the calibre of our surroundings plays a critical role in that. Through our Communicolour work, we are creating spaces that are inspiring and engaging, and introduce our pupils to the incredible benefits art can have on our wellbeing.

“We want our young people to be inspired by our Communicolour art projects and, crucially, to take away the confidence that they can make a positive contribution in the world. We want them to understand they can express themselves through creativity. We want them to see value in experimentation and play, to see the world as vibrant and joyful. We want our young people to enjoy their experience of school in every form.’’

Marcus Method, artist behind the design at Phoenix Park, added: “Using my designs to inspire and engage young people and introduce them to the benefits of art has been a real pleasure. The sculptures have been designed around the concept of ‘Flourishing,’ and represent change and growth. The first sculpture is very regimented and uniform, but as each one progresses, more shape, colour and dynamism is added. This journey represents the life of the young people in school – maybe unsure and shy at the start but flourishing over time through meeting new people and experiencing new things, and enriching their lives.”

Morag Myerscough working with Ebor Gardens pupils at Ebor Gardens

International Artist Gets Creative With Leeds School Children

A world-renowned artist who recently designed an aerial installation of 105 flags spanning the entire length of London’s Oxford Street to bring awareness to environmental issues is now working with pupils from a Leeds inner city primary school to create their very own art project.

Based in London, Morag Myerscough is an international artist and designer famous for her bold, colourful community-based installations. Her award-winning work is regularly featured on TV and one of her most recent projects is the Joy Garden at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Next on the list is an exciting new installation for Ebor Gardens Primary School after Morag hosted a day of workshops there with Year 4 pupils. Morag will now design an exciting new installation for the Burmantofts school incorporating the ideas the children developed and shared in the workshops.

This work is the latest development in the Communicolour project, an initiative from Wellspring Academy Trust that transforms forgotten grey spaces in schools and communities into amazing, inspiring art. Under the scheme, leading artists are invited to treat Wellspring schools’ playgrounds, school buildings, walls and fences as blank canvases to explore and reimagine. Pupils, staff and members of the wider school community then benefit from both inspiring, engaging space and everyday access to exciting, world-class art.

Natalie Wathen, Executive Vice Principal at Ebor Gardens, explained: “This is an incredible opportunity for the children at Ebor Gardens to meet and be inspired by a famous, critically acclaimed artist. We’ve been learning all about Morag’s work in the run up to the workshops and the children were very excited and eager to share their thoughts and ideas with Morag.

“Our school community is a diverse one, with pupils from a range of cultures and backgrounds. Working together with Morag to create a large-scale art installation that celebrates our shared experiences and community will be a wonderful thing, not just for pupils but for everyone involved in Ebor Gardens. We can’t wait to see what Morag and the children come up with!”

Morag Myerscough, whose mantra is “make happy those that are near and those that are far will come,” added: “Community and a sense of place are universally important. We all want to feel like we belong, and my work uses design to convey a community’s unique identity and develop that feeling of belonging.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the young people at Ebor Gardens and working with them to understand what makes their corner of Leeds so special to them and discovering how we can represent and share that through the wonder that is shape and colour. There’s nothing quite like the creativity and enthusiasm of children to inspire and I’ve no doubt we’ll come up with something spectacular together.”

Ebor Gardens is part of Wellspring Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust with 28 schools across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire spanning mainstream primary and secondary, SEND and alternative provision settings. Communicolour has already transformed eight schools in the Trust, including Victoria Primary Academy in Leeds and Green Meadows in Guiseley, and has 12 more projects in planning stages.

Image1_010 aerial copy

Post-16 Special School For Scunthorpe Hits New Milestone

, , ,

The creation of a new special school for 16-19 year olds in Scunthorpe is gathering pace ahead of its scheduled open date in September 2023.

As well as the build work being well underway, Trent View College has also moved on to a key milestone in the school’s development – recruiting the people who will get the school off to a successful start.

Sarah Parker, Trent View College’s Principal Designate, said: “This is a really exciting time in the Trent View College story. Not only are we seeing real physical progress on the site of the new school, but we are now in a position to start putting together the leadership team that will make the Trent View College ambition a reality. We’re inviting people interested in joining us to come along to one of two events at Holiday Inn, Doncaster this month to discover more about the new school and how they can be involved.

“We’re eager to hear from talented, dynamic and committed education leaders (and aspiring leaders) who want to help us build something incredibly special in Scunthorpe for 16-19 year olds. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to be right there at the start of the creation of a new post-16 special school. People joining the team will be able to put their mark on something that will be a fantastic resource for the local community for years to come.”

The recruitment events will be held on Tuesday 11th October at 4.30pm- 6pm and Saturday 15th October at 9am – 11am at Holiday Inn Doncaster. Trent View College is part of Wellspring Academy Trust and leaders from across the Trust will be on hand at the events to also discuss leadership opportunities within Wellspring as a whole and at the 28 schools the Trust manages across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Wellspring schools comprise a mix of mainstream primary and secondary alongside special and alternative provision schools, offering a range of career opportunities both at school and at trust-level.

Dave Whitaker, Director of Learning at Wellspring, added: “We are always interested in meeting with education professionals who share our values and ethos. Our approach is focused on empathy and understanding, and putting our children and young people’s needs at the very heart of everything we do. As a fast growing multi-academy trust operating in a range of settings, we can help people to develop a career that really works for them. As well as Trent View College, we have a further two free schools in progress in Selby and Sheffield. There has never been a better time to join Wellspring.”

For more information, people can register their interest here

Load More