Pupil Wellbeing Ambassadors from Windmill Cluster, Brixton Learning Collaborative and Oval Learning schools met regularly online throughout the year, sharing ideas for activities to support good mental health in schools. They submitted wonderful designs for a special badge – since provided to all the Ambassadors across all schools – and they came together for a summer term conference with a range of workshop activity. The conference day, hosted at the Boury Academy, included dance, art and drama sessions and a spoken word workshop led by Lambeth’s own poet laureate, Abstract Benna. A group poem ‘My Voice Matters’ was written as an inspirational reminder of the important work Pupil Wellbeing Ambassadors are doing. We are really proud of you all!

We are very grateful for a grant from the Changing Lives Fund that has supported the work of the Wellbeing Ambassadors this year

During spring and summer terms, schools from Windmill Cluster, Brixton Learning Collaborative and Oval Learning participated in a shared cluster music programme, This Little Light, culminating in exciting performances in June. The musical extravaganza was hosted at Holy Trinity Church in Tulse Hill with approx 400 pupils from 17 primary and secondary schools performing over two days. The programme established two mass choirs: Pegasus Opera choir and Lifted Up soul & gospel choir, a percussion section made up of primary and secondary school players and a wonderful opportunity for student instrumentals to play alongside the brilliant Brixton Chamber Orchestra.

Parent quote: Thank you for this fantastic opportunity for my daughter. It was a dream come true for her
Headteacher quote: What an achievement and testament to the talents of all our partners, staff and young people!

The Cluster Spelling Bee for teams of Yr 3/ 4 children and Yr 5 / 6 children saw some top class spelling this year. Some very tricky words did not faze the teams and massive congratulations to children from Holy Trinity who won 1st place for the Yr 3 / 4 competition and children from Jubilee who took the Yr 5 / 6 title. Well done to all the teams for representing their schools so excellently.

In March, cluster Early Years colleagues took part in some fantastic training led by the Education team at the National Gallery. The session involved EYFS staff from Windmill Cluster, Brixton Learning Collaborative and Oval Learning and took place in the gallery spaces with colleagues exploring strategies for using pictures to support storytelling and oracy development. Teacher comments:

‘Very inspiring!’
‘I honestly loved this CPD session and am excited to implement some of the tips and tricks for story telling’
‘I found it incredibly useful and inspiring and lovely to have something completely focussed on EYFS’

Able Yr 5 mathematicians from across cluster schools have once again this year had the opportunity to come together to participate in a series of exciting Maths Masterclasses led by tutors from King’s Maths School. Sessions have been hosted at Trinity Academy on Thursday afternoons and have been an opportunity for pupils to work with some specialist maths experts for a fun afternoon of maths challenge, learning new skills and knowledge alongside children from other schools who are working at a high level. For the final term, masterclasses will have a physics focus and children will have the chance to work in the science labs at Trinity using specialist equipment and materials.

 

Another successful shared Cluster INSET day took place in January 2024, hosted at Trinity Academy and attended by school staff from across the partnership, with a theme of Enrichment & Cultural Capital. The day started with keynote speaker, Catherine Ritman-Smith, Head of Learning & Engagement from Young V&A Museum and followed by a wide variety of workshops provided by Science Museum, National Theatre, Museum of London, Brockwell Park Community Gardens, Black Cultural Archives amongst others. It proved to be a very inspiring start to the year – staff said:
‘This was one of the best INSET days I have ever attended’
‘Very interesting and positive start to 2024’
‘An amazing hub of informative and thought provoking workshops with ideas that can be taken back to the classroom’

Students from cluster secondary schools, St Martin-in-the-Fields and Trinity Academy took part in a poetry festival during autumn term. Yr 8 and Yr 9 pupils worked with Lambeth’s own Poet Laureate, Benna, to devise, write and perform their own compositions. They came together to share their writing in an informal performance demonstrating a fabulous range of originality: funny, thought-provoking, moving and insightful poems. Please enjoy this one written by Marta from St Martin-in-the-Fields

Pupils across cluster schools have participated in outdoor learning activities and gardening programmes throughout the year. This has been possible through a grant from Grow Back Greener Fund, supported by Mayor of London and Thames Water. Working with our brilliant partners, Sankofa to Nature, Sprout Up Schools, Brockwell Park Greenhouses and community gardeners we have seen garden spaces in schools transformed and fantastic outdoor experiences for children and families, including a summer camping trip to Paddington Farm in Glastonbury. Parent quote, ‘ this trip has been incredible – I’ve never done anything like this before – it’s been a brilliant experience for me and my child. I would love to do it again’

Pupil Wellbeing Ambassadors from all cluster primary schools met regularly throughout the year to plan and share ideas in support of good mental health. They came together in summer term to work on a project ‘Share A Hope’ and they took ideas for wellbeing activities back to their own schools to share with other children to help schools keep calmer and happier places for everyone. The Wellbeing Ambassadors produced some beautiful collage artwork around the theme of Hope that was displayed at Knights Youth Centre who generously hosted the Ambassador meetings during summer term.

It was fantastic to be able to get together again for cluster sports tournaments over the summer. Lots of enthusiasm and some fantastic sporting skills on display at cricket and football events. We’re very grateful for the support we’ve had from Surrey County Cricket and St Matthews football coaches to enable such brilliant sports opportunities for our children.

Children from Cluster primary schools took part in the much anticipated annual poetry festival in summer term. This year’s theme was ‘Hope’ and the quality of the poems and performances was outstanding. A process of inter-school quarter and semi-final heats gave children the chance to share and learn from one another prior to a final event, held at Trinity Academy and hosted by performance poet, Adisa. Parents and pupils attended as audience and the judging panel, including Trinity staff and students, were blown away by the standard. Congratulations to the fantastic St Jude’s pupil duo who took the first place trophy!