Pupils from Chetwynde School were inspired by award-winning author Ele Fountain who visited to host a series of sessions.

Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 enjoyed the visit from Ele, whose debut novel Boy 87 is studied in school.

The former publishing editor, who has launched the careers of many other writers, spoke about her experiences living in Addis Ababa which led her to write her Boy 87.

Chetwynde School Assistant Headteacher Jill Robinson said all pupils study the book, which explores the themes of displacement and asylum.

“Ele spoke about her inspiration and personal experiences that influenced her to write about refugees, the creative process behind putting pen to paper and the power of literature,” she said.

“It was a rare chance to meet the mind that has written a book that pupils have actually read, and they clearly enjoyed the opportunity asking some brilliant questions.”

Ele answered questions on the text with the older pupils before Year 7 enjoyed a creative writing workshop.

She told the pupils the favourite book she had written was ‘Fake’ but ‘Boy 87’ will always hold a special place in her heart as her debut novel. She also hinted about a new book to be released in July this year.

An education trust is continuing to grow in popularity with more schools announcing plans to join this year.

South Walney Infant and Nursery School has resolved to academise with South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Governors at the school unanimously voted to apply to join SCMAT, which currently has six member schools across Barrow.

South Walney Infant and Nursery School Headteacher Becs Ensoll said the move would further strengthen the school.

“Our staff and pupils will benefit from the enhanced expertise that being part of a bigger organisation will bring.

“The Trust was formed with a vision that fits well with our own ethos of challenging and nurturing our children to become confident lifelong learners.

“It will also enable us to formalise our excellent working relationship with South Walney Junior School to continue a seamless transition as pupils progress through their education.”

South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust began in 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 providing excellent education across Barrow-in-Furness and the surrounding areas and will work with industry and the wider community.

Chetwynde, Ormsgill, Vickerstown, South Walney Juniors, Cambridge Primary and Newbarns Primary and Nursery School are all members of SCMAT.

SCMAT Chief Executive Professor Andrew Wren said the Trust was in discussions with several other schools who are also keen to join this year.

“We are delighted South Walney Infant and Nursery School have moved to join our Trust. We have met the staff and governors and were impressed by their diligence and commitment to further improving their fantastic school by working together.

“It is testament to the work we are doing to drive up standards in education that other schools want to come on board.”

There will be a public consultation with a chance to ask questions about the Trust at South Walney Infant and Nursery School on Wednesday 21^st February from 5pm to 6pm at the school.

A public consultation will also take place at Victoria Infant and Nursery School on Thursday 8^th February at 5pm as the school’s formal application to join SCMAT progresses. It is currently an associate member.

Pupils from across South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust were recognised for their achievements this week in the very first SCMAT Superstars Awards.

Winners from across six schools were rewarded for living the Trust’s values of excellence, respect, innovation, celebration, ambition and support in their daily lives.

They packed the theatre at Chetwynde School for the glittering event, which was held in front of staff, family and friends.

There were 34 winners from across Chetwynde, Ormsgill, Vickerstown, South Walney Juniors, Cambridge and Newbarns Primary and Nursery schools.

Chetwynde Headteacher Stephen Jefferson said it was great to see so many pupils and families attending the very first SCMAT Superstar Awards.

“There have been some amazing nominations from teachers across our MAT and you are the best of the best,” he said.

“We would like to thank you for sharing our values, which we hope will help guide you not only here but in your future education and bright career you no doubt have ahead of you.”

Trust Board members attended including Chair of Trustees Phil Huck who gave a speech and presented the awards to pupils.

“Our Trust is hard wired to celebrate success and that is what tonight it about – you will meet some simply amazing young people.”

“Our values are about how we do things and they are equally important as what we do,” he told the audience. “This evening is an amazing example of those values in action.”

Each winner was presented with a certificate and a gift voucher to mark their success.

Professor Andrew Wren said the event aimed to show how the Trust lives its vision of inspiring young people and changing lives through excellence in education.

“Each school was asked to nominate a pupil for each value with everyone from nursery upwards eligible and we were so impressed by the stories we heard,” he said. “Our schools are individual but each has a commitment to working collaboratively under the shared values of the Trust. We are delighted to bring all our schools together to celebrate the pupils’ achievements.”

Pupils at Newbarns Primary and Nursery School will have an extra incentive to read after a £1,000 donation for new books.

Les Hall, who is a local councillor and governor at the school, has donated his ward allowance for the year to the school to restock the popular vending machine.

Pupils are rewarded for work in class with tokens to use at the vending machine, in the school library, and can ‘buy’ books to keep.

Sci-fi fan Les, who represents Hawcoat and Newbarns ward on Westmorland and Furness Council, said he was delighted to be able to help.

“I’m an avid reader and when I saw one of the council’s aims was to increase literacy I decided to donate my ward allowance to the school for books.  The vending machine is a great idea to keep the pupils interested in books throughout school and I’m happy to support.”

Newbarns Headteacher Gary Birkett said: “This is a fantastic donation and we will be using it to increase the number of books available to our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils.  We are very grateful as our pupils value their reading.  Our school’s librarian also ensures they have access to a wide range of resources.”

Newbarns Primary and Nursery School is a member of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Pupils at Vickerstown Primary and Brambles Nursery School on Walney are taking their health into their own hands this year by completing a mile every school day.

Each class from Brambles Nursery to Year 6 is participating in the ‘Daily Mile’ in the school grounds to boost their brain power, concentration and wellbeing.

The run/walk is being organised by teaching assistant Stephanie Kaighan who said that 10 minutes of exercise a day can be very beneficial.

“We want all children to have the chance to enjoy being physically active outside with their friends and the pupils have entered into the spirit of it. Fresh air and exercise is so beneficial for their wellbeing and thinking skills,” said Stephanie. “They have all been very keen despite the cold weather.”

The initiative, which is part of a national scheme, is in addition to normal physical education lessons. The school plans to complete it every day before afternoon lessons with a running on-the-spot video-led session in the school hall if the weather is wet.

Vickerstown Deputy Headteacher Mark Bland said staff, including Headteacher David Holmes, were also enjoying taking part.

“This is something that brings the whole school together, a shared event that creates a sense of achievement for everyone,” he said. “It is great to see people encouraging others along the way.”

A Chetwynde School pupil has proved he is among the brightest mathematicians in the country after achieving an award in the UK Senior Maths Challenge.

Nathan Lee Cheong secured a silver award in the prestigious national challenge which is designed for sixth form students to show skills required at university level – even though he is still in Year 11.

The Chetwynde Head Boy had to complete a 60-minute paper with multiple choice questions.

“There were five answers for each question but if I got one wrong then I lost marks,” he said. “It was quite difficult as it’s aimed at A-level students but I thought I’d done alright and I am really happy with a silver award.”

Head of Mathematics Stefan Olphert said he had put Nathan forward based on his performance in the recent country-wide Olympiads.

“Nathan’s score puts him in the top 25 per cent of students nationally who are currently at sixth form which is a remarkable achievement when he is 15 years old.

“His diligence, attention to detail, and relentless commitment to logical reasoning has allowed him to become an excellent young mathematician.

“He always gives everything and never allows himself to be complacent.”

Pupils from Chetwynde, which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, will also compete in the upcoming UK Maths Trust Intermediate and Junior competitions.

Ormsgill School’s SENCO Hannah Crook has secured £2,000 of additional funding to help continue to improve provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The funding is the top level that can be awarded from Westmorland and Furness Council’s SEND Inclusion Fund Application and will be used to help support speech and language and social and emotional needs of the children.

Headteacher Mick Cull said Hannah went the extra mile for the pupils.

“She works so hard on the paperwork side of things and securing this funding really makes it easier to help our most vulnerable children.”

Hannah, who is a member of the SCMAT SEN Professional Network, said: “It’s just about getting what we need for our children, we already put so much into them so any extra we can give them is always a bonus!”