Creating new traditions

To steal a line direct from that well know Christmas song: ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’… especially in ATLP schools! From performances and parties to festive fairs, schools are enjoying those favourite of traditions – along with some new additions, such as elves on shelves, Santas in trainers and even dragons in halls – all new ones on me but all adding to the vibrancy in our schools!

I’m heartened to see that our schools are spreading seasonal cheer and thinking of others, through visits to care homes, foodbank donations and toy collections. This generosity of spirit is evergreen across the ATLP and I am proud to be a part of such a thoughtful family. The learning that takes place outside of the classroom is just as important as learning within.

It’s been another exceptional year, with many highlights and achievements. This is our ‘Decade of Difference’: 10 years of working with others to provide school to school support for children and young people. We celebrated with a wealth of events, such as the Student Awards Ceremony, Student Conference and inter-school football and computing competitions. We also added to our story by welcoming new schools, Governors and Trust Board members, along with further centralisation of business teams.

Together we have made such a difference, thanks to the contribution you make each and every day. ATLP is nothing without the people and what a tremendous bunch you are!”

Our schools came out in ‘unison’ for the Stars in our Schools day recently. Across the ATLP family we showed our appreciation and thanks for our wonderful teams of support staff. We recognised their stellar work and dedication to school life. I’m so grateful to everybody for all that you do.

Health and wellbeing remain at the forefront of this partnership. Our second Professional Development Day (PDD) for the academic year took place this month and I do hope you enjoyed a long weekend and found the day to be beneficial – however you spent it. This is just one of the ways we say thank you for helping to make the ATLP such a special place and I have been touched by your warm messages of thanks.

This month more than 60 children and staff came together for the first meeting of the new Student Leadership Team. The group are planning a raft of exciting events and activities for our schools to participate in, some of which we’ve never seen before, so watch this space for updates.

In many ways our schools wrapped in tradition – December is a month of nativities, carol services and, of course, mock GCSEs, and staff work tirelessly to ensure that students benefit in so many ways. And while children will always be at the heart of all that we do, our academies are richly diverse places where we evolve and grow together, where we keep on improving and continue to innovate and inspire to make all schools better.

We will always be here for the communities we serve. There will be some children within our family of schools who don’t have a Christmas to look forward to. I know that staff across our schools are doing all they can to ensure these children are supported and are safe. The love and compassion that serves all our children and young people will mean so much more this Christmas time.

When we meet again in the New Year, we will be celebrating our second ATLP Conference. This will be a wonderful opportunity for me to say thanks to you to all and to celebrate our continued success together. This event will bring together 1,000 teaching and non-teaching staff from 14 schools and feature a number of speakers and special guests, who will inspire us to keep on being the very best we can be to assure our children’s futures.”

But, like some of our children, it may be that you are not looking forward to the holidays this year. Our support for you is not term time only. Christmas can be a difficult time of year. If you need to talk, if you need someone to listen, please call Education Support where there are experts on hand to help – 08000562561.

Wishing you all a restful break and a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.