We are looking for an organised, efficient and motivated candidate to join our central team at our Head office in Folkestone from June 2024. This is an entry level position with scope to develop. The successful candidate much demonstrate flexibility, confidentiality and a positive ‘can do’ attitude. A basic understanding of financial concepts, such as debits/credits would be an advantage. We are a small and friendly central team supporting 16 primary aged schools across the Diocese of Canterbury.   Main Duties (for full job description, please go to Kent Teach) Undertake a range of financial procedures, including placing orders, accounts payable, preparation of BACS payments, preparing sales invoices and credit card reconciliations. Enter transactions into cash book including online payments and occasional cash deposits Liaise with school staff re orders for goods and services achieving best value where possible Provide administrative support duties such as answering telephone and directing calls to the correct department. General photocopying, filing and scanning of documents to support both finance and administrative functions of the Trust Some procurement duties – Research alternative goods to obtain quotations & best value purchases across the Trust. Knowledge of audit and compliance and ensuring schools adhere to requirements of Academy Trust Handbook, Trust Finance Policy etc. All applications to be made via Kent-Teach Applications close at 12 noon on 31st May 2024 Interviews w/c 3rd June 2024

St Mary of Charity Primary School "brings maths to life" Ofsted inspectors have praised an outstanding Kent primary school for “bringing maths to life”. Inspectors visited St Mary of Charity Primary School in Faversham last month. Ofsted return to outstanding schools approximately once every four years to check they are keeping up their high standards in what are called ‘ungraded inspections’. In their report, which has just been published, the inspectors said the school had “rightly prioritised the development of an ambitious and well-planned curriculum”.  “Staff are trained and supported well to implement the new curriculum successfully. This is especially evident in mathematics, where teachers bring the subject to life,” they said. The inspectors praised the way teachers break down and explain mathematical concepts to pupils and ensure they develop fluency in the subject. The inspectors were also impressed at how the school had “created a culture where books are shared and enjoyed by all”. They said pupils are “polite, thoughtful and caring to each other”. “Pupils enjoy being at school … expectations are high and classrooms are calm and purposeful places to learn”.  One parent told inspectors that “teachers have been thoughtful about the support they provide and have enabled my child to be a successful and happy member of the school community”. There were three suggestions to further improve the school, which include giving extra support to pupils in the early stages of learning to read. Louise Rowley-Jones, the school’s Headteacher, said: “We are all so proud of our school. It is a safe, lively and purposeful place to work and learn. The staff team work relentlessly to ensure that children have the very best educational opportunities. In the last two years there have been big developments in our curriculum to ensure that children achieve the very best in Reading, Writing and Maths. We welcome the opportunity to showcase the school further at our next graded inspection”. St Mary of Charity is part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust. Annie Wiles, Chief Executive Officer of the trust, said the inspectors’ comments were “testament to the enormous dedication and high-quality of the school’s staff and the strong relationship between the school and its local community”.

As part of a week of visits in Holy week, the Archbishop of Canterbury visited Archbishop Courtenay School in Maidstone. It was a huge privilege to host the Archbishop, and for the children to have the opportunity to ask him questions. Watch the video below from KMTV:  

Schools Minister congratulates Dover primary school on exceptional results   The Schools Minister Damian Hinds has praised a Dover primary school for being in the country’s top 1% for reading, writing and maths. Hinds sent a letter of congratulations to Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School in Brookside for its “very high standard of achievement”. Some 94% of pupils at the primary school, which is part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, have reached - or exceeded - expected standards in reading, writing and maths in Year 6. 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.” Angela Matthews, Headteacher of Temple Ewell, said: “We are delighted with these results and pleased that the hard work and dedication of both our wonderful pupils and our caring and committed staff have been recognised in this way. “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.” Annie Wiles, CEO of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said Temple Ewell’s results were further proof that the school supported pupils to “become happy, successful, well-rounded individuals who develop into lifelong learners”.

Aquila December 2023 Newsletter

New Romney primary school praised by Church of England inspectors   Church of England inspectors have heaped praise on St Nicholas CE Primary Academy in New Romney, describing it as having “life-changing impact across the community” and “inspirational leadership”. A quarter of all primary schools are Church of England establishments and St Nicholas is one of 16 academies that are part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust. All Anglican and Methodist schools are inspected by the Church of England; this is separate to Ofsted inspections. A Church of England inspection focuses on the impact of the school’s Christian vision and is called a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools Report (SIAMS). There are no gradings - inspectors simply state whether the school is living up to its foundation as a Church school. Inspectors, who visited St Nicholas in November, said the school was more than achieving this aim. They said the school had “exceptionally strong partnerships” which “impact positively on people’s lives producing lasting change”. “The school values of ambition, community, friendship, perseverance, respect and trust are intrinsically woven through the vision,” inspectors said. “Pupils rightly explain how these values support all to thrive. Everyone in the school aspires to ‘be a Barnabas’, creating a culture of kindness and support.” The inspectors particularly praised how the school’s more than 400 pupils look for opportunities to make a positive difference to the world. “Writing to the prime minister, older pupils show a mature understanding of the plight of child refugees arriving on boats,” the inspectors said, while other pupils have requested a ban on laminating in school after learning about climate change. “Pupils have also worked together to set up a permanent community food cupboard within the school … after recognising that food poverty was an ongoing concern not limited to the season of harvest.” The inspectors praised the school’s curriculum as “exciting, fun, imaginative” and linked to local history and issues. “Leaders ensure that the wide and varying needs of the pupils are met through the broad and rich learning on offer,” the inspectors said. Christopher Dale, St Nicholas’s Headteacher, said: “We are proud to be a welcoming, inclusive and aspirational learning environment with our community at our heart. “We are delighted that the inspectors recognised our many strengths. We will continue to do our very best for our pupils and our wider community.” Annie Wiles, CEO of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said: “This is testament to the hard work and committed and excellent team at St Nicholas’s who put the needs of pupils at the centre of everything they do.”   Notes to editors:   The SIAMS report can be found here: file:///C:/Users/jessi/Downloads/SIAMS%20report%20St%20Nicholas%20Church%20of%20England%20Primary%20Academy,%20New%20Romney%20142814%20301123.pdf   Please find attached an image of the school attached.   For any further information, please contact Jessica Shepherd on jessica@sparrowhawkcommunications.com or 07957147308    

We currently have three vacancies at Aquila Trust head office, applications are now open for the following roles: Head of Human Resources (P/T) Governance Manager (P/T) Finance Officer (P/T) To apply to any of these roles, please use Kent Teach. Closing date for applications is 5pm 30th November Interviews to take place week commencing 4th December Position to start in January 2024. Good luck!

Brenzett School PTFA are hosting their very first quiz night next Friday, 24th November! Come along and support them to raise funds for the school. Just £15 per table (up to 6 people a table), plus there will be a raffle and a high-low win game. Bring a bottle and snacks!  7:30pm start

Primary school applications are now open! For children starting school in September 2024 applications for both reception year and year 3 (junior school) opened today, Friday 3rd November, and will close on Monday15th January. You can apply for up to 3 schools, and please note the following: List the schools in the order of preference. It is in your best interest to list 3 schools. Naming only one school does not guarantee your child a place at that school, or give priority for a place over another child. You are not able to name the same school more than once. For more information on any of our schools or to book in for a viewing, take a look at their websites: All Souls' CE Primary School, Archbishop Courtenay CE Primary School, Brenzett CE Primary School, Charing CE Primary School, Charlton CE Primary School, Eastchurch CE Primary School, Kennington CE Academy, Kingsnorth CE Primary School, Reculver CE Primary School, Sandwich Infant School, St Clements' CE Primary School, St George's CE Primary School, St Laurence Juniors, St Mary of Charity CE Primary School, St Nicholas CE Primary Academy, Temple Ewell CE Primary School Applications are processed between 6 November 2023 and 16 April 2024. For more information and to apply, please head to KCC's website.