We are delighted to have appointed a new and permanent headteacher for Windwhistle Primary School in Weston-super-Mare. Robyn-Lee Gibb will officially be joining us at the start of the new school year in September 2023.  

 

During a rigorous selection process involving staff, pupils, school governors, trustees and ELAN representatives, Miss Gibb proved herself an excellent candidate with a strong and consistent performance over the challenging two-day selection process. 

Miss Gibb is committed to doing the best for the children of Windwhistle School and brings significant leadership and teaching experience, including Mathematics, special education needs (SEN) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) specialisms.  

 

The ELAN board of trustees are confident that this appointment will enable the school to build on its many strengths and further develop its excellent child centred provision. Miss Gibb is very much looking forward to meeting, sharing and building her vision for the future with the school’s community. 

 

Following the retirement of long serving headteacher Mrs Hunt at the end of December 2022, Interim Headteacher, Jo Walkden has successfully led Windwhistle and will continue to do so until the end of the current school year. One of her key priorities will be to provide a comprehensive handover to Miss Gibb. On behalf of everyone in the school and trust, we’d like to thank Jo for all of her hard work to date.  

 

We are entering a truly exciting time on the Windwhistle Primary School journey!

Teachers in ELAN had their first training day on Wednesday 19 April 2023 for the Opening Worlds curriculum. Introducing Opening Worlds’ curriculums for history, geography and religion, is the next step in our pursuit to ensure an extraordinary curriculum entitlement for all pupils in Extend Learning Academies Network.

 ‘It was a really inspiring session.’ Headteacher

‘I was really motivated by Christine’s passion and I am really looking forward to teaching it.’ Teacher

‘Opening Worlds has powerfully secured the curriculum as the progression. The way that children’s vocabulary is developed through the curriculum is very powerful.’ School Effectiveness Lead

‘Christine exemplified our first, second and fifth pedagogy principles perfectly! She absolutely has a clear picture of beautiful and intricate learning; she knows it - the whole curriculum and she delivered the training with masses of passion.
Steve's storytelling had me hooked! I hung on his every word and I know our pupils will be the same with our teachers using this effective pedagogical approach when they deliver the Opening Worlds curriculum.’ Innovation & development lead


Opening Worlds is a knowledge-rich humanities programme for teaching history, geography and religion in Years 3 to 6. We provide curriculum resources together with training, support and ongoing programme-related professional development for primary school teachers. Because of its rapidly discernible effects on literacy and highly inclusive approach, Opening Worlds quickly gained appeal in schools tackling under-achievement in areas of social disadvantage.

The aim of the #internationalwomensday #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

 

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. For International Women's Day and beyond, let's all fully #embraceequity

 

#inclusion #society #people #multiacademytrust #iwd2023

In January 2023, Mendip Green Primary School in Weston-super-Mare welcomed an inspector for Ofsted into school for a two day Section 5 inspection.

 

Mendip Green remained a good school and was praised in many different areas of school life including the curriculum, reading, children’s behaviour and their extensive work with pupils who have special educational needs.

 

The Ofsted inspector reported that: “There is an aspiring atmosphere at Mendip Green Primary School. It is calm and welcoming. Pupils enjoy each other’s company and build trusted relationships with adults. Pupils feel safe and happy at school.

Leaders and staff have consistently high expectations for all pupils and are effective role models. Pupils respect staff and understand routines. They are polite and respectful to others. They behave well at breaktime and lunchtime. Pupils say that bullying is not a concern. If it were to happen, they are confident that staff would sort it out quickly. As a result, pupils are motivated to learn well academically and socially.”

 

James Oakley, Headteacher at Mendip Green said: “We are delighted that the school has been graded as ‘Good’ in all areas of inspection. After such a turbulent time during the pandemic, and considering that Ofsted have revised their handbook and raised expectations since our last visit, this is a huge achievement.

The report belongs to the whole community of Mendip Green Primary, not least our wonderful children and dedicated staff. Indeed, the children shone throughout the inspection and we all feel extremely proud to receive lovely comments about their hard work and kind nature. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of our families and the community, as well as the trust, ELAN, for the continued support that you afford the school.”

 

“Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. We inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, and services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. Ofsted is a non-ministerial department.”

 

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Extend Learning Academies Network will be held at Mendip Green Primary School on Tuesday 7 February 2023 at 5:00pm for the following purposes:

1 Elect Chair for the meeting
2 Welcome, apologies and quorum
3 Disclosure of interests
4 Approve minutes of the previous AGM 01.02.2022
5 To receive the annual accounts of the company for the period to 31 August 2022
6 Any proposed changes to the Articles of Association
7 Any changes to the Funding Agreement
8 Appointment/retirement of Members, Clerks or Directors since September 2021
9 Appointment of external auditors of the Company
10 Trust business update from the CEO
11 Any motions which the Members wish to debate
12 Any business which the Trustees have asked the Members to consider
13 Any business the community has asked the Members to consider

If you would like the Members of the Multi Academy Trust to respond to questions at the AGM, please submit these in writing to the Company Secretary at least 4 days prior to the meeting

By order of the Board
Sarah Edwards
Company Secretary
Email: office@extendlearning.org

Extend Learning Academies Network
Registered Address: 13 Lime Close, Weston-super-Mare BS24 8BH

 

All associated documents will be available in advance of the meeting. If you would like the Members of the Multi Academy Trust to respond to questions at the AGM, please submit these in writing to the Company Secretary at least 4 days prior to the meeting. Please let the Company Secretary know if you will be attending.

Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) are delighted to welcome new headteachers and senior leaders to Locking Primary School and Mead Vale Primary School this September.

 

Following a rigorous selection process involving staff, children, school governors and members of the trust Roxanne Simpson was appointed headteacher at Locking Primary School and Jo Jaloszynski was appointed headteacher at Mead Vale Community Primary School in Worle.

 

Both Roxanne and Jo were experienced deputy headteachers in other ELAN schools, both have been awarded the NPQH (National Professional Qualification Headship) and have been working with their new school teams during the summer term to ensure a smooth transition.

 

Locking Primary School also welcomes a new deputy headteacher, Sharon Ledbury, Oldmixon Primary School welcome Steve Davis as deputy headteacher and Bournville Primary School welcomes Helen Wright as assistant headteacher.

 

“We are delighted to have recruited such talented and dedicated leaders who will have a positive impact on the children, staff and communities they serve. I know they will be made welcome in their new schools.”

Following the announcement from Buckingham Palace of the death of our sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a period of National Mourning has started and will continue until the end of the State Funeral. This is a period of time for reflection in response to the death of the Sovereign.

The official date of the State Funeral is Monday 19 September 2022. This day will be a national bank holiday and all schools and colleges will be closed on that date - including all ELAN primary schools; Bournville, Locking, Mead Vale, Mendip Green, Milton Park, Oldmixon, Walliscote and Windwhistle.

 

Schools reopen as normal on Tuesday 20 September 2022. Normal attendance is expected throughout the National Mourning period, other than the bank holiday.

 

As with normal bank holidays, on Monday 19 September 2022 there will be no after school clubs, holiday clubs, access to free school meals or school staff for enquiries.

 

Yours sincerely,

Extend Learning Academies Network - ELAN