We are delighted to announce that our staff and children are working on a host of events to bring our schools together to learn from each other. In 2016-17 this will include a Trust Arts event for Year 3 children, working with local artists to produce an installation for the end of year annual Trust Awards; an outdoor athletics event for Year 5 and a music event for the whole school. On top of this the Children’s Parliament will be working on developing school values, working in paired schools to really unpick the outstanding practice in each school to share with their governing body and school council to develop their own values and practices. Finally, the Children’s Parliament will be leading on the annual Trust Awards which this year will take place on Thursday 15 June at the Royal Concert Hall – nominations for schools will launch early in 2017 – watch this space!

Greenwood officially joined the partnership as of 1 September having been an active member of the Teaching School Alliance. Headteacher Kim Harvey said, “Greenwood is a school which never stands still. We are always looking for ways to inspire and motivate our children and staff to continue to strive to be the best they can be. Joining the Flying High Trust will support our journey to achieving outstanding provision through collaboration, sharing best practice and through the provision of exceptional and bespoke CPD for staff throughout our school. We share the same values as the Trust and have the same determination to succeed for our children and families who are at the heart of everything we do. The Trust will support and challenge the school and the leadership team as a critical friend to maintain our drive for continuous improvement. We are excited about our future within the Trust, the opportunity to drive our school forward and to support the development of school’s across the Trust sharing our effective practice.”

Welcome to our new schools – Horsendale and Killisick Junior! A warm welcome to Horsendale Primary School and Killisick Junior School who joined the Trust 1 November 2016. Each school brings its unique experiences, expertise and skills whilst at the same time sharing the ethos, vision and values of schools across our partnership. Karen Jagger, Headteacher of Horsendale said, “Joining the Trust will provide the support, challenge and outstanding CPD we need to ensure we continue to provide the best experiences for our children within a kind, caring and challenging environment.” Sarah Page, Headteacher at Horsendale added, “We have always placed a high value in working with other schools. Knowing we are joining like-minded schools, facing challenges together and ensuring the best practice we have as a group of schools is shared across all is incredibly exciting and something our community has really embraced. We are proud of our school and knowing we will be supported in our ongoing development by the Trust and all schools, as well as contributing our fantastic practice has really re-invigorated all associated with our school.”

The Flying High Trust are delighted to confirm that during the academic 2015-16 four new schools have joined the Trust; Beeston Fields Primary and Nursery School, Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy, Edwalton Primary School and Greythorn Primary School. Each school brings additional capacity to support our constant focus on ensuring sustainable school improvement and a clear plan has been developed for the Trust and schools to work together in partnership to work towards all schools becoming outstanding. The schools retain their unique ethos and character with a vision very much in line with that of the Trust and all our member schools.

Trust CEO Chris Wheatley enthused, “Our growth continues at a sustainable rate, ensuring we have the capacity to support schools on their journey to outstanding. The four schools have had an ongoing relationship with the Trust and Teaching School Alliance prior to joining and it is clear that the commitment of their staff, children and wider school communities will support them in becoming the best schools in the universe.”