Pupils from schools across the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust have been involved in a project to challenge prejudice inspired by the work of Anne Frank.

Ormsgill and Chetwynde School pupils listened to a talk from Martin Stern MBE who was just five years old when he was sent to Westerbork concentration camp in the Netherlands.

He was invited into schools by the Anne Frank Trust, a registered charity which hosts workshops in schools, offers mentoring and online events and has recently expanded its work into Cumbria.

Ormsgill Primary School Headteacher Mick Cull said they felt very fortunate to hear Martin’s experiences.

“Although we are talking about an event from so long ago, we sadly still live in a world where hatred and prejudice take place,” he said.

“We know that education is the most powerful tool to tackle this. Our children have already heard about the impact of the Holocaust through sessions with Lorraine at the Anne Frank Trust, and hearing Martin’s story first-hand will help them learn what they can do to be champions of peace and understanding, both today and in the future.” 

Ormgsill School pupils Georgia, Mason and Tamara were also invited to the Anne Frank Trust launch event in Millom to showcase the work they have created.

The Anne Frank Trust works with pupils aged nine to 15 and Chetwynde students listened to his life story at a presentation held at Barrow Sixth Form College.

Michelle Doolan, Acting Head of Humanities at Chetwynde School, said the Year 7s, 8s and 9s listened intently and asked compelling questions.

“This was a rare and moving event for all the pupils involved and this experience will stay with them for some time.

“Some described it as an honour to meet him and said it was amazing that he had the courage to talk about his experience others described it as ‘enlightening’ and a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’.

“Dr Stern spoke about his experiences as a child surviving the persecution of Jewish people during the Holocaust and he also talked with expert knowledge of his understanding of the origins of genocide. He is a firm believer in education as a means to changing the future and his willingness to engage with young people was inspirational.”

A popular and successful Barrow school has announced plans to academise and join South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Governors at Newbarns Primary and Nursery School resolved to join SCMAT from September 1^st 2023.

The 424-pupil school, which is rated outstanding by Ofsted, has registered an expression of interest with the Department for Education in advance of the formal consultation process early next year.

Gary Birkett, who has been at the school since 1996 and Headteacher for the past nine years, said the move would further strengthen the school and its track record of collaboration with education partners.

“We have always actively promoted collaborative working across education for the good of all children and the framework offered through SCMAT will help us to continue to build on this in a positive and supported way.

“The SCMAT is the best option for our school and the governors recognised this following extensive due diligence about our options for academisation. Governors, staff and I have held several discussions with the senior team and are impressed by their professionalism and vision for a MAT that maintains the individual character and ethos of each school. Furthermore, the strong links with Furness College and Barrow Sixth Form College will offer opportunities to our pupils which are unique amongst academy trusts in the area.”

Chair of Governors Keith Wardle said: “When we started to look at the future of the school, we knew that converting to an academy was the right thing and the SCMAT is a perfect fit for us to achieve our aims.”

Newbarns will join Chetwynde, Ormsgill and Vickerstown schools in the Trust, which is led by Furness College and formed in September 2021.

SCMAT Chief Executive Professor Andrew Wren said: “We are delighted that Newbarns Primary and Nursery School has applied to join our Trust. It is a fantastic school with a proven record of excellence under the guidance of an established and very well-respected headteacher.”

“The SCMAT has education at its heart and a focus on pupils achieving their full potential. To have a school of this calibre approach us to join our Trust really shows confidence in what we have done so far with our member schools and what can achieve working together.”

For further information about joining the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, visit the website www.scmat.org.uk or email info@furness.ac.uk with the heading SCMAT.

From the 18 primary school teams taking part in the MegaMAT Games hockey competition at Channelside campus this week Low Furness Primary School took top spot!

Yarlside Academy were runners up and South Walney Junior School were in third place.

Other schools taking part included: Broughton, Sir John Barrow, Cambridge, Barrow Island, Victoria Academy, Chetwynde, Holy Family, St Columba’s, South Walney Juniors, Vickerstown, Newbarns  and Dane Ghyll.

The MegaMAT Games is organised by Chetwynde School and supported by South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Congratulations to you all and see you at the next event!