Dear Parents,

As we approach the festive season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed and express my heartfelt thanks for your continued support.

This year, our Trust has experienced several important changes, most notably the implementation of our new MIS system, Arbor. We truly appreciate your patience as we have worked through the adaptation process. The smooth transition would not have been possible without your understanding, and we are grateful for your collaboration.

We have also had some staffing changes, and we are in the process of recruiting for a new Chief Financial Officer. We remain committed to ensuring the best possible leadership and support for our children.

A highlight of the summer was a wonderful residential trip to the farm, where a group of children from across the Trust participated in an unforgettable experience. They were exceptional, and we want to extend our thanks to the staff who generously gave up their summer holidays to accompany them. Their selflessness and dedication are truly appreciated.

We are delighted and proud to celebrate our Trust's 10th anniversary this year. Over the past decade, we have witnessed many changes, yet our commitment to placing children at the heart of everything we do has remained unwavering. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to our journey, helping us reach this significant milestone. To those who continue to carry the baton, your dedication and passion ensure that our mission thrives. Here's to many more years of making a positive impact on the lives of children.

Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas!

Fierté Facts

Our Governors have been exceptionally active this term, attending local governing committee meetings across all ten schools. They have also participated in parent evenings, Governor Days and Weeks, where they engaged with subject leaders and met parents and carers face-to-face. Their commitment to governance is evident in their hands-on approach and dedication to the school community. In January 2025, they will further enhance their skills and understanding through an INSET on governance, focusing on their roles and responsibilities both within the school context and more broadly.

We are looking for new governors to join our local governing committees. If you have the capacity, expertise, and share our values, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at: ceo@fierte.org.

Our subsidiary company, Our Pride, Our Joy, 

OPOJ provides essential support to children across the Trust both before and after school. They play a crucial role in facilitating children's attendance at holiday clubs during key periods. The workforce is incredibly dedicated, with many staff members also working in our nursery settings. All of these settings are rated 'good,' a testament to the hard work and commitment of the staff and their Regional Manager, Mrs. Sharon Shilling.

The Central Support Team The Central Support Team is integral to the smooth operation of our Trust. They handle day-to-day essentials such as procurement, invoicing, equipment orders, and additional HR, finance, and nursery processes. They also provide vital support to office managers across the Trust. By ensuring seamless systems are in place behind the scenes, they enable our leaders to focus on the essential work of educating children.

Celebrating individualityAn essential part of celebrating individuality is being inclusive of all.  This extends to children, adults and the wider community.  Increasingly, we encounter polarised views and leaders across the Trust have the difficult challenge of navigating a pathway through.  Almost all decisions are marmite - liked by some, vehemently disliked by others.  Ultimately, leading an organisation whether at Trust or school level demands that decisions must be made informed by experience, research and consideration of different perspectives.  Always, we place children at the heart of these - all our children who all deserve to experience success and to attain excellence irrespective of their starting points or needs

One area in which challenges can arise from the system we are part of, is within special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  This term, we have embarked on a new approach to SEND.  We now have a Trust Inclusion Leader who works across all academies supporting SENDCo’s, teachers, teaching assistants, parents and, most importantly, children.  It has quickly become apparent how essential this role is, and the difference being made by having someone who is able to take a holistic view, has vast knowledge and experience along with some time to forge links with specialists who can assist us.

No two SEND children are the same.  We are blessed to have children who bring us joy and for whom it is our privilege to support.  Despite the challenges, I have witnessed amazing transformations within whole schools, classes and for individual children this term.  The progress of some of our most vulnerable children has been phenomenal.  This is testament to the work everyone is doing in partnership with parents/carers and other agencies.  Whilst we may not get it right every day, the commitment shown to all children and the adaptations made in response to individual needs is ever present.

In summary, we cherish all the children who attend our settings and wish to do the best by them for however long they are part of the Fierté family.  Children’s individual differences, personalities and needs are a source of inspiration and make us want to get up in the morning and do the best job we can for them.

We celebrate individuality...

Our schools strive to embody  and celebrate individuality, one of our core Trust values. Below, you'll find a glimpse of the diverse and wonderful activities our pupils have participated in, showcasing their uniqueness. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them...

It is so wonderful to see how many children have achieved individual achievements this year at Ankermoor Primary Academy, through academic improvements , positive attitudes and their own personal developments. Every week the number of children receiving a 'Privilige' has grown, and everyone is so happy to see Privilege Winners choosing to wear pyjamas to school, sitting on a special thrown for the day, having an extra playtime for their class or enjoying a card game and a hot chocolate with the Head Teacher.

 

This was the first time staying away from home for most of the children that attended and they fully embraced the Fierte value of being brave. They took part in lots of activities linked to their Stone Age topic including spear throwing, cave painting, jewellery making and fire lighting (which also required lots of determination!). In the evening, they enjoyed songs around the campfire and hot chocolate before settling down in their dormitories. The staff were so very proud of them and how well they represented the school.

 

This term, Dosthill Primary Academy has embraced its core values and individuality through a series of creative and inspiring activities. From exploring personal identity to celebrating cultural diversity, our children have showcased their unique talents and perspectives.

One standout project was Year 5’s ‘Map to Me’ initiative, where students combined typography and 3D design to create personal maps that reflected their interests, values, and individuality. These vibrant creations, featuring places like "Kindness Cove" and "The Great Mountains of Mathematics," highlighted the children’s creativity and sense of self.

In Year 6, pupils used oil pastels and blending techniques to produce stunning Northern Lights artwork, inspired by the book The Last Bear. This project seamlessly blended literature and art, encouraging the children to explore both creative and emotional expression.

Year 5 also embraced cultural diversity through their Bollywood Dance unit, choreographing routines and learning iconic moves such as "Apples in the Basket" and "Twist and Snake." This joyful activity highlighted the importance of teamwork and celebrating different cultural traditions.

At Dosthill, we also value equipping children with life skills. This term, pupils in Years 5 and 6 completed a First Aid course, learning vital techniques such as CPR, the recovery position, and how to assess situations in an emergency.

These activities reflect Dosthill Primary Academy’s commitment to nurturing individuality and celebrating the unique contributions of every child. We are proud to foster an environment where students can explore, dream, and discover their potential.

Edge Hill's recent production of Matilda showcased a group of amazing individuals, but together they were awesome! Hats off to you year 6... 

 

At Glascote Academy, we are ‘proud’ of embracing individuality through the amazing people in our school and community and the wonderful ‘Glascote Family’ events that we hold.

Spirit of Tamworth Awards 2024

Congratulations to our very own Miss Bowers of Glascote Academy, who was one of the top three finalists in the Best Teacher category in this year’s “Spirit of Tamworth Awards”. She was nominated for the work she does to ensure that children of Glascote Academy can access valuable outdoor learning on our School and Community Farm. Well done, Miss Bowers, We are very proud of you!

Harvest Festival Service

The children of Glascote Academy performed beautifully during two services held at St Peter’s Church on Tuesday 22nd October. The Church was full of sound as they performed songs, poems, readings, and Year 6 even did sign language whilst singing! Thank you to St Peter’s Church for allowing us to host the Services there meaning that we were able to accommodate a combined audience of 292 people in total! Amazing! A huge ‘Thank you’ to everyone for your food donations. Miss Bowers, Mrs McKay and children from all year groups took these to the ‘HoT’ shop at the Sacred Heart Church who were extremely appreciative.

Remembrance Service

On Monday 11th November, we commemorated Remembrance Day by holding our annual Glascote Family Service. During the service, a whole school silence was held before laying our class wreaths and crosses by the forest area fence along the main driveway as a sign of respect. As always, our children were respectful and thoughtful during this solemn occasion.

Parent Music Concerts

Separate year group concerts have begun in earnest this year! Our children in Year 3, and Year 4, have performed for family members during the second half of the Autumn Term. They showcased their skills on the steel pans, sharing pieces of music that they have been learning during lessons with Mrs Smith from Rockit Music. A good time was had by all as brave members of the audience had a go also!

 

Garden Village Primary Academy, although only small, takes great pride in ensuring that every aspect of the school curriculum is inclusive for every child. In October, every Reception child sang beautifully at the Official Opening Ceremony of the school.  Recently, every child went on their first school trip to Ash End Farm and had the most wonderful time feeding the animals and participated in the Nativity story with real animals. This week, GVPA then performed their first Nativity play where every child had a role and was brave to perform in front of an audience. Every child shone brightly!

Heathfields has been learning through the outdoors, including exploring textures to create art and building a wormery to enhance our outdoor learning space. We know that every child is unique, as are their interests and hobbies. It is great to have a go at so many diverse learning opportunities.

Wilnecote loves learning about the outdoors. They are enhancing their scientific knowledge of survival during residential and forest days. They have also developed skills to work alongside other children collaboratively, celebrating all that is individual about us all. Now that's something to celebrate...

At Manor we like to embrace the opportunities our beautiful setting offers. The children in our Early Years are particularly good at this and they have loved picking apples from trees around school to wash and cut up for their snack. This linked beautifully with our Harvest Festival where children performed for their parents in a packed church and made a fabulous collection for the Food Bank; a wholesome event with the school community coming together to celebrate and make a difference to the lives of others.

Our fabulous school council have also been bringing the Manor family together to make a difference through an energy saving campaign where they insisted teachers didn't turn their computers or interactive boards on during lessons and lights were turned off around school. They also supported our Manor Values by deciding that, when the target number of House Points was achieved, we would have a 'children dress as teachers and teachers dress as pupils' reward day. We could have held a knobbly knees competition for the teachers in their shorts!

Another key aspect of our small school community has been the flourishing PTA that have added extra fun and social activities as well as raising some much needed funds for the school. We have had uniform sales, film nights, discos, competitions, Christmas Fair... all bringing the school together and strengthening our mutual bonds.

Whether it is parent groups like the PTA or Parent Forum, staff, governors, or the children themselves, our small school feeling of a family community where everyone knows each other and all pull in the same direction, for the good of the children and the school as a whole, is powerful. Manor may be small but together we are mighty!

During the Autumn term, OPOJ Ankermoor took part in a programme called 'Let's Talk About'. It has helped our children to develop their communication skills and increase their vocabulary with the introduction of new words. We were able to invite parents into the nursery for a workshop, led by a professional from the Lets Talk About programme. They provided our children with resource packs to use with their families at home. We have covered four themes within the programme, with many of our children favouring the transport theme, leading to lots of new learning opportunities. We are grateful for the chance we were given to take part in this programme, and it has been lovely to see our children grow as individuals.

At Violet Way our Year Two's have been busy in Forest school using drills and bow saw's to create decorations. We have spoken about how unique and different each one is, and made it relevant to us and how wonderfully different we are. We are all individuals, and we enjoy celebrating how different we are. Some of our children love to play sports, whereas others are excellent at music and can play the keyboard. As teachers, we also talk about our unique differences and celebrate with each other when we do well. On a Friday at assembly, pupils bring medals or awards from home that showcase the amazing talents they have in the activities they do outside of school, and I am blown away every week with how proud the Hall is to celebrate with them. Some of our pupils are brave to perform either in assembly or during Nativity solo's. Whether in the classroom, in the woodland or at home at Violet Way we LOVE how unique we are and celebrate this every day.  

Dear Parents and Carers,

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your incredible support and appreciation of our schools. The partnership and connection between school and home are essential to ensuring every single child thrives as an individual. We hope you enjoy a well-deserved rest and quality time with your loved ones over the Christmas holiday. Thank you for being such valued members of our community. We treasure you as parents.

With warmest regards,

Maria Hamblin
CEO