Kennington CE Academy, a Junior school within Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, has been awarded the coveted OPAL Platinum award. This accolade recognises the school’s outstanding commitment to enhancing pupil wellbeing through innovative outdoor play and learning provision. After only 18 months of developing their OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme, Kennington CE Academy has achieved the highest level of recognition for their play environment. At the heart of OPAL is the belief that children have a fundamental right to play. With recreational times accounting for 20% of the school week, the academy’s provision offers a diverse range of stimulating activities designed to foster creativity, social skills, and physical development. The school’s outdoor facilities have been transformed by the school’s dedicated OPAL team, which is overseen by Deputy Headteacher, Rachel Lavender, and includes unique features such as a shepherd’s hut, a boat, sandpit, den building areas, arts and crafts stations, a music and performance stage, a sensory garden, small world play zones, allotment space, scooters, pogo sticks, table tennis, and much more. These resources provide pupils with numerous opportunities to explore, imagine, and engage with their peers in meaningful ways. Karen Godsell, Headteacher at Kennington CE Academy, said, “At Kennington, we believe that all children have a right to be creative and express themselves through play. Developing our OPAL provision has been transformative for our children in so many ways, but what resonated most was the child who said ‘No one is lonely any more. Everyone can find something fun to do and someone to do it with’. Our playgrounds are now full of life, laughter and energy, which has also impacted positively on learning in the classroom.” A special presentation ceremony took place on the 15th September 2025 and the children and staff were joined in receiving the award by Madam Mayor, Lyn Suddards and Aquila CEO Annie Wiles, along with other representatives from Aquila and OPAL. With this achievement, Kennington CE Academy will now serve as a showcase school for OPAL, sharing their exceptional high-quality play provision and inspiring other schools to enhance their own outdoor play environments. Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust is committed to providing excellent education and nurturing environments for pupils across its schools. Kennington CE Academy’s dedication to pupil wellbeing and development exemplifies the Trust’s values and vision for holistic education. Looking ahead, the school aims to continue innovating its play spaces and collaborate with other educational settings to promote the importance of play in children’s lives. This prestigious award highlights Kennington CE Academy’s role as a leader in outdoor learning and pupil wellbeing within the local community and beyond.

Celebrating Learning Beyond the Classroom Angela Matthews, Headteacher at Temple Ewell CEP At Temple Ewell School, we are always looking for meaningful ways to engage our pupils in hands-on learning experiences that connect them with the wider world. This term, our Year 4 and Year 5 pupils had the fantastic opportunity to visit a Nepalese community farm in Postling, near Folkestone, where they explored the rich variety of crops grown throughout the year.   The visit was part of an inspiring community-based project, giving children valuable insights into global agriculture, cultural traditions, and the importance of sustainability. Upon arrival, they were warmly welcomed by an events coordinator from the Nepalese community, who introduced them to the farm’s purpose and role in bringing people together.     One of the highlights of the visit was a talk from a retired British Army chef from the Gurkha Regiment, who shared his experiences and knowledge of food, farming, and the significance of different plants around the world. He then led a tour of the farm, explaining how various crops thrive in different climates and soil conditions. To make the experience even more hands-on, pupils had the chance to plant their own seeds, fostering a deeper appreciation for the effort behind food production. They also got to observe animals in a nearby field, further enriching their understanding of rural life. This visit was a fantastic way for our pupils to witness the power of community and cultural exchange in action. It provided a unique learning experience, blending science, geography, and social understanding, while also reinforcing the values  

This week St Clement’s celebrated their first ‘Headteacher for a Day’ in line with their revised policy.  They encourage their children to achieve their very best and Varush was an amazing Headteacher!  He flourished throughout the day, making an important call to the Aquila Trust central team to discuss finances available for some new technology.  He met with governors to discuss the available funds and calculated the cost.  He conducted other duties such as; sending an important email to all staff, writing a report, completing health and safety walk, learning walk, monitoring playtime provision and collecting pupil voice.  St Clement's are very proud of Varush for his achievements this term.  Varush, pictured below with Headteacher Kelly Lockwood and the Chair of Governors Anne Panayiotou, is conscientious and hardworking.  He is an outstanding young man and was determined to achieve the top award for the term and still has that to look forward to.  St Clement's have had an amazing term celebrating their children’s behaviour and they have made their parents, teachers and school community proud.  The ‘Headteacher for a Day’ is a celebration day and also an opportunity to develop important skills for the workplace, raise aspirations and develop literacy skills.  Each of the activities that Varush engaged with was purposeful and planned to develop confidence.  He flourished though out the day and when asked his thoughts he said, “It was hard work, but I really enjoyed it!” 

Ofsted praises Brenzett Church of England Primary School  Inspectors have praised Brenzett Church of England Primary School in Romney Marsh, which has just four classes for its 97 pupils aged four to 11. In a report just published, Ofsted inspectors said pupils’ behaviour was “exemplary” and that they “blossomed academically and emotionally” at the school. They described Brenzett, which has not only a field and playground, but an on-site forest, as having a “joyful atmosphere” and being a “caring, safe and ambitious” environment. Teachers have “consistently high expectations and pupils meet them impeccably well,” the inspectors said. “The values of gratitude, friendship, respect, community and resilience permeate school life from the classroom to the playground.” The inspectors praised the teaching of reading, writing and maths and the support given to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Ofsted said parents had told inspectors that the school’s caring ethos extended to families in the community. “Brilliant leadership and shared values ensure that this school goes from strength to strength,” the inspectors said. Until this September, Ofsted gave graded judgments to schools and Brenzett had previously received “Good”. Rowan Wright, Brenzett’s Headteacher since April, said: “We are so proud of our school. As Ofsted has said, we have high expectations for all our children and take pride in the joyful, caring atmosphere we have created.” Annie Wiles, Chief Executive of Aquila, the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said Ofsted’s findings were “testament to the hard work, commitment and expertise of Brenzett’s superb staff and the support of the wider community.”

Ofsted praises children’s “exceptional attitude to learning” at Reculver Church of England Primary School The school inspectorate Ofsted has heaped praise on Reculver Church of England Primary School for its happy atmosphere and children’s “exceptional attitude to learning”. In a report just published, inspectors said pupils “thrive” at Reculver Church of England Primary School in Herne Bay and that its “highly ambitious” teachers ensure children have a “rich understanding of the content they learn”. Ofsted said pupils “are well prepared for their next steps” and “enjoy school”. The inspectors lauded the “high-quality pastoral support” and praised how pupils who need additional support are quickly identified and helped. “Pupils have exceptional attitudes to learning,” the report says. “They listen intently and work hard in lessons. Teachers know the pupils who require additional help to behave well. Staff ensure these pupils have the skills and strategies they need.” Until this September, Ofsted gave graded judgments to schools and Reculver has previously received the top rating - outstanding. Schools no longer receive a graded judgment, but inspectors said that the school “had maintained the standards identified at the previous inspection”. Reculver is part of Aquila, the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, which is a family of 16 primary schools across Kent. The school has recently finished building new early years classrooms and has worked hard to develop a successful Special Resource Provision, which helps children with special educational needs. Stella Collins, Reculver’s Headteacher, said: “We are a happy school where all children, their families, staff and other adults work together. We are rightly proud of our school and are always aiming ever higher to ensure the best for every child - it’s excellent that Ofsted has recognised this. “I feel privileged to be leading this school and working with such a motivated and talented group of staff and governors.” Annie Wiles, Chief Executive of Aquila, said: “Anyone who has visited Reculver will know just how wonderful this school is. It is inspirational to see the hard work, dedication and expertise of the staff.” The Ofsted report can be found here: https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50264879

Kent primary wins Green School Award for 'bug hotel'   A Kent primary school has won the prestigious Green School Award for pupils’ environmental work with their local church. Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School, part of Aquila, Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, received the award for encouraging nature to flourish in the grounds of St Peter and St Paul’s Church, near the school. Pupils at the school collected natural materials from their local area to create a ‘bug hotel’. They regularly observe and care for the insects and creatures that have made it their home. Social Enterprise Kent, which runs the Green School Award, praised the pupils’ dedication to the project. Zachary, aged 10, and Olivia, aged 11, collected the award for the school and said "We really enjoyed participating in the project as it helped us learn more about our environment and what we can do to look after it." Nicholas Robbins, a senior leader at the school who organised the project, said: “We are so proud of the children and their success in receiving this award. Together, both the church and the school have worked closely to make this possible and we look forward to even more success in the new year and beyond.” “We are very active in encouraging the children to be responsible citizens. We are near the end of a project run by Global Action Plan where children are given a voice on environmental issues. The project this year was centred around recycling and the impact litter can have on the local area. The children created sculptures using crisp packets of different animals affected by litter. In January, we will begin the Blue Influencers Scheme run by Kent Wildlife Trust.”

Trust of 16 Kent primary schools celebrates 10 years A school trust with more than 4,000 pupils across Kent has celebrated its 10th anniversary with a service at All Saints Church in Maidstone. Since 2014, Aquila, the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, has grown from just one primary school, Archbishop Courtenay Primary, to 16 across the county. The school trust has built up a successful reputation for rapidly improving schools, ensuring they reflect their local communities and have strong relationships with them. Two Aquila schools are in the top 1% of primary schools for their Key Stage Two results, one of which had previously been named as one of the one of the worst schools in Kent before joining the trust. The trust works closely with Canterbury Christ Church University to ensure it is informed by the latest research on what works best in the classroom. To mark Aquila’s 10th year, each of its 16 schools put forward 10 pupils to sing in a choir of 160 young voices at All Saints Church last week. Aquila’s schools’ music leaders selected the songs. Each school also produced a piece of art for the church’s gallery. The church was filled with invited guests, parents, pupils, ex-pupils and teachers joined in the celebrations, with the pupils leading the majority of the services and giving readings. The Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, blessed the congregation and all the schools. Annie Wiles, who has been Chief Executive Officer of Aquila since 2015, said she was “incredibly proud” of all the schools in the trust and “privileged to work alongside committed and inspirational staff and children”. “We have had many successes and I know the next 10 years will see many more. We are committed to ensuring our schools work together, share their strengths and provide a great education for every pupil. “Our schools design their coverage of the curriculum to provide challenging and exciting learning experiences in a caring and nurturing environment, which is based on our strong values. We want our schools to serve their unique local communities, developing links with churches, each other and wider networks enabling staff and pupils to flourish. Through developing leadership at all levels, we want the pupils in our schools to become happy, successful, well-rounded individuals who develop into lifelong learners.” Andrew Gould, one of Aquila’s trustees, said: “The children were amazing, their singing, their confident reading and their behaviour were a credit to their families, teachers and the schools.”

6 Year Old Pupil Wins £15,000 for Primary School Six year old Jemima has won £15,000 for Sandwich Infant School by winning a competition to design a school for the future. Jemima entered a national competition to come up with a design for an “exciting and creative sustainable school of the future”. In Jemima’s imaginary school of the future, the roof would double up as a classroom for outside lessons, honey and food would be grown on school grounds and pupils would each have litter-pickers and would ride bikes to create electricity. “In my imaginary school, we will learn to be kind because when you are kind, you look after the planet and try to save it,” Jemima said in her competition entry. The competition, Get Set for Positive Energy, is run by British Gas, Team GB and Paralympics GB. It was held to help young people understand the role we can all play to save energy and create a greener future. Paralympic 100m champion Thomas Young and former Team GB 100m sprinter Ashley Nelson presented Jemima with the £15,000 cheque for her school. Leanne Bennett, Headteacher of Sandwich Infant School, praised Jemima’s “incredible design” and said the school was “absolutely thrilled” to receive the funds. The school is considering spending the money on LED lighting or double glazing. “We are also thinking about which of Jemima’s ideas we can implement at Sandwich Infant School,” Ms Bennett said. Sandwich Infant School is part of Aquila, the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust. To listen to Jemima's interview on Radio Kent click here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_kent  (10:52-10:57)

Kent Primary Pupils Awarded Engineering Prize Two Kent primary pupils have won a top engineering prize for inventing a remote-controlled turtle-shaped car. Barnaby Vicks, 9, and Emily Aylett, 10, from Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School in Dover, were praised by judges at the Primary Engineering Challenge this month. The engineers judging the prize gave Barnaby and Emily top marks for leading a team that designed and created the remote-controlled turtle car, which has turbo boosters and thrusters. The competition was held at Canterbury Christchurch University. Barnaby and Emily say they would like to have jobs that use creativity, technology and science when they are older. “The experience showed us what it was like to be an engineer,” Barnaby said. “Turtles are normally slow, but ours has thrusters and goes really fast,” Emily said. “We would love to make a robot next.” Rachael Williams, Science Leader at Temple Ewell, said the pupils had shown “great imagination and perseverance”. “We are incredibly proud of their achievement and excited to see what they create next,” she said. Primary Engineering works with more than 1,200 schools across the country. To listen to their interview on BBC Radio Kent, click here, and skip to 12:16.

A pupil at one of Aquila, the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, schools has made an astonishing five years’ progress in his reading in just four months. Luke Rogers, 11, went from reading only 143 words per minute to a fluent 309 words per minute in only 16 weeks after his school, St Clement's Church of England Primary School in Leysdown, adopted a new approach for some pupils. The school experimented with Reading Plus, a programme that encourages healthy competition among pupils and uses AI to improve reading fluency.  The primary school already has a strong emphasis on reading, with a dedicated daily time for pupils to read each day and reading challenges and competitions over the holidays.  Kelly Lockwood, St Clement’s Headteacher, said Luke had “worked his socks off” and was “a model of persistence for his classmates”. She said the 11-year-old, whose favourite author is David Walliams, is “highly motivated, persistent and has an excellent work ethic”. She said the school had found a number of its pupils were highly motivated by the Reading Plus programme “because it seems to provide a different approach to reading, which has helped some of our more reluctant readers, as well as those who were already enjoying a good book”. “Luke really wanted to be top of the leaderboard in reading,” she said. Gemma Rogers, Luke’s mum, said her son now has “much more enthusiasm for reading, especially with the friendly competition between him and his classmates about who can read the most words”. “It has really increased his motivation and his reading ability.  We are very proud of him and his dedication to his reading," she said.

Ofsted inspectors say Kent junior school is 'rapidly improving' A Kent junior school has been judged 'outstanding' for its pupils’ personal development and 'good' in all other areas. Ofsted inspectors visited St Laurence in Thanet Church of England Junior Academy in Ramsgate last month. The school, whose pupils are aged seven to 11, was previously judged 'good' overall in 2018. The inspectors said that since a new leadership team took over, the school has been on a 'rapidly improving trajectory', with 'much achieved in a relatively short period of time'. In their report, which has just been published, the inspectors found the school’s governors and the academy trust that the school is part of - Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust - have played a 'significant [role] in supporting leaders at all levels to improve the school'. “Large-scale changes in the way mathematics is taught and how pupils who struggle to read are supported is proving effective,” the inspectors said. “The significance of this is clear to see … it is impacting positively on the wider curriculum and helping to build the confidence and resilience of pupils, the large majority of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.” The inspectors described pupils’ personal development as “strong”. “This does not happen by happy coincidence,” they said. “Much of this work is based on the reality of pupils’ everyday lives and mitigates the challenges they face outside of school.” The inspectors had some suggestions of how the school could further improve, including by continuing to raise expectations of what pupils can achieve and by continuing to reduce absence rates. Sarah Graham, the school’s Headteacher, said: “St Laurence in Thanet offers a supportive, inclusive, nurturing and inspiring learning environment where children are encouraged through an aspirational and engaging curriculum to develop their knowledge, skills and character. It’s a privilege to work here.” Annie Wiles, Chief Executive Officer of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said the school’s improvement was “down to the hard work, enthusiasm and experience of its inspirational team”.

Schools Minister praises two schools in our trust for exceptional results The Schools Minister Damian Hinds has praised two Kent primaries in Aquila, Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust for being in the country’s top 1% for reading, writing and maths. Hinds sent letters of congratulations to Charing Church of England Primary School, which is near Ashford, and Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School, in Brookside, for their “very high standards of achievement”. Both schools are part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust. Some 16 primary schools across Kent are part of the trust. At Charing, 100% of pupils in Year 6 have reached - or exceeded - expected standards in reading, writing and maths, while 94% have at Temple Ewell. In his letter, Hinds said: “The government wants to ensure that every child has the fluency in reading, writing and mathematics necessary to prepare them for a successful secondary education and beyond, which is why I was delighted to see your results. “Thank you for your work in continuing the drive towards higher academic standards, and congratulations again to you and your staff for your commitment and success.” Annie Wiles, CEO of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said: “Our schools provide exceptional learning experiences and we are so proud of Charing and Temple Ewell for this achievement. “Our schools design their coverage of the curriculum to provide challenging and exciting learning experiences in a caring and nurturing environment which is based on our strong Christian values.” Angela Matthews, Headteacher of Temple Ewell, said: “These results have been achieved through a tireless and unwavering focus on ensuring that each and every child receives an outstanding education, and by providing a rich and varied curriculum that enables pupils to progress and achieve their very best, whilst still retaining a thirst for knowledge and an enjoyment and love of learning.” Tom Bird, Charing’s Headteacher, said: “This is testament to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful pupils and our caring and committed staff. “Every child in our school is valued and we have a supportive, nurturing team to make sure that each one of them feels supported and happy at our school.”