Newsletters

Dear parents and carers, 

Welcome back to the final half-term of this academic year.  We hope you all had an enjoyable half-term in the very warm weather.  The weather has certainly taken a turn this week, but fortunately we’ve been able to enjoy mostly dry playtimes and lunchtimes.

In our assembly on Tuesday, our main focus was on our school rule ‘Be Ready’ and thinking about all the exciting things we need to be ready for this term, such as trips, visitors and sports day.  Also the essentials we need everyday for school, such as suncream applied, a cap/sunhat and raincoat for the ever-changing weather.

Please ensure that all children’s belongings are named.  We encourage the children to take care of things and take responsibility for their possessions.  Some teaching assistants are losing up to 15 minutes every day trying to find lost items.  This is time which could be used much more productively to listen to children read or lead intervention groups.  Please remind your children that they need to look after their things – it is not the adults in school’s job to find them.

This week we have started visiting nurseries to meet and find out about the children who will be joining Reception in September.  It’s been lovely to start getting to know them and matching some names to faces.  Year 2 have also visited Pilton Bluecoat this week.  On Wednesday they went for a tour of the school.

We were proud of Squirrel Class today, who completed their first swimming session at Tarka Leisure Centre.  They listened well, worked hard and had lots of fun.

Finally, Thursday was a very important day for TEAM Multi-Academy Trust as it was the interviews for our new CEO.  Our own school council were involved in the process.  On Wednesday, they met and devised some questions to ask CEO candidates.  On Thursday, the four Year 2 school councillors went to Bluecoat with me and joined Bluecoat’s councillors to ask their questions.  They were very professional and listened carefully to the answers given.  I’m pleased to announce that Mr Dan Polak, current Director of Education and Acting CEO, has been appointed to the position of CEO.  We know he will continue to move the trust forward.

Have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes,

John Mortimer, Head of School

 Life, Love and Learning to the Full

Dear All,

It is my delight and privilege to tell you that late this afternoon, Thursday 4th of June, the interview panel agreed unanimously to offer the appointment of substantive CEO for TEAM Multi-academy Trust to Daniel Polak.  The panel consisted of three trustees and two external advisors.  This followed internal and external advertising, a rigorous shortlisting process and a very long day with a multitude of tasks which included lesson observation and feedback, pupil voice, written and data tasks, a presentation and a formal interview. Feedback was received from a range of stakeholders during the day, including staff representatives and pupils from two school councils.

We wish Daniel every success in his new role. The trustees are excited to work with him, moving forward, to continue the positive impact of the academy on the lives of the children in North and Mid-Devon.

Kind regards

Sue

Chair of Trustees, TEAM Multi-academy Trust.

“I am delighted and humbled to take on this position. I could not imagine a better place in the world to lead schools or a better group of people to lead with. We should feel optimistic about the future of our family of schools and I feel privileged to be a part of this.”

Daniel Polak

Acting CEO