3 July 2023 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

It has been a busy couple of weeks. It was great to see so many of you at the headteacher briefings and I have had very positive feedback about the Ofsted update and also on the school case study input. A big thank you to school colleagues from The Malling School, Wells Free Primary School, The Marsh Academy, Astor Secondary Academy, Fulton Manor School and Westmeads Community Infant School who were generous enough to share their work.

I was delighted to be invited to open the Kent MAT Alliance Conference and have the opportunity to hear Leora Cruddas CBE, Chief Executive of Confederation of Schools Trusts sharing her view on the future direction of travel for Academy Trusts. I was also really privileged to visit The Malling School this week and be shown around by the headteacher John Vennart and Chair of Governors Mike Perry. It was fascinating to hear about their approach to behaviour and inclusion and how that has impacted positively on attendance and achievement. Despite us being just a few weeks away from the end of the academic year, both pupils and staff were still full of enthusiasm and keen to share their views. A big thank you to John and Mike.

You will be aware about our post 16 transformation work, which is aiming to not only respond to the significant gaps we have identified in provision but to support the sector to respond proactively to the qualification reform which is underway. This week organisations across the sector came together to agree the next steps for the Pathways for All Board and we will be sharing more information in the autumn about a high profile conference to disseminate key information.

Best wishes

Christine McInnes
Director of Education