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Welcome to June's edition of MATNews especially prepared for the MATNetworks community! Read on for local educational insight and information to help you stay informed.🚀 | |
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How to Write an Interesting School News
or Blog Post to Engage Parents. | |
You like blogs, don’t you? Yes, of course, it’s a trick question because you’re reading one! Not the best little ploy to draw you in but you’re still here! If you’re responsible for coming up with blogs or news items for your school, you may struggle to keep coming up with ideas. | | | |
As a branding and marketing company that specialises in education,
Blue Apple Education have no idea how that feels here, but nevertheless, they have dug deep and come up with a few ideas on content – witty, opening remarks are still entirely up to you! | |
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Make your End of Year
Governance Reviews Meaningful. | |
The summer term is the perfect time to reflect and plan ahead - use EPM's prompts to help guide your review conversations: - 1:1s to check in with governors or trustees
- Explore skills and training needs to support development
- Consider future roles and opportunities for progression
- Reflect on workload, meeting formats and expectations
- Review communication and information sharing
- Celebrate impact and say thank you.
Strengthen relationships and shape priorities with governance support that matches your needs and vision! | |
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Should Coding be Part of the Curriculum? | |
With digital skills now essential for future careers, introducing coding into your curriculum from September is a strategic step forward. Schools should begin planning now to ensure a successful rollout. Start by auditing staff capabilities and identifying training needs. | | | |
Choose a structured, age-appropriate coding programme, like Logiscool, that aligns with curriculum goals. Consider delivery options—timetabled lessons, enrichment clubs, or integrated subjects. Engage a trusted partner for resources and CPD support. Early planning ensures confident delivery, measurable outcomes, and lasting impact. Coding is more than a subject—it’s a future-ready skill every pupil deserves access to. Now is the time to act. | |
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One key aspect of CPD is encouraging reflection. This allows schools to enrich what they already do. AmazingCPD loves to support the reflection process and provides both national and local updates to ensure schools are up to date. Useful discussion via MATNetworks has enabled over 25 courses to be written for school staff.
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Why Early Numeracy Matters More Than Ever - A New White Paper.
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Strong maths foundations in the early years are a key predictor of long-term academic success — yet they’re often overlooked in favour of literacy. This new white paper explores why early numeracy deserves strategic focus and how the right digital tools can help close gaps, build confidence, and set children up for lifelong learning. Designed for MAT leaders and primary school Headteachers, it’s packed with practical insights and evidence-based recommendations. | | | |
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"It's Important, It's SATs" Carla Whelan, CEO Empower Trust. | |
It may be in jest but Carla's fun description of "Chief Everything Officer" does seem an apt description of her title. Carla's latest blog is well worth a read and is one I am sure many can relate to, especially during SATs week.
"Between meetings, strategy sessions, and the occasional coffee that went cold before I could even sip it, one thing has become crystal clear: leadership is less about having all the answers and more about asking better questions."
"Let’s start with the obvious: it’s SATs week. For many of our young people, that means pencils sharpened, nerves twitching, and an uncanny ability to remember fronted adverbials while forgetting where their lunchbox is. But here’s a thought — maybe we shouldn’t define them by this one test."
Carla's key message certainly resonates:
"To our young people: You are not your score. You are your curiosity, your kindness, your potential. And to the grown-ups around them (yes, us), let’s remember that too — especially when the results come out and someone inevitably makes a graph about it." | |
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Spotlight On - Gold Geese. | |
Gold Geese is a Leigh-on-Sea-based charity founded in 2018 by Katie Southgate after her child’s cancer diagnosis. Driven by empathy and community spirit, Gold Geese supports families of children and young people facing cancer in South East Essex. | | | |
Their assistance includes mental health therapy, travel aid, weekend trips, and bereavement support. The charity also raises awareness of childhood cancer and promotes blood and stem cell donations. Inspired by the strength and unity of geese, their motto “We Fly Together” reflects their commitment to ensuring no family faces cancer alone. | | | |
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Save the Dates - Future MATNetworks Events. | |
Our next MATNetworks Event is in Essex on 26th June 2025. Organised in conjunction with Catherine Stalham, CEO, South Essex Academy Trust.
Delegate tickets are complimentary and if you'd like to come along or know of anyone who would benefit from joining the Essex MATNetworks event the link to book tickets is here. All welcome, feel free to share the link. | | | |
MATNetworks Peterborough has been confirmed for 25th September 2025. Organised in conjunction with Lorraine Greco, CEO, OWN Trust and Colette Firth, CEO, Spirit Federation. book tickets here.
MATNetworks Shropshire will be hosting their second event on 2nd October 2025 in conjunction with Empower Trust, ticket booking link here.
If you'd like to find out more, attend or exhibit feel free to contact us. | |
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Exhibitor Corner - Schools Mutual. | |
As budgets are being set, it's worth thinking about offering an alternative provision for staff absence protection and well-being for the year ahead. Schools Mutual combine 5 key budget areas (Staff Absence, Leadership CPD, Staff Well-Being, Occupational Health and Pupil Well-Being) for a guaranteed saving. Through collaboration, get the best value and best service available to UK academies. A not-for-profit cover designed to keep money in education, we are recommended by the DfE through the CPC framework. | |
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Would you like to be involved in MATNetworks?
Regional MATNetworks are designed to bring together Trust leaders, and those aspiring to Trust and School leadership, within localised regions throughout the UK.
These dynamic gatherings aim to develop collaboration among Multi-Academy Trusts, sharing best practices, insights, and strategies to enhance education regionally and beyond.
If you'd be interested in working with us to host, join or exhibit at a MATNetworks event in your region, or would like to get involved in one that is already established, we'd love to hear from you! | |
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Happy Half Term! 😊
The MATNetworks Team | |
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