Talented teenagers from Chetwynde have been selected as the stars of the school’s next musical Beauty and the Beast.

Imogen Jones and Zofia Garbacz will alternate playing the lead role of Belle and Charlie Heigh has secured the part of the Beast in the Disney show.

It will feature the hit songs Be Our Guest, Something There, The Mob Song and Gaston as well as dance routines from the popular stage classic.

Singer Imogen, who is in Year 10, said she was enjoying the rehearsals. “It’s a great musical and the rehearsals are chance to spend time with my friends doing something I really enjoy,” she said.

Zofia, who is in Year 11 and is applying for a place at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts after she studies her GCSEs, added that with so many parts and different years taking part the musical ‘brings people of different ages across the school together’ while Charlie said there was already a real community-feel with the cast.

Katherine Parkinson, head of creative faculty at Chetwynde School which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, said the trio were selected after a series of auditions.

“There was a strong set of pupils who went for the parts but these were stand-outs and will give a brilliant characterisation of the roles,” she said. “We have chosen this musical as it has such an extensive range of roles meaning we can involve 65 children from across the secondary school in the production.”

The pupils will wear costumes hired from a professional company for the fantasy show, which will run from February 6-7^th in the school’s theatre. Mrs Parkinson said tickets would be available after Christmas and it was likely to sell out.

Pupils from other primary schools will also be invited to see the show.

Congratulations to Chetwynde Headteacher Steve Jefferson and Head of Primary Reece Edwards who have achieved leadership qualifications after going back to the classroom.

Steve secured his National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership after 18-months of expert-led coaching face-to-face and online with One Cumbria . The course is designed to lead change and improvement across multi-academy trusts and further strengthens the leadership in the school.

Reece achieved the National Professional Qualification in Headship to develop knowledge that underpins expert school leadership. He attended sessions online and in Manchester to prepare him for the next step in his career.

SCMAT is proud to recognise the important of professional development and there are a number of staff undertaking NPQs across the Trust.

It’s also great to picture our staff on the same steps where the achievements of our pupils are recognised!

#TeamSCMAT

A school that is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust and has gone from strength to strength under new leadership is celebrating achieving its first-ever good rating by Ofsted.

Chetwynde School was judged good in all areas following the two-day inspection, which covered early years, primary and secondary education.

Steve Jefferson took over the town’s only all-through school as headteacher four years ago and has successfully brought it out of a financial notice to improve and requires improvement grading.

In their latest report published today, Ofsted inspectors praised the way pupils are ‘well supported’ to achieve the high expectations staff have of them and that staff had secure subject knowledge and know pupils well.

“Typically, pupils show a commitment to look after each other,” the report said. “They have good relationships with each other and staff.

“Pupils of all ages are eager to learn beyond the curriculum through the clubs and sporting opportunities that are on offer. This helps pupils to develop their confidence and to strengthen their talents.”

They said pupils of all ages enjoy a ‘calm and orderly’ atmosphere in lessons and around the site and demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning.

Inspectors also highlighted how the school benefited from the ‘rich insights’ of staff in South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust and the Governors to support and challenge the school to continue to improve.

Mr Jefferson said he was delighted that the hard work of the whole school community staff, pupils, parents and governors had paid off.

“It has all come together and I am so pleased considering the challenges we have faced. The overwhelmingly positive comments in the report reflect where we are now and where we are going. This is a fantastic school and that has now been recognised nationally.”

Chair of Governors John Burgess said: “This is the first time in the school’s history it has achieved ‘good’ and its down to the hard work and dedication of all the staff

“To have only two areas identified for improvement is incredible and we are aware of the work that needs to be done in those areas to elevate the school even further.

“It was particularly pleasing to see the comments about the impeccable behaviour of our pupils as this reflects what we see across the school every day and is a credit to them and their parents.”

Professor Andrew Wren, chief executive of SCMAT, said: “Congratulations to everyone at Chetwynde who has contributed to this impressive report. The town deserves a school like this with its rich tradition and it gives parents a choice of all-through education, which has many benefits.”