At the LEO Academy Trust, we believe 

“Improving attendance is everyone’s business.” DFE -May 2022 

We believe: 

● That the foundation of securing good attendance is children attending an inclusive school that is calm, orderly, safe, and provides a supportive environment where all pupils want to be, and are keen and ready to learn 

● Where attendance and absence are closely monitored and there are robust, effective systems in place to deal with attendance issues quickly and sensitively, schools are well equipped to keep children safe. 

● Good attendance is essential if children are to take full advantage of all that school offers and gain the educational and social skills necessary for life. 

● That the barriers to accessing education are wide and complex, both within and beyond the school gates, and that these can be specific to individual pupils and families. For most pupils, the best place to be is in school, surrounded by the support of their friends and teachers.

This is important not just for your child’s learning, but also for their overall wellbeing, wider development, and their mental health.  

West Ashtead Attendance Policy 

Train to teach with LEO Academy Trust!

LEO Academy Trust is incredibly proud to work in partnership with the National Institute of Teaching as an Associate College to deliver Initial Teacher Training, (ITT) Early Career Framework (ECF) and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) from September 2025. Associate Colleges are successful school trusts, selected because of their wealth of in-house expertise in professional development and their deep relationships in their local areas. This collaboration allows us to be at the forefront of educational excellence, providing local teachers with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, learning and development. Together, we are shaping the future of teaching and learning, ensuring that every child receives the highest quality education.

Applications for our primary ITT courses are now open for September 2025! Our initial teacher training is a fully immersive school-centred programme - aspiring teachers will be in the classroom from the very start. But full immersion does not mean that you will be thrown in the deep end: our trainees are mentored and have central training once a week.

To apply for a place on our ITT programme please click here. 

Half term is upon us and your Fowa Committee have been busy planning next year's events and our fair and circus.  

We hope that you have marked the date in your diary as the family event of the summer but make sure you spread the word and tell everyone to come.  Tickets are pre-sale only and over half have been sold already.  They are priced at £42.00 (plus a small platform fee) for a family of four and the entertainment lasts for 2 hours including an intermission.  

There is a ring mistress, silly clown called Steve (?!) aerial stunt acrobats and Mr Slinky - perfect entertainment for all ages. 

Before the circus big top opens there will be a free to enter fair with  traditional and some not so traditional fair games run by our Year 5 student and yummy lunch and treats available to buy.  

Please do spread the word in Ashtead and Leatherhead and buy tickets at www.ticketsource.co.uk/fowa

In the meantime we need a crack team of volunteers to make the day run smoothly.  If you can make it we'd be very grateful if you would sign up to a volunteer slot.  If you get in early then you can choose the best slot and do it with a bestie and you can be smug and ignore our pleas for help in a month's time!  volunteersignup.org/MY9C3

In the meantime just a reminder about two passive fundraising revenue streams: the "big green bin" at the front of the school for all those half term spring clean outs.  See the poster for what can be taken and what we can't take.    

We were also notified about a prize draw for charitable associations called "Movement for Good" run by the Benefactor Group.  The more nominations we receive the more chance we can have to win £1000.

Just press the "nominate us" button below.  It should be pre populated with our details and you just need to add your email etc.  There is no requirement to include yourself in marketing so it should be free and quick.    

We really appreciate your help in big and little ways. At the moment we have funded half of all the trips and workshops your children have been on meaning the cost to you is half and the children's education is more engaging.

Plastic Tat Amnesty

Year 5 are collecting your "plastic tat" from all those party bags, tiny toys, and magazine freebies.  They will be used as fair games prizes with the hope that you give away 10 and get a new and exciting one back at the summer fair on 29 June!  Please drop off after half term in the box by reception.  

Creative Challenge

If you still would like to enter the brochure creative challenge and see your work in print (jokes, crosswords, word-searches, pictures, poems) please send them to Laura-Jane at fowachair@gmail.com over half term.  I can't accept them after half term.  You could be in for a prize! 

Finally, keep an eye on our social pages for up to date news.  We'd love to grow our Instagram page - follow us here:  

Friends of West Ashtead Instagram

Happy Half Term!  

FOWA