Willow Vale School

That’s a wrap!

Another 10‑day induction completed for our new staff across the Bower Learning Partnership.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again; our staff are our strength. They are what make our schools safe, welcoming and aspirational places that grow into genuine communities, where children and young people are supported to Belong, Empower and Aspire.

We hope our new colleagues already feel how much they are valued, and know they have joined a community where they belong, are empowered to grow, and are supported to do meaningful, life‑changing work with our learners.

A huge thank you to every colleague from across the Partnership who gave their time, expertise and energy to deliver such a rich and high‑quality programme over the 10 days. Your commitment to the success of new staff is exactly what makes this induction so powerful.

To those who joined us, we hope you’re feeling ready, confident and excited to get started and make a difference alongside our already dedicated and passionate teams.

And finally, a special congratulations to our new interns joining us this term across different areas of our schools; we are delighted to have you with us.

Welcome to the Bower Learning Partnership!

As we reach the end of another busy half-term, we wanted to once again express how proud we are, as a Partnership of Schools, to have staff who are so committed to their continuing professional development. As an employer, we are equally committed to valuing and investing in our staff in return.

This recognition from Somerset Skills & Learning, naming the Bower Learning Partnership as Employer of the Month, is a fantastic achievement. We make no apologies for speaking proudly about this award; it reflects the dedication of our whole community, and it feels like a truly positive way to end this half-term.

SS&L Avalon Schoolol Polden Bower

Huge congratulations to the amazing team of apprentices working across the Bower Learning Partnership (including colleagues from Avalon School, The Bridge School and Taunton Deane Partnership College! 🌟

We are incredibly proud of the whole team and the commitment you show every day to our pupils, our schools, and to each other. Your dedication to developing specialist skills and growing as a workforce shines through in everything you do.

This recognition is so well deserved — we couldn’t be prouder.

“Polden Bower are a really inspirational Partnership. The facilities for pupils are second to none and the approach and commitment I've witnessed towards growing their staff is wonderful.”

🎈 Congratulations to Polden Bower for winning February’s Employer of the Month! 🎈

We knew we needed to go big for this one and Polden Bower, together with the wider Bower Learning Partnership, certainly deliver! The first of our employers to take on a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant cohort, the Partnership has apprentices employed at four of their sites (including Avalon School, The Bridge School, and Taunton Deane College Partnership).

SS&L’s Development and Partnerships Director Heidi says: “Polden Bower are a really inspirational Partnership. The facilities for pupils are second to none and the approach and commitment I've witnessed towards growing their staff is wonderful. The school have embraced the opportunity of the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, giving opportunities for their teaching support staff to gain specialist skills and experience.”

Read more of their story via the link in the comments!

🛡️ FREE Online Learning Event: Understanding Child Exploitation 🛡️

Do you know the signs of child exploitation?

Join for a free awareness session where you’ll learn:
✨ The different forms of child exploitation
✨ How offenders groom and exploit children online and offline
✨ Warning signs that a child may be at risk
✨ Practical steps you can take to keep children safe
✨ What to do and who to contact if you ever have concerns

This is essential learning for parents, carers, professionals, and anyone who wants to help protect children in our communities.

📅 Visit the Avon and Somerset Police Eventbrite page to book your place

📱 Or simply scan the QR codes below
Let’s work together to keep young people safe. 💜

Our colleagues over at Polden Bower are Hiring!

They are looking for Two Creative, Calm & Resilient Teachers

Location: Bower Hub @ Somerset Bridge.

We are excited to be opening a brand‑new inclusive satellite provision within Somerset Bridge School — and we’re looking for two exceptional teachers to help shape it from the ground up!
This is a rare opportunity to be part of something innovative, meaningful and deeply child‑centred. Our new hub will offer a small group of children access to specialist teaching, while also embracing inclusion opportunities within a thriving mainstream primary school.

💡 We’re looking for teachers who:
• Are creative, calm and resilient
• Can work independently while staying connected to the main Polden Bower team
• Think imaginatively and solve problems with a positive mindset
• Build strong, collaborative teams and avoid working in silo
• Believe in inclusive education and child‑centred practice

📘 What the role involves:
You will deliver adaptive, personalised teaching that brings each child’s EHCP to life — ensuring strengths, needs and targets are understood, updated and celebrated. Your curriculum will be creative, engaging and designed to help every child thrive, both academically and emotionally.

🤝 What support you’ll receive:
• A full 10‑day induction with Polden Bower School
• Ongoing training throughout the year
• Access to our specialist team (SALT, OT, behaviour & wellbeing specialists, and more)
• Close partnership working with both Polden Bower and Somerset Bridge School communities

🚗 Bonus:
A clean UK driving licence is ideal so you can travel between the satellite and Polden Bower for training, meetings and shared professional development. Early starters are welcome — we’re ready when you are!

To apply, click here - https://mynewterm.com/jobs/123938/EDV-2026-PBS-64112 or scan the QR code.

✨ We’re Hiring! Join Our Brilliant Housekeeping Team ✨

The Bridge School and Polden Bower School are on the lookout for enthusiastic, positive and dedicated Housekeepers who take pride in creating clean, welcoming spaces for children and young people to learn and thrive.

Our learning environments matter — and if you’re someone who cares about making a difference behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you!

We’re looking for people who are:
🧼 Dedicated and hard‑working
🔄 Resilient, flexible and solution‑focused
🤝 Great at building positive relationships

If you’re passionate about supporting our schools with high‑quality cleaning and take pride in creating safe, bright, beautiful spaces… this could be the perfect role for you.

Interested? Know someone who might be?
Drop us a message or share this post — let’s build a fantastic team together! 💙✨ - https://mynewterm.com/jobs/123938/EDV-2026-PBS-13090

💧 Do you have a query about your water bill, how to save water and prevent blockages, or your water and sewerage services?

and will be holding drop-in sessions at Street Library, 6 Leigh Rd, Street BA16 0HL on Mondays 26 January, 23 March and 1 June to answer all of your water related questions. These sessions will run between 10am-12pm and 1pm-2pm

👉 To find out more, visit: https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/community-drop-ins

Happy New Year! We just wanted to remind you all that school returns on Tuesday 6th January! We look forward to seeing you all.

🎄✨ Pull out your festive knits – it’s almost time!

Tomorrow (Thursday 11th December) is Christmas Jumper Day, and we cannot wait to see you all rocking your most cheerful, cosy, and creative jumpers. Let’s make it a day full of festive fun and sparkle!

📸 Don’t forget to share your snaps – we’d love to see your
amazing looks!