I am fully invested in doing everything I can to help Plympton provide the best possible experiences and life chances for our students. I absolutely believe that joining Thinking Schools will help us to do just that.

Both institutions are committed to putting the child at the heart of decision making and ensure that the development of teaching and learning is a core priority. The welfare of staff is important to us and TSAT has made it very clear to us that they share this philosophy.  The Trust aims for the terms and conditions for all staff to be very favourable we feel this will help us to recruit and retain the best people.

As a school, we share the same values as the Thinking Schools Academy Trust and we look forward to developing our relationship with them. Please take the time to read through the information below, watch the videos and submit any questions you may have.

Lisa Boorman, Principal

Below is a letter that has been sent to parents in September explaining the proposed move to joining the the Thinking Schools Academy Trust. 

Consultation Letter

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?

It is being proposed that Plympton Academy becomes part of a Multi-Academy Trust and by joining the Thinking Schools Academy Trust (TSAT).

WHO ARE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST?

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust, is made up of a family of schools that work together to “improve the life chances” of all our children and young people. They are a successful and expanding group of like-minded schools that are committed to providing outstanding education.

Currently there are 17 schools in the Trust, located in hubs across Plymouth, Portsmouth, Kent & Medway, including the most recent brand-new build Maritime Academy, due to open in Strood in September 2022. In addition, the most recent school to join TSAT was Plymouth High School for Girls. From the outset TSAT has had schools covering key stages 1–5 and has excellent knowledge and experience of education from pre-school to sixth form.  Their success is due to their excellent understanding of thinking, learning and pedagogical research, and having talented and highly dedicated staff, leaders and governors.

WHAT WOULD CHANGE IF WE DID BECOME AN ACADEMY WITHIN THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST?

There would be more opportunities to share best practice between staff across the Trust’s schools. This can be a huge asset, allowing teachers and support staff to share ideas and practices and to help each other grow as professionals. Trust members work together as a family of schools who share a passion for developing all of our children and young people as independent, resilient and creative thinkers.

DISCOVER: What it’s REALLY like to join our Trust from PHSG Principal Simon Underdown

There would be more opportunities for staff to undertake training and development, focused at all times on ensuring that outstanding outcomes are achieved for all children through outstanding teaching and learning.

We would benefit from access to and shared expertise of the Trust’s central services such as Marketing and IT. The school name would not change, but complementing trust branding would be created to sit along side our current logos / websites etc to show the school is part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust.

 

ASSURANCES MADE ABOUT WHAT WOULD NOT CHANGE

Plympton Academy would still have its own name, individual character and identity – it is vital that this is not lost! The school would continue to provide children from the local community with an excellent education.

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust believes in local governance and the school would have an Advisory Board to support and challenge the school leadership which would include parents, staff and representatives of the local community. At this stage there is no intention to change the admissions policy. The school would continue to have the same admission arrangements and the term dates and hours would remain the same.  All current students and staff would transfer to the Trust.

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THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST – HIGHLIGHTS

Thinking Schools Academy Trust #weareone

Being part of our 17 school Trust means working collaboratively and creating and agreeing Trust-wide initiatives which support our ethos and vision. Examples of this would be videos where all our schools came together across our Trust and sang in harmony to promote #BeKind through a special performance of This Is Me from The Greatest Showman, or when we collaborated to mark Mental health Awareness Week by passing the iconic ‘green ribbon’ between schools, or when we, as a Trust flexed our creative muscles for the EduArtsFest of 2021, where each of our schools shared poems, songs, dance routines raps to show their creativity.

THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST – THE FUTURE

Future-proofing our students and our schools is a Trust priority and with the ongoing use of smartphones, tablets, ipads and laptops; digital platforms are fast becoming a way of life for us. In an exciting step towards  enhancing our students’ digital skillset, our very own Portsmouth Academy is piloting the one:one Devices Scheme and is now a proud Microsoft Showcase Incubator School. Watch the video above to hear more.

READ THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST’S OUR TRUST MAGAZINE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEIR WORK

 

TALK TO US AT ANY TIME

Although the consultation period will run for a period of five weeks from 7th September 2021, you can discuss any questions, queries or ideas you have about the school with the governors at any time.

 

CONTACT DETAILS

Plympton Academy
Moorland Road
Plympton
Plymouth
PL7 2RS

Tel:  (01752) 338373

Email:  enquiries@plympton.academy