South London Academies Archives - STEP Academy Trust

Applegarth Academy in top 10 schools in England

23/01/201923/01/2019 by Cheryl Gilbert

We are delighted that Applegarth Academy has been ranked 7^th out of nearly 15,000 schools in England by The Real Schools Guide 2018. Designed to offer a much fuller picture of education than standard league tables, schools are measured on 44 different areas to allow for a full and fair picture of a school’s performance.

Applegarth, which is number 1 in the Croydon league tables, has demonstrated continued high attainment and progress over the last 3 year and continues to improve year on year.

Congratulations to John Halliwell, Sam Daly and the staff and children at Applegarth for this impressive achievement.

STEP Academy Trust awarded National Teaching School status – with a specific remit to support in East Sussex

17/12/201823/01/2019 by Cheryl Gilbert

STEP Academy Trust, has been selected to become a National Teaching School with a focus of support in East Sussex, where STEP has six academies. This recognition has been awarded based on the fantastic educational performance of STEP’s Angel Oak Academy in Peckham, which achieved the prestigious grading of Ofsted Outstanding in October 2017.

Introduced in 2011, teaching schools are excellent schools that work with partner schools in an alliance to provide high quality school-led initial teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers at all stages of their career.

Teaching schools take a leading role in recruiting and training new entrants to the profession. They identify and develop leadership potential, provide support for other schools to bring about school improvement, and work with schools across their teaching school alliance to raise standards of teaching.

They raise standards through supporting other schools, especially those in challenging circumstances, and ensure that the most talented school leaders are spotted and supported to become successful headteachers.

STEP Academy Trust operate 8 schools in South London and 6 in East Sussex. During the last academic year, three schools were awarded the prestigious ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted, who praised the Trust’s approach of working together as one team and described it as pivotal in ensuring success.

Executive Headteacher Tim Mills said: “To have the support that Angel Oak Academy has been providing across a number of regions recognised with this designation is a credit to the exceptional staff at the academy.”

The Department for Education (DfE) has responsibility, in partnership with headteachers from the Teaching Schools Council, for the appointment of teaching schools and the quality of the teaching schools programme. There are now 800 teaching schools across England.

Lord Agnew, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System, said:

“I’d like to congratulate Angel Oak Academy – they should be very proud of this achievement.

“Teaching schools are supporting other schools, attracting and training the best new teachers and developing the next generation of leaders.”

The new Teaching School will have a specific remit, to support schools in East Sussex.

Turnham Academy joins STEP

01/08/201827/08/2018 by Cheryl Gilbert

On 1st August 2018, we were pleased that Turnham Primary Foundation School converted to become Turnham Academy and join our STEP family of Academies.

Formalising the successful partnership between Turnham and STEP which began in September 2017, John Halliwell, NLE and Head of Leadership Development, will be continuing his role as Executive Headteacher with Davina Belcher as Head of School. We will continue to build on our growing reputation in the local community and will ensure that the children we serve receive the best education, thereby giving them the excellent life chances they deserve.

Consultation to Merge Wolsey Infants and Wolsey Junior Academy

08/12/201727/08/2018 by Cheryl Gilbert

Hopefully you will be aware of all the work that has already gone into bringing the infant and junior schools together.

During the summer, we knocked down the dividing wall that ran through the dining hall and physically separated the two schools. Then, in September, we started the academic year with a joint leadership team and staffing structure.

Since then we have been operating as if we were one school, however we are now looking to finalise this transition by formally merging the two schools to form Tudor Primary Academy.

Full details are in our consultation leaflet, which you can access here. We would love to hear your views on this, which can be given using the online questionnaire or on a hard copy of the leaflet which will be going out to parents/carers this week.

If you have any questions, we are also holding a number of drop in sessions (see the leaflet for times and dates).

Claire Majumdar
Headteacher of Wolsey Infants and Wolsey Junior Academy

Angel Oak judged as Outstanding by Ofsted

14/11/201727/08/2018 by Cheryl Gilbert

Angel Oak has been judged by Ofsted to be outstanding in all areas, following an inspection on 11^th-12^th October.

The Peckham based academy, formerly Gloucester School, joined STEP in 2015. The academy is exceptionally well led by their Head of School, Catherine Hewitt, who, along with Tim Mills (Head of Teaching and Learning for STEP and Executive Head at Angel Oak) has relentlessly driven school improvement.

Ofsted commented that:

Inspirational leadership continually searches for ways to improve outcomes for the pupils. Leaders ensure that sustaining high-quality teaching is kept firmly under the spotlight.
The governing body is led thoughtfully. It has been pivotal in planning for the school’s development aligned with the strong moral purpose of the trust.
Pupils are highly motivated and aware that success is due to their efforts. They show great resilience and a ‘can do’ attitude when faced with work that challenges them.
Teaching enables pupils to master and gain a deep understanding of new skills and concepts in mathematics. Teachers continually ensure that pupils have the opportunity to reinforce and consolidate their learning throughout each session. All pupils have the opportunity to explore concepts at greater depth and so deepen their understanding.

We are incredibly proud of all of the work that the staff and children have put in to making this an outstanding school. We have known for some time that this school was performing at an exceptional level and the leadership team were delighted to have the chance to showcase their passion, aspiration and commitment to Ofsted.

A full copy of the report is available on the school’s website at: http://angeloakacademy.org/angel-oak-academy-is-an-outstanding-school/

Inaugral STEP Graduation Day a big success

11/07/201512/07/2015 by Cheryl Gilbert

On Friday 10th July, Year 6 children from across the STEP Trust gathered at Angel Oak Academy to celebrate their individual and collective achievements. Primarily a day of fun, the children engaged in a range of activities including circus skills, singing and sports.

The afternoon began with an inspirational talk from Margaret and Barry Mizen, who relayed their son Jimmy’s story. Through their own tragic experience, they shared a message of hope, reminding our children that they have the power to make a positive difference. Fittingly, the day conclude with a rousing rendition of “United We Stand”, led by the brilliant John Fisher of We Sing U Sing.

A wonderful day was had by all, once again illustrating the power of partnership through STEP.

Applegarth Academy receives a glowing Ofsted Report

24/04/201524/04/2015 by Cheryl Gilbert

130205-applegarth-036 The STEP Academy Trust is delighted that Applegarth Academy has been judged a “good” and “improving” school in its recent Ofsted Inspection. The excellent report highlights the pivotal role of senior leaders, most notably the Headteacher and Deputy, in rigorously driving improvements. Given that Applegarth Academy brought together three previously failing entities – Infants, Juniors and a Speech and Language Centre (SALC) – the judgment is a remarkable achievement. The Enhanced Learning Provision (ELP), formerly SALC, was singled out for particular praise.

“The ELP is a strength of the school. Pupils make excellent progress here because of the high-quality provision and excellent leadership.”

It was also pleasing that Inspectors recognised the strong support of STEP in partnership with Croydon LA.

“The academy trust has provided very effective support for the academy and works very well alongside colleagues in the local authority, who provide equally effective support. This joint approach is based on the fact that they both see that they are supporting ‘children from Croydon’.”

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

Applegarth Academy Ofsted Report, March 2015

STEP Executive Headteacher designated a National Leader of Education

20/04/201512/05/2015 by Cheryl Gilbert

The Trust is delighted that Paul Glover, STEP Executive Headteacher, has been designated a National Leader of Education (NLE). This is deserved recognition for Paul’s excellent work to rapidly improve standards in vulnerable partner schools, including: Applegarth Academy, Wolsey Junior Academy and Angel Oak Academy (formerly Gloucester Primary School). Paul joins Mark Ducker as the second NLE attached to National Support School, Gonville Academy.

Angel Oak Academy joins STEP

07/02/2015 by Cheryl Gilbert

On 1st February 2015, Angel Oak Academy (formerly Gloucester Primary School) joined The STEP Academy Trust. As well as benefiting from full membership of STEP, Angel Oak will join forces with partner STEP Academies to further the mission and vision of the Trust.

La Fontaine Academy opens for business

12/09/201414/09/2014 by Cheryl Gilbert

On Thursday 11th September, after months of meticulous planning, La Fontaine Academy finally opened on its temporary site in Bromley. With just four classes (two reception, a year 1 and year 2) the Academy will start small, and grow to a roll of up to 630 pupils. As the name would suggest, La Fontaine Academy will offer a French specialism which will enrich the work of The STEP Academy Trust.

Over the coming months headteacher, Sebastien Chapleau, will work with Bromley Council, the EFA and the DfE, to identify a suitable permanent home for STEP’s newest partner.