Carew Academy 
New strategy launched at Central Teams Development Day
Colleagues from Central Teams came together for our annual Development Day on Monday 5th July at Epsom Downs racecourse.
Laurie Cornwell opened the day with a fun music quiz, where staff were challenged to name the artist and the tune. All the music had a core message of ‘Thank you’ and Laurie took the opportunity to thank staff saying “You are an essential cog in the OHCAT wheel.”
The main message of the day was delivered by Ian Valvona, Interim CEO, when he presented the new strategy, which he summed up as, “By 2030, the College and Trust will be leading providers of innovative special education, delivering life changing and life-enhancing outcomes for children and young people.”
He outlined the five strategic objectives as educational outcomes, quality and safeguarding, growth and specialism, nurturing talent and efficiency. He said the new strategy underlined that the two organisations (Orchard Hill College Academy Trust and Orchard Hill College) have one clear purpose and an unshakeable commitment to collaboration.
He concluded, “Good things happen when we come together and work together. We need you to help us go outside and shout about what is so great about everything we do for our learners.”
A memorable highlight of the day was a powerful performance from Student Safeguarding ambassadors of their rap ‘If not you, who?’ which focused on personal responsibility and speaking up. It promotes the central safeguarding message and the importance of a safeguarding culture across the organisation.
There were also spotlights on schools including the welcome video from the newly opened Nightingale Priory Lane and presentations by the team at Addington Valley Academy (AVA) and Brantridge School
John Reilly, Principalof AVA, spoke about the importance of a building a community and the three pillars that underly all that the team do at AVA: Partnerships, Practice and Heart. He thanked Central Teams staff for their help: “Many, many people in this room have been part of the AVA journey. So, thank you for your part in making AVA the school it is today.”
Principal of Brantridge School, Dafydd Roberts, spoke about how they worked with learners, many of whom had become estranged from education, to build trust and strong relationships. He also talked about their recent Ofsted inspection where the school had been judged to be ‘Exceptional’ for attendance and behaviour and ‘Strong’ in all other areas of the new report card format. He told the audience, “Brantridge School would not have a good Ofsted report without you guys.”
During the day staff were encouraged to mix with colleagues in other departments through getting to know you activities and they also worked in groups to look more closely into the feedback from the recent people strategy.
The day finished with a group photo and the annual Staff Awards where staff are recognised for CREATE values as voted by their colleagues.
