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We are delighted that the ‘s expansion works are now complete, offering pupils better spaces, a more stimulating environment and, consequentially, wider breadth of opportunities for learning.

Major works for the Reception and Year 1 classrooms took place during the summer, with the final details put in place during the last few weeks. The works will allow 42 more spaces across the school, and �������� will be able to welcome 60 children every year, for a total of 420 pupils across all year-groups. This is an increase of 11% on the current admission numbers for an outstanding school (Ofsted) which is oversubscribed.

These substantial works were the first since the school was founded, and were only possible through the opportunities that being part of a multi-academy trust like BPET provides. This has been a major investment of about £500,000 which was welcome by pupils, parents and teachers alike.

Richard Crompton, BPET Director of Operations, who worked closely with the building company, said: “Working with our appointed architects, , and the principal contractor,, we have been able to transform the learning environment for our Reception and Year 1 children. The extra space, brighter rooms and new break-out areas have given our oldest classrooms a new lease of life. I am delighted that this refurbishment also allows us to welcome more pupils to the school each year, and provide them with the best possible facilities. My thanks go to Wilby & Burnett and IMS who worked tirelessly over the summer to ensure that children returned in September without any interruptions”.

Wokingham Local Authority has been fully supportive of the expansion.

We are delighted to welcome into our family of schools!

The Heights increases BPET to 11 primary schools. Collectively, �������� are now educating 3,680 children across London and Berkshire.

The Heights is a government funded, non-selective, highly inclusive primary school for the Caversham Heights and Mapledurham area (West Cavesham, Berkshire). The school opened in September 2014 and moved into its permanent current site in Caversham Heights during the summer of 2021.

The new building offers pupils a greater range of facilities including a purpose built hall, activity studio, full production kitchen, Learning Resource Centre, group rooms a multi-user games area, a sensory garden and an artificially turfed outdoor play area.

The Heights has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted, has a waiting list of local parents who highly rate the broad curriculum and excellent �������� offer. The schools’ motto ‘Achieving Success Promoting Individual Responsibility & Excellence (ASPIRE)’ aligns completely with BPET’s values of Learn, Enjoy, Succeed, and we have a common vision to nurture the full potential in each child, support their growth into confident, all-rounders individuals ready to thrive.

Karen Edwards, Headteacher, said: “We are excited to start this new phase with BPET. During the last few months we have already been supported by the trust, and have been made to feel very welcome by the central team and other schools. We are appreciative of this and are looking forward to continue this journey of growth, collaborating and contributing to our new family of schools.”

Mark Greatrex, BPET Chief Executive, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Karen, her team and her pupils to be part of BPET. The Heights is a fantastic school much loved by local parents who regard it very highly, and we are looking forward to working with them to support and develop together.”

To recite or not to recite?

November 2023 saw our brand new Performance Poetry Recital Competition take place for the first time.

Each participating child prepared to recite a poem written by a published author or by themselves. In the first round of the competition they recited their chosen poem to their own class, who voted on the best performers to go through to the next stage. The semi-finals followed, and participants performed in a whole-school assembly, where teachers and staff chose the finalists to go through to the finals.

Pupils for Kilburn Grange School, Deer Park School, Watling Park School, Rivermead Primary School and �������� Primary School (remotely) took part in the finals reciting in front of other finalists, the judge Stephanie Hilder – BPET Specialist English Adviser – and the teachers who escorted them to the venue.

The judge was keen to explain to the finalists the importance of participating in the whole process and learning at every stage, and not to put too much focus on the final recognition of the awards. In consultation with all other teachers and adults in the room, Ms Hilder bestowed feedback, certificates and awards, and named Rivermead Primary School as the overall winner of the competition.

She said: “I was blown away by the standard of the competition finalists. The commitment, passion and verve shown by every single pupil made me want to shout from the rooftops and dance through the trees! Huge congratulations to the eventual winners, and to every child who performed for us and shared their love of a poem, you made my heart sing. Definitely a day to remember.”

Videos from the winning performers will be entered to the competition, with the change to perform at the Globe theatre.

Many thanks to Victoria Coward, Deer Park School Deputy Headteacher who organised the competition.

For the first time this year, we hosted the BPET Invictus Games for children in Key Stage 2 who are low in confidence or with special needs.

Our Sports Champions Dan Bavington and Jack Briley led the way, with the support of all schools’ sports coaches, in bringing to BPET this new competition where everyone is a winner.

Teams of 10 children from Rutherford Park School, Kilburn Grange School, Watling Park School, Deer Park School and Whitehall Park School came together to experience boccia, new age kurling, dangerball and archery. Each pupil gained points for their team; however the real focus was on trying out news sports, building confidence, feeling part of a team and enjoying the physical movement and the overall experience. Everyone received a medal in recognition of their efforts and participation.

Mr Bavington said: “All �������� work to make sure all pupils grow and develop a love for sport; through the Invictus Games we are able to make sure that every pupil has the ability to represent and participate in sport.”

Mark Greatrex, BPET Chief Executive, said: “These new games are a wonderful opportunity to get children together to enjoy a sporting competition across the schools. developing confidence and self-esteem. Thank you to Dan and Jack for arranging these, and to Watling Park School for hosting.”

We are very proud of , our Outstanding STEM school in Wokingham (Berkshire), who has been awarded the Eco School Green Flag last September.

Back in 2021, the school had already developed a green programme with a series of initiatives and events which were part of – and driven by – the school’s curriculum. But thanks to the passion of some members of staff, �������� decided to take their green commitment to the next level.

During the 2022-2023 school year, the school’s action plan revolved around three key elements: travel, waste and school grounds, and an Eco-Committee was formed involving 14 pupils from Reception to Year 6. The committee created an “Eco Code”, a collection of memorable slogans such as “Walk, bike or take a hike” that the pupils put forward after collective creative sessions.

�������� also worked together with regarding their sustainable travel policies, and received a Platinum Award for their efforts in this regard.

Other significant examples have been the challenges children posed to school suppliers: letters were written to suppliers requesting to share information about their sustainable practices; also a whole Eco Day was created where visitors were invited to come to school and observe the grounds and its wildlife, and plant 100 trees in what is now known as the Queen Canopy.

Instrumental to deliver the green agenda was Year 3 teacher Holly Wright, who has even bigger plans for the current academic year.

Headteacher Stacey Read says: “I am very proud of our teachers and our pupils, who understand the importance to look after the environment we live in, and take action towards a greener future.”

Since BPET was founded, we had a long-standing ambition: to train teachers in our schools.

This is now a reality.

We have partnered with to deliver our School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme. Teach First is a national charity that trains teachers with a focus to make a difference in their local communities. They have been training teachers for 20 years and are the largest initial teacher training provider in the UK.

As a trust, we have a clear vision to deliver the highest standards of education, blended from the best of the state and independent sectors, and we want aspiring teachers to join us to deliver this exciting vision for the benefit of the pupils we serve.

The SCITT programme is one-year long and involves a mix of live training in class, self-directed study and one-to-one support. The training is ideal for people who are eager to learn on the job and make a difference in their community from day one. Read more details here on the programme and eligibility requirements.

Alison Colenso, Interim Director of Education, said: “Training to teach is probably the most powerful way to have a positive impact on society. We want to nurture future teachers just as much as we nurture and educate our pupils. Joining us will enable aspiring teachers to hit the ground running and learn from experienced BPET staff. This is ultimately a great opportunity and we look forward to welcoming our first cohort.”

Mark Greatrex, BPET Chief Executive said: “Being able to train teachers in �������� has been a personal ambition of mine for years. This is a milestone for us and I’m beyond delighted we are finally delivering a SCITT programme in our schools; I’m looking forward to welcome new talent through our doors”.

Liz O’Mara, Head of School Partnerships SCITT at Teach First, said: “We are delighted that he �������� have joined up with Teach First for Initial Teacher Training. This partnership is an exciting opportunity for graduates or career changers to learn from expert teachers and mentors within their vibrant trust, alongside benefiting from initial teacher training developed by Teach First who are the largest initial teacher training provider in the country, with over 20 years’ experience. Our collaborative approach will enable the start of a meaningful career, making a real difference to children in your communities.”

Watling Park School was visited by Ofsted inspectors in June 2023 and was judged as ‘Good’ once more, which is a confirmation of their first inspection in 2018.

It was clear to inspectors that the school is a happy and safe place which caters for all children’s needs. The report highlights leaders’ high aspirations of what pupils can and should accomplish, and children’s enthusiasm in striving to do well and being proud of their achievements.

The report goes on to praise the breadth of activities on offer mentioning musical productions, trips to museums and dance festivals, print making workshops and residentials, as well as competitions with other schools within the same trust. All these out-of-classroom activities strengthen children’s learning, nurture them as all-rounders and add to their positive experience of primary school.

Inspectors also noted the children’s desire to contribute to school’s life: “They are proud of the roles that they have in school, for example as members of the school’s parliament and the green council. They felt that their contributions are valued, that they are listened to, and that they make a difference to their school and wider community.” .

Liz Haynes, Headteacher, says: “I’m really proud of our dedicated staff at Watling. We work together in the interest of the children, and I’m glad that Ofsted recognised our watertight approach to phonics and reading, as well as our solid safeguarding procedures. I’m also pleased that they appreciated how our extra-curricular activities can enrich children’s learning. I’m looking forward to leading Watling Park School to achieve even better outcomes”.

In addition to the school’s high praises, Ofsted commented on the support offered by the �������� (BPET), of which Watling Park School is part, and noticed how the trust and the local advisory board provide structure as well as challenge to school leaders in order to ensure accountability and progress.

Mark Greatrex, BPET Chief Executive, says: “We are delighted that Watling Park School has been confirmed as a Good school. We built the school from the ground and are proud of how it has developed over time. Our job as a trust is to make sure that all our children learn, enjoy and, as a result, succeed and I think they are doing just that at Watling Park School”.

Watling Park School has recently opened a new playpark on its extensive grounds, and produces its own energy thanks to solar panels installed on the roof.

There has been a considerable media coverage recently regarding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and its use in �������� settings. RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete; because it is weaker than regular concrete, concerns have been raised about its long-term durability.
These concerns have escalated during the summer resulting in a more precautionary approach by the DfE if RAAC is contained, rather than contained and critically weak. This has resulted in the DfE instructing about 100 schools to partially or fully close, preventatively.

During the last academic year, schools were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding their estates. All �������� responded promptly to this call for information as to whether RAAC may be contained in school buildings; our schools are mostly housed in new buildings and therefore the majority of them are not at risk of presenting RAAC in their structure.

Following the surveys, the DfE commissioned structural engineers to visit settings where RAAC may be, in response to the surveys. Structural surveys have been carried out by the DfE on two of our schools, and we are now waiting for the results; however, initial findings seem to indicate that there is no RAAC in the schools surveyed.

Contingency plans are in place and will prioritise the continuation of education and ensure that, if RAAC is identified, any impact on pupils is kept to an absolute minimum. Rest assured that the safety of pupils and staff is of paramount importance to all concerned.

Parents and staff are being kept up to date in all ��������.

We caught up with Toby Mills-Bishop, new headteacher at , and got to know a little more about him, his vision for the school and his connection to Hackney, London.

Q: Hi Toby, please tell us about you.

A: Hello! My name is Toby and I am very pleased to introduce myself as the new Headteacher at Halley House School. I am very excited about leading the school and can’t wait to start.

I have been a Headteacher since 2018 and have spent the last five years leading a school called Waterside Academy in Hertfordshire. This year I have also been supporting a second local school that had fallen into difficulty as their Executive Headteacher. Before then, I was a the Deputy Headteacher for six years, and prior to that I was a class teacher. I have been in education for a long time!

Putting personal development opportunities at the heart of all we do in school is something I am very passionate about. I want all children to enjoy coming to school, and have rich experiences that add excitement and genuine value to their lives. Great assemblies, school trips, sporting events, fun workshops and special visitors are all key elements of my vision for the future at Halley House.

I like children to ‘be busy’ and actively participating in their own education. This ‘hands-on’ and ‘always-learning’ philosophy to daily lessons has helped me to raise standards and pupil outcomes at my two current schools considerably.

My approach around curriculum planning focusses on ensuring children learn the right skills and gain the right elements of knowledge they need to be successful in life. I believe curriculum plans need to be cohesive (make sense and link learning together) and progressive (get more challenging overtime), and this will be my approach at Halley. It is my firm belief that schools should be fun and exciting places to be, with lots of interactive learning going on.

Q: Why did Halley House appeal to you as a school?

A: In a word (well… two words!) because of the ‘family feel’. I love schools and I love education because all that we do in schools is centred around communities and bringing people together to achieve a common goal. A close-knit community is a strong one, and schools are very well placed to support this. As a Headteacher, I will get to know all pupils and the real issues they face, so that I can help them to overcome barriers to success, and make their time at school a happy and enjoyable one. This is very much in line with the school’s and BPET values to Learn, Enjoy and Succeed.

Q: What is your vision for the school, and what you think you’ll tackle first when you start?

A: My vision for the school is one of inclusiveness and engagement. I want the school to be able to meet the needs of all children and support them no matter what. As I said above, I also want children to be busy at all times and really get the most out of their education.

I will work with subject leaders to make sure that curriculum planning responds fully to pupils’ needs and is both cohesive and progressive in nature, as well as to ensure that the implementation of those plans is strong across the school, supporting all children to achieve great outcomes.

I am already in full contact with the current school leaders as well as BPET leaders, and I will be in touch with all of them very regularly over the next few months and across the autumn term. When I properly start in January, there will be a period of learning and of assessment for me. I will want to know what is good and effective, which we will keep and grow and celebrate, but I also want to know if there are any areas for development I can help with. I don’t like to change anything too quickly, and certainly without proper consultation and thought. Halley House is a great school, and I am keen to organically build upon the strong provision already in place.

My leadership style is one of diplomacy and democracy and I love seeing others grow and flourish. Truly great leaders build capacity in others and then enjoy seeing the successes they have – this is what I plan to do!

Q: What’s your connection to Hackney and its community?

A: My connection to Hackney goes back to 2013, when I came to the area to take part in a multi-sport race put on by a local triathlon club. I am already signed-up to run the Hackney Half next year, which sees its route run right past the school. My brother used to live on Well Street before emigrating abroad, but he did manage to squeeze in a quick wedding at Hackney Town Hall before he left.

My other half is a maker who lives and works in the area, and our lives are deeply rooted in the local creative community. I love this area for its vibrancy, diversity, proximity to amazing sporting opportunities and its strong character. We are also very fortunate to be surrounded by so many talented artists, crafts people and makers here, and I hope to be able to bring some very special guest speakers, from different industries and different crafts, into the school over the coming years.

Q: What are you most excited about for this new post?

Getting to know pupils and families is truly exciting! I like to know everyone in the community, and will be asking lots of questions to pupils and their parents and carers to get to know what really makes people get up in the morning and strive for greatness. This school is clearly a special place as so much fantastic work has gone on already; I’m fully aware of this and I only want to add to it to create something very special indeed.

Thank you for letting me come on this adventure with you all. I am really looking forward to supporting Halley during the transition of leadership; I will be in full contact with the school before starting full time in January 2024, but I’ll be present in the school straight away, and before we know it we’ll be working together. I’m looking forward to the Summer BBQ where I hope Halley House parents will come and say hi!