Don't just take it from us... read Lee McCormack's journey to choosing the right Trust for her school as published in TES online...

 

 

 

5 little clues that told me we’d found the right trust
By Lee-Marie McCormack, Headteacher at Parkwood Primary School, part of The Primary First Trust

We often talk about the importance of values when choosing a multi-academy trust (MAT) to join. We are all looking for alignment, a shared belief in what matters most for children. But in truth, when a school needs support, the smaller details, the subtle clues, are equally as essential to look out for, as they show whether a trust really lives and breathes its ethos.

I have spent my whole career at Parkwood Primary in Gillingham. I came here as a trainee teacher and, 18 years later, I am proud to be the Headteacher. I stepped into the role formally in February 2024, after a period as acting head. It is a school I love deeply and a community I care about. However, in recent years, we have faced challenges. Like many schools we have experienced financial strain as well as some staffing turbulence and, in July 2023, we received a 'requires improvement' Ofsted judgement.

By that point, I was already exploring what joining a trust might mean for us. I had been cautious because trusts can vary. One I looked at had a kind and experienced CEO, but no central team. It was a small trust, and I realised that as a Headteacher, I would not just be leading education, I would still be trying to juggle finance, estates, and safeguarding compliance amongst others. Then I found the Primary First Trust, and the difference was immediate and telling.

Their values aligned with ours and they talked about children first. But more than that, they showed it. Here are the clues that told me this was a trust that really meant it, and the qualities to look out for when making this important decision.

They open the doors – literally

Before we were even officially part of the trust, they welcomed me into headteacher meetings. No fanfare, no performance, just business as usual. I saw their culture in action. Staff across their schools visited one another regularly and I could see there was transparency and trust. There were no stage-managed visits, I just saw the everyday rhythms of a trust that values collaboration over control.

Support isn’t sporadic, it is “little and often”

We weren’t overwhelmed with grand strategies or week-long visits. Instead, we had regular check-ins. The kind that helps you keep all the plates spinning. This was proactive, steady and focused and was not just about accountability, but accompaniment and genuine support.

Headship is respected

Primary First doesn’t have Heads of School, they have Headteachers. That may sound like semantics, but it isn’t. They believe in giving Headteachers headspace. By shouldering the operational load, they free us up to focus on what matters most: teaching and learning. I felt respected and trusted, not managed or directed. That subtle difference changed everything.

They invested before they had to

We didn’t officially join the trust until January 2025, but Primary First has been supporting us since the previous September, entirely for free. That level of commitment told me we weren’t just a number on a spreadsheet. We were a school they believed in and were willing to invest in.

The central team provides expertise

When it comes to safeguarding, health and safety, and SEND processes, Primary First rolled up their sleeves, and the impact has been instant. Since joining the trust, they have helped us secure a significant sum of money from the local authority for essential equipment for a child, making a direct difference to their quality of life and education. That money had always been there, but we had not had the time or expertise to secure it. With the trust’s support, we did. That has been life-changing for that child, and it tells you about the practical, meaningful support that the trust prioritises.

There are always big-picture reasons for joining a trust: shared values, strategic vision and financial stability, which are vital to consider. But what I have learned is that it is the little things, the everyday actions and attitudes, that tell you if you have found the right trust to become a part of.

So, if you are a headteacher weighing up the move, do not just listen to the pitch. Watch how they work. Notice how they treat your staff before you are technically ‘theirs.’ Those are the clues that count. And for us, they have made all the difference.

Congratulations to Westcourt Primary and Nursery School on achieving Platinum status for their commitment to creative play.

 

"Westcourt Primary School and Nursery has just achieved Platinum award status from OPAL Outdoor Play and Learning. This means that they are in the top 0.5% of UK schools for the quality of the play they provide for all their children. The school has demonstrated that it takes the UNCRC Article 31, the child's right to play, seriously and is implementing all stages of school improvement in relation to play, including policy, planning, resourcing, staffing and evaluation."

Michael Follett BA Hons Ed, PGCE OPAL Founder and Director

 

 

Did you know that during a child’s life at primary school, they spend 1.4 years out at play? This means they spend as much time outside as they do in their maths lessons!   In March 2023, Westcourt Primary decided that playtimes needed to change.

 

Head Teacher of Westcourt Primary, Mags Sexton, explains how…

 

“For many children playtime was unstructured and caused them to become dysregulated, for others who were not sporty it was a difficult time to get through.

 

As a former EYFS teacher I know and believe in the benefits of creative play. Children learn much through problem solving, resilience, collaboration and creativity, therefore all our children deserve high quality play every day. In March 23, we began our work with Opal to transform play time. https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/

 

We started small by introducing low risk activities such as dressing up, chalking, small world toys, arts and craft, crates and pipes. As the project continued with our mentor from Opal we added in a mud kitchen area, a digging area, den building, loose parts for building, scooters, including sit on scooters and our biggest success - prams!

 

The zoning of our school grounds now means that all children can go to any playground and have access to the field all year round. This means all year groups mix, which is such a benefit. The start of winter 2024 was challenging, but with many kind donations of wellington boots and the purchase of all-weather trousers, the children have been able to continue with these activities all year! We still have traditional sports such as football, tennis and in the summer cricket.

 

We have already seen so many benefits to Opal play, the variety of activities means that all children can find something that interests them. Children who don't like the busyness of a playground are able to find a quieter corner to play in. Brothers, sisters and friends from all year groups can play together.

For the adults supervising playtimes, there are less conflicts to sort out and less first aid.

Opal has made our school a much happier and creative space! “

 

As part of The Primary First Trust, Westcourt Primary School has been able to share their experience and the benefits of Opal Play with other Trust schools, many of whom are already rolling out their own Opal programme.

How We Transformed Our School In Five Years - TeachingTimes

 

Head Teacher of Wainscott Primary School tells Teaching Times about the journey from Inadequate to Good!

This month both Wainscott Primary and Barnehurst Federation have achieved the IQM Inclusion Quality Mark for Schools with Flagship status.  This is a huge achievement and one that is held by only a small fraction of schools across the country.

 

News Archives | Centre of Excellence School | IQM (iqmaward.com)

We are delighted to announce that Wainscott Primary School has been graded Good by Ofsted!

Wainscott Primary School in Rochester improves Ofsted rating from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ (kentonline.co.uk)

'Schools are a vital part of the community, and a community is a vital part of a school'. Lessness Heath Primary School worked with local community groups including Bexley Allotment community, the Men in Sheds, and the West Kent Masonic Community to bring life to their green space - now a wonderful learning space for the children. #community #outdoorlearning
https://www.theteachco.com/uploads/special-issues/20240223-TP18.2.pdf - see page 34 for the full article.

Barnehurst Schools in Erith rated outstanding by Ofsted | This Is Local London

Read the latest edition here:  https://primarysite-prod-sorted.s3.amazonaws.com/the-primary-first-trust/UploadedDocument/ae1d6b40-c126-4299-aa0d-2f9279a50d3d/pft-life-autumn-2023_v.4-final.pdf

Lessness Heath and Springhead Park Head Teacher's explain how they have greened their school sites and the impact it has had on their pupils’ mental health.

 

Prioritising green spaces helped us improve pupil wellbeing (schoolsweek.co.uk)