As another academic year ends, I would like to extend my thanks for your continued support of our schools throughout the year. Ensuring your children arrive at school smartly dressed, on time, and with all the equipment they need makes a real difference. It helps to reduce anxiety for your children and enables the school day to run smoothly. Thank you for your ongoing efforts and support.

Investment in IT

Over the past year, we have again been able to make a significant investment of nearly 200,000 into our IT infrastructure and hardware, particularly iPad provision. Small schools now benefit from 1:1 iPad devices, and larger schools from 1:2, which helps the children with their learning opportunities. There are areas of learning that are only possible using the iPads and technology. But rest assured, we still love to teach a balanced approach to learning, it is not only using screens. The great value of schools is bringing children together to develop friendships and take part in learning that can only be provided in a school. We still relish access to printed books and sing, paint and have PE using other equipment. But in terms of access to the curriculum, an iPad can open a door for those needing support and those who need extending to push on to higher levels in a safe, filtered secure environment.

This initiative marks an exciting step forward in our ongoing commitment to harnessing technology to support high-quality teaching and learning across the Trust.

Investment in Premises

We were fortunate to be awarded over half a million pounds from the Department for Educations Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) to enhance safeguarding measures at Harrowbarrow Primary and undertake a boiler replacement at Trenode CofE Primary. In addition, a further fifty thousand pounds of Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) funding enabled improvements across all schools within the Trust, including the replacement of furniture, essential health and safety works, and refurbishment projects. These investments have helped to ensure that our learning environments remain safe, well-maintained, and fit for purpose for pupils and staff. 

Collaborations

The children were able to enjoy several events over the year, meeting other children from within the Trust, where our schools came together to compete and to work together in a variety of activities.

Spring Songfest - Groups of children from across our 15 schools came together to take part in a Whole Trust, environmentally themed Spring Song Fest. This exciting opportunity was made possible thanks to Nick Hart, a Trustee of Bridge Schools, through a collaboration with Luke Wallace, a talented singer and songwriter from Canada who works closely with schools and communities and is actively involved in environmental projects around the world.

In the lead-up to the event, the children worked creatively with their teachers and music leads to compose their own original pieces, inspired by important environmental themes. These songs were then shared with other schools during a special performance at St Martin's Church in Liskeard, creating a powerful sense of connection and shared purpose across the Trust.

The event brought our Trust community together to share a collective message about protecting our environment and ecosystems, helping to inspire a sustainable future for generations to come. It was truly a delightful day and a wonderful example of what can be achieved when our schools come together with a shared vision.

Bridge Schools Games - Our World Cup theme brought plenty of excitement, with some excellent football skills on show throughout the week. The football events formed part of the Bridge Schools Games, giving pupils across our Trust the opportunity to represent their school and compete against others. Thank you to all our wonderful staff for making everything run so smoothly. A special thank you to Mr O'Dwyer for organising this year's trust event.

Eco Summit - Children from each school across the Trust also had the exciting opportunity to attend an Eco Summit at Brunel Primary, where they explored important environmental issues, shared ideas with other schools and were inspired to think about how they can make a positive difference to our world. Alongside these memorable events, the children have continued to engage enthusiastically in their classroom learning. From thoughtful discussions and collaborative activities to developing new skills across the curriculum, it has been wonderful to see their curiosity, determination and positive attitudes shine through.

Farewells and Best Wishes

Year 6 Class of 25As always happens at this time of year we say farewell to our Year 6 pupils, we hope you have enjoyed your time in primary school, and we wish you all the very best as you move on to secondary school. 

We also say goodbye to staff members leaving at the end of this term. Of particular note is Lynn Cox, Headteacher at Copper Valley. Lynn has held multiple roles in Cornwall; she was known to many as a numeracy consultant for the local authority where I first met her over 25 years ago. We hope she has a long and happy retirement. We thank Lynn and everyone else who leaves us, very much indeed for years of service helping children with their learning. We wish all of those who are leaving us every success in their future endeavours.  

Team

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated team of staff across Bridge Schools. They work so very hard to give your children a positive time in school. For those of you who have organised a birthday party with a group of children for your child at home its deceptively skilled to keep things on track! 

I would like to thank all the staff for their dedication and enthusiasm to achieve great things for all the children in our schools. Governors, trustees and members have also given a great deal of time voluntarily again this year, providing challenge and support. My greatest praise as ever, goes to the children. They have made their way through another academic year, learned a lot along the way and made some positive friendships and memories together.

Important Dates

Whole Trust INSET Day: Thursday 4th and Friday 5th September (Autumn term begins: Monday 7th September)

When I was invited to take the journey to setting up one of the first multi academy trusts I leapt at the opportunity to help to accelerate success by bringing schools together. It was all new when we started working as families of schools, now it is the governments preferred option. That was 13 years ago when Bridge Schools began, 15 schools later and here we are. I am grateful to the parents current and past who put faith in our 360+ staff to give your children the very best education we can. We have shown time and again that we are stronger together.

This will be my last blog, as I retire at the end of the summer. The next will be from Louise Gilbert, who takes over as Interim Chief Executive. In the meantime, I thank you all for your support and wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. Bridge Schools look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Monday 7th September.

With all good wishes, Adrian Massey and everyone at Bridge Schools