03.02.17 Newsletter 19
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Dear parents and carers,
Message from Dr Julia Garratt, Chair of Governors
As I expect you are aware, Mr Stone continues to suffer chronic ill health and is unable to return to
full time work. The Governors addressed the situation at a meeting this week, supported by the
CEO of the Palladian Academy Trust, Mr Withers. We are grateful to the Leadership Team, and
especially Miss Jones, for ably stepping up to ensure that the school continues to progress. Their
dedication, experience, and knowledge of the school are invaluable, as is their dedication to
providing the best possible education for your children.
The Governors have asked Miss Jones to continue as Acting Headteacher during Mr Stone’s
absence. We are aware of the concern of year 5 Parents about continuity of teaching for her
class and are pleased to report that we have been able to secure Miss Inwood as her
replacement, in the first instance until the end of term 4. She is an experienced teacher who has
been working effectively to meet the needs of the children in Maple class and has established a
good rapport with the group.
You may be pleased to know that the Palladian Trust recently appointed two Executive Primary
Leaders, the Headteachers of Combe Down School, Mr Bullard, and St Phillips School, Mr Joy. They
will each give a day a week to school collaboration and support and so be an additional
resource for St Martin’s Garden. There is a great willingness to work together across the Trust to
raise achievement and the opportunities open to pupils.
The Governors and Mr Withers will, of course, be monitoring the situation and will continue to
make any arrangements necessary to ensure that the school serves your children well.
1. Following the visit from the Department of Education (DfE) last week, we would like to share
some of their key findings with you:
 They observed a school which was calm.
 The quality of the learning environment has been improved and classrooms are
much more vibrant and engaging for pupils.
 Relationships in the classroom are positive.
 The quality of students’ presentation is improving and there is evidence of crosscurricular topic work.
 The move to single age groups has been very beneficial.
 Documentation, especially the School Improvement Plan is uplifting.
 Data tracking procedures are sound.
 Students are proud of their school; they like it a lot; one or two students want
more homework!
 The school has the capacity to improve.
You will see there are many positives identified during the DfE visit and we are very pleased
with these findings. As with every visit, there are further development points for us to work
on. These will be reviewed and incorporated into our planning, so that the school continues
to improve.
2. Some important reminders
 Breakfast Club is £1.10 per day and School Lunches are £2.20 per day. Please make
sure you pay the correct amount, in advance, on a Monday. We are currently
spending a lot of time chasing outstanding amounts. Thank you.
 Uniform ~ Children should be wearing black school shoes and not trainers or ‘ugg’
type boots. Red school sweatshirts or cardigans should also be worn not fleeces.
 PE Kit ~ Please make sure your child has the correct PE kit in school at all times.
Palladian Academy Trust Job Vacancy
The Palladian Academy Trust currently has Clerk to Governor vacancies at St Martin’s Garden
Primary School and Oldfield Park Infant School.
In each case the commitment would be to 6 x governing body meetings per year along with
associated administrative work. There would be the possibility of clerking for governors’ subcommittees for an additional fee. If you are interested in either or both of these vacancies please
contact Tanya Lock, Palladian Academy Trust Governance Officer in the first instance on
[email protected] or 01225 832936 ext 347.
Dates for your diaries
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Friday 10th February ~ 3.15pm ~ Term 3 ends
HALF-TERM ~ Monday 13th February to Friday 17th February 2017
Monday 20th February ~ 8.45am ~ Term 4 begins
EASTER HOLIDAYS ~ Monday 10th April to Friday 21st April 2017
INSET ~ Monday 26th June 2017 (Palladian Trust network day)
Have a lovely weekend from
All the staff at St Martin’s Garden Primary
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