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• Rise Multi Academy Trust brings together children from 21 schools for ‘A Night at the Movies’ in collaboration with Leicestershire Schools Music Service (LSMS).

  Thu 27 Jul 2023 E Jones

  On Tuesday 27th June, Year 4 children from across 21 Leicestershire schools came together at The Venue, De Montfort University to perform a range of hit musical songs to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion. The children had been practicing for the past few weeks individually before coming together on the day for the first time to rehearse and perform. 

   

  Pupils only had one singing workshop with the choral leads from Leicestershire Schools Music Service; Nicki Atkins and Emma Burns, who organised and prepared the esteemed event, before coming together to form a 400+ Rise Choir, performing on stage in front of delighted staff, friends and family. 

   

  The spectacular event, forms part of the Trust’s commitment to providing a Pupil Charter for every child – offering opportunities and experiences that enrich pupils’ learning throughout their time at primary school. A parent commented ‘I felt so proud to be part of the Rise family of schools! Thank you for giving the children that opportunity.’ Another commented ‘The children were phenomenal! I sat there in awe of what I was hearing... Certainly an experience I will never forget’  

   

  The trust's vision is for each pupil to flourish and succeed, and that is what they did as they sang 9 songs from movies including The Lion King, Moana and The Greatest Showman, accompanied by an exceptional live band. The children shared some of their academic achievements during the year through a moving slideshow. 

   

  Showcasing their sign language skills, a highlight of the night was the children's performance of ‘Colours of the Wind’ from Pocahontas in which they sang and signed using British Sign Language the chorus of the song. This was important to both children and staff to promote inclusivity and diversity, one of Rise’s main visions.  

   

  A member of staff from one of the schools also praised ‘They have had firsthand experience of what it means to belong to Rise. Their confidence has blossomed in so many ways’, with another staff member saying ‘the children shared a love of music and feeling of belonging in the Rise family.’  

  Thank you to the superb sponsors; ideal care homes, Hormann and Johnson Astills.  

   

  Mark Cole, CEO of Rise Multi Academy Trust said “In total we welcomed an audience of over 800 and were overwhelmed with the positive responses received. It was a powerful example of how, as a Trust family, we can work together to achieve many amazing things, creating memories that will last a lifetime for our pupils.” 

   

  Julie Hopkins, Executive Headteacher of the Trust's Vale of Belvoir schools and project lead for the occasion, said: “I am so proud of how the children embraced this opportunity to work together as one big Rise family. They sang beautifully and it was clear to see the powerful impact the experience had on them and the audience. Special thanks to the many teachers who worked so hard to prepare the children”. 

  

• Barlestone C of E Primary school celebrates ‘Good’ SIAMS report.

  Fri 14 Jul 2023

  Barlestone C of E Primary school has been rated ‘Good’ in all areas in its latest SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) report. Inspectors commented that all individuals are ‘treated with dignity and respect in this inspiring and nurturing school.’ 

   

  The inspection took place on 15th May 2023, and highlights the efforts put in from both school and Rise trust staff to further implement the Christian teachings and values in all elements of the school. 

   

  The school's main vision for pupils "and walk in love, just as Christ also loves us" is applied both through the school's curriculum and Christian teachings, where ‘collective worship is valued by all and is central to school life’. At the end of the school day children will say a prayer of reflection written by a member of the school. 

   

  Inspectors also highlighted that the school has strong links to the local church community, and that pupils having the opportunity to learn about other religions during RE creates a stronger sense of community. 

   

  Additionally, the school has implemented a ‘Pupils Champions programme’ in Year 6 which has developed students ‘resilience and self-confidence'. There is great emphasis on wellbeing not just the pupils, but staff, trustees and Diocese which further builds their relationships and allows everyone to flourish and succeed.  

   

  Furthermore, parents also are enthusiastic about the relationship between school and church and have seen ‘very caring relationships’ develop from this. Rise MAT have worked closely with the school to implement a new curriculum which has created a better work-life balance for staff also. 

   

  Jo Westaby, Headteacher commented ‘we are enormously proud that the strengths of our school vision and values have been recognised and celebrated in this report.  As a school we are committed to ensure that our school community ‘walk in love together’ so that all can flourish and succeed.’  

   

  Mark Cole, Rise CEO said, ‘We are delighted that the many strengths of Barlestone’s Christian, values and ethos were recognised during the inspectors visit. The school is very highly regarded by the community it serves so well’ 

   

  The full SIAMS report can be read at https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/siams-report-barlestone-cofe-primary-school-140850-15052023.pdf 

   

  To arrange a school visit please head to https://www.barlestoneprimaryschool.co.uk/