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CEO Welcome
CEO Welcome
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we move through exam season, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in preparing our young people for their exams. This includes our dedicated staff who ensure classrooms and exam rooms are ready, deliver revision sessions, support anxious students, and keep them motivated. Every effort contributes significantly to our students' success.
I also want to express my sincere gratitude to you, the parents and guardians, for your unwavering support and encouragement of your children in their studies. Your involvement and dedication at home are crucial in helping them reach their full potential. The achievements of our students are a testament to the meaningful teamwork of our entire Trust community.
Our Governors and Trustees also play a vital role in our success. On 7th May, we held our annual Governance Conference at New Line Learning. We were honoured to have Dr Becky Allen speak about the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence in education, sparking valuable discussions among our leaders. Special thanks to Mrs Boorman, Trust Lead for Pedagogy and Practice, for facilitating this insightful presentation.
I'm thrilled to announce the permanent appointments of Mrs Boorman as Trust Lead for Pedagogy and Practice and Mrs Clubb as Trust Lead for Safeguarding and Attendance. Both are passionate about supporting our young people and ensuring we stay at the forefront of educational practices. I am sure their leadership will inspire continuous improvement across our schools.
On 10th May, we had our first Trust trip, with students from New Line Learning and Cornwallis visiting Brands Hatch. Thank you to Mrs Clubb for organising this wonderful day and to Mr Packham for making it possible. This trip exemplifies our commitment to providing enriching experiences for our students.
A special thank you to New Line Learning for hosting the fantastic “Fun at the Farm” event. It was a joy to see the school community come together. A special thanks to our Farm team and our Young Farmers’ Club for their hard work in making it a success. I look forward to next year's event.
Following an early May Ofsted inspection, I am delighted to announce that Tiger Cubs Day Nursery has been rated GOOD. This is a fantastic achievement and a well deserved recognition of our colleagues' dedication. Please join me in congratulating them.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our stakeholder survey, the feedback is invaluable. Senior leaders in your school are busy reading and reflecting on your comments. Their next task is to review and improve the areas which need developing.
Our community garden project is progressing well, thanks to the Maidstone Rotary Club's design and volunteer efforts. In February, I mentioned our collaboration with Five Acre Wood to improve car parking at our Boughton Lane site. Due to high costs, we've paused initial plans and are trialling parking on the MUGA to alleviate pressure. Thank you to Tiger Primary parents/guardians for their cooperation in this matter.
I wish you all a wonderful and restful half term break. Thank you again for your support and involvement in our Trust community.
Best regards,
Mrs Linney-Drouet
Meet our Trustees
Meet our Trustees
Simon Cook
Simon Cook
Simon is an experienced senior leader and is the Principal & Chief Executive of MidKent College.
His passion for what education and training can do to change lives, communities and economies started in 2000 when he first trained as a teacher. Prior to this he had a successful career as a chef, travelling around the world working in luxury hotels and Michelin star restaurants.
Simon is an advocate for the communities of Maidstone and Medway through various trustee roles that he undertakes.
Sam Haspell
Sam Haspell
Sam is an experienced Senior Leader within the Criminal Justice arena as well as a Chief Executive for a local Charity. She has over 20 years safeguarding experience and is passionate about the safeguarding of children and young people. Sam also delivers training and works with organisations as a consultant reviewing policies and processes, identifying good practice and areas for development.
Sam has 4 children and has been a parent within the trust for over 17 years.
Mike O’Brien
Mike O’Brien
Mike has spent 17 years as a civil servant, beginning his career as a forensic scientist before moving onto more policy focussed positions on Whitehall.
He has worked on a broad range of HM Government priorities and gained vast experience in policy formulation, strategic oversight, operational delivery, and international diplomacy. Although Mike doesn’t come from an educational background, he hopes to be able to offer an alternative perspective on the Board, drawing on lessons from his professional experience to support and challenge the Trust.
Jane Thomas
Jane Thomas
Jane is passionate about children being able to access an education that meets their needs, in a nurturing and inspiring environment.
Jane has worked in the charity sector for 14 years and is currently Director of Services for a Kent based charity that works with over 30,000 adults and children a year in Kent, ranging from information and advice services to fun activities for children and older adults. Although not from an education background she hopes her experience of charity governance, policy development, bid writing, management and leadership, safeguarding, health inequalities and her knowledge of local community resources will be of benefit to the Trust.
Jane is a Mum to three grown up daughters who loves spending time with. She enjoys keeping fit by attending Pilates and other fitness classes at a local leisure centre, and walking her dog whatever the weather.
Trust Trip to Brands Hatch
Trust Trip to Brands Hatch
On the 10th May, Year 9 students from Cornwallis Academy and New Line Learning Academy embarked on a unique opportunity into the world of Motorsport. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of HP with Intel, MB Motorsports and Misco, the students were treated to a fully funded experience. One which we hope will have ignited their passion for a future in motorsport.
The event wasn’t just about the adrenaline rush of racing. The aim was to showcase careers and opportunities across professional motorsport and STEM activities.
As part of the day, students were given exclusive access to behind-the-scenes tours ahead of Round Two of the British Touring Car Championship along with a look at the BMW 330e M Sport race car.
One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to meet and interact with professional driver Jake Hill. From sharing his insights into his career journey (which started with washing car tyres) to offering tips on mastering the art of racing. Jake explained how it was his determination, resilience and passion that had kept him going at times when he wanted to give up.
Students were put to the test in a racing simulator challenge. The competitive spirit was obvious as students vied for the top spot.
The event also aimed to promote safety and innovation in motor sport. Students participated in an interactive “crash test” competition lead by the Chief Engineer for MB Motorsports.
The afternoon was filled with a carousel of enterprise activities exploring the different aspects of creating the ‘Race Team of the Future’. Following a presentation to one of the experts by each team, where there was only 2 points between the top three…Congratulations to the Navy team who have won the opportunity to return as VIP guests of MP Motorsports with members of their families.
Mrs McMahon
Headteacher
Cornwallis Academy
Cornwallis Academy
A warm welcome to the May edition of Cornwallis’ contribution to the Trust newsletter.
As we approach the end of another term, it’s been lovely reflecting on all of the excellent work achieved by students. It has been a very busy spring term, with many trips, events and exciting activities. Our Year 11 and Year 13 students have now commenced their summer exams, and the rest of the year groups have been preparing for their end of year assessments. I hope you enjoy reading our section of the newsletter - you’ll see there’s a great deal to be proud of.
Colour Run - Celebrating 65 years with a splash of colour!
The term started with an explosion of colour, as we celebrated our 65th anniversary with an exhilarating Colour Run event! Held on Friday, April 19th, the sun graced us with its presence just long enough for us to stay dry and for the festivities to proceed.
It was a joyous occasion with participation from all year groups, from Year 7 to Year 13. As the afternoon unfolded, laughter filled the air as students and staff alike found themselves decorated in a variety of colours. The consensus amongst students was unanimous – it was the best day ever! There was an undeniable sense of camaraderie and community spirit.
For our Year 11 and Year 13 students, who are soon to embark on their exams, the Colour Run served as a well-deserved break. Amidst the pressures of academic pursuits, it's essential to create moments where children can simply be children.
As we reflect on this milestone anniversary, we are reminded of the importance of fostering memorable experiences that not only enrich the school journey but also nurture community spirit.
International School Award Certificate - British Council International School Award success
We are very proud to announce that Cornwallis Academy has been awarded the Foundation level of the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of our work to bring the world into the classroom. The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of everything we do; it enables our students to gain the cultural understanding and skills needed for life and work in today’s world.
Cornwallis Academy’s international work includes our trips abroad, our extracurricular visits to the Languages conferences in partnership with Tonbridge School and The University of Kent, our Spanish and French performances brought to our students by Onatti and our Language Assistants’ fantastic work on a daily basis with our students, to name but a few initiatives and events.
Year 13 Prom
This year's prom took place at the Weald of Kent Golf Club. The rain that had fallen throughout the day, cleared just in time for us to enjoy the outside terrace overlooking the golf course, before we sat down for a formal dinner. This was followed by non-stop dancing all the way until midnight. It was a wonderful evening - a testament to the well-rounded young adults our year 13s have become.
Year 9 University Life Talk
On Monday 29th April, 60 Year 9 students attended a one-hour workshop delivered by ambassadors of Kent University, designed to answer the ‘Who? What? When? Where? How?’ questions about university. Students were encouraged to reflect on possible reasons for going to university, what they could study, where they might live and how studying at university differs from being at school. Our students engaged fantastically in these interactive sessions, broadening their understanding of university life, including how they would learn and what extra-curricular opportunities are available. Students were keen to ask questions and gain an insight into where their GCSE studies could lead them. Our Year 9 students demonstrated maturity and respect throughout, with the visitors commenting on how all students did our school proud.
Year 10 University Trip
On Friday 3rd May, our Year 10 Student Support Manager, Miss Perry took 14 year 10 students to Kent University in Canterbury so they could experience aspects of life in Higher Education. They started their day in the Lecture Theatre where they were greeted by staff and students. They were fully engaged and excited to be in a university environment. The day consisted of seminars which focussed on topics including future human life, what life would be like if AI took over, and what jobs wouldn’t exist anymore in that scenario. This was a thought-provoking way for them to sample university styled teaching and questioning. The Year 10s relished the opportunity to embrace a different environment and we're a credit to the school.
Year 12 University of Kent Trip
In April, we took our entire Year 12 cohort to the University and Apprenticeship Fair at the University of Kent, where they had a fantastic time exploring their future opportunities. The event allowed students to interact with representatives from apprenticeship providers and wide range of universities, including Russell Group and Red Brick institutions. They had the opportunity to participate in seminars and explore the university campus, gaining a tangible sense of university life. Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive. They found the fair both informative and enjoyable, appreciating the chance to engage with a diverse range of providers and consider both academic and vocational pathways. The visit was a resounding success, leaving students better informed about their next steps.
Year 12 Sociology Conference
A small group of Year 12 A Level Sociology students went to Canterbury Christ Church University College on 8th May, along with students from a number of schools from across Kent, for their Sociology Conference. As well as hearing about some of the latest developments within the Sociology of Education, there was an opportunity to receive revision support in preparation for the AS exams which began the following week.
Thinking longer term, there was also an opportunity to find out what studying Social Science at Degree level would entail and there were some helpful hints on how to write effective personal statements for UCAS applications. ‘This is part of our determination to tap into a range of people and organisations who can support and inspire our students. There was something for everyone!’, commented Mr Andy Lee, Head of RE and Sociology.
Class champions
Term 5 signifies the start of the exam season and an opportunity for students to demonstrate the excellent learning that has taken place over the last two years in either KS4 or KS5. Both year 11 and 13 have been working incredibly hard during their lessons and dedicated revisions sessions; we wish them the best of luck for the up and coming exams!
Across the rest of the school, superb learning has been taking place. In English, KS3 students have been creating interesting and thoughtful acrostic poems to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday. Each week, students in Maths can achieve a place on the podium (which is displayed on the screens throughout the building) for their efforts with Sparx Maths tasks. Art scholars have been adding the final touches to their Shaun the Sheep sculpture ready for the trail to launch next month.
Ms Mackie
Head of School
New Line Learning Academy
New Line Learning Academy
Terms 4 and 5 have been as busy as ever with lots of exciting activities to engage, stretch and challenge our pupils both inside and outside of the classroom. Some of these include:
Our year 10 pupils took part in a two hour screen printing workshop with UCA. This gave them the opportunity to develop a new way of printing, and the work they produced will add to their GCSE coursework. Meanwhile, year 9 pupil were fortunate enough to visit The University of Creative Arts and experienced two, two hour sessions focusing on using art to encourage them to reflect on feelings of identity and self-reflection and produced art around the focus of a motivational mindset.
New Line Learning and Cornwallis year 9 pupils came together to experience an awesome Brands Hatch STEM experience in partnership with MB Motorsport and HP intel. A New Line team even won the Dragon’s Den final challenge of the day!
The University of Kent have been working with 16 pupils from year 10 on an ‘Arguing with Confidence’ workshop aimed at developing debating skills. Pupils have researched and developed arguments and then debated them, as well as designing a utopia society.
Our year 9 ‘Brilliant Club Scholars Programme’ has been receiving tutorials from a PHD tutor focusing on Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal. Pupils have identified the three branches of government in America and discussed themes around whether 'If the President does it, it must be legal'. The programme will end with a trip to Royal Holloway University in term 6.
Finally, our year 11 cohort have made an excellent start on their GCSE exams. We are very proud of their commitment and resilience.
Fun at the Farm
We are delighted to announce that our May Fun at the Farm event was a tremendous success! Despite the very warm weather, the turnout was fantastic, with over 500 visitors joining us for a weekend of fun and community spirit. Together, we raised over £2,500, which will help us continue developing our farm.
Our young farmers and dedicated farm staff worked tirelessly to create a memorable event. Families enjoyed meeting our friendly animals, and many took the opportunity to capture special moments with our adorable lambs. The craft activities were a hit with children, and the talented face painters added extra sparkle to the day with their colourful designs.
The delicious smell of burgers grilling filled the air, tempting all who passed by, while slushies provided a refreshing way to cool down. The dog agility shows were a highlight, captivating the audience with the impressive skills of the agile dogs.
This event showcased the true spirit of our community, and we are grateful to everyone who attended and supported us. Your enthusiasm and generosity made this event unforgettable. We look forward to welcoming you to our next event and continuing to share the joys of farm life with you.
Mr Siggs
Headteacher
Tiger Primary School
Tiger Primary School
There have been so many exciting changes at Tiger Primary School, and I'm delighted to share with you the latest updates and developments that are taking place.
First and foremost, we've been working tirelessly to provide our children with enriching experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Our cultural capital and enrichment trips have been a resounding success, offering diverse and immersive opportunities for our children. From exploring local landmarks to tasting new cuisines, our children have embarked on adventures that have broadened their horizons and fostered curiosity.
As mentioned in the last Trust newsletter, we've now introduced 'The Pod’ This is a modular building dedicated to delivering academic interventions. This space has enabled us to offer targeted support and individualised learning experiences for children across all year groups, especially for our Year 6 children in the run up to their KS2 SATs.
Mrs Oliver
Nursery Manager
Tiger Cubs Day Nursery
Tiger Cubs Day Nursery
This term has been a particularly busy and productive one for the nursery, as we continue to make significant progress with our development plan.
You may have noticed a change in our uniform this term. We have transitioned to black tunics featuring the Tiger Cubs logo. Our next addition will be fleeces for the colder months. The staff look fantastic, and the uniform not only enhances their professional appearance but also promotes discipline and a sense of unity within our team.
In terms of staff development, we have made a concerted effort to upskill our team and support their professional growth. We have focused on training that benefits both individual staff members and the nursery’s overall development goals.
Each term, staff will be required to complete training related to child development or other areas necessary to support the nursery.
Since November, our staff have attended the following training sessions:
Supporting Speech Sounds
CPOMS Training
Understanding Child Development
Exemplary Practice for Two-Year-Olds
Interactive Interventions
Supporting Children with SEND
Early Talk Boost
Supporting Two-Year-Olds
Early Years: Making Use of Autism
Paediatric First Aid
DSL Training
We are excited about the progress we are making and look forward to continuing to grow and improve together.
Ofsted
This term welcomed Ofsted to our setting. On 1st May, we had the pleasure of showcasing our nursery. The day began at approximately 9:30 am when I, along with a parent, greeted the inspector.
The morning was spent discussing our development plan and highlighting the improvements made since our last inspection. During a learning walk, the inspector observed one of our apprentices conducting an activity with the children.
In the afternoon, the inspector engaged with every member of our staff and spoke with several parents. Following this, I took part in a meeting focused on leadership and management.
By 3 pm, the inspection was concluded, and the inspector was ready to provide feedback on her findings.
Ofsted Press Release
Staff of Tiger Cubs Day Nursery in Loose, Maidstone are celebrating after being graded ‘Good’ in its recent Ofsted report.
Tiger Cubs Day Nursery was judged to be a ‘good provider’ after an inspection on 1st May 2024. The inspectors recognised the nursery has significantly improved since its last inspection in 2023, where the nursery was previously deemed as ‘requires improvement’.
The report commented that the returning Nursery Manager, Hayley Oliver, has supported staff very well to make significant improvements since their last inspection.
The inspectors were particularly impressed by the nursery’s effective safeguarding culture, and that staff support all children to make good progress, including those children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The report also recognised that staff have a strong knowledge of the curriculum and implement the activities successfully.
Mrs Hayley Oliver, Nursery Manager, said: “We’re delighted with our latest Ofsted report, and we are really pleased that the inspectors recognised the hard work and progress that we have made over the last few months”
“I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work and of course, our families for their continued support and dedication to the nursery.
Mrs Linney-Drouet, Future Schools Trust CEO, said: “Having Tiger Cubs graded as “good” underpins the core values and ethos of our trust. All our settings have now been graded “good” by Ofsted, showing our Trust’s impact on the quality of education provided by our schools.
“Mrs Oliver only joined the trust in November so on behalf of the trustees; I’d like to thank her and the nursery team for their hard work and dedication over the last few months”
The full Ofsted report can be read at www.reports.ofsted.gov.uk
Curiosity Approach
As I mentioned in the last Trust newsletter, we are looking at our curriculum and making sure our curriculum fills children with awe and wonder. If you have any of the following, or you are planning a summer clean, please do think of us.
The saying goes "one person's rubbish is another treasure…"
Lamps- floor lamps or bedside table lamps
Metal tea pots/milk jugs
Metal Pots and Pans
Mobile phones
Curtain hooks Wooden and metal
Green/beige/Brown/Natural Rug/Cushions
Adult hats, bowler hat, straw hat, baseball cap,
Unique adult shoes, clogs, beaded slip ons,
Old phone – buttons
Hairdryer
Straighteners
Wicker chair
Bead necklaces/wooden bracelets
Wooden cup holder
Wooden bowls
Vintage suitcase
Outfits from around the world
Place mats
Coffee tins
Costume jewellery
Plastic jars/Herb spices
Large metal keys
Mr Smith
Head of the Gateway
The Gateway
The Gateway
Mocks and Year 11 Exam Preparation
The second round of mock exams for English literature and language, maths, science, and citizenship were completed in February. This afforded our year 11s another opportunity to become familiar with exam conditions and expectations. It also ensured that staff had access to data that identified any gaps in student learning that would help inform the creation of subject specific workshops that will be offered when year 11s are on study leave. Additionally, it helped us to anticipate what additional support we can provide to our learners during examinations to help meet their needs and alleviate any anxieties that may arise.
Core and GCSE Subjects
We have covered a range of interesting topics across the school this term:
Maths
Our Year 11 students have been supported by our fabulous John Harmer, an experienced Maths tutor who specialises in supporting GCSE students with focused bespoke sessions. John was proud of the maturity and focus exhibited by our learners. Year 10 are now preparing for mock exams. Each lesson starts with past questions from previous GCSE papers. KS3 learners have been looking at: money, wages and tax, shapes, symmetry and reflection, and constructing 3D shapes in class to help them visualise them.
English
Year 11 students have been receiving extra support from Mrs Percy who has focused on examination and writing techniques for English Literature. Year 10 have been introduced to Language Paper 1, focusing on descriptive writing techniques. KS3 learners have had fun with Heroes and Villains, looking at character profiling and inventing their own heroes and villains in creative short stories.
Science
Year 11s have been finishing Paper 2 topics and preparation for revision sessions for upcoming exams. Inheritance, variation, and evolution has been the theme for year 10, which is a component of GCSE Paper 2. Our KS3 student have been looking at diet, exercise and health, and what factors can impact on our health. They have explored positive life choices that can help to improve overall health.
Citizenship
Year 11 were encouraged to become active citizens by creating a campaign that promotes the importance of regular health checks to prevent illness. This successful campaign was delivered to our KS3 students along with a survey to measure if their campaign had raised their awareness of rare cancers such as testicular cancer. Year 10 students have continued to explore politics and have been paying close attention to local elections and current political broadcasts and bids for the next general election.
Vocational subjects
Art
KS3 students have been exploring how conflict is seen in art with Ms Dennis. This included creating an artist and information page analysing work from Pablo Picasso and Peter Howson. A termly mood board was created for students to reflect on and inspire their creativity.
Cooking
This term KS3 learners have been working on producing a range of desserts! This included homemade ice cream (a blessing in the warmer weather) using Mrs Cates’ secret recipe and life hack that doesn’t include an ice cream maker. Ms Dennis was fortunate enough to be the taster for this wonder and can confirm it was the best ice cream she has tasted yet!
Gardening and Farm
For our students who participate in working on the New Line Learning Farm, spring came hand in hand with lambing season. Students witnessed the birth of lambs and were introduced to the cycle of life and will continue to observe the stages of growth. One student shared that 'Fun at the Farm' involved a lot of ‘muck’ and having to get stuck in with essential but often smelly jobs! This is a fantastic opportunity for our learners to understand the nature of hard work and the importance of taking care of livestock. It also provides them with an additional escape from the classroom, getting back to nature is an important aspect of maintaining health and wellbeing.
Spring has sprung and sees the revival of our Gateway Allotment with our trusted volunteer Benjy who kindly passes down his knowledge of how to ‘live off the land’. We have an exciting batch of crops to look forward to which I know Mrs Cates is keen to get her hands on for her cookery classes! Our learners will be using these homegrown vegetables in their cooking. This is a great opportunity for them to understand the importance of sustainable living. Food that is made in cookery classes is created for breakfast club and for additional snacks. This is also helpful in keeping our hungry students satisfied in an economically viable way!
Extra-Curricular/PSHE
KS4 welcomed Sue Jones the outreach NHS Sexual Health nurse from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells who delivered workshops on relationships, consent, and sexual health. Sue was very pleased with pupil engagement and stated she was impressed with their attitude and maturity. The sessions were well timed and complimented this term’s science curriculum and Year 11’s Citizenship project on raising awareness of breast and testicular cancer. Additionally, Ed Panting from The Education People delivered an amazing workshop that looked at transition expectations and post-16 options from school to college/sixth form/apprenticeships.
Last term our female students received valuable guidance on the dangers of exploitation of women and girls in gangs. This term, the whole school participated in workshops from the St Giles Trust. Their guest speaker spoke to pupils about nationwide issues affecting young people including county lines and weapons. The sessions focussed on making good choices and the consequences and impact on themselves and others. Pupils were a credit to the Trust and the speaker commented on their respectful behaviour and positive participation.
Adrian Webster continues to deliver his ‘13 Steps to Success’. Each Friday, our famous guest speaker delivers his top tips for a successful future. This term’s step was well timed with the upcoming exams. Adrian managed to turn dreaded revision into a fun and playful game by turning boring key terms and knowledge into a fun story, rhyme, or song. This is a technique that Adrian uses to memorise key information before he delivers speeches to thousands of people. Tried and tested!
At The Gateway, we like to reward learners who have good attendance, positive attitudes to learning and for showing kindness and nurture to one another. This term, this reward was in the form of a trip to the local bowling alley! Students who were selected from both years 10 and 11 were treated to a morning of fun and games accompanied by Mr Stuart (Science/PE) and Mr Delayney (English). The behaviour on this trip was exemplary and has opened up opportunities for future rewards trips - something to look forward to! (I think Miss Hunt (PSHE) is already planning something exciting).
Written by Ms Dennis.
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