A growing education trust has officially welcomed its third school.

South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust now has Vickerstown School and Brambles Nursery as a member.

The 180-pupil school, on Walney, received notification from the Department for Education this month that its application to academise had been successful.

Headteacher David Holmes said he was delighted the school was now a formal member of the Trust, which is led by Furness College.

“We have been working with the team at SCMAT since last year when our governors unanimously resolved to join,” he said.

“Being part of a bigger network, and support that is bringing, will undoubtedly benefit the staff and pupils at Vickerstown long-term.

“We are already seeing progress through working with the other schools and SCMAT’s primary consultant on curriculum improvements and shared expertise in the SCMAT.”

The South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust was launched in September 2021 with education at its heart and a real focus on pupils achieving their full potential and gaining valuable academic and life skills. It is committed to maintaining the individual character and ethos of each school.

Vickerstown joins Chetwynde and Ormsgill schools as the Trust commits to providing excellent education across the area. It will work with industry and the wider community to identify what skills and expertise are needed to give children and young people the best chance for their future.

SCMAT CEO and Executive Headteacher Professor Andrew Wren said: “David and his team have worked closely with us through the consultation process and, as one of the first to join, are helping us to shape the future of our Trust. It is an exciting time for education across the area with people working together to bring about positive change.”

For further information about joining the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust email info@furness.ac.uk with the heading SCMAT.

Chetwynde School celebrated the achievements of its former pupils when it held the annual prizegiving for the recent Year 11s.

Students and their families attended the event to mark success in their GCSEs and contribution to the school community.

Speaking to the students, Chetwynde Headteacher Steve Jefferson praised the way they had come through their studies in the backdrop of a global pandemic.

“I admire the way as a year group that you stuck together and really embodied the values of the school – respect, responsibility and, in particular, resilience,” he said.

“You supported each other and we are here to celebrate that today. While you have moved onto something new, you know where we are and we will always be here to help you.”

Top academic student was James Scott-Clarke, who won the trophy for best results at GCSE, while Libby Knight and Jamie-Leigh Tyson shared the Holmes Prize for best academic improvement.

Ishana Mohan scooped the Governor’s Cup for her contribution to school and achievement across the board.

The school joined the Furness College-led South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust (SCMAT) in 2021 and the prizegiving event was held in the theatre at Barrow Sixth Form College.

Professor Andrew Wren, chief executive and executive headteacher of SCMAT, presented the winners of the 23 prizes with their awards and trophies.

“In an excellent year for your school’s GCSE results, you are the best of the best and this is something you should be really proud of,” he said.

A full list of winners is below:

Head of School’s Award for best results at GCSE		James Scott-Clarke
The Holmes Prize for best academic improvement		Libby Knight & Jamie-Leigh Tyson
The Governor’s Cup – Student of the Year	Contribution to the school/Head Girl/Achievement across the school	Ishana Mohan
The Simon Spencer Award for Current Affairs		Casper Barlow
The Billingham Cup – Awarded for Perseverance		Alex Blake
The Computer Science Award	Hard work and effort	Anastasia Cooper
The Les Rigg Trophy for Outstanding Achievement in Sports	Hard work and effort	Jamie-Leigh Tyson
The Martin Pears Trophy for Outstanding Achievement in Sport	Hard work and effort	Josh Blinkhorn
The GCSE English Prize	Hard work and effort	Kate Hardman
The French Prize for GCSE	Hard work and effort	Anastasia Cooper
The Dr Glenn Morris Cup for GCSE Mathematics	Hard work and effort	Ishana Mohan
The BDAE Stem Award for GCSE	Hard work and effort	Scarlett Jones
The GSK Design & Technology Trophy	Hard work and effort	Kate Hardman
The Cornelius Kelliher Trophy for GCSE Geography	Hard work and effort	Jamie-Leigh Tyson
The Evans History Trophy for GCSE	Hard work and effort	Joe Turner
RS Prize for GCSE	Hard work and effort	Zara Spedding
The Chas Kendall Trophy for Drama & Theatre Studies	Hard work and effort	Noel Mallon
The SJL Art Award	Hard work and effort	Libby Knight & Zara Spedding
The GCSE Biology Award	Hard work and effort	James Scott-Clarke
The GCSE Chemistry Award	Hard work and effort	Jolie Travis
The GCSE Physics Award	Hard work and effort	Isaac Barber
The 11KPE Form Achievement Award	Academic achievement across all subjects	Jolie Travis
The 11SC Form Achievement Award	Academic achievement across all subjects	Paris Kendall

Furness College has teamed up with Ormsgill Primary School to offer a ‘help with homework’ maths club for parents.

The free, six-week pilot is part of the Government-backed Multiply Programme to support adults in improving their numeracy skills.

Parents will be tasked with learning key mathematical topics and methods that will enable them to support their child with homework, improving both understanding and confidence.

Ormsgill School Headteacher Mick Cull said there would be places for up to ten parents on the pilot, which will start next week.

“We really value the partnership between home and school and see this as a great way to help parents support their children’s learning,” he said. “This will all take place in a relaxed and familiar setting with school staff that the parents know well. I’d encourage anyone who is interested to take part. It promises to be lots of fun and we look forward to seeing this project develop further.”

In total, £270million is being allocated nationally of which Cumbria has been allocated £2.3million to be used over the next three financial years. It is part of the government’s levelling up mission to ensure that by 2030, the number of people successfully completing high-quality skills training will have increased.

Hilary Johns, Furness College’s Head of Faculty for Academic Programmes, is supporting the scheme that will be led by Ormsgill School Teaching Assistant Jackie Mayvers. Hilary said the college successfully secured funding for the programme, which was a fantastic opportunity for adults to upskill.

“We wanted to support parents when working with their children on maths concepts because we recognise the challenges they face. Sometimes parents are keen to help but may not have done so well at school themselves or were taught in a different way. This will be in a community setting, rather than a classroom, and the aim is to build their confidence.

“It is vital to create a positive culture around learning maths skills in order to support a child’s studies at home and, in the longer term, to unlock job opportunities,” she said.

Similar schemes are planned at Chetwynde and Vickerstown schools, both part of the Furness College-led South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, in the future.

Pupils swapped their uniform for bright pink clothing and raised £1,100 for charity at a Wear It Pink day at Vickerstown Primary School and Brambles Nursery.

They made a £1 donation to wear their own clothes and there was also a cake and treats sale, including creatively decorated digestive biscuits, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The event was organised by Leah Sanderson, a childcare assistant at Brambles Nursery, who also ran a raffle to help raise vital funds for research into the disease.

“I am overwhelmed with the amount we have raised,” she said. “The breast cancer charity means a lot to me and my family and I honestly am so grateful for all the support and donations. A massive thank you to everyone, it is really appreciated.”

Raffle prizes were donated by businesses including Soul Bowl, Jump Rush, The Diamond, Salvana’s, Tailors Bar and Lounge, The Ferry, Pea Oui & Co, AJ’s Bistro, Smiler’s Café , The King Alfred , Priory Plaice and Bluebell & Ivy.