Diamond Academy’s New Start

Diamond Academy Joins Inspiration Trust Family Of Schools Diamond Academy Joins Inspiration Trust Family Of Schools

On 1st January 2023, Diamond Academy joined the On 1st January 2023, Diamond Academy joined the Inspiration Trust, becoming their sixteenth school. Inspiration Trust, becoming their sixteenth school. Diamond Academy is an open primary academy Diamond Academy is an open primary academy that caters for around two hundred children from that caters for around two hundred children from Year 3 to Year 6, ages seven to eleven. Pupils Year 3 to Year 6, ages seven to eleven. Pupils of Diamond Academy are encouraged to pursue of Diamond Academy are encouraged to pursue a range of activities including sports, crafts and a range of activities including sports, crafts and creative arts, and are taught to develop a set of creative arts, and are taught to develop a set of values and habits that allow them to contribute values and habits that allow them to contribute to the community in Thetford, and beyond. As to the community in Thetford, and beyond. As a result, pupils learn to be polite, considerate, a result, pupils learn to be polite, considerate, hardworking and disciplined. One of the school’s hardworking and disciplined. One of the school’s key values includes championing the importance key values includes championing the importance of reading, and the school encourages members of reading, and the school encourages members of the community to volunteer at Diamond of the community to volunteer at Diamond Academy (subject to DBS checks) to read with the Academy (subject to DBS checks) to read with the children, helping them to develop a natural love children, helping them to develop a natural love of reading and support their academic progress. of reading and support their academic progress. The school values local hubs like the Charles The school values local hubs like the Charles Burrell Centre and currently works with Tracy Burrell Centre and currently works with Tracy Terry, the manager of its community cafe, the Terry, the manager of its community cafe, the Engine Room, running Food Technology lessonsEngine Room, running Food Technology lessons for pupils. Diamond Academy is the sister for pupils. Diamond Academy is the sister school of Thetford Academy, which is also part school of Thetford Academy, which is also part of Inspiration Trust, and will be working closely of Inspiration Trust, and will be working closely with its Principal, Mr Carter on the transition of its with its Principal, Mr Carter on the transition of its pupils to Thetford Academy. Similarly to Thetford pupils to Thetford Academy. Similarly to Thetford Academy, Diamond Academy teaches its pupils a Academy, Diamond Academy teaches its pupils a follow-on curriculum that prepares them for their follow-on curriculum that prepares them for their bright futures.bright futures. Inspiration Trust’s own Heather Denny has Inspiration Trust’s own Heather Denny has stepped into the role of Principal of the school. stepped into the role of Principal of the school. Heather is an experienced teacher and senior Heather is an experienced teacher and senior leader who has previously led both secondary leader who has previously led both secondary and primary schools in London and Norfolk. Her and primary schools in London and Norfolk. Her previous roles include Vice Principal at Norwich previous roles include Vice Principal at Norwich Primary Academy, leading the school to a ‘Good’ Primary Academy, leading the school to a ‘Good’ Ofsted outcome in December 2019. Heather has Ofsted outcome in December 2019. Heather has also led Art and Design across Inspiration Trust as a Specialist Arts Advisor to the primary and secondary schools, developing a knowledge rich creative curriculum and developing a culture of Arts-rich schools across the trust. Heather Denny said, “I’m delighted to join Diamond Academy as Principal. Diamond is a wonderful school where pupils, staff and parents value equality, diversity and creativity - qualities that are integral for a happy, fun environment to learn! I passionately believe that education is the key to improving children's futures and that education should be inclusive, always striving to develop happy, well-rounded young people, who are fully prepared to take the next steps”. In January 2022, Diamond Academy was rated 'Inadequate' by Ofsted. The integration into the Inspiration Trust will inject funding for building works to the schools exterior and interior, as well as evaluate the current curriculum on offer. CEO of Inspiration Trust, Gareth Stevens said: “We share Diamond’s ambition to improve. We understand the importance of supporting the Principal, her team of staff, pupils and their families so that we can work together to build on the improvements Ofsted have picked up on”.

Diamond Academy on Queensway in Thetford Left: Heather Denny

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New Headteacher Joins Bishops CofE Primary Academy School

Mrs Lorraine Ratcliffe has been appointed as Mrs Lorraine Ratcliffe has been appointed as Headteacher of the Bishops Church of England Headteacher of the Bishops Church of England Primary Academy, part of Diocese of Norwich Primary Academy, part of Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT).Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT). Mrs Ratcliffe has a wealth of teaching experience Mrs Ratcliffe has a wealth of teaching experience and headteacher roles since her first headship in and headteacher roles since her first headship in September 2004. These have included alternative September 2004. These have included alternative provision, mainstream, local authority and church provision, mainstream, local authority and church schools. She was an executive headteacher in schools. She was an executive headteacher in Clacton for a few years before returning to being Clacton for a few years before returning to being a headteacher where she explained ‘she missed a headteacher where she explained ‘she missed being an integral part of the community and being an integral part of the community and getting to know the children and families.’getting to know the children and families.’ Mrs Ratcliffe lived and trained in Sheffield and Mrs Ratcliffe lived and trained in Sheffield and moved to Suffolk in 2004 for her first headship. moved to Suffolk in 2004 for her first headship. She trained at the University of Cambridge to She trained at the University of Cambridge to take two PGCEs and a PG Dip in educational take two PGCEs and a PG Dip in educational research. She also has a SENDCo award, which research. She also has a SENDCo award, which she gained, through the University of Cambridge.she gained, through the University of Cambridge. On her appointment she said: “I am incredibly On her appointment she said: “I am incredibly proud to be the Headteacher of the Bishop’s proud to be the Headteacher of the Bishop’s Church of England Primary Academy. The staff Church of England Primary Academy. The staff team are one big family. Their dedication to giving team are one big family. Their dedication to giving the children the best education is an inspiration. I the children the best education is an inspiration. I look forward to working with them to grow our links look forward to working with them to grow our links with the community”.with the community”. Mrs Ratcliffe was delighted with the outcome of Mrs Ratcliffe was delighted with the outcome of their recent Ofsted inspection where the school their recent Ofsted inspection where the school was graded as requires improvement with good was graded as requires improvement with good for Early Years and the provision for Personal for Early Years and the provision for Personal Development.Development. Oliver Burwood, CEO of Diocese of Norwich Oliver Burwood, CEO of Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) said: Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) said: “We are delighted to welcome Mrs Ratcliffe “We are delighted to welcome Mrs Ratcliffe to Bishop’s. She is a hugely experienced and to Bishop’s. She is a hugely experienced and talented headteacher with exactly the skills and talented headteacher with exactly the skills and knowledge needed to lead The Bishops on to further improvement. DNEAT has a very strong focus on The Bishop’s Academy and its success is important to everybody at The Trust”. Mrs Ratcliffe moved to Norfolk at Easter and lives with her husband and two dogs. She has a grownup daughter who is also a teacher. Mrs Ratcliffe takes over the role from Interim Headteacher, Chris Read, who returns to DNEAT’s central leadership team, and she will continue to build upon his good work.

Mrs Ratcliffe with pupils from Bishops CofE Primary

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