Today is National Offer Day. A day when families are informed of the school their child will start at in September.

 

For all those families offered a place at one of our schools, we are delighted to welcome you to our extraordinary community and look forward to embarking on this exciting educational journey with you.

 

At The Rivers CofE Academy Trust, our mission is to provide an extraordinary education for every pupil. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

 

What happens next?

Transition information will be sent to you directly from your child's new school, detailing the next steps and important dates to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Please keep an eye out for this communication.

 

To secure your child's place, please remember to accept the offer by the given deadline.

 

Limited places still available

If you have changed your mind about your allocated school, we have limited places available at some of our schools.

Contact the school directly to discuss your options. Note that some school offices are closed over Easter. Your enquiry will be addressed when the school reopens.

Pupils from across The Rivers C of E Academy Trust came together to showcase their incredible dance talents. From Reception to Year 6, these young dancers choreographed and practiced their routines during afterschool clubs, lunchtime clubs, and PE lessons.

 

Day 1 of the festival took place at the Stourport Civic Theatre, while Day 2 was held at The King's School Theatre. It was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to perform on a professional stage, demonstrating not only their dance skills but also their bravery and confidence in front of an audience.

 

One of the most heartwarming moments was when a pupil from Burlish Park performed a solo dance, and the audience of pupils started singing along to the performance song. The effort and enthusiasm from all the pupils on stage, as well as the support and encouragement from those watching, were truly inspiring.

A huge well done to everyone involved for creating such a memorable and enriching experience!

We recently held the second annual trust-wide Science Competition. The competition aimed to enrich the science curriculum and increase pupil engagement while also raising parent awareness of our science curriculum.

 

The competition was open to all 5500 pupils, with entries divided into two categories:

 

• Early Years/Key Stage 1 (EYFS/KS1) were invited to create a project on anything science-related. Pupils could choose any area of science/scientist that interests them.
• Key Stage 2 (KS2) pupils were asked to create a project about a physicist, past or present, and famous or someone known to them. Pupils had to research their chosen physicist and create a drawing/model/painting of them with an explanation of why they chose them and why they are inspirational.

 

The response was overwhelming, with a total of 396 entries received - 208 from EYFS/KS1 and 188 from KS2.

 

Winning entries

After careful evaluation based on creativity, independence, articulation, quality of content, and impact, the winners were announced.

 

Hallie from Cranham Primary School emerged victorious in the KS2 category. Hallie produced a wonderful display about her great great uncle, Douglas (Jim) Phelps. He served in the RAF as a flight engineer and worked on the Blue Streak Rocket in Australia! Jim’s role also included the development of post office machines, computers and spy devices.

 

Callie from Cutnall Green CE Primary School took the top spot in the EYFS/KS1 category. Callie created a volcano using a clay mould, which was beautifully painted. Callie’s volcano came with instructions on how to create an eruption! She was very articulate when explaining her project and was rightly very proud.

 

Both showcased amazing creativity and a passion for science.

 

A big thank you to all participants for their fantastic projects and to our dedicated science leads for their support.

 

The science competition is just one of many trust-wide enrichment projects taking place this year. Other exciting initiatives include a dance festival, an art project, a math championship, and the box car rally, which won the STEM Project of the Year award in 2024 and was a finalist for the award again in 2025.

The Rivers CofE Academy Trust recently held its first trust-wide Maths Championship. 

 

The Maths Championship, delivered by Helen Owens, Education Consultant, featured an exciting range of mathematical challenges, puzzles, and problem-solving tasks. Pupils worked in their school groups to accumulate points, showcasing their mathematical knowledge in a fun and competitive environment. The event was specifically designed for Year 3 and 4 pupils, who participated in teams of six.

 

All schools competed in Heat 1 and 2 of the championship with Summerhill Primary Academy, Dudley Wood Primary School, St. Peter’s Droitwich CofE Academy, Northwick Manor Primary School, Great Witley CE Primary School and Cranham Primary School qualifying for the final.

 

The final consisted of five challenging rounds, which included a quickfire maths word association game and a Countdown round with a twist - teams had to use all six numbers to make the target number.

The final was closely contested, with only a few points separating the top teams. Cranham came in second place, while Great Witley emerged as the overall winner.

 

Pupils commented on how fun and exciting it was to compete and meet children from other schools.

 

The Maths Championship is just one of many trust-wide enrichment projects this year, including a dance festival, an art project, and the box car rally, which won the STEM Project of the Year award in 2024 and is up for the award again this year. These enrichment projects are part of our strategy to provide an extraordinary education for every pupil, fostering a love for learning.

Are you considering taking an NPQ?

Registration ends in April.

 

An NPQ is a valuable investment in your professional journey. They provide the tools and support needed to excel in your role and positively impact pupils and your school.

 

Our NPQ courses:

• NPQ in Headship
• NPQ for SENCOs
• NPQ in Leading Teaching
• NPQ in Leading Primary Maths
• NPQ in Senior Leadership
• NPQ in Early Years Leadership
• NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture
• NPQ in Leading Literacy
• NPQ in Leading Teacher Development

 

Not sure which NPQ is right for you?

For further details visit: Training Courses For Teachers – The National Institute of Teaching 

The Rivers CofE Academy Trust is thrilled to announce that as a community, we have been recognised as finalists for seven categories in the prestigious Worcestershire Education Awards 2025.

This recognition highlights the extraordinary dedication and achievements of the trust's staff and schools.

 

The finalists from the Rivers CofE Academy Trust are:

• The Rivers CofE Academy Trust for the STEM Award
• North Worcester Primary Academy for the Community Involvement Award
• Cherry Orchard Primary School for the Primary School of the Year Award
• Caroline Bradley for the Support Staff of the Year Award
• Leah Sidaway for the New Teacher of the Year Award
• Katie Bushill for the Teacher of the Year Award
• Scott Holdaway for the Unsung Hero Award

 

These nominations reflect the trust's commitment to providing an extraordinary education, community engagement, and the nurturing of young minds. Each finalist has demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication in their respective categories, contributing to the overall success and reputation of the trust.

 

The Rivers CofE Academy Trust is immensely proud to be recognised in such a significant way. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the finalists and look forward to celebrating their successes at the awards ceremony.

 

Read the full article in the Worcester News

Five schools from our trust will participate in the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust 'Wilder Schools' project, which aims to boost confidence and capacity for outdoor learning.

This initiative will help integrate outdoor activities into the daily curriculum, enhancing pupils' connection to nature.

 

The Wilder Learning Development Officer (WLDO) Lucy Thirkell, will be coming into those schools to work with staff, coaching during lessons and offering training on curriculum-based outdoor sessions, SEMH interventions and bushcraft skills.

 

Each school has a ‘core team’ of outdoor learning advocates who will be championing the project. Harvey Jones from Cherry Orchard commented, “I believe the benefits of being part of the Wilder Schools Project will be countless. This is an opportunity for staff to build confidence and gain knowledge of key aspects of outdoor education. I am truly excited to learn more and witness the positive impact this will have on our children.”

International School Meals Day is on Thursday 13th March 2025. 

 

Free School Meals: A Win-Win for Families and Schools

International School Meals Day is the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of nutritious school meals for children and the benefits they bring to both families and schools. 

 

Free school meals are available to eligible families, ensuring that every child has access to healthy, balanced meals during the school day. Signing up for free school meals not only supports your child’s healthy eating habits but also benefits the school through extra government funding (pupil premium). This funding can be used to improve educational resources, facilities, and overall school environment.

 

How is Free School Meals different to Universal Infant Free School Meals?

Universal Infant Free School Meals are provided to all children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2, regardless of their family’s income. However, if your child is eligible for free school meals, it is crucial to sign up even if they are receiving universal infant free school meals. By doing so, schools can claim additional government funding, directly benefiting the entire school community.

 

How to check if you can get Free School Meals

You can check if you are entitled to free school meals by visiting your local authority’s website or contacting the school directly.

If your family receives financial support, such as:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (with certain conditions)
• **Universal Credit (with certain conditions)

Then you could be eligible for free school meals. 

Parents can check if they are entitled to free school meals by visiting their local authority’s website or contacting their school directly. The process is straightforward and confidential, ensuring that families can access the support they need without any hassle.

To check your eligibility visit: Apply for free school meals - GOV.UK

 

Additional benefits

Free school meals provide a range of benefits for children and families:

• Academic Performance: Better nutrition leads to improved concentration and learning.
• Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme: HAF provides healthy food and fun activities during some of the school holidays.
• Discounts on uniforms and trips.

 

• Household Support Fund: Food vouchers may be available.

 

Dispelling Myths

• My child will be identified and singled-out as being on free school meals: This is not true. Schools have systems in place to ensure that all children receive their meals discreetly, without any indication of their eligibility status.
• My child has unique preferences and dietary needs: School meals are designed to be nutritious and balanced, offering a wide variety of choices to cater to different tastes. Menu options can include both hot and cold options, such as sandwiches, and we can accommodate most dietary and religious requirements. We encourage you to check with your school for full details on meal offerings.
• My child doesn't want school lunches every day: Schools offer flexible booking options for school meals. You can choose to book meals for every day of the week or select specific days that suit your child’s preferences and schedule. This way, you can tailor the meal plan to best meet your family’s needs.

 

 

If you have any further questions about your eligibility for free school meals or need assistance with the application or meal booking process, please contact your school, who will be happy to help.

 

St Peter’s Droitwich CofE Academy has been praised in its latest Ofsted inspection for maintaining high standards in education, well-being, and inclusivity. The report highlights the school’s strong leadership, broad and balanced curriculum, and its commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment where every child thrives.

 

The inspection, which took place in November 2024, found that:

• Well-being and safety: “Pupils enjoy warm relationships with staff at this caring school” and feel safe sharing any worries they may have, helping them to thrive both academically and emotionally. “Pupils are happy in school and enjoy their time there”. The school places a strong emphasis on both physical and mental well-being, ensuring pupils know how to seek support when needed.
• Inclusive and supportive ethos: St Peter’s is an “inclusive school” where “uniqueness is valued”. A comprehensive personal development programme helps children understand and celebrate differences, while the school provides excellent support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• High expectations: The school is a “calm and orderly” place where pupils behave well and are eager to do their best. “The school has high ambitions for all pupils”, promoting a culture of respect and kindness.
• Ambitious curriculum: Since the previous inspection, the school has devised a broad and balanced curriculum across all subjects. The “ambitious” curriculum ensures that pupils achieve well across subjects. Early reading is a key priority, with a systematic approach helping children develop strong literacy skills from a young age.
• Strong leadership and engaged staff: “Leaders at all levels are ambitious and relentless in their drive to improve their school. Staff enjoy working at the school” and value the support provided by leadership. Parents also speak highly of the school’s efforts in fostering a positive learning environment.
• Enrichment beyond the classroom: Pupils benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities and leadership opportunities. The school also fosters leadership opportunities for pupils, helping them develop key life skills.

 

Headteacher Tracey O’Keeffe-Pullan expressed her pride in the school’s achievements, stating: “We are pleased that the many strengths of St Peter's school have been acknowledged and recognised in our inspection report.  We are immensely proud of our pupils and the school community. We will continue to prioritise an extraordinary education for every pupil, so that we can equip them with the skills and experiences that will support them to achieve successful and fulfilling futures.”
 

Read the Ofsted inspection report

 

For more information about St Peter’s Droitwich CofE Academy, please visit www.stpetersdroitwichcofe.co.uk.

The Rivers CofE Multi Academy Trust is thrilled to announce that the Department for Education has approved us to run the new Foxlydiate First School in Redditch. This will be the trust’s first school in the Redditch area, adding to its existing 12 primary schools in Worcestershire.

 

Worcestershire County Council approved the proposals for the new school in November 2023 and invited interested parties to submit bids from April to June 2024. Following a thorough evaluation, the Regional Director for the Department for Education made the final decision.

 

The new 450-place first school and 52-place nursery, set to open in 2027, will address the growing need for school places driven by significant new housing developments. The school will initially open with a Nursery and Reception Year cohort, gradually expanding to full capacity by 2031.

 

Matt Meckin, CEO at The Rivers CofE Academy Trust announced "We are delighted that the new Foxlydiate First School, will become part of The Rivers CofE Academy Trust. As one of the largest primary specialist trusts in the West Midlands, we are proud of our success in improving schools and delivering an extraordinary education for every pupil. With experience of establishing a free school in 2019 and an alternative provision free school in 2023, we bring proven expertise in creating thriving new schools. This new school comes at a perfect time in our plan for sensible growth."