News Archives - STEP Academy Trust

STEP Chair of Trustees, Rama Venchard, receives New Year Honour

09/01/202309/01/2023 by Cheryl Gilbert

We are delighted that Rama Venchard, Chair of Trustees of STEP Academy Trust, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2023 for services to education.

A valued member of the Board, Rama Venchard has volunteered as a STEP Trustee and has provided consultancy services for the Board for several years.

Upon hearing the news, Mr Venchard said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this way and can only thank the brilliant colleagues with whom I have worked throughout my career as this would not have happened without them. It was a shock to be nominated, but I feel very honoured to have received the MBE. I’ve had many, many messages of congratulations! I’m so humbled by the award and by everyone’s reaction to it.”

Turnham Academy Ofsted Report

30/11/202203/01/2023 by Cheryl Gilbert

We are pleased that following the rigorous 2 day Inspection, Ofsted judged Turnham to be Good. The many Academy’s strengths were recognised in the report, including the fantastic behaviour and attitudes of the children. Inspectors noted:

Pupils are happy and well cared for at this school. The school sits in the heart of the local community.
Pupils behave well in lessons and on the playground. Staff are quick to deal with any incidents of bullying or unkind behaviour.
The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils. Staff are well trained to identify and support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The strength of leadership, particularly of Ms Mann, Mr Piggford and the senior team was also acknowledged: “Leaders know what they still want to improve. They are committed to giving their pupils a rich experience of education.”

The STEP Team at Turnham Academy will continue working with passion and urgency to build on this achievement and continue the trajectory of improvement.

Congratulations to all the staff, pupils and parents of Turnham Academy, as well as the extended STEP family.

We hope you enjoy reading the report.

Turnham Ofsted Report – November 22

STEP CEO – Paul Glover Message to Parents and Carers

19/09/202219/09/2022 by Ricardo Oliveri

Burfield Academy Ofsted Report

07/03/202207/03/2022 by Ricardo Oliveri

We are pleased that, following the rigorous two-day inspection, Ofsted judged Burfield Academy to be Good, with Outstanding for leadership and management, behaviour and attitudes and personal development.

The report reflects the high quality provision that STEP has been able to achieve. Inspectors recognised that Burfield has undergone significant changes since joining STEP: “Leaders’ relentless drive for improvement continues to propel the school forward. The expertise provided by the trust has helped to support, train and develop staff so that everyone has the tools they need to do their best for the pupils.”

The behaviour of the children was also recognised, something staff have continuously worked on: “Pupils’ behaviour in classes and around the school is excellent. Leaders have carefully considered how to help pupils grow into responsible citizens.”

Particular praise should be reserved for the outstanding leadership of Mrs King and her senior team, brilliantly supported by Mr Meek.

The STEP Team at Burfield Academy will continue working with passion and urgency to build on this tremendous achievement and continue the trajectory of improvement.  

Congratulations to all the staff, pupils and parents of Burfield Academy, as well as the extended STEP family.

Burfield-Ofsted-Report-March-2022

STEP Newsletter November 2021

18/11/202118/11/2021 by Cheryl Gilbert

View the latest news across STEP Academy Trust.
Take a moment to read our staff spotlights and find out more about our upcoming events.

https://www.stepacademytrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/STEP-Newsletter-Edition-17.pdf

STEP Academy Trust wins NGA Outstanding Governance Award

17/09/202117/09/2021 by Ricardo Oliveri

We are delighted that STEP Academy Trust was named winner in the Outstanding Governance in a Multi Academy Trust category at the National Governance Association’s (NGA) Outstanding Governance Awards 2021 on Thursday 9 September.

This award reflects the recognition of our collective approach to governance at STEP; judges were impressed by the Board’s solid strategic approach and healthy culture as well as the ongoing reflection about the effectiveness of its practice. They also recognised the Board’s development of our trust-wide Roadmap to Becoming an Anti-Racist Organisation, underlining STEP’s commitment to equality and social justice.

Our thanks go to STEP’s tireless group of volunteer Members, Trustees and Academy Committee members for their support, dedication and civic duty to the staff, children and communities we serve. But also, we couldn’t achieve any of this without the exceptional support of the Governance, Executive and Leadership Teams.

STEP Newsletter December 2020

07/12/202019/01/2021 by Ricardo Oliveri

View the latest news across STEP Academy Trust.
Take a moment to read our staff spotlights and find out more about our upcoming events.

https://www.stepacademytrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/STEP-newsletter_14.pdf

Coronavirus Update to Parents – 12/05/2020

12/05/202003/06/2020 by Ricardo Oliveri

Dear Mums, Dads and Carer(s),

You will have heard from the Prime Minister last night about the possible next steps to move the country forward from ‘Lockdown’.

The Prime Minister shared a thought that children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 may be the first to return to school in some way from early June.

As yet we have no more information than you do about this plan. We expect to receive guidance from the Department for Education this week so that we can begin to make plans to open further safely.

In the meantime we will remain open for the children of critical workers and specified pupils.

As soon as we have received the relevant guidance and new plans in place, we will be making contact to share the relevant information with you.

STEP Academy Trust

STEP’s Response to Covid-19

23/03/202023/03/2020 by Cheryl Gilbert

From Monday 23^rd
March, schools across the country have been asked to perform very different
functions.

STEP are pleased to rise
to these new challenges and will do so with the passion and commitment that our
communities can expect.

Many of our academies will
be open on Monday to our most vulnerable learners and the children of key
workers. All families of vulnerable learners have been contacted directly
and the below offers guidance on the definition of keyworkers and the
circumstances under which their children should attend school.

Keyworker Letter

Using our in-house
catering service, we will provide meals for children on-site and have written
to the families of children who are eligible for free school meals to extend
our continued support.

Please visit your academy’s website
for further information around COVID-19, updates and details of home learning.

STEP Newsletter January 2020

16/01/202016/01/2020 by Ricardo Oliveri

View the latest news across STEP Academy Trust.
Take a moment to read our staff spotlights and find out more about our upcoming events.

STEP-Newsletter-Edition-13