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ATC News

Feb 23
0

ATC News Update 25.2.2022

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 25.2.2022

Weekly news

ATC Weekly Update

25.2.2022

 

This week the UK has had it’s third storm within 7 days and an end to further Covid restrictions. 

 

Interviews for our Interim CEO take place next week with the external recruitment for the substantive post ongoing.  The web address is: joinatc.co.uk/. 

 

We are looking forward to Kathryn joining the team in March.  Kathryn is the new trust Finance and Payroll Manager.

 

The IT services team have beenat Roseacre during half term upgrading equipment and removing furniture. This was Zubair and Sully’s first major IT project working at the Trust, both performed exceptionally well.

 

The Marketing department has been working on the ATC staff dashboard and working closely with Witton Park Academy developing their Year 6 Transition event on the website. This will be going live at the beginning of March.

 

Emma, part of our finance team continues to work on the handover of nursery fee management to the central finance team.

 

Rosie, our Business Support Officer, has been working on recruitment packs for Thames and Roseacre Primary schools. She has also attended training on a new process for Teacher Pensions submissions.

 

Finally we have a few vacancies across the Trust this week:

 

Exam Invigilator at Bowland High

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/exam-invigilator-lancashire-1569100?preview=1

 

Exam Invigilator at Witton Park Academy

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/exam-invigilator-blackburn-with-darwen-1569088?preview=1

 

Casual Cover Teacher at Witton Park Academy

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/casual-cover-teachers-blackburn-with-darwen-1568678?preview=1

 

If you know anyone that may be interested in any of the roles please forward them the links above.

Feb 11
0

ATC News Update 11.2.2022

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 11.2.2022

Weekly news

ATC Weekly Update

11.2.2022

 

This week we have some exciting news… We have recruited our new Finance and Payroll Manager! The successful candidate is Kathryn Johnson, she will be starting her new role at the beginning of March.

 

The Operations Managers had an away day last week and agreed a way forward with support staff appraisal.  The new process will be launched in the summer term.

 

The CEO vacancy will be advertised from Friday 11th February 2022.  The web address is:

joinatc.co.uk/

 

A reminder that next week the office will be closed. The majority of our team will be back on 21st February.

 

Work continues on developing a wellbeing strategy across the trust. 

 

Other news, the new HR System SAM  has now been given the go ahead with FACE Ed (recruitment) going live first. 

 

Tracy, the Executive Headteacher for the Trust, has been involved with leadership training. The training was very well received and all the attendees enjoyed the event.

 

Great news from The IT team, Ethan, one of our IT Technicians has passed his driving test! This means it will be easier for him to visit and attend more of the schools to provide IT support when needed. Other IT news, the team has been busy continuing with migration of email addresses at Bowland. There is also a planned network strategy and equipment over at Roseacre next week.

 

The Marketing department has been working on a social media recruitment campaign, this will launch alongside the CEO recruitment site. You will be able to see the campaign on Twitter very soon.

 

We have a few vacancies across the Trust this week:

 

Exam Invigilator at Bowland High

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/exam-invigilator-lancashire-1569100?preview=1

 

Exam Invigilator at Witton Park Academy

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/exam-invigilator-blackburn-with-darwen-1569088?preview=1

 

Casual Cover Teacher at Witton Park Academy

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/casual-cover-teachers-blackburn-with-darwen-1568678?preview=1

 

 Temporary Receptionist at Bowland High

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/temporary-receptionist-clitheroe-1561463?preview=1

 

After School Club Play Leader

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/after-school-club-play-leader-blackpool-1566140

 

After School Club Supervisor at Roseacre Primary https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/after-school-club-supervisor-blackpool-1565868?preview=1

If you know anyone that may be interested in any of the roles please forward them the links above.

Finally we would like to thank all our schools and central team this half term. It has been a brilliant start to the year throughout the Trust and we hope it continues the rest of the year. Have a great half term break everyone!

Feb 04
0

ATC News Update 4.2.2022

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 4.2.2022

Weekly news

ATC Weekly Update

28.1.2022

 

This week at the Trust, some of the Executive Team met with the Operations Managers for an away day to discuss various elements of the ATC Trust and schools, the day was very productive.

 

The IT team migrated Bowland High to gmail this week. The overall outcome has been very successful.

 

We also interviewed for the role of Finance and Payroll Manager. We would like to Thank everyone who applied for this role. We will announce the successful candidate in the near future.

 

The marketing team have been working with some of the Witton Park Academy staff to organise photoshoots for each department. The updated photos will feature on the website and future marketing materials.

 

Finally we have a few vacancies across the Trust this week:

 

Nursery Assistant at Thames Primary Academy :

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/temporary-nursery-assistant-blackpool-1554914?preview=1

 

Nursery Practitioner at Thames Primary Academy :

 https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/nursery-eyfs-practitioner-blackpool-1554917?preview=1

 

 

After School Club Supervisor at Roseacre Primary https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/after-school-club-supervisor-blackpool-1565868?preview=1

 

 

If you know anyone that may be interested in any of the roles please forward them the links above.

Jan 28
0

ATC News Update 28.1.2022

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 28.1.2022

Weekly news

With the easing of Plan B, the central team have been back to normal working practises and locations. The team is glad to be back in the office and seeing their colleagues. Although the Plan B restrictions are easing, please remember to stay safe and be aware of individual school’s policies regarding face masks.

 

New Role in AtC’s team

 

Vicky Whiting has been appointed to a new role within the central AtC team on a two term secondment.  Starting in the Spring  term Vicky will take up the post of Trust Lead for School Improvement.  Each of our schools will be be able to work with Vicky whose main role will be to; 

  • Lead on improvements in leadership, the quality of education and pedagogy across the trust.
  • To positively impact on curriculum development and curriculum understanding to improve pupils’ outcomes. 
  • To exemplify classroom practice; modelling excellent teaching and leadership.
  • Contribute to the positive ethos, value and priorities of the trust. 

I am very pleased that we have been able to add Vicky’s expertise and capacity to the team to support our improvement work and very much look forward to seeing the positive impact.

 

Dean Logan

CEO

 

The IT and Marketing team have been working hard on the new email signatures for the Central Trust team. The new signatures will give a more consistent look and unified feel to the team’s communication. Bowland High will also have a new email signature once the school moves over to Gmail, this should be happening at the beginning of February.

 

Zaitoon our Digital Lead has been organising Google Training for all schools throughout the Trust. These training sessions will be happening throughout February.

 

Emma, our Finance Officer, has been working on updating the nursery fees system for Roseacre Primary. She will be recording adjustments on parent pay.

 

Finally we have a few vacancies across the Trust this week:

 

Nursery Assistant:

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/temporary-nursery-assistant-blackpool-1554914?preview=1

 

Nursery Practitioner job:

 

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/nursery-eyfs-practitioner-blackpool-1554917?preview=1

 

Finance and Payroll Manager – ATC Trust Office

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/finance-and-payroll-manager-blackburn-with-darwen-1545142?preview=1

 

Science Technician – Bowland High

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/science-technician-clitheroe-1548152?preview=1

 

If you know anyone that may be interested in any of the roles please forward them the links above.

Jan 21
0

ATC News Update 21.1.2022

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 21.1.2022

Weekly news

This week the UK heard the news that the government is going ahead with easing plan B restrictions from 26th January. This positive news means the ATC central team will return to normal working practises and locations.

 

We have a few vacancies across the Trust this week:

 

Nursery Assistant:

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/temporary-nursery-assistant-blackpool-1554914?preview=1

 

Nursery Practitioner job:

 

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/nursery-eyfs-practitioner-blackpool-1554917?preview=1

 

Finance and Payroll Manager – ATC Trust Office

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/finance-and-payroll-manager-blackburn-with-darwen-1545142?preview=1

 

Science Technician – Bowland High

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/science-technician-clitheroe-1548152?preview=1

 

 

If you know anyone that may be interested in any of the roles please forward them the links above.

Jan 14
0

ATC News Update 14.1.2022

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 14.1.2022

Weekly news

The second week of 2022 has been a busy one will lots of exciting times ahead! 

Keep your eyes peeled for some exciting recruitment campaigns: Finance and Payroll Manager is already advertised and we will shortly be advertising for our trust CEO.

The IT services team continues to provide excellent support to our schools.  The team have also been working hard in the background looking at internet connectivity and working with our Digital Strategy lead on the roll out of the action plan

The finance team has been busy working on the month end and preparing the selection process for the Finance and Payroll Manager recruitment.

The Digital strategy has been reviewed this week to ensure that we are on target to meet the agreed action plan.  Our Digital Strategy Lead has also delivered accesssibility training to all Teaching Assistants.

The AtC running club restarted this week, with the aim to get fit and improve staff wellbeing. 

With the updated Covid information, the Central Team are currently working from home where possible to help stop the spread of the virus. The team is still available when needed and are always happy to help.

Finally we have the currently job vacancies available across the Trust:

 

Finance and Payroll Manager – ATC Trust Office

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/finance-and-payroll-manager-blackburn-with-darwen-1545142?preview=1

 

Science Technician – Bowland High

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/science-technician-clitheroe-1548152?preview=1

 

Temporary Nursery Assistant – Thames Primary Academy

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/temporary-nursery-assistant-blackpool-1546775?preview=1

 

If you know anyone that may be interested in any of the roles please forward them the links above.

Jan 07
0

ATC News Update 7.1.2022

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 7.1.2022

Weekly news

This week across the Trust we welcomed back all our schools and central team after the Christmas holidays. We hope you all had a nice relaxing and break.

 

To start the New Year, we have some vacancies available throughout the Trust:

 

If you know of anyone that maybe interested in any of the roles above please forward them the link.

Dec 17
0

ATC Winter Newsletter 2021

By | ATC News, Information
Message from ATC Trust CEO

Thank you to all staff for the collective effort to bring us successfully through the Autumn term.  Covid continues to present us with challenges, however, the resilience you’ve demonstrated has been fantastic. Throughout the period we have continued to develop and deliver school improvements.  Congratulations to Witton Park on the successful inspection this half term, this recognises the work undertaken to provide pupils with a high quality education, particularly considering how long we’ve worked under the restrictions of a pandemic.

I hope you all have a lovely break over the Christmas period and wish you all well for the new year.  Many thanks for your help and support.

Dean Logan 

CEO

Staff Updates

Peter Gardner, Catering Operations Manager, joins the central team on 4th January 2022. Peter will oversee and support the catering functions at all trust schools, ensuring that we provide the highest quality health meals to our pupils and facilitating a co-ordinated approach to catering procurement.
Suzanne Wilson is leaving the trust at the end of term. Suzanne joined the central team from Bowland High in 2020 and has worked on developing and implementing HR procedures which are fit for purpose. We are really sad to say goodbye to Suzanne but wish her lots of luck in her new role.

Finance

The finance team has been through the audit mill this term with a visit from a School Resource Management Advisor, an Internal Audit and the external audit of our annual accounts. You’ll be glad to hear that everything is “tickety boo”; our financial management procedures are robust and we can evidence that our resources are deployed effectively and efficiently. The internal audit programme will continue next term, including on-site visits to all schools to ensure that our financial management procedures are embedded across all trust sites.

AtC News This Term

The central team moved into a new, larger office at the start of this term. The open plan office arrangement has been successful in developing our cross team working in order to provide a better level of customer service to our schools. It has also provided more desk space for our growing team to the point where we are already bursting at the seams again.

Arbinger

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in the first steps into this secondment to lead the expansion of principles of outward mindset around the MAT. It’s been a privilege to get to see and learn from staff around the trust. Training cycles are now calendared or under way in all of the schools, both as face to face day long workshops and the digital Outward Mindset Online version.

Marketing

The Trust marketing team have been working with the recently expanded IT central team creating a brand. This has ranged from uniforms, social media presence and the development of a new section on the ATC website due early 2022.

Across the Trust high schools, updated Virtual Open Events were created to ensure the schools were Covid safe. The events were very well received and highlighted the positivity and many achievements of the schools to potential students.

Working with Thames Primary Academy, we have recently created a short video promoting the nursery and showcasing the environment and students in attendance. Click the link below to see the final product.

Digital Strategy

The IT team have been busy this term to ensure Chromebooks were purchased, installed and ready to use at Thames and for 3 year groups at Roseacre.
The Roseacre staff have been working hard to get ready to take the level 1 exam in January/February.
Admin Staff from across the trust met at ATC central office on the 1st November for a day of Google Workspace training. IIt was a successful event where the staff were able to collaborate with each other.
Bowland High are looking forward to the next step of having all their classes set up on Google Classroom in January. This will provide a comprehensive platform for teachers to set work and communicate with students easily.
Thames have been successful in being awarded the Google Reference School Status. Well done to all the staff and students on showcasing the use of Google workspace skills.
Witton Park Academy’s digital team have been working on creating content for the Shadow Curriculum. The team is set up ready to start filming the video’s to accompany the Curriculum.

Bowland High Updates

Y7 YNotAspire Personal Development Day
Sharon Burch, Nicola Kay, Dulcie Holden, Elle Kayley, Shane Hudson and Dave Ashworth from YNotAspire spent the day at Bowland High recently with the whole Year 7 cohort.

The 4 sessions our visitors delivered were:

1. What is mental health, including looking after our own and being there for our friends

2. Social media and how it can impact our mental health

3. Coping with anxiety

4. The importance of communication (run by Accrington Stanley Community Trust)

Dave Ashworth one of the volunteers at this event and someone who also works along side some of our pupils on a weekly basis also won the Hyndburn & Ribble Valley CVS Outstanding Volunteer Award at the 2021 Volunteer Awards held at Accrington Town Hall recently. When asked what he thought about receiving the award he said “It’s all about the kids!”

Congratulations Dave.

Well done to the Year 9 netball team who put a great effort into the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley netball tournament on a freezing cold evening.
Katie, Izzy, Olivia, Orla B, Lilly Ella, Evie Imogen, Ruby, Orla S and Monika.
Miss Hardisty

Y7 YNotAspire Personal Development Day
Sharon Burch, Nicola Kay, Dulcie Holden, Elle Kayley, Shane Hudson and Dave Ashworth from YNotAspire spent the day at Bowland High recently with the whole Year 7 cohort.

The 4 sessions our visitors delivered were:

1. What is mental health, including looking after our own and being there for our friends

2. Social media and how it can impact our mental health

3. Coping with anxiety

4. The importance of communication (run by Accrington Stanley Community Trust)

Dave Ashworth one of the volunteers at this event and someone who also works along side some of our pupils on a weekly basis also won the Hyndburn & Ribble Valley CVS Outstanding Volunteer Award at the 2021 Volunteer Awards held at Accrington Town Hall recently. When asked what he thought about receiving the award he said “It’s all about the kids!”

Congratulations Dave.

The Wait is Over. Today the Y10 Boys Football Team Experienced the Magic of the New 3G Pitch

Roseacre Primary Academy Updates

Message from the Head

Roseacre has just completed recording the 10th Christmas performance. Parents and carers of almost 300 children will soon be able to access productions remotely. We hope that they serve as a permanent reminder of the children’s time during Roseacre’s 2021 Christmas celebrations.
Lori-Ann Wainright, Pupil Engagement Officer, will be leaving at Christmas to take up a promoted position at a local school. James Quine has been appointed to replace Lori-Ann. Thank you to Lori-Ann for all of her hard work and good luck to both colleagues in the future.
The SLT will be undertaking Arbinger training from January 2022. We are very much looking forward to working with Seth Wilkins over the course of the following 3 months.
On behalf of Roseacre I wish everyone connected with AtC a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Thank you

Sean Hickey

Children In Need/Fundraising

Roseacre Football Team
After considerable time, competitive sport finally returned to Roseacre this term with the football team proudly participating in two respected tournaments, characterized by Lancashire’s best talents. Both were worthwhile learning experiences for the team with two further friendly fixtures finishing in consecutive, convincing victories - a testament to the team’s progression on the field. With fifteen children so far involved - both boys and girls - it has been a celebration of inclusiveness, equality and determination (long overdue).

Junior Leadership Team

With the junior leadership team chosen and school council elected, the two bodies have convened multiple times showing incredible determination to trigger positive change for their peers - despite still being in the infancy of the academic year. Their endeavour has been unwavering with Mrs Nay harnessing their collective efforts in a bid to achieve the bronze award for Roseacre, as part of the Blackpool Beating Bullying campaign. We keep an eye on their progress, confident that they will win many accolades this year.

Dash

Introducing Dash, Roseacre’s new therapy dog, who is already a firm favourite amongst the children - and staff. Fuelled by a diet of chicken and chews, he enjoys long walks at Beacon Fell Country Park accompanied by his faithful companion, Barbara Broccoli: his most cherished toy. We look forward to seeing Dash befriend and comfort all those he greets, in the coming months.

Thames Primary Academy Updates

Message from the Head- Julie Allison 

It has been so wonderful to hear the beautiful sound of children singing together this term.  Whether you can carry a tune or not, there is something so positive and uplifting about singing and much scientific research that supports the wellbeing and health benefits of doing so. Raising our voices in song both in assemblies and in music lessons, was greatly missed by our staff and children last year and our Christmas celebrations in 2020 were not the same without it! 

This year however,  all year groups have enjoyed performing a host of songs and carols plus nativities and readings for their peers.  Whilst we have been unable to invite parents in person to watch, we have recorded and streamed them on our class facebook pages for parents and carers to enjoy. 

The whole school and staff enjoyed a delicious, traditional Christmas lunch prepared by our catering team last week.  All our children from Nursery through to year 6 also enjoyed a visit from a travelling pantomime and were treated to a very entertaining performance of Beauty and the Beast. 

On behalf of all the staff and children at Thames, I would like to wish all ATC colleagues and pupils a happy and relaxing Christmas break filled with love, laughter and song! 

YEAR 5/6 INDOOR ATHLETICS SUPERSTARS

On December 10th our athletics team competed at the South Shore Indoor Athletics competition. The whole team performed brilliantly! It was a whole team effort throughout the morning, with 20 events contested.

Thames finished in a terrific 2nd place just two points behind the winners! This means we have now qualified for the Finals which will be held in February.

We are all so incredibly proud of our team. Not only did they perform excellently, but the respect and sportsmanship they displayed was impeccable.

WELL DONE THAMES

Hats off to our fantastic footballers!!!

On 24th November ten of our Y6 Boys represented our school in the Blackpool Schools Football Tournament at Stanley Park.

After being drawn in a difficult group, the boys excelled winning both games meaning they progressed to the knock-out stages.

In the quarter-finals they were successful yet again, meaning they were now only one game away from the final.

In their semi-final they were drawn against Anchorsolme and despite twice going behind, they battled back to win 3-2.

In the final they faced St Nicholas’ and despite being the better team for most of the game, they found themselves going 2 nil down with only 6 minutes left. Yet again, they pulled themselves back into it….. only to lose 3-2 with the last kick of the game.

An incredible team performance which saw the boys finish as runners-up.

Well done to all 10 who played and represented the school so well!

Anti-Bullying Week

Week commencing 15th November was anti-bullying week and our stars were chosen because of their incredibly kind hearts

Their kind words and actions are so appreciated and valued within our Thames family. You are all an inspiration!

5 STARS

Proudly displaying our 5 food hygiene rating from when the Food Standards Agency turned up unannounced on the 17th November!

Well done to our Catering Manager Angela Hickson and all her team in the main Kitchen, Nursery Lead Becky Mills and all her team in the nursery kitchen, and Before and After School Club Supervisor Cassie Ormand and all her teams in Thames Tigers.

Witton Park Academy Updates

We would like to share how proud we are of Motunrayo (Mary) Ainenehi and Imaad Ali for their efforts during tonight’s MACE Debate (Wednesday 24th November). They won TWO debates on Wednesday 24th and proceeded to the second round of the ESU’s MACE Debate (regional heats) in January 2022! Additionally, it is worth noting that a team had withdrawn at the last minute; Mary and Imaad bravely stepped forward (without preparation) to act as a ‘swing team’ which they won on the night too! It was truly remarkable. Mary and Imaad have shown exceptional initiative, enthusiasm and commitment towards taking part in these competitions. We have been truly mesmerised by their confidence and were honoured to watch them flourish. Please could all staff praise the pupils mentioned, if they see/teach them. Also, a special mention to Sana Hanslod who took part in Churchill’s Public Speaking Debate on Tuesday 23rd November too.

Dec 10
0

ATC News Update 10.12.2021

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 10.12.2021

Weekly news

This week we congratulated Suzanne (HR and Payroll Manager) who is leaving us at the end of the term for a new exciting challenge. She will be missed dearly in the central trust office but we wish her all the best in her new role.

 

Our external auditors have been on site this week, finalising their field work in preparation for producing the annual accounts. The Trust Board are meeting next week to sign off our annual accounts.

 

A reminder that face masks are to be worn in all schools and on corridors / shared space in the central office.. This is to help reduce the spread of Covid.

 

Zaitoon has been in touch with all our schools this week, checking in on progress with implementation of the digital strategy.

 

Emma from the finance team has been over at Bowland this week training staff on the online ordering system. The training was successful and well received by the staff who attended.

 

Sully (Trust IT Apprentice) received some great news this week as he is on track and doing well in his course, we hope he continues to keep up with this brilliant progress.

 

Finally the ATC staff are getting into the festive spirit with secret santa present buying well under way, the office filled with decorations and a Christmas jumper day planned for Friday. . 

Dec 03
0

ATC News Update 3.12.2021

By | ATC News, Information

ATC News Update 3.12.2021

Weekly news

This week we all felt Christmas was just around the corner with the snow and the start of advent. It hasn’t slowed things down in the trust with a busy week for all.

With the new Covid variant, face masks are now compulsory in schools and the Trust office. Please ensure you wear one when entering the buildings. We are also advised to take lateral flow tests to help protect ourselves and the people around us. 

The lovely, wintery snow brought power outages across Lancashire and the Fylde coast.  Our IT services team have been busy resolving IT issues caused by the power outages and ensuring minimal disruption to our schools. Thank you to all the IT services team for going above and beyond at the weekend, it was much appreciated.  Rumour has it our Head of IT spent his 40th birthday weekend working to support our schools.

Our IT Services team are enjoying their new, branded uniforms.  They have received positive feedback from the schools and it has made the team really easy to identify when on site. Our newest recruits, Lewis and Zubair, are out on site this week, supporting schools in Blackpool and the Forest of Bowland.

The Finance team continue to work towards the month end deadline.  Emma has been in the finance team for a whole month now and has made a huge impact across Bowland, Roseacre and the trust.  Thank you Emma for all you do!

Zaitoon has returned to the office this week, it has been great to see her back. She has been meeting with the digital leads at the school to continue the roll out of our whole trust Digital Strategy.

Marketing and IT have been working on digital signage over at Witton Park Academy to help engage students with events around the school and provide well being messages. Signage is being trailed in the café area.

Finally, thank you to Rosie for organising the office secret Santa and the office Christmas meal this week. We hope both events help bring the office staff together and get to know each other a little more.