CEO Blog - 22.5.26

Happy Friday and Happy Half Term to you all.

The latest New Bridge Newsletter is out today. You can find it here:

https://www.newbridgegroup.org/News/New-Bridge-MAT-Newsletter-May-2026/

This week, I've had a closer look at the great work going on at Spring Brook Academy.

At Spring Brook Lower, Class 7 had an exciting visit from a very special visitor. Richmond the dog came in to see them as part of their 'Investigating Animals' topic.

Elsewhere, Class 5 were out at Reddish Vale Farm and Forest School at Rivington Country Park, pond dipping and exploring woods. This kind of outdoor learning and the benefits it brings our students speaks for itself.

Meanwhile, at Spring Brook Upper, Class 7IK did a careers lesson building structures out of sticks. Everything was on offer, from roofing to construction. These hands-on, teamwork style sessions are great for building future skills.

Also this week, Class 7MH shared their 'hot pieces' in writing, which was described as a real showcase of progress and resilience.

One thing that strikes me looking at this week's content across both phases. It's a really good illustration of the 'Two Sites, One Journey' message.

A younger pupil learning to care for an animal, an older group thinking about careers and future skills. It's different stages, with the same thread running through.

The point isn't 'here's what upper did, here's what lower did', it's that these young people are on a single, continuous journey through Spring Brook, and we can see that reflected in what they're doing at each stage.

Well done to all staff and students at both sites. I hope you all enjoy a well deserved break.

Another success story this week comes from Thomas Ashton, which has successfully secured a place on the National Literacy Trust’s highly regarded Libraries for Primaries programme for 2026/27.

This is a significant achievement and a reflection of the school’s ongoing commitment to promoting reading for pleasure and improving literacy outcomes for all pupils.

As part of this fully funded national initiative, Thomas Ashton will receive a comprehensive package of support designed to enrich their reading environment and strengthen literacy provision. This includes:

500 high-quality, diverse books to broaden pupils’ reading experiences
Audiobook provision, improving accessibility for all learners
A library furniture pack to enhance reading spaces
CPD training for two members of staff, building expertise in literacy development
National Literacy Trust membership, connecting the school to a wider network of resources and support

Particularly noteworthy is that Thomas Ashton has been recognised as a SEND setting within a predominantly mainstream-focused programme. The National Literacy Trust has acknowledged the school’s specific context and expressed a clear commitment to working collaboratively to ensure the programme supports its pupils effectively.

This inclusion reflects both the Trust’s growing recognition of inclusive practice and Thomas Ashton’s strong advocacy for equitable access to high-quality literacy opportunities.

The programme also offers an opportunity for the school to engage directly with the National Literacy Trust to share insights into the challenges and opportunities around reading for pleasure in a SEND environment. This dialogue will help shape how support is tailored and ensures that the voices of specialist settings are heard at a national level.

This is an exciting development for Thomas Ashton School and for our wider Trust. Investing in literacy is fundamental to unlocking potential, and this partnership will further strengthen the school’s provision, enriching the reading experiences of its pupils and supporting staff development.

Congratulations to the team at Thomas Ashton on securing this opportunity – we look forward to seeing the impact this will have over the coming year.

What a way to wrap up Summer 1!

I hope you all have a restful break, especially as the sun has decided to make an appearance!

Clare