North West Academies Trust

“Opening children’s eyes to the wonderful world of possibility.”

“Uniqueness and unity go hand in hand at Since 2020, North West Academies Trust. we have secured nearly No two schools are the same, and nor should they be. We pride ourselves on £10m additional empowering schools to celebrate their own funding for our strengths and deliver top quality education in their own way. schools. And we also collaborate to share resources, expertise and best practices to ensure the finest possible learning journey is provided for children. With NWAT, I’m proud to say our schools enjoy the best of both worlds.” Steve Docking CEO of North West Academies Trust

Benefits ofNorth West Academies Trust (NWAT) was established in 2011 with the aim of providing working togetherEight out of nine world-class education within the academy and of our primary schools are free school sector. above national figures for Phonics, KS1 and 1KS2 outcomes Shared approach within the areas of pedagogy, (2022). leadership and administration, embodied in a common set of practices, protocols and policies ensures School effectiveness. Effectiveness Examples of this have been: the alignment of curricula elements including those supporting the teaching of Reading (phonics, daily supported reading, guided reading, Bug Club), Writing (the Power of Reading) and Mathematics (Inspire Maths), as well as in the foundation subjects through the IPC and approaches to teaching PE, Music and MfL; the alignment of assessment processes in the core subjects and the timing of the assessment cycle; cross school moderation; the overhaul of administrative practices including those relating to finance and human resources. 2 Regular, rigorous challenge to these common practices through research, innovation and trial, ensures sustained effectiveness and improvement. School Examples of this have been: KS1 leaders working together to scrutinise the teaching of phonics across the phase and plan improvement work; EYFS leaders meeting to share good practice with regard to outdoor learning; Improvement leaders meeting to discuss the benefits of the International Primary Curriculum and the merits of a ‘mark less mark better’ policy – followed by strategies around the implementation of both. Comprehensive support for new in common schools with regard to curriculum adaptation and Strong family values and a passion to provide first-class education are at theimplementation. Monitoring schedule and practices aligned across primary heart of everything we do at NWAT.schools, including cross-school moderation of wok samples. Our collaborative work with 10 schools (three Church of England) delivers the best possible outcomes for our children. Page 04

1 School Our friendly and approachable Chief Collaboration Executive Officer works alongside our School Development Partner to collaborate with Headteachers through the many challenges of running a successful school. 2 The highly-effective finance team are Financial skilled at keeping budgets under control Management without compromising standards; drawing on their specialist knowledge, implementing economies of scale and understanding what works. 3 People Managing staff can be the most challenging Management and rewarding aspect of running a school. Sometimes a sympathetic ear is required, at others hard decisions have to be made. One thing we know: Good schools need good people!

4 In 2020 we invested almost £10m to Facilities improve facilities at our schools. Every one Management of our schools has benefitted from additional Government funding. We think the numbers speak for themselves... 5 The safety of children is our absolute Safeguarding priority. That’s why we have a dedicated safeguarding officer who will guide and advise staff as they support pupils through difficult times. 6 Our links with local news organisations, Marketing specialistskillsinwebmanagement,creative design, photography and social media help our academies gain the recognition they deserve.

Benefits of working toItg’s teimtehtoetarke the plunge! 1 Shared approach within the areas of pedagogy, leadership and administration, embodied in a common School set of practices, protocols and policies ensures Effectiveness effectiveness. Examples of this have been: the alignment of curricula elements including those supporting the teaching of Reading (phonics, daily supported reading, guided reading, Bug Club), Writing (the Power of Reading) and Mathematics (Inspire Maths), as well as in the foundation subjects through the IPC and approaches to teaching PE, Music and MfL; the alignment of assessment processes in the core subjects and the timing of the assessment cycle; cross school moderation; the overhaul of administrative practices including those relating to finance and human resources. 2 Regular, rigorous challenge to these common practices through research, innovation and trial, ensures sustained effectiveness and improvement. School Examples of this have been: KS1 leaders working together to scrutinise the teaching of phonics across the phase and plan improvement work; EYFS leaders meeting to share good practice with regard to outdoor learning; Improvement leaders meeting to discuss the benefits of the International Primary Here’s what our Headteachers sayCurriculum and the merits of a ‘mark less mark better’ policy – followed by strategies around the implementation of both. Comprehensive support for new in common schools with regard to curriculum adaptation and about us... implementation. Monitoring schedule and practices aligned across primary schools, including cross-school moderation of wok samples. Page 04

cresfield joined North West ‘Acresfield’s uniqueness with our Academies Trust in 2019. own personalised curriculum and approaches to learning are still here AWe were aware the school was for everyone to see...’ becoming more isolated, as the role of the local authority was diminishing, and more schools were joining trusts. It was definitely the right move! The school has flourished, with parents, staff and governors articulating the positive impact it has had. We have seen improvements to our ageing building. It has also been seen in the links between schools within the Trust, which has enabled us to share good practice, run joint events and utilise the facilities at other schools. As a Headteacher, I feel well supported by the Trust in key areas of school leadership. Most importantly, we have been encouraged to maintain our autonomy. Acresfield’s uniqueness, with our own personalised curriculum and ap- proaches to learning, are still here for everyone to see, but it is now secure under the North West Academies Trust umbrella. Mike Dixon Headteacher Acresfield Academy

‘The culture in each Trust school is well ecoming part of the NWAT celebrated, staff feel valued, supported family of schools has been and invested in’ Btransformational for our academy. A joined vision for excellence has seen refurbishment of a large ma- jority of the school building al- lowing students to thrive in high quality learning environments. Autonomy in leadership has al- lowed our school to develop an evidence- based curriculum that meets the needs of the local con- text and community. The culture in each Trust school is well cele- brated, staff feel valued, supported and invested in. As Acting Head Teacher, the Trust have offered a welcomed blend of support, advice and challenge. There is a sense of family and belonging which has brought loyalty, strong work ethic and motivation. We have something special here at NWAT that we hope to share with any new school thinking of join- ing our Trust. Julie-Ann Wilson Acting Headteacher Rudheath Senior Academy

Our story... In 2007, Delamere CofE Academy was St Martin’s Academy opened as brand new listed for closure. Two years later it was rated primary free school in Chester in 2013. outstanding and in 2011, it became the first primary academy converter in Cheshire and The academy was rated outstanding by £1.5 million was secured to improve facilities. Ofsted 18 months later and is currently It is consistently in the top 1% of UK primary five-times oversubscribed. In 2021, the schools, based on SATs results. Trust secured £481,000 funding to make substantial improvements to this stunning Oak View Academy, formerly known as city school. Greenfields Primary School, was the second worst in the country, in terms of attainment Almost £3.5m has been invested in and progress, when it joined the Trust in Ellesmere Primary School since it joined 2014. By 2017, Oak View was rated as good the Trust in 2016. Significant modifications by Ofsted and was praised for the impressive have been made to facilities, including new strides made. Pupils are often amongst the top purpose-built classrooms which have greatly 5% in the country for reading progress. improved the learning environment. Rated good by Ofsted, Ellesmere is now effectively using its on-site swimming pool as an additional revenue stream.

Grosvenor Park CofE Academy joined NWAT An £8m programme of investment has completely transformed Rudheath Senior in 2018. The city-centre school is now at Academy since it joined the Trust in 2018. capacity and has benefitted from significant investment, including a new roof and new The school was at a desperately low ebb after windows, totalling more than £1m. Pupils an arson attack and damaging allegations benefit from an extended school day and up to of bullying. Now, staff and pupils are six hours per week for music and vocal tuition. proud of their school and are thriving in a well-managed and happy environment. Weaverham Primary Academy became part Pupils’ prospects have been enhanced by the introduction of new training and apprenticship of NWAT in 2018 and work to lift standards opportunities. across the board started immediately. More Acresfield Academy was rated outstanding than £1m has been invested in facilities and staff are happy to teach in calm and when it joined the Trust in 2019. Since then, productive classrooms. Nursery provision is now offered and low pupil numbers are a £450,000 investment programme has fast rising in a school which boasts stunning made significant improvements to facilities. outdoor play facilities. Acresfield is consistently in the top Cheshire West & Chester primaries, based on SATs Calveley Primary Academy, situated in results. beautiful Cheshire countryside, joined NWAT Acton CofE Primary Academy was facing in 2021. The outside play area is already significant challenges when it came on board improved and new outdoor classroom has in 2021. Fast progress is being made, with been installed. The school is in the process of gaining further investment, and is scheduled the roof already replaced and a £323,000 to be the first UK school to have ground scheme to modernise facilites is under way. source (borehole) heating installed as part of The school is also one of seven English schools a Government pilot scheme. which are part of a Government pilot scheme to install ground source heating, which will dramatically reduce heating costs.

Contact us... North West Academies Trust manages junior and senior academies across Cheshire and Shropshire. Phone: 01244 566167 Email: [email protected] The Coach House, Union Street, Chester, CH1 1QP. Opening children’s eyes to a wonderful world of posibility