A life changing LAT visit to London!
This week, I had the pleasure of joining staff and children from three of our LAT schools on a visit to the Houses of Parliament in London. Children and staff from Knowle, Shakespeare and Prince Rock schools travelled by train to London on Thursday. The first day was spent visiting the Natural History Museum and seeing the Christmas lights, before we saw the ever so wonderful ‘Wicked’, live on stage in the West End.
On the second day, it was wonderful to see some our elected school parliament children in their school uniforms, answering questions and fulling engaging in the activities at the Palace of Westminster, the very heart of our democracy.
The children and the accompanying staff were absolutely brilliant on the trip and were a real credit to both their schools and the LAT.
A truly life changing experience for our children that was a real privilege to be involved with.
Moderating in the MAT
Earlier this week our teachers came together in year groups across the MAT to look at writing.
As usual this was an excellent professional development opportunity and a brilliant chance to liaise with colleagues in other LAT schools.
Thank you for your engagement in this event, even if it did mean you ended up have a slightly longer journey home on Wednesday afternoon.
Christmas in the LAT
Having shared the results of the LAT Christmas Card competition a couple of week’s ago, I know that you are all now gearing up to celebrate Christmas in your respective schools.
While I can’t promise to get to every school, I am booking myself in to as many Christmas events as I can, so I will hopefully see some of you and lots of your children over the final few weeks of this term.
This week, I heard my first rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’ in a church. I’m looking forward to hearing more Christmas favourites very soon!
Nominate a Christmas star for LAT CHAT
If you’d like to nominate a colleague, team or volunteer, please email hr@learningat.uk by Friday 12th December.
Tell us which of the LAT values they’ve demonstrated and why they should be crowned the next LAT Star.
There are six LAT values to choose from:
Aspiration ? Excellence ? Collaboration ?
Inclusivity ? Kindness ? Respect?
Outstanding MAT of the year?
So did we win?
As this update comes out on a Friday afternoon, it’s too early to say!
The weekly update is published on a Friday afternoon and the award ceremony is on the Friday night.
Keep those fingers crossed.
We will let you know next week!
Just in case you haven’t seen my letter or heard my news …… I’m retiring at the end of this school year.
Dear colleagues,
I am writing to inform you that I will be stepping down from my role as CEO of the Learning Academies Trust, a decision that brings both heartfelt sadness and immense pride. I will be retiring at the end of the summer term next year.
The LAT will celebrate its 10th anniversary on 19th July 2026. Shortly after, on 27th August, I will reach my 60th birthday, and just a few days later, on 31st August 2026, I will officially retire from my position.
The board of the LAT have been informed and they are already working alongside some of the LAT’s senior executive team to recruit a new CEO. I will of course be supporting the board in whatever way I can, to find my successor and I have every confidence that a fantastic new leader will be recruited to take the LAT on to even bigger and better things.
I am deeply proud of all that we have accomplished together over the past nine and a half years, and of the positive difference we have made in the lives of so many children. I genuinely believe the LAT is in fantastic shape as an organisation and that it now will go on to become one of the best multi academy trusts in the whole country
… if it isn’t already!
There will be lots of time for reflections and goodbyes to come over the next nine months, but in the meantime, I would like to say a heartfelt and enormous thank you for the support you have given me over the last nine and a half years. I’d also like to thank you in advance for your patience, understanding and continued hard work and commitment, as we navigate the next chapter in the LAT’s journey.
Please continue the outstanding work you do for the children in our care, and I look forward to seeing you all over the coming weeks and months.
Best wishes,
Simon
Have a fantastic weekend.
SImon