CEO Thought for the Week

Hi Everyone,

I hope you've had a great start to the week and to the school year. I've been reflecting on our Trust Conference last week and, in particular, the conversations we had about inclusion and belonging.

As I drove home that evening, I found myself thinking that belonging is one of those things we all recognise when it's present, but it can be difficult to define. It isn't a strategy, a policy or a slogan. It's the feeling that you matter, that you're known, and that you're part of something bigger than yourself. At the start of a new school year, that feels especially important.

Across our Trust, children are walking into classrooms for the first time, colleagues are joining new teams, and families are navigating new routines. For some, September is exciting. For others, it can feel daunting. That is why the small things matter. A warm welcome at the gate. Taking the time to learn a child's name. Checking in with a colleague who seems a little quieter than usual. Making sure a parent leaves a conversation feeling listened to rather than hurried. None of these actions make headlines, but together they shape the culture of our schools. Our vision talks about creating communities where everyone is ready to learn and prepared to flourish. I often find myself coming back to that word: everyone. It is easy to focus on the big initiatives that move schools forward, but belonging is built in ordinary moments. It grows through relationships, kindness, consistency and the choices we make every day.

For me, that connects directly to our values. Love asks us to see the person behind the circumstance. Curiosity encourages us to understand before we judge. Unity reminds us that we achieve more when we support one another. Hope keeps us ambitious for every child and every colleague. Integrity calls us to do the right thing, even when nobody is watching. As we begin this new year together, perhaps there is one simple question worth holding onto: what can I do today to help someone feel that they belong?

Thank you for everything you do for the children, families and communities we serve. Much of your impact will never be external acknowledged or recognised, but it is seen and felt in the lives of those around you every day.

I wish you a positive and successful 2026-27 academic year.

Best Wishes

Gavin