Three local schools joined Moorlands Learning Trust (MLT) and converted to academy status on September 1st.
Ashlands Primary School, Burley Oaks Primary School and Menston Primary School, alongside Nidderdale High School, joined the Trust’s two existing secondary schools Ilkley Grammar School and The Skipton Academy.
With children at the very heart of the partnership, Moorlands Learning Trust (MLT) celebrated the launch of their new primary school collaboration by bringing together the schools’ student councils.
The school council representatives focused on the pupil leadership power of their new wider team with an afternoon of bee-themed activities at Ashlands Primary School, including learning about the resident bees and their beehives on site! Children from Ashlands, Burley Oaks and Menston Primary Schools joined together to share the voice of the pupils, in helping to shape the Trust’s future work.
The bee theme was very pertinent: Each bee has a clear role and duties that are known to every other bee; similarly, every team needs to consist of members with specific responsibilities that everyone knows about.
‘It was wonderful to hear the children speak confidently about how the partnerships will benefit their own schools and their transition to secondary schools. Their incredible future aspirations match the Trust’s high expectations of what working together can achieve.’ Claire Lee, Headteacher of Burley Oaks and the Trust’s new Director of Primary was enthused by the children’s excitement to work together. ‘At such young ages, the children showed us the power of great teamwork.’
Marie Wilson, Headteacher of Menston Primary School, looked forward to further collaborative work: “Children from all three schools are beginning to forge positive links which will grow and develop as they work together on joint community projects”.
The DFE focus on strong trusts is intended to help every child fulfil their potential, by making sure teachers and schools have the trust’s support in everything from teacher training to the curriculum. Helen Williams, CEO, has nurtured MLT’s community-focused growth, beginning with Ilkley Grammar School as a stand-alone academy and the Trust is now proud to work with three secondary and three primary schools in the local area and in North Yorkshire.
With the Trust’s track record of success, the future is looking bright for the local primary schools who share a common purpose and direction. Moorlands Learning Trust’s vision is to enable all students to succeed and excel, equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a positive difference not only to their own lives, but also to the lives of others.
Today’s activities strengthen this vision and prove that the future of our Trust is in great hands with pupils ready to support our next steps.
“We are so fortunate to have such a strong collaboration on our doorstep. We look forward to seeing this relationship grow as we find creative ways to work together, enhancing the offer we provide to the children of our schools,” Donna Russell, Headteacher, Ashlands Primary School.
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