Newsletter 3rd February 2025

3rd February 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope this newsletter finds you well.

At the end of last year, I wrote to inform you that work was continuing behind the scenes to progress our conversion to academy status. I am pleased to now share that, following significant efforts to meet all Department for Education (DfE) requirements, we have now formally joined the Special Partnership Trust.

The transition has been carefully managed to ensure a seamless process, meaning you and your child should notice very little change in the day-to-day running of the school. As we discussed in the consultation there will be no change to uniform or branding at child level. You may notice an additional logo on letters.

Joining the SPT offers numerous benefits for our students.

    • Enhanced educational opportunities – joining a MAT brings access to a wider range of resources, expertise and support for children.
    • Collaboration – being part of a wider network of schools encourages collaboration, systems leadership and sharing of best practice as well as excellent professional development opportunities for staff.
    • Financial stability and improved resources – joining a MAT can offer financial stability, enabling the school to invest in improved facilities, technology, and resources, which will directly benefit children.

Our leadership team remains in place, and we are pleased that Guy Chappell, CEO of the Trust, will continue to oversee our work as we embark on this exciting new chapter.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at Mill Water. Guy will be writing to you formally in the next few days to welcome you.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Pickering
Headteacher

Class Walk

On Thursday Class 4 enjoyed a lovely walk around the grounds of Bicton College to make the most of the sunshine. We all enjoyed the fresh air and taking in some of the signs of winter. We also practiced holding hands, staying close to the adults and waiting for cars at the roads.

Fete Games

Class 7 have enjoyed playing, designing and making their own fete games from cardboard. From table football to splat the rat, they worked co-operatively in small groups to independently make these creations, then teach their friends how to play! They hope to invite friends from different classes to enjoy playing their games soon. 

Nature Art Images

This term Class 8 have been looking at and making our own artwork using natural materials. Lucy has been showing us how to make creations using stones, shells and sticks. We have worked on our own and as a team to create our own nature art images.

Spinning at LED

Some children from Classes 10 & 12 have been really enjoying Spinning sessions at LED Exmouth.

Chinese New Year Wishing Tree

When writing a wish as part of the Chinese New Year wishing tree tradition, a pupil in Class 12 wrote “I wish for racing car and Lego. I wish my speech will get better.” This pupil works really hard on improving his speech and language, and was absolutely thrilled to receive a head teachers award for making such a great wish.