Another year of Cheviot Learning Trust

As the academic year comes to a close, we would like to celebrate lots of the good things that have happened this year at  Cheviot Learning Trust and thank everyone who has contributed to our shared success.

This year has seen our schools continue to go from strength to strength. We have celebrated positive inspection outcomes, invested in our learning environments, strengthened our work around inclusion, expanded opportunities for professional development, and continued to work collaboratively to improve outcomes for every child. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, governors and trustees, whose commitment to our children and young people makes a difference every day.

This year also marks the end of an important chapter as we say farewell to Alice Witherow and Mark Tait. We thank them both for their dedication, commitment and contribution to Cheviot Learning Trust over many years. Their leadership and service have helped shape the Trust's journey, and we wish them every success and happiness in the future.

Looking back on the year, there are many things to reflect on and many accomplishments across our schools. A few stand out as meeting our goals as a Trust. 

Our English Curriculum through Talk for Writing

We have continued the development of our teaching and learning strategy through the Talk for Writing approach.

Across our First Schools, pupils are building strong foundations in literacy by connecting speaking, reading and writing through the three stages of imitation, innovation and independent application. This work has been supported by specialist training, peer reviews and internal focus groups. The success of this has seen some Middle Schools now beginning to adopt the approach to create an intuitive English curriculum across the Trust.

Feedback from pupils, staff, parents and external advisors has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to seeing these important literacy skills continue to grow throughout the years to come. 

Supporting inclusion through EBSA training

Creating school environments where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive remains a key priority.

This year, our Attendance Leads strengthened support for children experiencing Emotionally Based School Anxiety (EBSA) through specialist training delivered by ASK Psychology. Focusing on early intervention, understanding school anxiety and strong home-school partnerships, the training has equipped schools with practical strategies including gradual reintegration, safe spaces and personalised pastoral support.

By continuing to develop our knowledge and practice, we are helping ensure every child receives the understanding and support they need to flourish.

Investing in Professional Development

Through The Three Rivers Teaching School Hub, we continue to deliver National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), including Master 's-accredited programmes with the National Institute of Teaching, helping teachers and leaders develop evidence-informed practice.

This year also saw the success of our Three Rivers Professional Development Institute, which created professional opportunities for individuals outside of the Trust. This included the Growing Minds EYFS Conference, featuring Professor Sam Wass and specialist workshops from Trust colleagues and partners. We also welcomed educators from across the region to our Adaptive Teaching and Scaffolding course, equipping schools with practical, research-informed strategies to create more inclusive classrooms.

Looking Ahead

As another successful year comes to a close, we are incredibly proud of everything our staff, pupils, and schools have achieved together. Whether through improving teaching and learning, strengthening inclusion, supporting professional development or celebrating the successes of our pupils and staff, every achievement reflects the shared commitment of our entire Trust.

As we look ahead, we do so with confidence. Building on these strong foundations, we remain committed to working together to provide the very best education and opportunities for every child across our Trust.

We wish all our pupils, families, staff and partners a restful summer break and look forward to another exciting year ahead.