CEO Thought for the Week

Hi All,

I hope you’re doing well and enjoying this spell of lovely sunshine!

This week I’m delighted to share the Ofsted outcome at St Thomas’ CE Primary Academy. This is a school I’ve known and being associated with for a long time in fact I first walked through its doors in September 2006 as a very new Deputy Headteacher! The school (like all schools) has been on a journey (please forgive the cliché) and has had its share of difficult times including going into Special Measures in 2011! However, now in 2025 Ofsted have graded the school as Outstanding in every area! We are all incredibly proud of Jo Sharples and her team and the amazing job they’ve done and continue to do.

What makes me especially proud is that when you read the report it’s clear that the school has achieved this recognition from Ofsted as a by-product of doing the right things and prioritising the needs of their children and their community. The school has not chased or pursued this “label”, it hasn’t focussed on being “outstanding” by any means necessary or tried to achieve this judgement for external plaudits or recognition. What St Thomas’ has shown is what all of us at Infinity believe which is that if you make “children the heart of everything you do” and every decision you make is about the needs of your school community then good things will follow. Whether that’s Ofsted outcomes, SATs results, external recognition, or awards. They all come from having the Integrity to do the right thing every day.

All our schools are on their own journey, and all will have their ups and downs and challenging times but together as a Trust we will always continue to prioritise doing the right thing, working to improve and we will continue to rise together by sharing our strengths, supporting each other unconditionally and championing the children we are lucky enough to serve.

I hope you have the time to read the report (which is on the Trust website here: 10347685-st-thomas-cofe-primary-146869-final-pdf.pdf ) and I want to thank everyone who has been part of their journey whether still at the school or those that have contributed along the way. Education is a team game and I’m really delighted to lead Team Infinity!

Well done St Thomas’- amazing job!

Have a fab week!

Best Wishes

Gavin