The project came about after Kent County Council's 'Reconnect' fund donated nearly £5,000 to Academy FM Folkestone to offer local children new opportunities. In total, the Academy FM team worked with 50 children from Martello Primary, Folkestone Primary and Morehall Primary.

Scripts were written by the Project Leaders and designed to meet the children’s ability levels and objectives, with the Martello Primary and Folkestone Primary pupils working in groups of five. The Folkestone Academy groups, who chose to record an act of A Midsummer Night’s Dream worked in larger groups.

Pupils from all three schools practised their scripts repeatedly with regular and positive feedback from the Academy FM team, before recording in the Academy FM studios as well as a range of interior and exterior locations across the schools. Sound effects and other production were added afterwards to ensure the finished pieces were as entertaining and realistic as possible.

Academy FM's impact is clear to see in Primary school surveying:

• 100% of children agreed they enjoyed the radio activities

• 89% said it had improved their confidence after the pandemic

• 84% said the project had helped them to speak more confidently

• 66% said the radio activities had helped them enjoy school and their learning more

• 95% would like to do similar activities as a regular opportunity

• 89% would like more opportunities to do radio drama or presenting.

A selection of the radio pieces were then turned into a video which can be found here.

David Sharp, Academy FM Manager, said:

“It was great to get the support of KCC and their Reconnect fund for this project. It was clear the children were interested in trying new things after the disruption of Covid and this was a great opportunity to work on their creative skills. They tackled every task with enthusiasm and a clear desire to improve, and over time it was clear to see their confidence and ability increasing.

“This was unquestionably one of the best projects we have worked on to date and we all loved seeing how much it meant to these children. We have gone onto a much bigger 'Reconnect Radio' project supported by KCC, which sees us working with 12 schools across Kent”

Seamus Murphy from Turner Schools, said:

“Thank you to KCC's Reconnect fund, and the Academy FM team for their hard work in designing and running this incredibly valuable project for our children. It’s obvious how much this has helped the children develop their creative and performing skills, as well as their confidence in their daily lives. This is a fantastic example of the exciting opportunities that our schools offer outside of the classroom as part of our wider provision.

Notes:

The project was planned by David Sharp, Station Manager at Academy FM Folkestone with advice from Sadie Hurley of Jim Jam Arts. It was delivered by Lucy Thompson (freelance drama practitioner) and Katherine Castle (an experienced Teaching Assistant with a BA in Drama who currently works at Academy FM).

The Ofsted inspectors noted that school leaders at Martello are ambitious for their pupils and have ensured the school is well managed at all levels. Pupils feel safe while at school and agree that teachers are kind, while staff develop warm and caring relationships which allow them to get the best out of their classes.

The inspectors also highlighted the support of leaders within Turner Schools who work closely with the team at Martello to ensure teachers receive highly effective professional development. This has led to teaching becoming increasingly expert, particularly in reading and mathematics which are key priorities at the school. Teachers spoke highly of the development opportunities they are offered and the trust-wide opportunities they have to share expertise with other schools.

Key highlights recognised in the report include:

• School leaders have carefully considered each subject and where it fits into the wider school curriculum to ensure this is well-structured. This ensures that lessons are interesting and engaging which means that pupils are happy to work hard in the classroom. The mathematics curriculum was highlighted as being particularly well designed to ensure pupils start with a secure base of learning before being introduced to more complex problems.

• Teaching children how to read is a key priority at Martello. In the Early Years provision children develop speaking and listening skills, and improve their vocabulary, which allows them to make good progress in reading. This is well monitored so that any pupil at risk of falling behind can be identified in good time and given the support to help them catch up quickly.

• Pupils are happy and confident learners and speak very positively about their school. They know they can speak to staff if they have any concerns and are confident they will be listened to. They have a mature understanding that everyone is different, and that respect and tolerance are crucial to maintaining good relationships with each other.

• Pupils are also provided with a number of opportunities to develop responsibilities, such as older pupils training as playground leaders to support their younger peers during playtime and other breaks in the school day. Behaviour across the school is good and pupils find their classes enjoyable. They try hard even when challenged.

• Leaders have made the school a focal point of the community and provide valuable support for pupils and their families. Parents were happy to speak to the Ofsted inspectors and highlight the compassion that the Martello team showed for the families of their pupils.

• Pupils with special educational needs are well supported as specialist teachers’ knowledge and expertise is shared across the staff body. Parents are also offered help, guidance and support with their children to support their learning and wellbeing at home. These children are given effective support and adaptations to make sure they can still access the curriculum and thrive with their education.

Louise Lythgoe, Executive Head Teacher at Martello Primary School, said:

“Martello Primary is a wonderful school. We are incredibly proud of the children and staff and delighted that Ofsted have recognised and commended everything that we are doing to ensure pupils are well taught and cared for. Thank you to our families for their support and contribution to Martello’s success. We look forward to enhancing provision further as we build on what has been achieved so far.

Seamus Murphy, CEO at Turner Schools, said:

“Congratulations to Louise, her team, and everyone at Martello Primary School on this glowing Ofsted report which recognises everyone’s hard work. It is clear to see that pupils here are receiving the best possible start to life, and I am so pleased that the inspectors got to see what makes this school so special. To be declared a Good school is a fine achievement, and I am delighted for them.”

During the final showcase prizes were awarded by a panel of judges including renowned actress Jessica Hynes, Seamus Murphy, CEO of Turner Schools, Krissy Yates, Principal at Turner Free School and Local Councillor Jackie Meade.

The Turner’s Got Talent crown was taken by winners Holly, Peter, Zach and Josh from Folkestone Academy who performed ‘Come as you are’ by Nirvana.

In addition to the grand prize, Adela from Morehall Primary School was named Best in Primary for her cello performance of Spring Song by Frank Bridge, while Isabelle from Turner Free School won Best in Secondary for singing ‘Traitor’ by Olivia Rodrigo and Sienna from Martello Primary won The Murphy Prize, a prize that recognises potential talent in the future, for her rendition of ‘Try Everything’ by Shakira.

Holly, Year 9 Folkestone Academy pupil, from the winning band, said:

“I was very happy to win this great prize! We rehearsed this song for a couple of months and it’s nice to see that our hard work paid off. We have named our trophy ‘Benny’.”

Jessica Hynes said:

“Well done to all the performers, there was a fantastic amount of talent on the stage. We chose the winners because they showed incredible talent, dedication and amazing potential. We all agreed they had a kind of magic and an alchemy of fantastic performance skill. I really hope they go on and keep doing it because they really have got something.”

She continued: “Nothing is impossible, it’s really important thinking about performance and the Arts it sometimes seems unreachable. It isn’t! All you need is talent, focus, dedication and to keep on working. Any dream, no dream is too big.”

Seamus Murphy, CEO at Turner Schools, said:

“Congratulations to Holly, Peter, Zach and Josh on being named winners of the Turner’s Got Talent competition, and to every single one of our performers for their hard work. The competition was a resounding success and really highlighted the depth of talent across Turner Schools, which was absolutely fantastic to see. I’m sure these pupils will continue to showcase their skills over the coming years and I look forward to watching them do so.”

The initiative, organised by The Queen’s Canopy, calls for schools to get involved and celebrate their outside spaces. In total more than one million trees have been planted in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The project is a unique tree planting initiative and invites people from across the country to plant their own trees to celebrate this historic milestone.

The Turner Schools team sourced their trees through Kent Historical Trees from Brogdale Collections, planting five trees, including two cherries, two acers and one ornamental plum in total. The pupils were also warded a commemorative plaque by the Queen’s Canopy initiative in honour of their efforts.

This is just the latest action by Turner Schools pupils to raise awareness of climate change and to look at how they can be more environmentally responsible. Pupils at Folkestone Primary and Martello Primary School have formed an Eco Council to look at addressing the school’s environmental impact, while their peers at Morehall Primary voted for Eco Champions to represent them and to decide which eco-friendly projects they should implement.

Cayden Collins, newly appointed Head Boy at Folkestone Academy Sixth Form, said:

“I feel very privileged to be a part of the tree planting at Folkestone Academy. The Year 7 pupils that accompanied the Head Girl and myself will get to watch the tree grow during their time at the Academy. I’m looking forward to coming back in years to come and seeing the progress the tree has made, knowing that I was a part of its beginning.”

Seamus Murphy, CEO of Turner Schools, said: DRAFT

“It’s fantastic to see our pupils are so keen to find out more about nature and the joys of spending time outside. They are really environmentally conscious and are so keen on doing what they can to raise awareness of climate change and to make a positive impact on the natural world around them.

“The Queen’s Canopy initiative is a fantastic means of getting schoolchildren out in the fresh air and to highlight the great wellbeing benefits of spending time with nature. These trees will form a lasting monument to this historic milestone.”

The initiative, which is running throughout March, is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to meet people who live or work in the town and to benefit from the stories, backgrounds and experiences that they can share. It aims to:

• Celebrate Folkestone’s diversity;

• Encourage pupils to feel proud of their town;

• Promote empathy and cultural awareness;

• Prepare pupils for life in a modern world.

Over 70 members of the community have committed to participating, including representatives from the Nepalese and Roma communities; various churches and religious groups; councillors from the town and district council; and the Rotary Club. The events are run in a ‘speed networking’ style where small groups of pupils spend 10 minutes with each guest before moving on to the next person. So far, events have been held at Turner Free School, Morehall Primary and Martello Primary, with dates set for Folkestone Academy and Folkestone Primary later on in the month. By the end of the series, over 900 pupils will have participated in the events.

Katy Tibbles, Community Engagement Manager, Turner Schools, said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support that’s been shown by the community towards these events. It’s a fantastic way for our pupils to meet the wide variety of people that play a part in the town and who help to make Folkestone a great place to live and work. At Turner Schools, it’s part of our mission to strengthen communities and I feel that these events have been successful in doing that.”

Haydee Blaskett, Environmental Enforcement Officer, Folkestone and Hythe District Council, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed the morning and would like to say how wonderful and polite all the children were. They were really engaged and were asking some brilliant questions that were really relevant to our role and about the town.”

Mick Cronin, Community Liaison Officer, Kent Police, said: “I’ve very much enjoyed taking part in the Folkestone Talks events across the Turner Schools. It’s been a great opportunity to bring together different groups from the community and to celebrate the diversity that exists in the town. Initiatives such as these play an important part in developing community cohesion.”

Noah (Year 4, Morehall) said: “I really enjoyed meeting lots of new people and finding out about their lives, feelings and jobs”.

Parent (Turner Free School) said: “As a parent I would like to thank you as a school for not only helping to shape my daughters academic future but also herself as a person with activities like this. “

During the unique glass art workshop Ashford-based Sarah showed the pupils how to shape and colour glass and helped them craft their own pieces - wonderful suncatchers which, once kilned, will be given as gifts to someone special. A number of parents and families with preschool children also attended, which added to the experience for pupils.

Sarah’s glass making ranges from wall art and splash backs to large decorative bowls. Her inspiration comes from her natural surroundings, taking colour, pattern and texture to relate in one form or another into her work. As well as producing glass art she runs educational workshops for school aged children.

Louise Lythgoe, Executive Headteacher, Martello Primary, said: “This was a great experience for our pupils. We were all wowed by their creativity; they had some fantastic ideas and we can't wait to see what the pieces look like when they return from the kiln! Staff and pupils would like to extend sincere thanks to 'MASC' for their generosity in funding the project and to Sarah for her wonderful workshop.”

Pupils; comments:

• “It was really fun. I particularly liked using the spaghetti glass for the middle of each petal of the flower.” Wilfred, Year 2

• “I loved it when we added the coloured frits to add detail.” Sofia, Year 2

• “I loved it when we could see the finished piece. We made flowers and the glass sparkled like diamonds.” Oscar, Year 2

The whole school was invited to sit and watch Shane work, and create their own artwork inspired by his, as he brought a beautiful painting of a stunning Folkestone view to life before our very eyes. He even invited a handful of lucky children to step up and assist him in adding the finishing touches to his landscape, giving some expert tips and tricks to anybody who wanted them along the way.

We’d like to thank Shane again for stopping by Martello and delivering a fantastic, memorable experience for everybody involved. We hope this won’t be the last time we see him at Martello, paintbrush in hand!

Pupils wanted to create a project that would bring happiness to the people that live in their community and they believed that something as small as a cup of tea and a nice biscuit could make all the difference. Residents were left with messages from the children which encouraged them to put their feet up, call a friend, or invite a neighbour round for a tea and chat.

Children from Years 3 and 5 packed 100 boxes which they delivered to houses in the roads surrounding their school. Whilst they were out and about they also got to chat to some of the local residents and hear about their stories of living in the community. The children and school have received lots of positive comments since delivering the boxes, with some households taking to social media to share their joy at receiving the gift. One neighbour posted ‘What a lovely box to receive from the local primary school… you have made my day’.

Hope, Year 5 Pupil at Martello Primary, said:

“I really enjoyed making the boxes and delivering them to the houses. I feel happy because I know I've made other people happy!”

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

“The children at Martello are always keen to give back to their community and this seemed like the perfect way to do it. They have been very excited about the project and have gained a lot of joy from making other people happy. It’s helped them to realise that sometimes, even something as small as a cup of tea and a biscuit, can brighten someone’s day.”