Latest News
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First half term for our trainee teachers
Fri 27 Oct 2023Our trainee teachers on the Rivers Teaching Alliance PGCE have had a 'busy' half term which included a week of intensive training and practice (ITAP) sessions aimed at strengthening the link between evidence and classroom.
One trainee teacher commented "I saw a variety of different teaching styles, techniques and behaviours. I could identify the clear expectations and routines that the school has implemented through each year group the children go through. Along with the school expectations each class teacher had their effective routines and expectations."
When asked how they had found the course so far, the trainees commented:
“Really good positive experience”.
“Really full on, you're really busy but it’s a good busy because it's working towards what I want to be doing in the future”.
“Really fantastic, great support from my mentor, the Rivers Teaching Alliance and the school I’m based in Cherry Orchard Primary School."
Sarah a trainee teacher based at Cherry Orchard Primary School shares her experience of the first half term:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/350671150966437?mibextid=kcDB8O
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Recycling Week 2023
Mon 16 Oct 2023Our schools have taken small steps to reduce, reuse and recycle, which include collecting pre-loved uniform and installing recycling bins.
Cherry Orchard Primary School have set a great example with a number of initiatives to help increase recycling efforts:
- Recycle crisps packets station, which are then taken to a local recycling point (find yours here: Crisp packets | Recycle Now)
- Recycling felt-tip pens, which are then taken to a local recycling point (find yours here: The Writing Instruments Free Recycling Programme | TerraCycle UK · TerraCycle)
- Recycling dental products, which are sent to a local recycling point (find yours here: The Colgate® and hello® Oral Care Free Recycling Programme | TerraCycle UK · TerraCycle)
- Recycling batteries (Batteries | Recycle Now)
- Installed a Collection 4 Clothes big red recycling unit, to collect donations of clothing, accessories, shoes, linen & bric-a-brac. Donated items are exported to retailers throughout Europe with the remaining items being recycled. Aside from doing their bit to ensure a greener planet for generations to come, proceeds from the donations go to support Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
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The Rivers CofE Academy Trust welcomes new CEO to lead education excellence
Thu 21 Sep 2023The Rivers CofE Academy Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Meckin as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Matt brings extensive experience in education and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by schools in today’s ever-evolving landscape.
Prior to joining Rivers, Matt was a Director of Education at a large multi-academy in the West Midlands, overseeing a significant improvement in educational outcomes, as well as being the trust’s strategic lead for safeguarding and digital technology.
He has held the role of His Majesty’s Inspector (HMI) for Ofsted, leading over 70 school inspections and multi-academy trust summary evaluations. During his time with Ofsted, Matt was appointed as National Lead for Physical Education, which included carrying out research, training inspectors and engaging with educational figures, including ministers.
Matt has over 20 years' experience in education as a qualified teacher, teaching across primary, middle and secondary schools. He has been a headteacher of two schools, progressing one school from an Ofsted judgement of ‘special measures’ to 'good' and one from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’.
Matt has a passion for sports and previously led a school sports partnership in Worcestershire.
Matt’s appointment comes at a significant chapter in the trust's journey. Two weeks ago, Rivers proudly opened its brand-new alternative provision setting, Unity Academy, and is now preparing to launch ‘Evergreen’, a trust-wide project to provide every pupil and teaching staff member with a 1 to 1 device to enhance learning.
Matt’s extensive experience and proven track record of leadership will play a pivotal role in driving the Rivers CofE Academy Trust forward. “It is an absolute privilege to lead The Rivers CofE Academy Trust on the next part of its journey and development. I am committed to building on previous success and achieving the highest possible standards for our pupils in the future, both academically and personally,” he said.
Matt added, “The strong sense of collaboration and the values-led culture within Rivers creates a brilliant platform for further growth. I look forward to working with the board, staff and parents to realise our vision and teach children to love, learn and live as global citizens in an ever-changing world.”
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The Rivers CofE Academy Trust bids a fond farewell to an illustrious CEO
Thu 14 Sep 2023After an illustrious career and dedicated service to education, we announce with both gratitude and a touch of sadness, the retirement of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kate Brunt.
Kate will leave the Trust to ‘rebalance’ on the 20th of September, marking the end of her remarkable 9 years, as founding CEO of The Rivers CofE Academy Trust and nearly 40 years working in education.
Throughout her years of leadership, Kate has exemplified an unwavering commitment to educational excellence and improving pupil outcomes for all. From her beginnings as a secondary school P.E and Geography teacher to her time managing 9 pupil referral units in Worcestershire, Kate has positively impacted the lives of so many children and families.
With Kate at the helm, together with a passionate and dedicated team of educators and staff, the Rivers CofE Academy Trust has grown to become a collaborative community and forward-thinking trust. Kate’s charismatic personality has enabled her to empower teachers, staff, and pupils alike and has helped to foster an environment where learning thrives.
Kate will leave The Rivers CofE Academy trust in a strong position, with all schools eligible for Ofsted grading being judged as ‘Good or Outstanding.
Kate hopes her legacy will be one of passion, sharing and happiness. “I hope people talk about working within Rivers with a passion and that we’ve created an organisation that continues to share. I hope that Rivers continues to be a trust of choice for people to work within and to send their children to.”
Speaking of her greatest highlight, Kate said “I feel privileged to have worked with the people I work with every day. Working with teams and seeing the work they do with our children is most rewarding”.
When asked what she would miss about the role, Kate said “I’ll miss hearing children and working with my colleagues. I’ve worked in education for the last 40 years so it’s a massive chunk of my life, but what I’ll enjoy is time with my family and time for me”.
As we bid a fond farewell to Kate, we extend our deepest appreciation for her tireless efforts, dedication, and profound impact on The Rivers CofE Academy Trust. We wish Kate all the best in this new chapter of her life.
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Honorary University Fellowship for our CEO Kate Brunt
Wed 13 Sep 2023We’re pleased to announce that our founder and CEO Kate Brunt has been awarded an Honorary University Fellowship by the University of Worcester in recognition of her passion for inspiring learning and school improvement work across the country.
An Honorary University Fellowship is bestowed upon persons of prominence, whose outstanding achievements align very closely with the mission and ethos of the University.
Kate has received the award in recognition of her distinguished career as a National Leader of Education, including the significant contribution she has made to the region as Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers C of E Academy Trust.
Kate has an ethos of ‘always learning’ and is a school improvement partner for several MATs/SATs across the country. She is an Ofsted Inspector and has been a member of the West Midland’s Advisory Board and the Department for Education’s Headteacher Reference Group and is also a coach/mentor on the DfE’s Trust to Trust Development programme.
Kate’s vision for a culture of collaboration and her passion to create inspiring learning opportunities and improve life chances for all led, to the establishment of The Rivers CofE Academy Trust in 2014. Now with 16 good and outstanding primary, first, pre-school and nursery settings together with the Rivers Teaching Alliance, the trust has become a thriving primary specialist Multi Academy Trust.
In addition to her contribution as CEO, the Honorary Fellowship, has been awarded to Kate to signal the University of Worcester's profound appreciation for her invaluable collaboration with the School of Education and her unstinting support of Initial Teacher Education and strong commitment to the University’s work and values.
Kate said she felt especially honoured as “only a very small number of educationalists receive this award”.
Kate will join the University’s College of Fellows and use her expertise and experience in education to support the University with guest lecturing, among many other ways.
Kate would like to thank everyone for their support of her and the Rivers CofE Academy Trust over the years.
Well done Kate. You thoroughly deserve this!
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Unity Academy official opening
Wed 06 Sep 2023On a lovely warm sunny evening on Tuesday 5th September, Unity Academy a brand new, purpose-built primary Alternative Provision (AP) situated in Kidderminster was officially opened by Professor Barry Carpenter CBE, OBE, International Education Specialist and Kate Brunt, CEO of The Rivers CofE Academy Trust.
AP schools provide education and support for children who are not able to attend a mainstream school due to reasons including illness, behaviour or exclusion. Unity Academy is a state-of-the-art school that has been built as a central hub for the Wyre Forest providing support for up to 60 pupils and outreach services for Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs in local schools.
Unity Academy is proud to be part of The Rivers CofE Academy Trust a family of 16 schools and nurseries based within Worcestershire, Sandwell and Dudley.
Speaking during the official opening, Kate Brunt, CEO of The Rivers CofE Academy Trust said “Sadly the premises that our most vulnerable pupils are often educated in are worse than mainstream settings. Unity Academy is a fantastic building and outdoor space marking the beginning of an exciting journey for the most vulnerable pupils in the Wyre Forest and Worcestershire area”.
“Rather than Alternative Provision I see Unity Academy as an Appropriate Provision, a provision to shape the future and empower our pupils to be able to return to the mainstream settings or the appropriate setting they need”.
“Pupils attending Unity Academy will have become disengaged with school for a number of reasons and it is our role to re-engage them through our Rivers Curriculum and fantastic teaching. The new team at Unity Academy are fantastic”.
Kate expressed a heartfelt thanks to the organisations who contributed to the realisation of the school, particularly the Department for Education, Worcestershire Children First, who put the initial bid in for the new school, Portakabin who manufactured and built the school and finally the educators and support staff who have created an environment conducive to learning.
Kate then welcomed Professor Barry Carpenter to open the school.
Based in Chaddesley Corbett, Professor Barry Carpenter, has been awarded an OBE and CBE by the Queen for services to children with Special Needs and is the Professor in Mental Health in Education at Oxford Brookes University and the author of over 200 articles and texts on a range of learning/special needs topics. He said, “ It is a great honour to open Unity Academy as this is my home patch.”
Talking about the new school he said “This is going to be a stopping point, a signpost for many children on their educational journey. The one route that they were being offered may not have helped them achieve the goal of being a successful, efficient, effective learner, they need to go a different route, but the goal remains the same. There should be no sense of shame or lost purpose, instead, this is recognition that we all travel a different route, but we can all get to the same destination”.
“The quest, mission and purpose of an educational establishment like Unity Academy is to re-engage children to be active learners, not peripheral learners watching the learning of others, children who can own their own learning and attainment”.
Professor Barry explained how “Education is the key to so many doors” and how “An environment like this [Unity Academy] offers hope to those children who without this opportunity may be lost to education, society and their own lives. Lives can be transformed here”.
“Here is a place where the children’s voices can be found, here is a place where they can engage as successful learners once more, here is a gateway to their education and all the fulfilment that brings”.
After a presentation by Barry and Kate, they were joined to cut the ribbon to officially open the school, alongside Unity Academy Headteacher Kuldip Berdesha, Director of Children’s Services at WCF Tina Russell and Portakabin Contract Manager Andrew Catherall.
Invited guests, which included members of Worcestershire Children’s First (WCF) and Portakabin, Headteachers from local Wyre Forest schools, local residents and neighbours and Old Sladonians (ex-pupils of Sladen Middle School which previously occupied the school site), were then welcomed to tour the impressive new school.
A Wyre Forest Headteacher commented on how “homely and welcoming” the school felt.
Unity Academy will open its doors to pupils on Monday 11th September with 18 primary school-aged children starting the term and being welcomed by 12 members of staff.
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New Unity Academy building sets the standard for sustainability
Tue 22 Aug 2023In a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future, a state-of-the-art school building is set to officially open on 5th September 2023, setting the benchmark for energy efficiency and contributing to our efforts to be carbon net zero by 2030.
Unity Academy, a new alternative provision located in Kidderminster not only meets the stringent sustainability requirements set forth by the Department for Education (DfE) but also boasts a remarkable solar panel installation that matches its energy consumption needs and has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating A.
Once opened, Unity Academy will become the 16th school in The Rivers CofE Academy Trust family of schools.
Unity Academy, manufactured by Portakabin, was designed with environmental consciousness at its core, aligning perfectly with the DfE's guidelines and the Rivers’ sustainability focus.
The building is made with top-grade insulation, thermal properties in the windows and air circulation to help maintain a suitable classroom temperature offers plenty of bright natural light and all the modern comfort and space required to enhance pupil's learning experience.
Meeting DfE sustainability requirements
One of the most noteworthy achievements of Unity Academy is its adherence to the DfE's sustainability requirements. The Department for Education has been actively encouraging sustainable design and construction practices in educational buildings to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental stewardship.
The school's design incorporates a multitude of eco-friendly features:
- Energy-efficient design: The school building was designed with the latest energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, advanced insulation, and high-performance windows, ensuring minimal energy waste.
- Green landscaping: The surrounding grounds of the school features a forest school area, fallow plots and native plants to encourage wildlife and sustainable landscaping practices, enhancing the local ecosystem.
- Waste reduction: Production processes and construction materials were carefully selected to minimize waste.
- Low-carbon transportation: To encourage sustainable transportation options like walking, cycling or public transport, the school has electronic vehicle charging points to help reduce the carbon footprint associated with commuting.
Solar panels to match energy usage
What truly sets Unity Academy apart is its commitment to harnessing renewable energy. The school boasts a cutting-edge solar panel installation that has the capacity to meet its entire energy consumption needs. This remarkable feat not only significantly reduces the school's carbon footprint but also sets a compelling example for other schools.
Russell Dalton, Operations Director at The Rivers CofE Academy Trust explains how the Rivers is looking to replicate the Unity approach to renewable energy at all schools within the trust. “Many of our schools already have solar panels, but not enough to cover energy consumption. We are currently working to reduce our electricity usage and become as energy efficient as can be, by installing LED lighting, new boilers and insulating roofs . Once we know the annual consumption for each school, we can then look to install enough solar panels to match the energy usage.”
As with other schools in the trust Unity Academy plans to integrate sustainability into the curriculum, educating pupils about renewable energy and environmental responsibility. This purposeful learning experience will prepare pupils to be future citizens and leaders in a world that increasingly demands sustainable practices.
Unity Academy will be officially opened on Tuesday 5th September by International Education Consultant Barry Carpenter, who will be joined in attendance by members of Worcestershire Children’s First, Headteachers from local Wyre Forest schools along with the Old Sladonians, ex-pupils of Sladen Middle School which previously occupied the site.
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Catchment area explained
Tue 01 Aug 2023Applications for a Reception school place can be made via your local authority website from 1st September, but how do you find out;
- which schools are in my local area?
- what catchment area am I in?
- can I apply for schools if I am outside the catchment area?
Some schools do not have a catchment area, so how do they prioritise applications?
How do I find out which schools are in my local area?
You can search ‘Primary schools near me’ online and will be presented with a map of schools in your local area.
What is a school catchment area?
A catchment area is an area around a single school. The catchment area may determine whether your child will be offered a place at the school. Children who live in the catchment area are most likely to be offered a place.
School catchment areas can sometimes change, so it's important to verify the information with the relevant local education authority or school before making any final decisions or admissions plans.
What school catchment area am I in?
To find out if your home address falls within the catchment area of a school, you can check your postcode on a local authority school finder website.
Dudley: Dudley primary/junior schools do not have a catchment area.
Sandwell: Sandwell primary/junior schools do not have a catchment area.
Worcestershire: Find a school | Worcestershire County Council
Please be aware that some schools do not operate a catchment area and therefore may not show in the search results.
What if my preferred school does not have a catchment area?
Schools without a catchment area do not prioritise applications to the school based on distance to the school. Admission to a school can depend on a number of factors:
- Special medical or social needs such as ‘looked after children’ or children with an Education Healthcare Plan
- Siblings already attending the school
- Attendance at a ‘feeder school’ that has an affiliation with the school
- Religion
- Ability to pass an academic entrance exam
The school’s admissions policy is available on the school's website and will outline which factors are given the highest priority.
Can I apply for a school If I am out of catchment?
Yes, if places at the school are available and have not been filled by children from within the catchment area and from priority groups.
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When and how to apply for a Reception place at school
Tue 01 Aug 2023Is your child due to start school in September 2024?
Children start primary school the September after their 4th birthday.
If your child turns 4 between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024, then they will start school in September 2024.
When to apply for a school place for your child?
Applications to apply for a Reception place at a primary or first school opens on Friday 1st September 2023.
The closing date for applying for a Reception place at a primary or first school is 15th January 2024.
How to apply for a Reception school place for your child?
Visit your local authority website to apply online or request a paper application form.
Worcestershire School Admissions
What happens if I apply late?
It is important that you apply by the closing date as applications received after the deadline will be classed as late and you are unlikely to be offered your first-choice school, even if you have a child there already or live very close to the school.
When are school place offers made?
Online offers will be emailed on the 17th April 2024
We encourage and welcome you to visit our schools prior to applying to experience first-hand what makes learning at our schools so exciting.
Helpful guides to applying for a school place
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Sandwell Mayor opens outdoor learning space at Summerhill Primary Academy
Mon 17 Jul 2023The Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Bill Gavan and Deputy Lieutenant, Dr M Sakhawat Hussain DL officially opened the new outdoor classroom and garden area at Summerhill Primary Academy.
The Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant were welcomed by children from the school’s eco-committee, who have been responsible for planting wildflowers in the new garden space.
The new outdoor classroom has been funded by The Rivers CofE Academy Trust to help improve the outdoor learning environment for all children.
The new classroom is an extension of the forest school area and allows for older year groups, who don’t currently use forest school, to get outside and utilise the space.
Pupils were very impressed by the new outdoor structure and were looking forward to lessons in the outdoor classroom and gardening in the newly built raised beds.
Eco-committee Leader, Mrs Hughes has great plans for the new garden space “ We will be setting up a gardening club and plan to grow fruit and vegetables”.
After the opening, pupils from the school eco-committee were presented with certificates and books as a thank-you for their involvement in a local ‘Love Tipton’ litter-picking event organised in partnership with community organisations Tibby Tenants and Residents Association and Sandwell Borough Council.