A message from our Chair of Trustees

Excellence always comes first when presenting our Trust values, before integrity, empathy, creativity and equality. But unlike the others, it is hard to connect it to how we should behave as people, and interact with those around us.

In education, excellence is all too often associated only with academic attainment; of "making the grade" in order to progress to the next level. As such, it is also commonly connected to, or confused with, elite performance and the negative connotations which can come with this.

For us as a Trust, excellence is something we must aspire to in the way we operate, and the quality of teaching and other services which support our learners, staff and school communities. We can, and should, be measured and judged on this, as it is a core reason for our existence.

But for us all as individuals, living and working within our different communities, we should perhaps take a wider view of what excellence can mean. This should focus on the idea of applying ourselves to do the best we can, with an understanding of the needs of those around us, and an appreciation of how we rely on them as well. There is no measurement system for this, but we all know how good it feels when we achieve something worthwhile, no matter how big or small, and we should be aware of the impact this may have on others. In the same way that we all like our efforts to be recognised, we need to make sure we communicate our appreciation of others' achievements. By celebrating excellence in this way, we can motivate ourselves, and others, to keep trying and to be the best we can

I hope that you have a happy and rewarding summer and, if leaving our Trust, go on to a fulfilling next stage in your education or chosen path in life. We will be back for another exciting school year in September, so until then, to borrow a phrase: "Be excellent to each other!"

Alex Fry, Member and Chair of the Board of Trustees