Vacancy for lead science technician – Ipswich Academy – closing date Monday 26 June 2017, 9am
An opportunity has arisen for a lead science technician to join the science faculty at Ipswich Academy.
Click here for more information.
Update on plans to celebrate Amanda Phillips’ life
Amanda will be buried at a private, family only ceremony in the next few weeks. Before that, Paradigm Trust will compile all the messages of condolences that it has received and present them to her family.
We will also be organising events to remember Amanda and celebrate her life and achievements for the children and adults across all the schools. We will be able to update you further as these plans make progress.
David Willis
Chair
Update
As of Monday 5 June, there will be books of condolences in each of the Paradigm schools. It is also possible to send messages of condolences via email – condolences@paradigmtrust.org. All messages will be read and then collated to be passed back to Amanda’s family.
The directors of Paradigm Trust have decided that Bill Holledge will be in charge of Murrayfield Primary on an interim basis until further notice. Bill is an experienced primary headteacher with a strong track record of school improvement who has worked closely with Amanda for more than ten years. He has the full support of the Board. Bill will work closely with the existing senior team at Murrayfield, including experienced leaders from across Paradigm Trust.
The Board is very aware that there is a need for stability and consistency at Murrayfield and is working to ensure that this is delivered.
David Willis
Chair
1 June 2017 – News on Amanda Phillips
It is with tremendous sadness that I have to tell you that Amanda died yesterday. While on holiday in France earlier this week, Amanda suffered a fall incurring serious head injuries which proved fatal. I know I speak for us all when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and family.
Amanda’s death is a dreadful tragedy. She led Paradigm Trust with enormous energy, tremendous skill and most of all an enduring passion to give every child an outstanding education.
She will be missed so much by everyone and we understand you will have questions – many of which we will not be able to answer yet. We are working on contingency plans and further news will be published in the Paradigm Trust website as it is available.
David Willis
Chair
Vacancies for lead teachers in MFL and science – Ipswich Academy – closing date 8 May 2017
Paradigm Trust is seeking to recruit lead teachers in MFL and science to work in Ipswich Academy.
Click here for more information.
Train to teach with Paradigm Trust – Ipswich information event – 24 January 2017 – Ipswich Town Hall
Are you thinking about kick-starting an exciting new career in teaching? If so, the Ipswich Train to Teach roadshow is the perfect opportunity for you to learn all you need to know about teacher training and how to apply.
Who is this event for?
The event is designed for anyone who has a degree and is interested in teaching – particularly those who are considering starting their initial teacher training in September 2017. It offers a great opportunity to get all your questions about teaching and teacher training answered.
What to expect
If you attend the event you’ll be able to:
- discuss the different teacher training options available, to help you decide which would best suit you
- meet representatives from our own and other schools/universities that deliver teacher training in this area, and find out about their courses and entry requirements
- receive advice on submitting a successful UCAS application
- talk to practising teachers, including those who have changed career to teach, about what a career as a teacher is really like
- find out about bursaries, scholarships and funding available for teacher training.
A downloadable/printable leaflet is available here.
How to register
www.education.gov.uk/traintoteach
We look forward to meeting you.
Updated behaviour policy
The Board of Paradigm Trust has approved an updated behaviour policy, which is available from here. The main amendments relate to the arrangements around permanent exclusions – the policy now explicitly references the prevailing guidance from the Department for Education.
Transfer of management of Murrayfield Primary
Murrayfield Community Primary School in Ipswich is the latest school to be transferred to the management of Paradigm Trust. The transfer is effective as of 1 January 2017.
Murrayfield, which has been in special measures since September 2015, is being transferred at the order of the Department for Education. Paradigm Trust was chosen as Murrayfield’s sponsoring trust because of its local connections and strong track record in improving failing schools. Paradigm Trust already runs Ipswich Academy, which has just achieved its best-ever GCSE results, and three primary schools in London (two of which are rated outstanding by Ofsted and the other good with three outstanding features).
The school’s new name is Murrayfield Primary Academy.
Amanda Phillips CBE, Chief Executive Officer of Paradigm Trust, will be principal of Murrayfield. She said:
“Paradigm Trust’s aim is to give children the educational opportunities they deserve. We are working hard to do that with our existing schools and I am confident we shall be able to do the same for the children at Murrayfield.
“I have met many Murrayfield parents and we understand that change is unsettling. We are keen that they know that we are not interested in change for change’s sake. Everything that is good for the children will continue, but we will take immediate steps to raise the quality of teaching and educational standards.
“The key to improving standards is great teaching. There will be changes as we improve the teaching in the school but we will keep them informed about those. One of our main objectives is that the school is staffed in a way that allows us to deliver the outstanding education that we believe every child deserves.”
All staff currently at Murrayfield will transfer to Paradigm Trust under TUPE legislation.
At Ipswich Academy, Amanda will be replaced by Helen Winn, formerly associate principal, who takes on the role of interim principal.
Media enquiries
For further enquiries, please contact the Paradigm Trust media team on 020 7618 9194, or email paradigmtrust@luther.co.uk.
Notes to Editor
Paradigm Trust is a multi academy trust, formed in September 2013, when the two founding schools, Old Ford Primary Academy (OFPA) and Culloden Primary Academy (CPA), converted to Academy status. In September 2014, Solebay Primary Academy (previously called CET Primary School Tower Hamlets) transferred to Paradigm Trust and Ipswich Academy (previously run by the Learning Schools Trust) transferred in September 2015.
New Ofsted inspection report shows that Ipswich Academy is making real progress
Following Ofsted’s visit to Ipswich Academy in October, the inspectors have now published their report (attached below). We are delighted that this shows the school has taken great strides forward and is continuing to improve.
When Paradigm Trust took over the management of Ipswich Academy in 2015, it was rated by Ofsted as ‘inadequate’. We are pleased to say that this new report rates the school as ‘requires improvement’. While this is still below where we want the school to be, it shows we are on the right track and the changes we have introduced are having the desired effect.
We are particularly pleased that the report praises the school’s management. It says: ‘high quality leadership…has transformed the school’ and ‘leaders and staff share the same vision and ambition, and show a relentless drive to improve the school further’. This is clear recognition from Ofsted of the work taking place to transform Ipswich Academy into a school of which we can all be proud.
Reacting to this new Ofsted report, Amanda Phillips, chief executive, said: “This is great news. The report shows that the inspectors are seeing the results of our efforts. Real progress has been made, and by maintaining our commitment, we can bring about powerful and lasting change to this school.
“By working together – staff, parents and pupils – we have the opportunity to transform Ipswich Academy into a vibrant and high performing school.”
A big thank you to everyone who has supported the school and its staff.
Open meeting for parents/carers of Murrayfield Community Primary School pupils
The interim executive board (IEB) of Murrayfield Community Primary School has invited Paradigm Trust to attend an open meeting on Tuesday 22 November at 2:30pm at the school. The meeting is to discuss the likely conversion of the school to academy status and it then joining Paradigm Trust. Amanda Phillips, chief executive officer of Paradigm Trust, will attend and will respond to all questions raised.