Schools across the Trust marked World Book Day and promoted reading for pleasure on Thursday 7 March 2024, each in their own way. Activities across the whole week ranged from reading and storytelling to listening to authors and working alongside a poet.

At Kemble Primary School many staff wore pyjamas all day and invited pupils and their parents back into school in the evening for bedtime stories read by their class teachers. They all enjoyed cups of hot chocolate.

During the day, activities were enthusiastically led by the school’s reading ambassadors. This ensured everyone was involved and supported the theme of ‘Bedtime Stories’. Children and staff came to school dressed as their favourite characters from a book they love to read at bedtime or actually reading their favourite book ready for bed! The school held a fun assembly which included a fashion show of outfits and guessing the characters they represented. Pupils shared their preferred stories and new titles were introduced. The school certainly now has a long wish list for their library. 

Headteacher, Emma Morrogh-Ryan said, ‘At Kemble we are passionate about reading and World Book Day is a great opportunity for pupils to share the enjoyment reading for pleasure can bring. We hope that the children were inspired to explore new titles and genres in their reading both at home and at school.’
 
Children from Key Stages 1 and 2 also participated in the ‘Year of Reading’ project’s Book Festival on Friday 8 March. This was an exciting opportunity to take part in two workshops where they were inspired to create their own characters from the stories. The children were buzzing with excitement and have all embarked on becoming published authors!
 
Parents came in to school to read to classes throughout the week and introduced their favourite stories.

Mrs Parmiter, Kemble’s ‘Year of Reading’ Lead said, ‘Our whole school community has been involved and it has been a wonderful way to share the enjoyment a good book can bring.’

In contrast, pupils at Siddington C of E Primary School combined ‘World Book Day’ with their focus on mental health and wellbeing. 

Pupils came together to read from a rainbow of books. Cushions and blankets covered the floor and joy filled the air. Book Week was the perfect vehicle to spotlight the school’s new wellbeing curriculum which has taught the pupils about mental and physical wellbeing. 

Headteacher, Louise Lennox, explained: ‘On Monday, I taught, along with my valued teachers, a whole school lesson centred around the book, ‘Blue’. Some of our pupils used their language of spirituality to think deeply about the messages that the story was sending. It was such a pleasure to teach all ninety pupils together in an environment where they feel safe and valued. We have decided as a team, that we would like to do this more often.’

The teachers also provided the pupils with different encounters with books. On Friday 8 March, two classes visited the Barn Theatre and joined pupils from other primary schools, including Kemble and Chesterton, to have author experience sessions as a part of our local ‘Year of Reading’. The older children were whisked away to a local and magical land where they could create their own characters.

Pupils at Chesterton Primary and Nursery School celebrated their love of reading on World Book Day too. Staff and children came to school dressed as their favourite book characters and showed each other their costumes in assembly.

During the day, each class made an exciting trip into Cirencester to spend their book vouchers at Waterstones bookshop. Pupils accepted a creative challenge and found interesting and innovative places to read around the town and captured these moments in photos!

The team at Waterstones commended the pupils: ‘Thank you for choosing Waterstones to exchange the World book Day vouchers. We loved seeing the children in their costumes as well as the staff. We would also like to commend your staff and helpers for the way they organised the visit. It was carried off brilliantly. Also, a big shout out to the pupils themselves for their enthusiasm and good behaviour.’

Children at Chesterton’s Nursery went on a lovely trip to Elmgrove Care Home. The residents and staff there put a precious book together which they shared with the children.

In the afternoon, children designed their dream book corners for classrooms and then had a story read to them by different teachers.

Libby Pringle, Headteacher, reflected, ‘I am very proud of our celebration of reading and how we were able to share this with our community. We had a wonderful day!’

The pupils also enjoyed taking part: ‘I liked everyone’s amazing costumes.’  ‘I loved reading to the little ones.’  ‘I loved getting a ticket and picking out a book. I enjoyed all the activities.’  ‘It made me feel really responsible when I was reading the younger ones. I enjoyed the visit to Waterstones, I enjoyed choosing my own book.’

In keeping with a well-established World Book Day tradition at Cirencester Deer Park School, pupils in Years 7-10 took part in sponsored Readathons on Thursday 7 March (World Book Day) and Friday 8 March. These sponsored reading events are now a regular part of the school calendar with pupils raising money for Read for Good, a Nailsworth-based charity that provides books and stories for children in hospitals nationwide. 

Pupils taking part were ‘off timetable’ and based in the school’s spacious library. They were encouraged to find somewhere comfortable, whether on the beanbags, around a table, on low chairs or under a desk (!), and simply... READ! Pupils were supported and encouraged throughout by the school’s Librarians, who also provided welcome refreshment: hot chocolate and biscuits! Read more...

'I like reading very much and the Readathon gave me time to read in peace, enjoy time with friends and the hot chocolate and biscuits were amazing! And the fact that it raises money is incredible,' Stefania (Year 9). 'I loved it because I got to do my favourite thing: READ!' Archie (Year 7).

On Tuesday 12 March 2024, a group of Year 7 and Year 8 Deer Park pupils had the incredible opportunity to take part in a poetry workshop with the multi-talented Spoz (real name Giovanni Esposito) - performance poet, singer-songwriter, film-maker, playwright and former Birmingham Poet Laureate. 'We felt extremely honoured to have Spoz come to Deer Park and work with our pupils,’ said Miss Tricker, Head of English Read more...

During the two two-hour poetry workshops held in the school’s library, pupils learnt about poetry and poetic techniques, as well as having rhyme battles and a final spoken word poetry contest at the end!

‘I found it really fun and inspiring. I was really glad that I got to meet Spoz,’ Blake (Year 7). "I like Spoz, he was funny, and he made me go up to speak, even though I was scared, he made me laugh. He has helped me with my poetry in lessons," Katelyn (Year 8). 

This poetry event was part of the Trust's 'Year of Reading' initiative with a number of schools in the South Cotswolds, encouraging reading amongst pupils of all ages.

Friday 8 March 2024 marked a very special and heart-warming chapter in our ‘Year of Reading’ (YOR) as it unfolded its pages and held its very own book festival. This special event encouraged ALL children to be readers, breaking down barriers and fostering the love of literature within our YOR community.

Our festival included two inspiring workshops led by local children’s authors: Tracey Corderoy and Steve Skinley. They introduced their characters and took our children on exciting journeys through their well-loved stories.

In the morning, children from Key Stage 1 made their way to The Barn Theatre in Cirencester to meet Tracey Corderoy. The auditorium filled with excitement as she stepped onto the stage, hooking the children into the adventures of her famous characters, ‘Shifty and Sam’. The children, sitting on the edge of their seats, were eager to learn more about the characters and the mischief they got up to throughout her stories.

In response to the childrens’ exit poll, 100% enjoyed the morning session, with many saying how much they enjoyed the ‘Robbing Game’!

‘The morning was very engaging and fun for the children!’ Sophie Cooksley, KS1 teacher Rodmarton Primary School. 

Tracey Corderoy also enjoyed the event. On leaving she reflected, ‘It was a wonderful atmosphere celebrating the magic of stories. Such a valuable event to be a part of.’

In the afternoon, Steve Skinley, a local author to Cirencester, shared his new book ‘The Otherlands’ with children in Key Stage 2. Steve creates memorable characters within his stories that take the children on incredible adventures. In his initial slide show, he communicated a strong sense of place. This was conjured up from his own childhood memories. It was illustrated with photos of the local area which many in the audience instantly recognised. Everyone listened attentively to Steve’s readings from his novel ‘The Otherlands’ and enjoyed meeting the ‘Pigman’ and ‘The Trolls’.

Steve invited the children to explore the wonders of Cirencester and create their own characters with curious back stories! Grace, a pupil in Year 6 at Chesterton Primary School, used his example as a model and created an incredible figment of her own imagination, ‘Red Fluff Man’ which she then went up on stage to read out aloud to everyone.

‘I love it, his work is so imaginative - like me! I will use his book as inspiration for the book I am writing.’ Grace.

Similarly, in response to the childrens’ exit poll, 100% enjoyed the afternoon session and some pupils even brought their parents back in to buy them a copy of ‘The Otherlands’ and have it signed by Steve.

Both authors offered book signings for the children after their engaging workshops. The children loved the opportunity to meet the authors behind the stories. Not only did the authors sign each book, but they took the time to learn a little about each child and their reading interests and habits.

‘It has been a privilege to see schools coming together to explore ways in which we can overcome common challenges by working collaboratively. Our ‘Year of Reading’ focuses on engaging the most reluctant readers, equipping them with the skills necessary and inspiring them to be even better readers. I am grateful to Rachael Scott who is co-ordinating the project and for her extraordinary and incredibly supportive networks! Thank you all.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO), Corinium Education Trust.

The event was very kindly hosted at The Barn Theatre, Cirencester. We extend our gratitude to them for, once again, lending us their wonderful space for the festival. Their commitment to hosting our ‘Year of Reading’ enrichment events within our community has been instrumental. The collaboration with the Barn Theatre, not only enriched the festival, but also gave children the opportunity to visit their local theatre.   

Most importantly, this event would not have been possible without the support of the Winstone Charitable Trust who have generously funded the enrichment activities within our ‘Year of Reading’.

Our thanks also go to the Yellow Lighted Bookshop. They helped us find Steve Skinley as our guest author for Key Stage 2 and provided us with the books to sell at our event.

We also thank Read for Good. They generously donated 400 books. This enabled us to ensure that every child at the festival received a free book to take home. This thoughtful contribution has provided further reading opportunities for our children, helping to foster that love for literature. We deeply appreciate Read for Good's commitment to promoting literacy for all and their support with our ‘Year of Reading’.

‘I am very grateful for all the support we have received for our ‘Year of Reading’. This, and the commitment of teachers in all the schools involved, have contributed to making this event possible.  Our project remains dedicated to making reading accessible to all, and this event served as a testament to the positive influence that books can have on every reader, regardless of their circumstances.’ Rachael Scott, School Improvement Lead (Primary), Corinium Education Trust.

‘Both Tracey Corderoy and Steve Skinley captured the children's imaginations with their enthusiasm and entertaining presence. Our pupils came away from both events inspired to read the author's books and to recommend them to others.’ Emma Morrogh-Ryan, Headteacher, Kemble Primary School.

With thanks to:

• The Barn Theatre, Cirencester
• Read for Good, reading charity
• The Winstone Charitable Trust
• GCC Levelling Up project
• Yellow Lighted Bookshop
• Steve Skinley and Tracey Corderoy
• Teachers and Staff from our YOR project

For more information about the Year of Reading Project, please contact Rachael Scott, School Improvement Lead (CET) r.scott@coriniumeducationtrust.net. Visit us at on X @YearOfReading23

We are looking for a new Maintenance Person to join our team, based in Cirencester. This role will be 3-5 days per week, working at the Trust's schools. 

Find out more on our Vacancies page... 

Part time job opportunity, working from home and face-to-face meetings at various locations.

• Are you looking for a fresh challenge?
• Do you have good oral and written communication skills and are you well organised? 
• Do you want to work flexibly?
• Are you interested in education and learning more about how schools work?
• Do you want to supplement your income?

About the role:
We are looking for enthusiastic and well organised professional individuals to undertake clerking services with one or more of our schools. You will work closely with the Chair of the Local Governing Body and our Governance Officer, delivering strong governance arrangements. You will have excellent interpersonal and organisational skills and an ability to work on your own initiative. Previous experience in clerking or governance isn’t essential; you will be fully supported and provided with personalised training from our Governance Officer. 

The role is home-based and allows for flexibility. There is a requirement to attend schools for onsite meetings which occur in the evenings (5.30 or 6.00pm start for around 2 hours). 

Find out more on our Vacancies page... 

Pupils at Cirencester Deer Park School achieved another high in the school’s calendar with their lively and colourful production of ‘High School Musical’ over four consecutive evenings in February.

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and was impressed, as ever, by the energy and commitment of the cast, band and crew. The venue was transformed and perfectly themed in red. It was very clear that everyone was enjoying being a part of the show, including the audience. Congratulations. Another great production.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead, (CEO).

Commendably, to give everyone the opportunity, this show, like those the school’s Expressive Arts team have directed before, was ‘double cast’ with the ‘Soaring Cast’ performing on Wednesday 21 and Friday 23 February 2024 and the ‘Flying Cast’ performing on Thursday 22 and Saturday 24 February 2024. Reflecting the storyline, the supporting groups, the Basketball team, the Cheerleaders, the Brainiacs, the Thespians and the Seniors and Juniors, provided a strong chorus and were all choreographed exceptionally well.

In addition to performing on stage, pupils were also responsible for playing in the school’s house band alongside their teachers. This was particularly impressive given their age and experience and the number of songs and musical interludes. Other pupils, including those in the cast, were responsible for moving props, while another team of ‘techies’ coordinated the lighting and sound. There were roles for everyone! They were incredibly supportive of each other too.

All pupils taking part in the show inspired pupils form the Trust’s three primary schools when they attended the dress rehearsal of ‘High School Musical’ on Tuesday 20 February. Individual pupils taking part in the production demonstrated courage and determination. Together, they were creative and resilient. Through their collaboration and teamwork there was a palpable and infectious energy. Younger pupils in the audience could clearly see how they could realise their own aspirations.

Headteachers of the Trust’s primary schools reported that on their return to their schools, their pupils were very excited:
‘Kemble pupils were really ‘buzzing’ after watching ‘High School Musical’ at Cirencester Deer Park. They were thrilled to see what opportunities were available to them in the future and were inspired to create their own production.’ Emma Morrogh-Ryan, Headteacher.
‘The productions was fantastic. Our pupils (and staff) thoroughly enjoyed watching it. A real treat!’ Libby Pringle, Headteacher, Chesterton Primary School.

Our Headteachers also reported that their groups returned singing the chorus of the final and most popular number, ‘We’re all in this together’. They were all chatting excitedly and looking forward to being in show one day themselves!  

Our primary school pupils reflected:
'I think it was great that they had more than one person playing the main roles as it gave more people an opportunity and both actors were great'
'They mirrored what an American teenager in high school would be like well'
‘It was amazing - I loved the costumes and singing!’
‘It was so good. I had so much fun.’
'The Gabriellas had amazing voices.'
'Very well planned and thought out. I didn't need to have already watched the film to understand it.’
‘It was amazing! I want to go to Deer Park now!’
 

Accompanying class teachers and teaching assistants were equally impressed:
‘If I'd paid to see this performance, I would be very satisfied!’ Class Teacher, Siddington C of E Primary School.
‘The standard was so high. They have all obviously worked incredibly hard.’ Class Teaching Assistant, Siddington C of E Primary School.
‘It was amazing to see the creativity and high level of engagement in the pupils from Deer Park. I am sure this will inspire our pupils to pull out all the stops for their end of year production!’ Class Teacher, Kemble Primary School.

You can read more about the show on the Cirencester Deer Park School website under Latest News, High School Musical Report. 

This year, The Corinium Education Trust has been working closely with a wider group of schools in the South Cotswolds to promote reading. This collaborative Year of Reading project involves other partners and, with the motto of 'We are ALL Readers', aims to ensure all pupils can read at least in line with their chronological age.

One of these partnerships is with the charity Read for Good, a leading literacy charity

based in Gloucestershire, who, in addition to providing books and storytellers to children in hospitals nationwide, enable children and young people to have access to a wide and vibrant choice of the best brand-new books. In addition, they provide the all-important inspiration to help children discover a life-changing love of reading.

Read for Good have already carried out valuable work and support for schools within our project: from kickstarting libraries with new book stock, to encouraging a love of reading through their Readathon projects. However, last month they attended one of our regular Year of Reading team meetings to announce a generous donation.

Next month, we will be hosting our very own Year of Reading (YOR) book festival. With huge thanks to another one of our partners, The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, we will be showcasing two author workshops, aimed at pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The theatre has kindly offered us the use of their auditorium space free of charge for this event. This has enabled us to give out 400 free tickets to the book festival, for children within our YOR schools.

Read for Good has generously donated 400 books in support of our Book Festival. This significant contribution is part of Read for Good's ongoing commitment to promoting literacy and ensuring that every child has access to quality literature. The donation is a testament to their dedication to fostering a love for reading among children in the local community. The books will play a pivotal role in our event, where every child in attendance will have the opportunity to choose a book to take home, igniting their passion for reading and creating a lasting impact on their educational journey.

The Book Festival, on Friday 8 March, aims to provide an inclusive and enriching literary experience for children of all backgrounds. The generous contribution from Read for Good not only enhances the festival but also aligns with our mission to empower young readers by providing them with access to diverse and engaging literature.

"We are incredibly grateful to Read for Good for their generous donation of 400 books for our upcoming Book Festival. This contribution will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children who attend, ensuring that each child goes home with a book of their own to cherish," Rachael Scott, School Improvement Lead (Primary), Corinium Education Trust.

"Read for Good are delighted to be supporting the Year of Reading team in encouraging their young people to develop a life-changing love of reading. We share their belief that spending time reading and listening to stories can transform a child's future. 'We are ALL Readers' is a wonderful opportunity for local children to experience the magic of books and stories, and we wish it every success." Justine Daniels, CEO Read for Good

Both Read for Good and our Year of Reading are excited about the positive impact this collaboration will have on the children in our project’s community, fostering a love for reading that extends beyond the festival.

For more information about the YOR Book Festival and our collaboration with Read For Good, please contact Rachael Scott (R.Scott@coriniumeducationtrust.net).

Pupils and staff at Chesterton Primary School unanimously agree that the school has been transformed.

After an intense Summer of construction work, Headteacher Libby Pringle welcomed guests in early November 2023 (read more) to the opening of the school’s newly refurbished areas, which represent Phase 1 of an ambitious re-development scheme.

‘The difference is incredible. We are all immensely grateful to the Trustees of The Winstone Charitable Trust whose generosity helped us achieve these significant improvements. They are already having a positive impact on the culture of the school. Pupils and staff are inspired and motivated.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO), The Corinium Education Trust.

The impact was also noted in the school’s recent quality of education review, commissioned by the Corinium Education Trust, in January 2024. 

The school’s reception has been relocated. It is accessible and welcoming. The automatic doors open on to the landscaped quadrangle which provides an informal meeting space and makes much better use of what was previously a redundant area. There is a real sense of arrival for parents and visitors to the school.

‘Since we opened up the new areas, we have seen more interest locally in the school’s journey. I am delighted that following their expressions of interest, three parents have been appointed to the local governing body.’ Libby Pringle, Headteacher.

Pupils enjoy reading and learning in their new, light and spacious library with its calming décor, greenery and creative installation. Previously, the school’s collection of books was held in a dark narrow corridor. The school is gradually re-stocking the shelves and is very grateful to ‘Read With Me’ for their recent donation and weekly support by volunteers. These books will complement the school’s commitment to promoting reading for pleasure. Teachers are already reporting on the encouraging progress pupils are making in response to the school’s current drive on reading fluency and comprehension.

‘The children love the new space and are excited to be able to use the new library to explore literature, poetry and our non-fiction texts – it’s become a central hub of the school.’  Koura Stuart, KS2 Leader and English Lead.

Pupils in the reception class have a new classroom too. Purposefully redesigned to accommodate continuous provision, creative and outdoor play, the classroom is also bright and spacious. Pupils are already making good progress and they enjoy being closer to other pupils in Key Stage 1 on the ground floor.

‘The new classroom has had a real impact on how the children learn and play. The design has provided a calm and open environment where the children can access resources themselves and take ownership of their learning. Our new outside area is a big hit, and the children love having an area where they can immerse themselves in messy play.’  Henrietta Cantouris, Teacher

The refurbished areas have inspired staff to continue the colour scheme through the rest of the school.

Central to the school, which sits at the heart of its local community, is the engagement of parents and support for families. To facilitate this, the refurbishment includes a community kitchen and an office for external support agencies to use for meetings and events. To promote family learning, the school’s Pastoral Lead, Mrs Hannis, has worked with partners to provide cookery and craft classes. These have been positively received:

‘The new community spaces have made a difference to my mental health with the workshops that run there.’ Parent.

The school’s canteen has also been significantly changed. Walls were taken down to create a lighter larger space and it has been re-equipped. A new catering provider, The Great Plate, is providing meals with an emphasis on fresh seasonal produce and healthy menus.

Staff are also enjoying their new staff areas which now all look out over the school’s play areas, providing a discrete level of supervision. In addition to an open plan communal area, the new staff room includes a quiet workroom for planning, preparation and assessment. This suite also includes a smart new office for the Headteacher!

The Corinium Education Trust appealed through various channels for funding to support this initiative and the Trust was delighted when the Trustees of The Winstone Charitable Trust initially offered to match funding. Unfortunately, because the school building is structurally sound, the Department for Education were unable to fund the refurbishment and between 2020 and 2022 many grant providers prioritised resources for projects directly related to the pandemic. However, after visiting the school and recognising the level of need, the Trustees extended their contribution to meet the full cost of Phase 1.

Dr Andrew Chappell, Trustee of The Winstone Charitable Trust, who was passionate about the need for improvement from the outset, highly commended the transformation, ‘I absolutely love it!’.

‘While we initially thought projects of this nature should be publicly funded, following a visit to the school and learning more about what The Corinium Education Trust and the school were trying to achieve, we felt compelled to support this refurbishment and contribute to raising aspirations and standards at the school. We look forward to seeing further improvements.’ Philip Beckerlegge, Chair of The Winstone Charitable Trust.

Chiquita Henson, CET Trust Lead: "Phase 2 includes developing the school’s hall to improve the light and provide access directly out onto the play area and creating a ‘learning street’. This resource area will improve the flow around the school, connect the classes more effectively and provide break out spaces for one to one and small group learning. We also hope to develop the outside areas too and provide equipment that helps the children play creatively and develop a strong sense of adventure."

After a long wait over the Christmas holiday, Emma Morrogh-Ryan, Headteacher at Kemble Primary School, was very relieved to receive the school’s Ofsted Report on Tuesday 9 January 2024 which was subsequently published by Ofsted on Friday 19 January 2024. Read the Ofsted Report... 

Emma Morrogh-Ryan admits to being a little overwhelmed. With this being the school’s second inspection in just 18 months, it took a bit of time for the very good news to sink in.

‘We are absolutely delighted with the report which reflects the hard work of our staff and children. We are proud of all we achieve at Kemble Primary School. Our curriculum has been carefully planned to give the children the confidence to become knowledgeable active citizens of the future. We were particularly pleased it was noted that our pupils ‘share their thoughts and views confidently, with maturity and humility’ and ‘with a clear social and moral conscience’.’ Emma Morrogh-Ryan, Headteacher.

There is no doubt that Emma Morrogh-Ryan was especially thrilled to finally be able to share the two outstanding judgements for ‘personal development’ and ‘behaviour and attitudes’ the lead inspector made during, and following, her two-day visit to the school on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 November 2023 with the wider community of the school. In particular, the Ofsted report commends the pupils at Kemble Primary School on their ‘exemplary behaviour’ and on their courageous advocacy.

‘Our congratulations go to Emma Morrogh Ryan, Headteacher, and her team. We are so pleased that the school’s progress since the last inspection has been noted and that the commitment of the staff who ‘work tirelessly’ is applauded. Furthermore, the impact of the school’s curriculum, which continues to be underpinned by the UN’s Sustainability Goals, is fully recognised in shaping pupils’ futures: they ‘aspire to have careers and they aim to contribute to local, national and global change’. Well done to everyone. Thank you.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO)

Having reflected on the school’s Ofsted Report, the Trust’s Chair of Trustees, Martin McLeman, simply commented ‘Absolutely marvellous’, while parents and members of the school’s local governing body clearly appreciate all that Emma Morrogh-Ryan and her team do every day:

‘This is no surprise to me that you have such a fantastic report, but a huge well done to you and your team, it’s amazing!’ Parent

‘You all do such a fantastic job with the children, you can feel the love/warmth in the room every single time we walk into the premises. The children are fighting to get into the school every morning, so I think that speaks volumes.’ Parent

However, the team at Kemble Primary School are not complacent. They are looking forward to the next steps in their journey:

‘We will continue to be ambitious for our pupils to be the best they can be and support them to achieve this. It is an exciting time to be part of Kemble School and I know the staff join me in looking forward to what we can achieve.’ Emma Morrogh-Ryan
 

On Monday 8 January 2024 staff from all of our schools came together at Cirencester Deer Park School for our fifth face to face in-service training day.

Following consultation on our values and equality objectives twelve months ago, this session focused on one of the Trust’s strategic priorities: ‘To further strengthen the Trust’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion’, specifically, to engage with specialist partners, listen and learn from lived experience, act on feedback and recommendations and strengthen plans.

After an introduction by Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO) in which she provided some context, Aisha Thomas from Representation Matters delivered a very impactful keynote presentation to all staff.

‘An eye-opener of a day - it has really made me critically reflect my practice in terms of race and equality.’ Briony Smith, Year 1/2 teacher.

During the first session colleagues from our primary schools and our secondary school sat alongside each other to talk about their own lived experience and that of others. They reflected on their own practice in school and engaged in lively discussion.

Before sharing the lived experience of children, young people and their families, Aisha Thomas challenged our perceptions of ourselves and each other. This demonstrated how easy it is to make assumptions and default to stereotypes. While taking race as her starting point, through her well-chosen activities, Aisha Thomas took care to cover all of the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010. She challenged our core beliefs and introduced us to triple consciousness.

‘Aisha was an inspirational speaker who managed to challenge my thinking while still making me feel valued as an educator. I left the day feeling empowered and excited about making a difference.’ Katie Jarvis, Year 5/6 teacher.

Given the importance of the topic, we were also very pleased support staff and several of our trustees and representatives from our local governing bodies took part in our training day alongside our teaching staff and joined in the conversation too.

‘A really insightful morning and great guest speaker. It really made me question how I think and has given me a greater understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion from all perspectives and how we can do so much more.’ Louise Mason, School Administrator.

Aisha Thomas observed, ‘It was wonderful to start our year working with staff from the Corinium Education Trust. Staff were engaged and enthusiastic about the opportunity to test their own bias and understanding, whilst developing their understanding of anti-racist practice. An absolute pleasure. We are excited for your journey.’

Following a short break, staff split into two groups to continue learning more about equality, diversity and inclusion and how best to address issues of concern and adapt their practice to ensure everyone in our schools can thrive.

Aisha Thomas worked directly with staff from the Trust’s primary schools. In her workshop she focused on how to talk to children about race. She showed how to create a safe space and provided an alternative perspective on some very familiar books.

Staff at Cirencester Deer Park School also participated in a workshop facilitated by Aisha’s colleague, Ruth Butler. Reflecting the age of the school’s pupils, this focused on very contemporary issues related to equality, diversity and inclusion. These also touched on safeguarding. Ruth helped the team understand and reflect on the pervading influences on children and young people including misogyny, misogynoir, adultification and intersectionality.

‘Aisha's presentation was compelling and thought provoking. Even though the content had the potential to make people feel very uncomfortable, Aisha's engaging manner meant that we were able to navigate through some very challenging concepts knowing that things had to change and feeling equipped to do so. Aisha's work is truly groundbreaking, and I can heartily recommend Representation Matter's approach to inclusivity in education.’ Richard Clutterbuck, Headteacher, Cirencester Deer Park School.

After lunch, staff worked in their school and/or subject teams. This gave everyone the opportunity to continue the conversation. They reflected on what they had heard and learnt during the morning sessions, reviewed their curricula, explored new and developed existing resources. This ongoing work will ensure our schemes of learning are fully inclusive.

‘Such an inspiring day! Aisha really inspired me, (and I think all of us), to realise that as educators, we have such a powerful job and we can create a world where all children and young adults feel equal and empowered to be or do anything they want to become.’

Pippa Jessop, Year 3/4 teacher.

Aisha Thomas and Ruth Butler subsequently shared some powerful think pieces and resources for all staff to complement the training session. These include recommended reading and books for children, as well as clear steps to take when responding to questions or incidents.

We will continue to monitor the impact of this training and plan to review our progress in June 2024. 

This year, with term ending on Friday 22 December 2023, almost on the eve of Christmas, our schools have been celebrating the festive season with Nativities, carol services and concerts. In all of their activities, they have exemplified the Christmas spirit and bought us all great joy. 

Louise Lennox, Headteacher at Siddington C of E Primary School, our Church school, reflected ‘Christmas is very special and we make sure our environment reflects a time of year where people come together to share warmth and love.’

Louise Lennox took up her post in September 2023 and immediately responded to a request and promised parents a Nativity. Pupils in Reception and Key Stage 1, with the support of staff, delivered an amazing performance on Monday 18 December.

‘The village hall was full of joy. Our staff did an amazing job!  They helped make it a fabulous show. There was a lovely atmosphere. The singing was incredible. I feel so proud.’  Louise Lennox

Pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 2 at Kemble Primary School also retold the Christmas story in a delightful Nativity on Tuesday 19 December. Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO), joined some parents to watch the ‘dress rehearsal’ on Monday 18 December.  

‘The Nativity was an array of colour and sparkles. Everyone was involved and the pupils’ enthusiasm was infectious. It was a privilege to be invited to the performance.’ Chiquita Henson

Pupils at Chesterton Primary School also performed a Nativity, ‘Hey Ewe’, on Thursday 21 December.

‘It was a wonderful event to prepare for and pre-school children also performed their show on stage to their parents. There was also a surprise appearance from a special visitor, who may have come down the chimney early in time for the end of term.’ Libby Pringle, Headteacher, Chesterton Primary School 

All of the Trust’s Nativities featured pupils singing, but this year, their repertoires have extended well beyond their seasonal dramas. 

Pupils in Year 6 at Siddington C of E Primary School led the Christingle in St Peter’s Church on Tuesday 19 December, while the rest of the school sang contemporary carols. The Reverend Jennifer Mckenzie provided the Blessing and commended the children on their celebration of Christmas. 

‘The highlight for pupils and their parents was ‘Silent Night’ which was sung beautifully while the pupils lit their candles which they had set in oranges symbolically decorated with red bands, cocktail sticks, dried fruit and sweets.’ Chiquita Henson

However, their singing did not stop here. On Wednesday 20 December, the pupils returned to the village hall to sing more carols.

Pupils at Kemble Primary School also celebrated Christmas with an afternoon of carols on Monday 18 December at their Carol Concert. This was an opportunity for the school’s talented pianists to accompany some traditional and modern carols as well as the House Choirs showing off their musical talent. Each House performed to a packed hall of parents and the victors were awarded the inaugural House Choir cup. 

‘We really enjoyed working together as a House to sing Feliz Navidad and we were glad our practising paid off when we won!’ Georgia, Severn House Captain.

The week continued at Kemble Primary School with Christmas lunch and parties with lots of glitter for good measure. 

‘It’s been another busy but wonderful term at Kemble and this week has been the perfect start to the festive season. I know all the staff and pupils will enjoy a restful break and look forward to the new term.’ Emma Morrogh-Ryan, Headteacher at Kemble Primary School.

Cirencester Deer Park School’s annual Carol Concert took place a week earlier on Tuesday 12 December 2023 in the beautiful setting of St John the Baptist Parish Church, in Cirencester's Market Place. 

‘It was a great evening and it gave me the opportunity to sing with my friends at Christmas.’ Freya, Year 10

Pupils from all year groups participated in a selection of festive numbers, performed by the school’s Guitar and Flute ensembles, DP Players and Key Stage 3 and 4 Singers. This was complemented by pupils doing festive readings as characters from the Christmas story. Highlights of the evening included the premiere of ‘Merry Little Elves’, written and composed by Music teacher Miss Faux, and a moving piano rendition of ‘O Holy Night’ by Megan in Year 8. Read more... 

‘For me, the Carol Service marked the start of the Christmas celebrations. Despite the gloomy weather outside, the atmosphere inside the church was very festive. The pupils and staff, led by our Expressive Arts team, once again managed to bring our community together to celebrate the season of goodwill and the talents of our pupils. Thank you to all who participated.’ Richard Clutterbuck, Headteacher, Cirencester Deer Park School

While many pupils have brought good cheer by participating in these festive activities, pupils have also enjoyed pantomimes, whether they have been performed by staff at Deer Park in assemblies this week or professionally at The Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, or more locally, at The Barn Theatre or Baptist Church.

‘Christmas at Siddington is special because the fun is endless! We get to do so many exciting things like go to the panto and take part in services like Christingle. It makes me feel like we are all close together.’ Jack

Children at Chesterton Primary School and Nursery kicked their Christmas celebrations off with a visit from the Pantomine. The whole school enjoyed watching ‘Cinderella’ in the school hall followed by a community visit to the local Baptist Church to watch their annual Christmas performance of ‘Jilly’s Christmas Adventure’. Children and staff enjoyed their Christmas Lunch together. The pigs-in-blankets were especially popular! 

At Cirencester Deer Park School, Christmas Jumper Day was aligned with Christmas Lunch on Thursday 21 December. Pupils gave generously to the Cirencester Food Bank and were fed exceptionally well by the school’s catering team who provided a splendid roast, turkey with all the trimmings. Read more... 

We are immensely grateful to our schools’ PTAs and Friends for their commitment to fundraising. Each of our primary schools held Christmas Fayres while Cirencester Deer Park School’s Ghana 2024 volunteer team organised a Christmas Bazaar on Sunday 17 December, which had over 70 stall holders.

‘The Friends of Chesterton School arranged a Christmas Fayre on Friday 15 December with many activities and family fun, including the popular and much sought after Christmas Hamper Raffle.’ Libby Pringle, Headteacher

The festive break will come as a welcome respite for pupils and staff. Across the Trust our pupils have been working hard, with most completing interim assessments, including those in Year 11 at Cirencester Deer Park School who have just sat their mock examinations. As well as indicating progress, these assessments will also help inform our teachers’ planning for next term. I am grateful to all staff for their amazing efforts to ensure all pupils across the Trust have the opportunity to learn well and achieve more than they first think is possible.

‘I am looking forward to Monday 8 January when staff from across the Trust come together for our annual joint in-service training day. This year our focus is on equality, diversity and inclusion and the day will be led by Aisha Thomas from Representation Matters. Our schools reopen to pupils on Tuesday 9 January 2024.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO)