Our Latest News items
Could you be our next Parent/Carer Trustees?
Date: 15th Nov 2024 @ 1:15pm
We are looking for parents/carers with the relevant skills and experience to join our Board of Trustees and play a crucial role in setting the direction of our successful trust, by representing the families and communities which we serve.
The role is an important part of our governance model; ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard.
We are looking for individuals with the skills to support the trust in its continuing journey to improve educational outcomes for children in the areas it serves. This is a fabulous opportunity for parent/carers to play a significant role in communities across the north-west and midlands.
Find out more:
To find out more about the skills we’re looking for, the application process and the Trustee role, click here
For an informal discussion about the role in the first instance, please email Suzanne Thompson at governance@theharmonytrust.org
National changes related to pupil attendance from September 2024
Date: 18th Jul 2024 @ 12:08pm
Reigate Park Primary Academy Pupils Sign for The High Sheriff of Derbyshire’s Cathedral Service
Date: 31st Oct 2023 @ 12:24pm
Reigate Park Primary Academy Pupils Sign for The High Sheriff of Derbyshire’s Cathedral Service
Pupils from Reigate Park Primary Academy were invited to participate in The High Sheriff of Derbyshire’s Legal Service last week at Derby Cathedral, with two children from the school using British Sign Language (BSL) to sign a prayer for the whole congregation.
The High Sheriff, Theresa Peltier, was full of praise for the children saying: “Reigate Park Primary Academy pupils did a fantastic job at the Legal Service; they were amazing. Feedback from the service has been incredible, with some attendees citing the delivery of the prayer by Reigate pupils and others as the most moving part of the service. I received a personal letter from one of the High Court judges who described it as 'inspirational' and 'profoundly moving.' The children encapsulated my theme of ‘Unity is Community' and I know that was felt by the whole congregation. The children’s families, school and community should be very proud of them.”
Nieve (age 10) said: “At first, I was nervous, but once I started signing, I enjoyed it. I loved meeting the High Sheriff!”
Derbyshire has the largest deaf community outside London, with over 400 people using British Sign Language as their first language. Reigate Park Primary Academy is part of The Harmony Trust and provides Enhanced Resources for up to twelve deaf pupils, provided by the local authority. All children at Reigate Park study BSL and almost all gain their BSL level 101 qualification before they leave the school. Sally Harrison, Assistant Principal said: “All our pupils value the BSL element of the curriculum as it helps them to develop vital skills which they can use on a day-to-day basis and throughout their lives.”
Karen Ratcliff, Principal of Reigate Park added: “We are so proud of the children who took part. Many adults would struggle to stand in front of so many people as Sienna and Nieve did; they showed composure beyond their years. Both children are Reigate British Sign Language Ambassadors. At Reigate Park, we place great emphasis on developing confident, resilient and happy children no matter what barriers they may face. The children did a fantastic job in demonstrating this at Derby Cathedral.”
The High Sheriff has invited pupils and staff from Reigate Park to future events to promote British Sign Language and strengthen community links.
Latest OFSTED is report is Good
Date: 15th Feb 2023 @ 1:37pm
I am delighted to share our latest OFSTED report with our families and community. Reigate Park was inspected in January this year and the academy remains a ‘Good’ school. This was our first inspection as a Harmony Trust academy.
The report begins by describing how “pupils enjoy attending this caring and inclusive school.” How they “feel safe and happy” and that “they are in eager anticipation of what they will learn.” This is a wonderful summary of the experience of our children, who are a credit to the academy and their families. We have been particularly pleased to see the acknowledgment of the impact of an inclusive education on all pupils, along with praise for our staff who are “early reading experts” and “proud to work at this school.”
Please do take the time to read the report which can be downloaded here. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the report, please feel free to contact me at info@reigate.theharmonytrust.org
Ms K Ratcliff
Principal
UK Health Security Agency back to school advice
Date: 9th Jan 2023 @ 4:03pm
Parents/carers please read letter attached.
Consultation for Admissions Policies 2024-2025
Date: 6th Dec 2022 @ 8:34pm
Consultation for The Harmony Trust Admissions Policies 2024-25
The Harmony Trust is an Admission Authority and we have a requirement for the Trust to consult on the admission arrangements for all our schools at least once every 7 years.
Therefore, we are undertaking a consultation relating to the Admissions Policies for 2024-25 for all schools within The Harmony Trust, this consultation will commence on Monday 5th December 2022 and will end on Tuesday 31st January 2023. Each regional Hub has its own policy, the schools covered by this consultation are as follows:
Tameside Hub | Derby Hub |
Greenfield Primary Academy | Alvaston Junior Academy |
Ash Croft Primary Academy | |
Oldham Hub | Carlyle Infant & Nursery Academy |
Alt Primary Academy | Cavendish Junior Academy |
Greenhill Primary Academy | Cottons Farm Primary Academy |
Northmoor Primary Academy | Hackwood Primary Academy |
Richmond Primary Academy | Reigate Primary Academy |
Westwood Primary Academy | Lakeside Primary Academy |
Village Primary Academy |
Derby Hub – The proposed amendment to the Admissions Policies is to have one policy relating to all the Derby Academies within The Harmony Trust. The wording of the policy has been reviewed to ensure greater clarity for parents and carers and compliance with the School Admissions Code and in accordance with Derby City Council’s admissions criteria.
Tameside and Oldham Hubs - It should be noted that there are no changes to the oversubscription criteria. The wording of the policy has been reviewed to ensure greater clarity for parents/carers and compliance with the School Admissions Code.
The Consultation Process
We would welcome your views on the proposed admission arrangements. The proposed Admission Policies for 2024-25 can be found here:
Derby Hub Proposed Admission Policy
Oldham Hub Proposed Admission Policy
Tameside Hub Proposed Admission Policy
Notification of the consultation is being communicated by the Trust to the following:
- The Local Authorities – including Tameside, Oldham, Derby
- All parents and carers of pupils of the Trust
- Other persons who in the Trust’s opinion have an interest in the proposed admission policies.
If you wish to comment on the policies, you are welcome to respond by emailing comments to info@theharmonytrust.org or if you have any questions, please contact The Harmony Trust Central Office on 0161 260 0482 extension 15. Any comments should clearly indicate which Hub policy it relates too.
At the end of the consultation process all responses will be collated and presented to the Trust Board for full consideration. The Admissions Policy for 2024-25 must be approved and published by 28th February 2023.
Date: 12th Jul 2022 @ 12:38pm
EXTREME HEAT - STAYING SAFE IN HOT WEATHER
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please click here for government advice on staying safe and well during periods of extreme heat. As you will know, the temperatures over the next three days are extreme (Thursday 28 degrees, Friday 33 degrees and Saturday 28 degrees) and we will all need to take great care and be vigilant on behalf of vulnerable friends and family; especially the young and elderly. ?
More information giving advice is being posted on the 'News and Events' page on the school website. ? Please stay safe - and please remember to ensure your children bring water bottles and hats toschool every day over the summer term - and that you apply sunscreen in the morning when needed. ?
Many thanks to you all.
Please see the additional links for advice and guidance for keeping yourself and others safe during extreme hot weather.
NHS Advice - How to Stay Safe in the Heat
Met Office - Tips for Keeping Cool in Hot Weather
Age UK - Advice for Staying Cool in a Heatwave
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Parents/Carers Letter - living with COVID-19
Date: 31st Mar 2022 @ 1:45pm
Date: 15th Mar 2022 @ 1:55pm
Dear Parent/Carer,
Parental feedback and input into our academies continue to be of great importance to the Harmony Trust. We believe that parents can help us shape our strategies, address challenges, and share successes.
Alongside our parent forums, we are looking for parents to help our research team evaluate the impact of Trust-wide projects on them and their children. To ensure we can monitor changes over time, ideally we would like the same parents to respond each time. If possible, we are asking that parents to sign up to answer these surveys 3 to 4 times per year.
Our first project is to look at the impact of the 1-2-1 devices (iPads for all KS2 children) on children and their families through our Harnessing Technology Maximising Learning (HTML) strategy.
The surveys will take around 10/15 minutes to fill in. They will help us identify any changes we need to make and identify successes that we can share across our academies.
Your data will be held securely and will be anonymous, although we will ask for the school and year group your child is in on each survey.
If you would like to help, please click on the link below and complete the form to register your interest.
Thank you.
Sumdog maths software introduced to all our children!
Date: 11th Feb 2022 @ 1:29pm
Everyone at Reigate Park Academy is delighted that all our children have now got access to Sumdog. It is an exciting and innovative piece of maths software that adapts itself to the child’s answers, increasing challenge when they are ready.
Your child has received their login from their class teacher and can access Sumdog immediately.
Did you know, that just 30 minutes each week increases your child’s maths fluency (being able to recall maths facts without thinking)? The questions all take the form of games and the children have loved earning coins and playing the games in their introduction to Sumdog.
You can read more about the benefits of Sumdog https://www.sumdog.com/en/parents/ or better still, ask your child to show you how it works.
Date: 21st Jul 2021 @ 4:46pm
Update : Tuesday 2nd February 2021 Lateral Flow Testing
Date: 2nd Feb 2021 @ 12:30pm
Dear Parents/Carers,
Please read letter attached.
Update: Monday 4th Jan 2021 School Closure Announcement
Date: 4th Jan 2021 @ 10:46pm
Please read latest from CEO.
Update: Monday 4th Jan 2021 School Closure Announcement
Date: 4th Jan 2021 @ 10:46pm
Please read latest from CEO.
Update: Sunday 3rd January 2021 - Return to school
Date: 3rd Jan 2021 @ 6:46pm
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find attached an important update from Antony Hughes, CEO, regarding the return to school for our pupils to our academies this week.
Should you have any questions or comments please do get in touch.
Letter to Parents/Carers - PPA Closure Arrangements
Date: 16th Oct 2020 @ 1:13pm
Please read latest.
Update: Friday 4th September - Attendance information from Derby City Council
Date: 4th Sep 2020 @ 10:33am
Please read information from Derby City Council regarding school attendance requirements.
Update: Thursday 16th July 2020 - Academy letter on September re-opening
Date: 16th Jul 2020 @ 4:16pm
Please read the latest update from the Academy.
Update: Tuesday 14th July 2020 - further information on Academy opening in September.
Date: 14th Jul 2020 @ 11:30am
Please read latest update from the Trust.
Update: Tuesday 14th July 2020 - further information on Academy opening in September.
Date: 14th Jul 2020 @ 11:30am
Please read latest update from the Trust.
Update: Thursday 18th June 2020 - Further wider opening of Academy
Date: 18th Jun 2020 @ 3:28pm
Please read latest update from the Trust.
Update: Friday 5th June 2020 - Wider opening for Year 6 children
Date: 5th Jun 2020 @ 1:26pm
Please read further update from the Trust.