The Heartwood Trust

Newton Regis is a member of the Heartwood Trust, a Multi Academy Trust formed on the 1st September 2013. A Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is a government-funded independent family of schools that provides a very high standard of free education in the community, tailored specifically to the educational needs of local children of all learning abilities including special needs.MATs receive their funding from the Department for Education rather than through a local authority. This means they have much more freedom than other state schools over their finances, the curriculum, length of terms and school days and teachers' pay and conditions. Academies are charitable companies subject to public standards of accountability. They are governed by their own head teachers, senior leadership teams and governing bodies, selected by a charitable trust which oversees the running of the academy.The Heartwood Trust formalised a long standing co-operative relationship between four local church schools:

• Newton Regis CofE Primary and Nursery School
• Austrey CofE Primary School
• Warton Nethersole CofE Primary School
• Woodside CofE Primary School

Our four schools share skills and experience, gaining many benefits from being part of a collective group with more resources, facilities, expertise, specialist teaching skills and support. It means we can work together to provide a range of special additional activities to enrich the experience of our pupils, and enhance teaching and attainment. These include hosted workshops for able students, like More Able Writers Workshops, and Wow Days, which enable our pupils to enjoy themed events and activities organised by a host school. These develop skills and confidence and reinforce our strong sense of community.Every child in Year 6 has the opportunity to take part in a week long cluster residential visit along with pupils from 2 other Heartwood Trust schools. The children take part in activities such as canoeing, orienteering, abseiling, mountaineering and much more! The opportunity to mix with many of the peers who will make up the cohort as they progress to the Polesworth School helps children feel relaxed and confident when the time comes to make the move from primary school to secondary school.Our 4 schools are sponsored by the Diocese of Birmingham to maintain and develop Christian ethos and values and the Trust aims to:

• Inspire and nurture our children to be rounded individuals and the best they can be
• Ensure our schools sit at the heart of our villages
• Ensure our schools are well led and managed
• Provide high quality teaching within a balanced curriculum in order to ensure an outstanding education is provided

To find out more click here.