We are already now a few weeks into the new academic year and as the leaves begin to change colour and fall, and national events way heavy upon us, it is tempting to see the summer holidays as distant indeed. The light is already changing and the effects are the bright chill of mornings and evenings that are drawing in. This is my favourite term and favourite season because all of the planning for change and improvement that marks the preparation for September begins to come to fruition and the change in landscape reflects the prevailing cycles that govern us all.

This term is the one that sees new beginnings across all of our schools. For our youngest, the start of Reception and formal schooling opens up and adventure which they approach with glee and delight; there is nothing quite like the learning and teaching within Early years which ignites and inspires minds, models kindness and interaction with others and sees the positive impact of play-based learning. For those students entering year 6, thoughts already turn to the transition into Secondary school and the leap that comes from entering much larger schools and the next stages of their learning journey. Those who have started in Year 7 this year have already made that leap and with their excitement and trepidation, fill our secondaries with the passion of newness and the dedication to succeed. Then for our Year 11s, GCSE examinations await and the maturing of young people from that small numerical step from Year 10 is amplified with clear determination and resilience; a desire to become their best selves and to do their best work. For those who have entered sixth form, they now tread a path of their choosing and the focus on subjects that spark both interest and creativity begin to ignite a sense of autonomy and self-help. Finally, for those in Year 13, life beyond school beckons- whether that be to employment, higher education or employment this step into adulthood and the possibilities that it brings marks the end of their formal schooling, one which began all the way back when they were in Reception. The seasons change and our young people do too, growing and casting off each iteration to stand prouder, to stand taller.

Working within Education is a true privilege and serving each of our young people on their journey of learning, self-discovery and growth is without doubt the best part of it.

Our family of schools exist to ensure that we provide the highest quality of education for all local children to ensure that all can succeed and follow their dreams. We are relatively young as a trust, having formed less than 5 years ago as a collaboration that shares the same values, vision and mission to succeed and with each passing season we too are growing and evolving to stand taller, to stand prouder. There will be one day where we get to look back on this time, proud and resolute in the success of our young people which is the only measure of the success of our schools, but until then we carry on, we grow, we evolve, we she each cycle that which weighs us down and grow the new shoots of hope and optimism, to liberate and set free the next generation

When You Are Old
William Butler Yeats

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars

Dan Morrow, CEO and Trust Leader