Greenshaw Learning Trust

Construction of the Sixth Form facility at Henley Bank High School is progressing well and remains on schedule for completion ahead of the September 2026 intake.

The dedicated building will provide modern learning and social spaces for post-16 students, including classrooms, independent study areas and a Sixth Form social and dining space. Designed to support the continued growth of the school’s Sixth Form provision, the facility will also operate at net zero carbon.

Coombe Wood School Sixth Formers Complete Survival Course
Students at Coombe Wood School concluded the final session of this year’s Sixth Form Survival Course with a hands-on cooking challenge.

To mark the completion of the programme, students prepared a quiche lorraine and a homemade sponge dessert from scratch. The session provided an excellent opportunity to apply the practical independent living skills developed throughout the course.

The popular programme will return in September to equip a new cohort of sixth form students with valuable life skills. Thank you to the staff at Coombe Wood School for delivering this important preparation for the students' future pathways.

Children at Waterwells Primary Academy have been making waves this term following the arrival of an on-site 'pop-up pool' after Easter.

Pupils have been taking part in daily swimming lessons as part of an intensive small-group programme. The initiative has delivered incredible progress for all involved, from non-swimmers gaining vital confidence in the water to club swimmers developing their skills further.

The programme has been a huge success, with pupils sharing overwhelmingly positive feedback about the experience. Following this positive impact, the academy is now planning to extend the opportunity to younger year groups next year.

Thank you to the staff at Waterwells Primary Academy for coordinating this initiative and providing such a valuable opportunity for the pupils.

Wood Field Primary School recently marked Autism Acceptance Month by continuing to promote inclusion, understanding, and celebration across both Wood Field and Oak Field, its highly specialised base for children with an ASD diagnosis.

Throughout the month, pupils took part in a range of activities organised by staff, including assemblies and classroom reflections designed to encourage awareness, empathy, and celebration of neurodiversity.

The month concluded with a special celebration day where children and staff came to school wearing brightly coloured T-shirts. Each class was invited onto the field to take part in a fun-filled ‘Bubble Run’, with pupils running along a track lined with bubble lanterns before enjoying giant bubbles created by staff members.

Despite an extremely windy day, excitement levels remained high and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience, bringing Autism Acceptance Month to a joyful and memorable close. We thank the staff for organizing these meaningful opportunities for our school community.

Year 10 students from Orchard Park High School visited Mansfield College, Oxford, gaining an insight into life at a leading university.

Students heard from current undergraduates studying Law, Geography and Maths, who shared their experiences of university life, including societies, Freshers’ Week and the importance of super-curricular activities in preparing strong applications.

The visit also included a tour of student accommodation and lunch in the college dining hall, giving students a feel for daily life at Oxford.

Through myth-busting discussions, students learned that Oxford welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, with a focus on academic potential. The day concluded with academic taster sessions in Linguistics and Engineering and Ethics.

The visit helped raise aspirations, with students reflecting positively on the experience and their future pathways.

Scott Medical and Healthcare College recently welcomed local MP Luke Pollard for a visit that included a tour of the school and a student Q&A session.

Led by Headteacher Anita Frier, the tour gave Luke the opportunity to visit lessons and speak with staff and students. He later met with students from Years 9 to 13 for an open discussion, where questions covered topics such as education, careers and life in politics.

Students were praised for their confidence and engagement, with many sharing their experiences of opportunities at the school and their future aspirations.

Luke commended the positive learning environment at Scott Medical and Healthcare College and encouraged students to take an interest in their future and wider society. Staff highlighted the visit as a valuable opportunity for students to engage in meaningful discussion.

Montpelier Primary School recently took part in Big Pedal 2026, a nationwide initiative encouraging pupils to travel to school in active ways such as cycling, walking, wheeling or scooting, and the response was excellent.

We are pleased to share that Montpelier ranked 1st among all Plymouth schools and an impressive 59th nationally. This is a strong achievement and reflects the enthusiasm and commitment shown by our pupils and families.

As a reward, the school has been awarded a BMX stunt show from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust. The performance will be delivered by Matti Hemmings, a three-time Guinness World Record holder and UK BMX Flatland Champion from Fusion Extreme, and promises to be an exciting experience for all.

Across Plymouth, more than 32,400 active journeys to school were logged during the event. This is an impressive total for the city, and we are proud that Montpelier played an important role in achieving it.

We are pleased to share that Widden Primary School recently held its first Safeguarding Awareness Week, bringing together pupils and staff for a focused and engaging programme of activities.

Throughout the week, pupils took part in a range of workshops and visits led by external professionals, including dental practitioners, road safety specialists, wellbeing experts, and local PCSOs. These sessions supported children in developing their understanding of how to stay safe in and beyond school.

Staff also engaged in targeted professional development, including training with Young Minds Matter to strengthen understanding of young people’s mental health, alongside Jigsaw training on updated RSE guidance.

The week reinforced a shared commitment across the school community: safeguarding is multifaceted and a collective responsibility.

We are delighted to celebrate the success of dancers from Barnwood Park School, who recently competed in the regional heats of the Great Big Dance Off in Bath.

A total of 54 pupils represented the school, performing two exceptional routines inspired by Sister Act and Stranger Things. Both performances showcased impressive creativity, precision and energy.

We are thrilled that both teams have now qualified for the National Championships taking place this June - a fantastic achievement that reflects the dancers’ dedication, teamwork and commitment.

Congratulations to all involved, and best of luck as preparations begin for the national finals.

Coombe Wood School Sixth Form students recently visited Imperial College London for an exciting day with the university’s Engineering Department. Students worked in teams to tackle a hands-on challenge: designing and building water towers using spaghetti - putting their creativity, problem-solving and collaboration skills to the test.

The visit offered a valuable opportunity to experience STEM learning in a world-class university setting. Students particularly enjoyed the engaging talks and welcomed the chance to learn beyond the classroom.

Congratulations to our winning team! Reflecting on the day, they described it as “a very insightful experience.”