1. Acorn Trust AGM
February 2018

2. Trust Developments
Developed procedures for GDPR. Trained Trust Finance Officer to high level and procure services to other schools.
Created new assessment software within Bromcom
Creation of Trust Head Office and development of the office space
Develop and launched a bespoke senior leader training program (Headwise)
Development of marketing strategy and recruitment of marketing company to support
Approval to extend the age range at Westleigh

3. Staffing
CEO completed the work in the North East. She has reduced hours to 4 days per week since September
Recruited a senior administrator for the Trust who began in April and has settled in well.
Headteacher at Westleigh gained another position and left in August. The Headteacher at Bedford Hall took on a temporary Executive Headteacher role.

4. EYFS & Key Stage 1

5. Key Stage 2

6. Trust Wide Activities Residential Holidays Moving Up day
Development of new assessment system
Collaborative Project

7. Building Development Office extension at WLM
Unisex toilets and additional corridor development at WLM
Remodelling of the Year 5 and 6 classrooms at WLM to ensure big enough for the larger classrooms
New doors at BHM
Unisex toilets at BHM

8. Financial Success Healthy carry forwards across the Trust
- Acorn Trust (£504,460 – including school reserves)
- Bedford Hall (£134,416)
- Westleigh (£109,106)
- Start Well (£140,769)
Mighty Oaks had a successful first year. They were able to pay back the start up loan and make a profit of £
Strong systems continue to be recognised by auditors
All submissions to ESFA submitted on time

9. Fire at Westleigh
Team
Community
Resilience

10. Bedford Hall
Relaunch of the English Curriculum – redesigned with leading educationalist.
Participation in launch of mental health champions with the teaching school.
Nursery numbers increased rapidly
Delivered CPD and support through the LLGSP and Teaching School
Created new artwork with an artist

11. Westleigh Was judged as outstanding by SIAMs
Approved to extend age range to include 2 year olds
Gained the Gold Sports Award by Sainsburys
Olympian Jenny Meadows delivers athletics in the school
Whole school participated in Colour run for stand up for cancer.
Held a careers day

12. Start Well Unsettled year due to staffing difficulties
Well regarding across the LA for the Save a Baby’s Life Project
Honeybears made decision to leave the Centre and set up in own property.
Golborne Primary request to change relationship with Start Well.

13. Next Steps from last year
Previous Next Steps
Outcome
To ensure strong governance at all levels
New Trustees recruited and training offered by Forum Education. Additional training offered to governors working on the LABs. Additional LAB governors recruited but not all positions filled.
To develop a middle leadership pathway
NPQML has been used effectively to build up the skills on middle leaders. Alongside this the Trust offered to bursaries allowing teachers of any level to lead a project across the Trust. Temporary TLRs have allowed middle leaders to take on more responsibility.
To secure good standards across all phases and key stages
Apart from the dip in Reading at Key Stage 2 at Bedford Hall there are good standards across the Trust in all areas
To develop a marketing strategy that supports long term viability of the Trust
The Trust undertook the development of a Trust strategy using the skills within the Trust board
To establish a bespoke assessment tracking system to be used across the Trust
Tracking system established and launched with all staff in September. This system reduces bureaucracy and teacher work load.
To develop a clear succession plan for staff across the Trust to support retention of high quality staff
Headwise program developed. Focus upon well being and work life balance to support retention. Further work required with succession planning.
To establish the new Trust offices
Rooms renovated and moved in for start of the academic year

14. 2020 vision Growth (at least 2 or 3 schools) to create sustainability
All schools at or above national standard at all phases
Governance is a strength in the Trust – there is strong strategic overview
All schools and the Trust are financially stable
All teaching across the Trust is good or better
The support the Trust provides impacts standards and is personalised to the needs of the school
Communication strategy is effective
Bespoke staff development explored
Marketing strategy developed and embedded
Staff retention is strong
Strong Christian Ethos in all faith schools
Succession planning is effective across the Trust (including Governance)
Clear career development for staff (grow our own teachers/ leaders)
Risk management driving decisions

15. Next Steps
To continue to aim to be proactive in the growth of the Trust
To develop a bespoke Maths curriculum that builds upon the strength of Singapore Maths
To ensure high quality provision in early years across the Trust
To establish a recruitment and retention strategy across the Trust
To deliver Headwise to senior leaders in the Trust
To recruit an excellent Headteacher for Westleigh
To support the development of a skills based curriculum

16. Any Questions?