Welcome
Our aim is to become a strong local partnership of schools. Whilst we aim to build a strong and cohesive identity, we recognise that each school within the Trust has its own unique characteristics. Collaboration and joint working ensure that all schools in the Trust can share in, and benefit from, each other’s strengths. The aim as a multi academy trust is to work together to:
- Make a positive difference in the lives of our pupils;
- Have an unflinching commitment to closing the gap between high and low performers within the schools;
- Transform the learning conditions of others so that growth, commitment, engagement, and constant spawning of leadership in others is being fostered
The vision of the Berlesduna Academy Trust is to create and foster a culture of high aspiration, enjoyment for learning, academic success and lifelong skills amongst all pupils, regardless of their social, economic or cultural background.
Joining a group of local like-minded schools will enable you to secure and maintain your current quality provision and through school to school support address those areas you identify as needing to improve to move your school to the next level.
If you are interested please contact us to begin a conversation.
Sean Tobin
CEO / Executive Headteacher
Academy News
- Merrylands Consultation Letter - Oct 2020
- Merrylands Admission Arrangements 2022
Consultations for Admission Arrangements
- The Case For Being An Inclusive School In Essex
- Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update - Letter to Essex Parents and Carers from Clare Kershaw Director Of Education Essex County Council
Letter Received from Claire Kershaw, Education Director
It is with the greatest pleasure that we received the news of your visit to Downing Street last week. Through our knowledge of you and your work at Crays Hill Primary, we know this is a very deserved accolade.
Through your determined efforts, motivation and inspiration, you ensured that all pupils’ needs were met during COVID lockdown periods. You really know your pupils and community and set up secure systems, structures and processes to ensure that children’s needs were identified, planned for and actions taken, to ensure their continued academic and personal, social and emotional development during the pandemic. This was often at very short notice, in reaction to ongoing public health advice, and you carried this out calmly and with due regard to the messaging required to ensure all families had access to the information they needed.
Your considerable leadership skills in working with parents and the community to ensure the children’s’ continued education opportunities as well as children’s safety shone through at this time and your invitation to Downing Street was a fitting tribute to this.
We at Essex County Council congratulate you wholeheartedly for this achievement and know you will continue to grow your innovative practice going forward. We are very proud to have Crays Hill Primary and Berlesduna recognised nationally as part of the Essex family of schools.
Headteacher from Crays Hill Primary School invited to Downing Street to meet with the Prime Minister
Yesterday Prime Minister @BorisJohnson welcomed teachers from across the country to Downing Street to thank them for the extraordinary work they have done keeping children learning during the pandemic, and getting them safely back into schools. pic.twitter.com/u6ZWfUjDgd
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) June 8, 2021
Regional Commissioner Visit
Staff and senior leaders at Merrylands Primary School were delighted to host Sue Baldwin, the Regional Schools Commissioner and Alison Fiala, Head of Education and Early Years – Mid Essex, when they recently visited the school.
Ms Baldwin, who is RSC for the East of England and North-East London and Mrs Fiala were accompanied by the Trust CEO Mr Sean Tobin. Mrs Rachel Robinson, Headteacher at Merrylands presented the tour and offered a wide range of discussion on the school’s performance, areas of best practice and the ongoing remit to drive up outcomes.
It was a real pleasure to welcome Ms Baldwin and Mrs Fiala at Merrylands as we are very proud of the school and the continuing mission to provide excellent opportunities for the children. These opportunities are not limited to the classroom but are offered by way of educational visits, workshops, sports activities and a variety of pursuits that enhance a child’s personal development to broaden aspirations as to what is achievable.
Ms Baldwin is responsible for many schools within the region and her departmental remit is to challenge underperformance, build strong sponsors, open high quality new provision and facilitate collaboration. The visit to Merrylands was both collaborative and positive. During the visit there was an optimistic discussion with the CEO regarding the Trust’s proposed new three year strategic plan and the growth and school improvement strategy. The Trust’s intention to sponsor St Mary’s CofE Primary School was also discussed.
Get your children ready for school by helping them develop their communication, language and literacy skills.
The Department for Education has tips and recommended activities to help you.
Visit https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/ or Google 'Hungry Little Minds'
Ofsted Updates
Whitmore Primary School and Nursery
We are delighted to announce that Whitmore Section 5 Ofsted Report has been published. Congratulations to all the staff, governors, parents and most importantly children for continuing to be “Good”. This is the Trust’s third inspection. It is heartening that Ofsted recognised the strengths of the school and the improvements since it joined the Trust. It cannot be underestimated the effort and skill that has gone into ensuring Whitmore is as good as it is in such a short time.
Merrylands Primary School and Nursery
We are delighted to announce that Merrylands Section 8 Ofsted Report has been published. Congratulations to all the staff, governors, parents and most importantly children for continuing to be “Good”. This is the Trust’s second inspection. It is heartening that Ofsted recognised the strengths of the school and the improvements since achieving good in 2013. It cannot be underestimated the effort and skill that has gone into ensuring Merrylands, the founding school of our Trust, is building capacity and sustaining its high level of education.
Willows Primary School and Nursery
We are delighted to announce that The Willows Section 8 Ofsted Report has been published. Congratulations to all the staff, governors, parents and most importantly children for continuing to be “Good”. This is the Trust’s first inspection. It is heartening that Ofsted recognised the strengths of the school and the improvements since achieving good in 2015. It cannot be underestimated the effort and skill that has gone into ensuring The Willows is building capacity and sustaining its high level of education.
