The group from Martello Primary was joined by six Sixth Form students from Turner Sixth Form, who are also part of Turner Schools.

The Sixth Formers helped the teachers to supervise the seven and eight year olds taking part in the trip.

Etchinghill Golf Club is set in 200 acres of rolling Kent countryside against the backdrop of the Elham Valley.

The club prides itself on having three golf courses and a driving range, as well as a restaurant and function room. 

Oscar in Year 4 thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon: “It was very fun because I have never played before. If you learn how to play it could be the best sport ever!”

Nestor, who is also in Year 4, said: “I really like it because everybody is cheering each other on to get a point.”

George added: “I like being at a real golf course, not many people get to come here.”

Michael Airey, the children’s class teacher, said: “I wanted the children to have the chance to experience playing golf on a professional course.

“The pupils really enjoyed the afternoon and hope it will inspire them to consider taking up the sport in the future.

“Learning a sport can offer so many benefits in life, such as keeping fit and healthy and building new friendships and contacts.”

From discussions on living with neurodiversity to hearing from speakers from different faiths and cultures, students in the trust’s schools across Folkestone and Dover have heard more about other people’s life experiences.

Boxer Josh Kennedy talked about how he had coped with living with ADHD, from his struggles at school to how boxing had helped him turn his life around. In an interactive assembly, he invited staff to take part in a ten second boxing exercise to the delight of watching students.

Musical treats included Maha Rai, a key figure within the Nepalese community, who prides himself in multiculturalism, engaging with students through his indigenous drumming and dancing.

Meanwhile, some innovative students from Folkestone Academy and an ex-student brought their Roma jazz band to Morehall and Folkestone Primary, showcasing  traditional music from the Roma community, with the songs all about love and family.

Students at Turner Free School heard about diversity in politics from local district councillor Abena Akuffo-Kelly, who spoke to current T6 students and Year 11s ,about her transition from a teaching career into politics. 

Multi-faith talks included one from a local imam from the Folkestone Mosque, who spoke with students about the five pillars that the islamic faith is built upon and the celebration of Ramadan, while teacher Mr Nijjer shared his Sikh beliefs.

The students also heard a powerful talk from Lea Baynes about the importance of accepting who you are for you and being proud of all you represent by sharing his inspirational experiences about his transition.

Turner Free School, Folkestone Academy , and Dover Christ Church Academy (DCCA) also  heard from Kim and Andy from the Kenwood Trust, who talked to them about the importance of making the right choices in life, and the destruction that any substance abuse can bring, with their powerful message bringing silence to assembly halls.

Students also enjoyed local trips as part of the week including one to The Beacon cafe on Guildhall street, where they engaged with the staff, and enjoyed having cakes, hot drinks.

Elise Tordecilla, Stakeholder Engagement Manager from Turner Schools said:

“‘Celebrating and discussing diversity in all its forms is a key way for young people to learn how to show respect to others and to learn from one another through others’  life experiences.

“It is important for children to learn that it is our differences that help to make the world a better and more interesting place, whether that be through race, culture, life experience, being neurodiverse, or through our sexual orientation.

“I want to thank everyone for taking part in Diversity week and for the staff and pupils at Turner Schools for ensuring everything ran smoothly and for making our speakers feel so welcome.”

The IQM is a national award which recognises the work that staff at Martello Primary, part of Turner Schools, does to support students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

Key highlights from the report include: 

• Aspirations and expectations at Martello Primary are “exceptionally high”, and school staff work to make sure inclusion is “central to the school’s vision and values”. The assessor also noted that staff are “effective role models” and clearly show their understanding of the complex needs of many of their pupils.

• Staff are clearly “highly valued” by school leaders and supported by the inclusive culture so they receive regular development and training. This means they can adapt their teaching as necessary so that every child can benefit.

• Martello uses external support effectively and works well with parents to ensure they are able to access all possible support. 

• Governors are knowledgeable about inclusion and help make sure all children are taught as effectively as possible. 

• There is regular analysis and monitoring of children’s needs so that it is clear when action should be taken and what this should be. These interventions are closely studied to see how they can be improved in the future. 

• The bespoke curriculum at Martello Primary is designed to ensure all children can raise their aspirations and are challenged to try new things. The ‘Turner 25’ provides them with a range of unprecedented opportunities beyond the classroom, helping them see life in a different light and learn more about the world around them. 

• All staff have an “unflinching focus on improving outcomes” so no child is left behind, regardless of their challenges. This is underpinned by a shared compassion, with staff united in their belief that every child deserves the best possible start to life. 

• The school has dedicated spaces for children with SEND and works well with other local schools and external agencies to make these as effective as possible. 

• There is a calm and “purposeful atmosphere” throughout the school which ensures every child is in the right mindset to learn effectively, while making sure everyone feels safe and supported. 

• Support staff work well with teachers and parents to build relationships and improve attendance. The school implements bespoke support programmes for children struggling with attendance so that they are able to regularly attend school. 

• Martello Primary is “a shining example of inclusive practice”. Staff are ambitious for their pupils, are aware of what is possible, and support parents to do the best for their children. 

To be eligible for the IQM, Martello staff filled out a comprehensive self-evaluation of how Martello is inclusive across all areas of school life. They then had a whole-day assessment where a trained evaluator came to school to meet with pupils, staff, school leaders and parents, before agreeing the school was worthy to be named a Centre of Excellence. 

Natalie Barrow, Principal at Martello Primary, said: 

“We are all delighted to be named a Centre of Excellence and to be awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark. Our team works so hard to make sure every pupil receives a great education, regardless of their individual challenges, and are so great at adapting their teaching so that everyone can benefit.

“I was so pleased that the assessor specifically commented on how we ‘just make inclusion work’ here, and how the whole school feels like a family. It was also fantastic that they included in their report our Year 6 pupil saying that ‘Martello was a small school with big memories’ as our staff work so hard every day to make sure that is the case.” 

The initiative, spearheaded by Kate Yates, Forest School Lead at Martello, came about after the Woodland Trust donated 270 trees to the school. Kate and the school leadership decided to mark the planting of these trees by dedicating a day to helping children understand how the natural world around them enters into their classroom learning. 

To make this happen, every teacher at Martello designed their own tree-based activity to form part of a different lesson:

• The Reception class immersed themselves in a Forest School experience;

• Year 1 explored the impact trees make on the natural world around them as part of their Personal, Social and Health Education;

• Year 2 looked at the work they could do with this wildlife with their Design and Technology knowledge;

• Year 3 embraced their creativity as they delved into tree-based Art;

• Year 4 took on learning about where different trees come from as part of their Geography work;

• Year 5 learned about the natural workings of trees in a Science lesson; and

• Year 6 honed their English skills by presenting information on trees to each other.

Throughout the day, the children had the opportunity to rotate between classes, fostering cross-year interactions as well as a wider understanding of the importance of trees. This interdisciplinary approach not only enriched their knowledge but also created an engaging and immersive learning environment.

All the activities tied in with one of Martello’s core values: Responsibility. Throughout the day, pupils learned more about how to take care of trees and the collective responsibility we all share in helping to preserve and nurture the world around us. 

The highlight of the day came at 1430 when the entire school, from the youngest Reception children to the eldest Year 6 pupils, as well as the entire staff team, gathered on the school field. In an inspiring display of unity, everyone there took part in the ceremonial planting of a tree, marking a collective commitment to environmental stewardship.

Pasha Year 6 said : 

“It was really fun to experience different activities throughout the day and enjoy the day with teachers who we might not see everyday. My other classmates also seemed really engaged and we could tell the teachers had gone to a lot of  effort to prepare such a wonderful day for us. The day went far too quickly.”

Lana Year 4 said:

“It was fun planting the tree as a whole school at the end of the day , my favourite activity was DT and getting to make a working toy.”

Rudi Year 2 said: 

“Tree day was amazing, I really enjoyed learning about the 4 different groups of trees through the art of poetry in year 6 with Mr Waterman.

Kate Yates, Forest School Lead at Martello Primary School, said: 

"The children had a wonderful time throughout the day, immersing themselves in activities that not only expanded their knowledge but also instilled a deep appreciation for nature. We know how seriously our pupils take learning about the environment and what we can do to protect it, so opportunities like this are vital to help them understand their place in the natural world. 

Natalie Barrow, Principal at Martello Primary School, said:

“We all loved taking part in ‘Tree Day’ and it was a fantastic success. Having each year group participate in a different tree-based activity in different subjects showed them how integral trees and wildlife are to so many facets of our lives. Thank you to Kate and all our staff for their hard work and enthusiasm in making this happen. 

“The celebration was a testament to the vibrant and inclusive learning environment we cultivate at Martello Primary School, and we are already thinking about the new and exciting learning experiences we can offer here in the future. ”

Book Week is an annual event for Turner Schools, which organises a full calendar of activities across the week. The aim is to build on the appeal of World Book Day by bringing pupils, families and staff together to appreciate the importance of literature, and the joy which can be found within it. 

Over the course of the week:

• At Folkestone Primary, pupils designed an Egg Box Character, dressed up as their favourite book character, browsed a Scholastic Book Fair where they could use their National Book Tokens to buy books, and were treated to a visit from local author and illustrator Katy Towse. They also decorated their classroom doors with their favourite stories, took part in book-themed dance workshops, and hunted for Golden Tickets - hidden around the school grounds where children who found them would receive a new book. The school also invited parents in for a DEAR - Drop Everything and Read - event with their children. 

• At Martello Primary, parents were also invited in to read with their children as well as to participate in a World Book Day Celebration Assembly. Children also competed to design the best potato character, participated in author workshops with Loris Owens and competed in the Big Book Quiz. Teachers also read to different classes after school and before lunchtime.

• At Morehall Primary, pupils designed a National Book Token cover, dressed up as their favourite book character, visited Cheriton Library, and participated in the Masked Reader competition where they had to guess the teacher behind a mask while they read an excerpt from their favourite book. Pupils also joined in with the Scholastic Book Fair and the book-themed dance workshops.

Aleysha, Year 3 Morehall: 

“I really enjoyed trying to guess which teacher was reading in "The Masked Reader" and I'm so excited to start reading my book that I was able to get from the library. Book Week is always so much fun!”

Louise Lythgoe, Executive Head Teacher and Primary Improvement Team Lead at Turner Schools, said: 

“We know that getting children excited about reading at a young age is key to developing a life-long love of reading. This is important for children’s educational development, but more than that, it’s about helping them realise how much joy they can find in books. 

“There’s no question that Book Week was a fantastic success and our children loved taking part in such a wide range of activities. Everyone got so involved and it was wonderful to see so much laughter and happiness across our school with such a creative range of activities based around reading.”

The five schools within the trust - Folkestone Academy, Turner Free School, Morehall Primary, Folkestone Primary, and Martello Primary - worked together and independently to organise activities as part of the trust-wide community engagement programme.  

Throughout the week pupils took part in a range of lessons, presentations, and workshops to celebrate different aspects of diversity. Guest speakers shared their knowledge and experiences; the overall aim being to develop pupils' awareness, appreciation, and understanding of those who may be different to themselves, and to inspire and provide role models for those pupils who may not not see themselves reflected in everyday life.

Some of the main activities this year included:

• Visit of Sir Stephen Wall

  • Sir Stephen spoke to pupils in Years 11, 12, and 13 about LGBT rights and what it was like for him growing as a gay man and working as a British Diplomat at a time when it was unacceptable to be part of the LGBT community.

• Visit of Wordly Wise Ambassador Mark Parrin

  • Mark talked about his physical disability and what it is like being in a wheelchair. He shared stories of some of the challenges he’s faced, such as being left on aeroplanes for hours because airport assistance hasn’t been available and having his wheelchair destroyed by baggage handlers. Mark highlighted the importance of having a positive attitude when facing adversity.

• Nathassia Devine Performance 

  • Chart topping, electronic music artist Nathhassia performed to pupils in Years 7 and 9. Her music promotes inclusivity and kindness. Nathassia also talked about her experience of being bullied as a child because of her multi-cultural heritage and the impact that that had on her mental health. She encouraged pupils to be kind and accepting of each other and to speak up if they ever felt unhappy.

• Positivity Pebbles

  • Year 7 pupils at Folkestone Academy spent the week reflecting upon aspects of diversity that were important to them. They each decorated a pebble to promote inclusion and kindness which they then placed in areas around the town.

• Books for Change

  • Emily Ghassenpour from Books for Change worked with pupils throughout the primary schools, delivering anti-racism workshops. She encouraged pupils to reflect upon what we mean by the term racism and how people feel when they are treated differently because of the colour of their skin. 

• Library visits

  • Pupils in Year 2 visited their local libraries to have a storytime session with books that promote inclusion. Staff from the library read The Proudest Blue and And Tango Makes Three; the children then had a discussion about the stories and why it’s important to have diverse characters represented in books. They then made posters for a display in the library to promote books with diverse themes.

• The Beacon Plus

  • During the primary school week, both Martello Primary and Folkestone Primary carried out activities with The Beacon Plus. Year 6 children from Martello visited the Beacon Plus Community Cafe on Tuesday and enjoyed time with the learners there, hearing about the work that they do and their goals for the future. On Thursday, Year 6 pupils at Folkestone Primary were treated to a talk from one Beacon Plus learner about autism and then they were joined by 16 other learners from the provision who spent the morning chatting and playing games with the children.

• Young Animators Club

  • Year 4 and 5 pupils at Morehall Primary participated in an animation workshop which was delivered by the Young Animators Club. They discussed what it means to be neurodivergent and then created animators that reflected how neurodivergent people might feel in different situations.

Katy Tibbles, Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager at Turner Schools said: 

“As a trust, we're passionate about developing our pupils into well-rounded individuals with open minds and an appreciation for a diverse society. Whilst inclusion is part of our everyday practice, we use these weeks to really celebrate and focus on diverse topics. Essentially, our goal is to develop our young people into well rounded, open-minded adults who appreciate living in a diverse society.”

Am’e Moris, Principal at Morehall Primary said: 

“It’s incredibly important that our children learn about inclusion. Diversity Week encourages kindness, understanding and empathy. The children have had lots of fun participating in the activities this week, but most importantly, they have developed knowledge and an appreciation for a diverse society.”  

Ben, Year 12 pupil at Folkestone Academy said: 

“The talks this week have been really interesting. They have broadened my perspective; I really enjoyed the talk on LGBT history.”

Sophie, Year 9 pupil at Turner Free School said: 

“Diversity week has made me think more about others and the importance of being kind to each other.”

Olive, Year 5 pupil at Martello Primary said:

“This week we have learnt that it doesn’t matter if you are different, or think that you are different, everyone is important and special. Everyone deserves to be treated the same way and not different because of the way they look or feel.”

The hampers included ingredients for a Christmas dinner, excluding meat products, and helped bring festive cheer to families across Folkestone. The project was funded by a £2,000 donation from Folkestone Rotary Club and £900 from Folkestone Town Council, as well as £415 donated by Turner Schools staff. This last figure was match-funded by the Trust.

Katy Tibbles, Senior Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager at Turner Schools, said:

“We were delighted to offer families across Folkestone these festive hampers. We know how tough life is right now for too many families and so we wanted to do what we could to help out. Hopefully this brought a smile to people’s faces and allowed them to have a really special Christmas. Thank you to the Folkestone Rotary Club, to Folkestone Town Council, and of course to our fantastic staff for their support in making sure we can offer these hampers.”

Sarah Morgan, Director of Secondary Improvement at Turner Schools, said:

“Our aim was to bring festive cheer to those in need and to show everyone the Turner spirit. I am so proud of the staff members who donated to this project, as well as those who offered their time to help us pack up and deliver these hampers. I am delighted that we have been able to offer these hampers to so many families this Christmas.”

The aim of the week was to broaden pupils’ awareness of what is meant by diversity and inclusion; to encourage pupils to develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding towards those who are different to themselves; and to gain an appreciation for the diverse community in which we live.

Events included:

• Neurodiversity workshops with The Young Animators Club - Pupils participated in workshops on the concept of neurodiversity and how it feels to be neurodiverse, before producing animations to reflect their thoughts.

• Anti-racism workshops with Books for Change - Pupils actively engaged in workshops delivered by Books for Change where they talked about the impact of racism and the importance of treating people equally. 

• Mark Parrin (Ambassador at Wordly Wise) - Mark delivered assemblies to Year 10 pupils at Folkestone Academy and Turner Free School, sharing his story of how he became paralysed in his mid-twenties, and how having a positive attitude has helped him to live a full and rewarding life. He went on to talk about the work he does now to support other people living with disabilities.

• Mr Lea Baynes, teacher at Folkestone Academy - Delivered assemblies at all schools about his experience of being transgender., speaking openly and honestly about the challenges he faced as a teenager and the struggles of trying to ‘fit in’ before realising that he was transgender. 

• Folkestone and Hythe District Council - Deputy Leader Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee and other Council representatives spoke to pupils about diversity in the workplace, looking at the 9 protected characteristics and why having a diverse body of employees makes the workplace a more successful and happier environment.

• Hearing impairment specialists from Kent Supported Employment  - Helped pupils to understand what it’s like to be hearing impaired and what they can do to support members of the community with these needs.

• Storytime with Dita the Drag Queen - To end the week, pupils spent the day with Dita the Drag Queen, reading stories about gender differences, using appropriate pronouns, and inclusive language. They got to know Dita, asked them questions, enquired about their job, their life, their own experiences at school, and learned exactly what it looks like when somebody, who may initially appear different in some way, is happy and confident and able to express themselves however they see fit.

A Year 7 pupil from Folkestone Academy said:

“This week I have learnt to be more respectful and considerate of other people's feelings. We should celebrate the differences between us; no one should experience discrimination.”

Seamus Murphy, CEO at Turner Schools, said:

“As a trust we embrace the diverse culture in which we live and we want our pupils to grow up having confidence in themselves, no matter what their situation may be. This week, pupils have had the opportunity to explore a wide range of issues and have heard first hand from people with diverse backgrounds. Pupils from all age ranges have approached the week with interest and maturity and I know that they have gained a huge amount from these experiences.”

Katy Tibbles, Community Engagement Manager at Turner Schools, said:

“It has been a privilege to work with such a diverse group of people throughout the week. I am incredibly grateful for the contributions made by members of the wider community and the stories that they have shared with us.”

Pupils wanted to form the Eco Council so that they could have a greater impact on the school’s environmental footprint. Making a positive impact on both the local community and the wider world is at the heart of Martello, whether it is reducing the school’s use of paper or working with the fabulous Locavore Community Garden to learn to live sustainably.

 The Eco Council’s first task will be to plan and implement a recycling project across the school to help reduce waste and take care of the environment. School leaders plan to let the Eco Council drive this project as a means of helping the children develop useful leadership and creative thinking skills, as well as a source of fresh ideas.

 To highlight the importance of using their voices for change and showing their commitment to protecting the environment, two members of the Eco Council, Rose and Wilf Ghassempour, will be attending the COP26 Climate Change rally in Sandwich on Friday November 5. They’ll represent the Eco Council as well as the wider school community with banners, passionate spirits, and their Eco Council badges proudly displayed.

When asked what she would like to change and make a difference as an Eco-Council member, Rose Ghassempour said: 

• Help nature 

• Grow trees

• Help make the community better

• Help people grow things in their gardens 

• Help climate change - help people be careful with electricity

• Help people have enough water 

• Encourage people to drive electric cars

• Help clean up rubbish 

• Be helpful and kind 

Wayne Beech, Principal at Martello Primary School, said: 

“We know that our children are deeply concerned about climate change and their impact on the natural world around them. That’s why we wanted to give them the chance to have a say on what we do as a school, and to advise the school community on what we can do to make the world a better place for everyone.

 “It is no surprise that our pupils were so enthusiastic about joining the Eco Council as they are so passionate about the environment. They are invested in what the future may hold for their generation, and for those that come after them, and they are focused on doing whatever they can to make a difference.

 “It is really inspiring to see them so invested in making a positive difference, and to see them researching different ways of improving our environmental footprint. I have every belief they will make a difference for us as a school, across Folkestone, and far beyond that over the coming years.”

Children had a range of educational and supportive experiences, including diverse storytelling from Books for Change, forest school, family mindfulness and nature connection experiences with Mindfully Present, as well as garden-to-table cooking activities with the Locavore team, gardening and foraging. They also had the chance to express their creativity with ceramics, printing with natural dyes, and even drumming.

As well as keeping children entertained, the Holiday Club gave them the chance to connect more closely with nature, to understand more about where their food comes from and to support them in living healthier lifestyles. It also helped develop social skills which will be important for the coming school year.

Kate H, whose child attended the club, said:

“Thank you thank you! This garden is a magical place and watching my emotional 5 year old relax with the friendship, drumming and hammocks was magical.”

 Ruby B, whose child attended the club, said:

“Thank you so much for your wonderful Holiday Club. My child has enjoyed it so much. It has had a positive effect on his behaviour which can be very challenging at time. He seems a lot calmer and happier in himself”

 Rosemary B, whose child attended the club, said:

“I have really enjoyed being part of this beautiful community space and project. It has been so wonderful to connect with people away from normal business. My child] has learned a lot.”

 Cherry Truluck, Creative Director at Custom Food Lab, said:

“The Locavore Growing Project team feel totally honoured to have spent their summer with this sensational group of young people.  We thought we knew how special the community garden was, but they have brought new life, inspiration and a deep intuitive understanding of the connection between healing the earth and healing ourselves.  It has been an important journey of learning and discovery for all of us, aided in no small part by a talented and committed group of facilitators and support staff, and we cannot wait to do it again. BE THE CHANGE!”

 Wayne Beech, Principal at Martello Primary, said:

“We are hugely proud to work closely with the fabulous team in the Locavore Garden, the Garden Summer school was a huge success. Providing the children with an opportunity to socialise, learn and play outside and eat a healthy meal was a sole aim for us at Martello this summer.

 “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with a lasting impact on the children’s wellbeing and readiness to learn this term. The Martello Family now encompass many aspects of the local community and we look forward to providing more and more opportunities that benefit Folkestone.

 “Outside learning, sustainable living and making a positive impact in the community are at the core of our values and the summer school embodied who we are. We love to show off our lovely little school, if you are interested in finding out more please contact the school office or Mr Beech on Wayne.beech@turnerschools.com.”