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Changing structures
Martin’s Academy whilst on a tour of the
region in February.
Mr Gove was treated to a singing
performance by a group of children,
alongside their weekly vocal coach – one
of a number of enrichment activities that
the children are afforded by the extra
hour in their school day, that also includes
swimming, speech and drama, French
and creative arts, forest school, little chefs
and Crest science award.
Following his visit, Mr Gove said: “St
Martin’s Academy reminds me of why we
created free schools: to empower parents
and teachers to create a school tailored to
local needs and with an uncompromising
focus on excellence.
“State education in the UK is getting
better and better – and it’s thanks to the
dedication and hard work of the parents,
staff and children at schools like St
Martin’s Academy.
“One thing struck me more than
anything on my visit: the kids love their
school. With this fantastic start in life, I
know the pupils of St Martin’s Academy
have great futures ahead of them.”
Welcoming the Secretary of State’s
visit to the school, Chester MP Stephen
Mosley said:
“I’m so pleased Michael has come to
visit St Martin’s Academy. This is a school
built on the determination of parents
and staff to see local children get a truly
fantastic education.”
Looking ahead, St Martin’s is now
heavily over-subscribed for next year and
staff and pupils are looking forward to
moving into the newly-built classroom
block that will link to the original building
in the next few months.
The success of St Martin’s has brought
into sharp focus the future development
plans of NWAT as they become an
academy sponsor of a primary school in
Winsford from Easter, most namely the
importance of clearly defined roles for
both the trust and Heads of school.
Steve Docking added: “Over the next
few years we will build a group of schools
who all want to work together to focus on
outstanding learning for their children.
Our group will be mutually supportive
and creative thinkers who will not accept
second best. We want to make sure that
good schools, who want to be great, join
our group and will work with others who
perhaps need more specialist support.
“NWAT will make sure that all our
Heads of School can focus upon the core
of what we went into education for: the
pupils.
“For too long Heads have had to be
super humans, who one minute are doing
assembly, next dealing with drainage
issues and then, arguing with photocopier
engineers. This must stop and we create
an effective ‘boot room’ for our schools
that offer them support and challenge,
whilst freeing Heads to take their schools
beyond outstanding.”
Summer 2014 | 77