CEO BLOGS

CEO Blog post - September 2024

I’ve been incredibly impressed with how well our colleagues have kicked off the new term and the tremendous effort everyone has put in to ensure our pupils are back in school and actively learning. The meticulous planning around premises, catering, cleaning, health and safety, curriculum, teaching, pastoral care, and administration has truly paid off, resulting in a smooth and successful return to school. It’s been a pleasure meeting colleagues within the Trust’s school this month.

Professional Development
With so many competing priorities, professional development can sometimes slip down the list. At Central Academies Trust (CAT), we prioritize continuous professional development (CPD) for both teaching and non-teaching staff, recognizing that their growth is essential to our success. We are committed to fostering an environment where staff can refine their skills, engage with the latest educational research, and collaborate across the Trust. By providing targeted CPD opportunities, we ensure our staff are equipped to deliver high-quality education and support, while also promoting personal development and career progression. This focus on CPD enables us to create a culture of continuous improvement, benefiting both our staff and the pupils they serve. I’m especially excited to see this year’s CPD programme in action, which is being led by Mrs. Davies-Musabayana, Assistant Principal at Lordswood Boys' School. Her expertise and dedication to professional growth will help drive the development of our staff across the Trust. The programme is designed to not only enhance teaching practices but also to support non-teaching staff in expanding their skills, ensuring that everyone in our community continues to grow. I look forward to the positive impact this will have on our schools and the wider CAT family. 

SEND Webinar
The recent webinar on special educational needs and disability (SEND), was thoroughly engaging. With nearly 1 in 6 pupils having SEND, it’s essential that all of us understand inclusive practices and how to improve outcomes. I’m also pleased to announce that Janet Thompson, CEO Open Thinking Partnerships, will be joining us at Lordswood Boys' on the 8th of October to work alongside our SENDCo and SEND team to review and appraise the fantastic support that the students are provided at LBS. In recent years, there’s been a growing interest in how research can shape our decisions around curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment. This developing partnership will cover key areas such as:

• How can research improve our teaching practice?

• What does cognitive science tell us about how pupils learn best?

• What can research not tell us?

• Where can we find reliable, relevant research?

School Improvement Plans
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed deepening my understanding of our school through the school improvement planning process (I know, I’m a bit of a geek!). It’s been encouraging to see the progress we’ve made, and the honest reflections on areas where we can do more. Continuous learning, development, and improvement are essential to our success. I’ve been particularly intrigued by the differences in pupil outcomes across different subjects within the same school. Understanding this helps us provide more targeted and effective professional development.

Reading: Leading Academy Trusts
I recently finished Leading Academy Trusts by Sir David Carter and Laura McInerney, and I believe it will become a must-read for all MAT leaders. As we’re currently developing a new People Strategy at the Trust, I found the chapter, “Why Should Anyone Work for Your Trust?” particularly insightful. The chapter on risk management is also a great checklist for us. While I was hoping for some inside stories on why certain trusts have failed (given the subtitle, Why Some Fail, but Most Don’t), I know David is far too professional to delve into the gossip!

I look forward to sharing more updates and news with you all next month. Until then, let's continue working together to ensure a successful and productive term for our pupils and staff. Until then you can always contact me directly at: l.williams@centralacademiestrust.co.uk 

Mr. L. Williams,

Executive Headteacher/CEO,

Central Academies Trust