As another academic year draws to a close, it is my great pleasure to share with you letters from headteachers across the Trust, reflecting on the numerous successes we have collectively achieved since September.
As you will read, there has been a wide range of causes for celebration this year: not least the three ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted inspections, which provide external confirmation of the exceptional provision offered across our schools.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our staff, students, parents, governors, trustees, and the wider communities supporting our Trust across the region. It is thanks to your dedication and hard work that ELA continues to go from strength to strength.
I am very much looking forward to continuing our work together next year. For now though, I would just like to wish you all a peaceful and very well-earned summer break.
CEO of the Eastern Learning Alliance
GIRTON GLEBE
PRIMARY
SCHOOL
As we come to the end of this academic year, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on what has been a truly exciting and successful year for our school. It has been a privilege to see our pupils grow in confidence, curiosity, and character, and I would like to thank you all – parents, carers, and our wider community – for your continued encouragement and support.
This year marked an important milestone as we further embedded the IB Primary Years Programme into our daily teaching and learning. Our pupils have thrived within this inquiry-based approach, developing not just strong academic skills but also qualities such as independence, global awareness, and critical thinking. We are looking forward to some of our Year 6 students taking part in our first PYP Exhibition. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our eldest students to take ownership of their learning, explore real-world issues, and present their ideas to other classes with confidence and passion.
Another highlight of the year has been the growth of our Forest School Provision and school garden. Our beautiful outdoor space has become a vital part of our curriculum, providing children with the chance to learn through nature. From den building and nature art to fire-lighting and wildlife spotting, it has been fantastic to see pupils of all ages benefit from these hands-on experiences. In addition, children have enjoyed planting and tending to a variety of plants in our raised beds, which has deepened their understanding of plant growth, responsibility, and sustainability.
Beyond the curriculum, our pupils have taken part in a wealth of enrichment opportunities. From sports fixtures and choir performances to trips both near and far, these experiences have given our children the chance to discover new interests and talents. Highlights this year included our whole-school celebration of World Book Day, the choir’s Young Voices trip to the O2, residential visits to Norfolk and France, an engaging Science Week filled with hands-on experiments, as well as several sports fixtures, exciting school assemblies and impressive school productions.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible team of people who make our school the special place it is. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our teachers and teaching assistants for their unwavering dedication, creativity, and care. To our office staff, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. To our cooks, who provide nourishing meals every day. And to our cleaners, whose hard work ensures that our school remains a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. I would also like to extend a huge thank you to FOGG, our wonderful PTA. Their tireless efforts in organising events such as school discos, class cake sales, and the arrival of the chicks, have not only raised valuable funds but also brought a real sense of fun and togetherness to our school community. Every member of our team plays a vital role, and I am so grateful for their contribution.
As we look ahead to next year, we are excited about new opportunities and continuing to develop our IB PYP journey. But for now, I wish you all a happy and restful summer break.
Chris Butler
Headteacher
WITCHFORD
VILLAGE
COLLEGE
It’s been a big year at Witchford – we’ve been under construction! The dust has now settled, and we’re absolutely thrilled to unveil our new auditorium. It’s a fantastic space, and we can’t wait to see it used to its full potential across the school.
Our Year 7 and Year 8 students were the first to experience it in action as they took part in an exciting Artificial Intelligence Roadshow led by the BAE Systems Education Team. Lexi, the AI dog, wowed students by demonstrating how to ‘read the room’ and respond to voice and hand commands. The workshop explored the ever-growing role of AI and, crucially, the importance of human skills in making the most of what technology has to offer.
It’s been a year packed with enrichment beyond the classroom. We’ve been lucky enough to welcome a wide range of guest speakers and visitors – from the inspirational Master of Jesus College and OBE, Sonita Alleyne, to professional artists, architects and a graphic novel author. Our students have had the chance to explore a variety of career paths and hear from people doing incredible things in their fields.
Trips and visits have also played a big part in our calendar. Year 10 Health & Social Care students attended an Expo in Peterborough, where they got hands-on experience (including trying out cannula fitting!) and spoke with health professionals from a range of sectors. Another group of Year 10 and 11 students visited RAF Wittering, exploring the base and learning about careers in areas like dog handling, investigation, and military policing. We also had students visit the ARU Peterborough campus for an Oracy Project, and others attended an Apprenticeship Event at Impington Village College, where they met employers and training providers offering real opportunities for the future.
It hasn’t all been careers-focused either – there’s been plenty of curriculum-linked learning out and about. Year 11 students saw classroom concepts brought to life during a visit to Spitalfields in London. Year 9 students took a trip to Ely Magistrates Court, and one brave student took to the stage at a Cambridge theatre as part of the Speak Out Challenge – another example of our students pushing themselves outside their comfort zone.
Our enrichment week was also a huge success with trips to Ypres, Thorpe Park, Thetford Forest and the Space Centre – there was something for everyone and lots of special memories were made.
We now start to set our sights on what next year might bring – we are looking forward to international trips such as the Iceland trip next February and Grenada (Spain) in November. We are also looking forward to making use of our new space with drama performances and music concerts.
Despite the challenges that come with building works, it’s been a vibrant and rewarding year. We’re incredibly proud of how our students have embraced every opportunity – and we’re already looking ahead to making next year even bigger and better. As ever, a big thank you to our staff who continue to show dedication and enthusiasm to deliver success for all our community across school life.
Nick Harrison
Executive Headteacher
CAMBRIDGE
MATHS
SCHOOL
As we reach the end of another remarkable academic year at Cambridge Maths School, I want to take a moment to reflect on our shared journey and extend my heartfelt thanks for your continued support.
This year has been especially significant as we celebrated the achievements of our founding Year 13 students – the very first cohort to complete their time with us. These pioneering young people have not only excelled academically but have also helped shape the culture, values, and spirit of CMS. Their legacy will be felt for years to come, and we are immensely proud of the role they have played in building the foundations of our school.
We marked their departure with two joyful events that captured the essence of CMS; a relaxed and laughter-filled Leavers’ Picnic, complete with cake, rounders, and heartfelt reflection, and a more formal but equally memorable Prom at Parker’s Tavern. Both occasions were a celebration of community, friendship, and the extraordinary journey we’ve taken together.
At the heart of CMS is a commitment to academic excellence in mathematics and science. This year, our students have been stretched and challenged through a rich curriculum that goes far beyond exam specifications. From STEP preparation and national competitions to university lectures and supercurricular projects, our learners have engaged deeply with the subjects they love. Parents have consistently praised the quality of teaching, the clarity of concepts, and the passion our staff bring to every lesson. It’s been especially rewarding to see students grow in confidence, independence, and intellectual curiosity.
Our location in central Cambridge continues to be a powerful asset, enabling regular engagement with university departments, museums, and cultural venues. These experiences have enriched our curriculum and broadened horizons, helping students connect their learning to the wider world.
The Accelerate Programme has gone from strength to strength, offering students opportunities to develop leadership, resilience, and academic ambition. Whether through philosophy of science seminars, data science projects, or public speaking workshops, students have embraced challenges and grown in ways that will serve them well beyond school.
One of the highlights of the academic year was our Projects Conference Day, held at the beautiful Old Divinity School at St John’s College. This event marked the culmination of our Year 12 students’ independent research projects – an ambitious programme that challenges students to explore topics beyond the curriculum with the support of expert mentors.
Over several months, students worked in small groups on a diverse range of topics, from machine learning and novel solar cells to the physics of flying things and Huffman coding. With guidance from dedicated mentors, they developed research skills, honed their presentation techniques, and learned how to collaborate effectively.
The conference featured a keynote from Dr Hazel Jones, who shared insights into the world of scientific innovation and the non-linear paths that careers can take. Students then presented their findings through both talks and academic posters, impressing guests with their depth of understanding and enthusiasm.
We are incredibly proud of the intellectual curiosity and professionalism our students demonstrated. As we look to next year, we aim to expand the programme further, welcoming more mentors and offering even more opportunities for students to engage with real-world research.
We’ve also been proud to continue our outreach work, welcoming young people from across the region to experience the richness of mathematical learning at CMS. Our central location has proven vital in ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, enabling students from a wide geographical area to participate fully in all that we offer.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the unwavering support of you – our parents, carers, and community partners. Thank you for the trust you place in us, for your encouragement, and for the many ways you contribute to the life of the school.
As we look ahead to the next academic year, we do so with excitement and optimism. Our community is growing, our reputation is strengthening, and our commitment to excellence, equity, and enrichment remains as strong as ever.
Clare Hargraves
Head of School
IMPINGTON
VILLAGE
COLLEGE
As we reach the end of another very busy and highly successful academic year, it is a bittersweet feeling reflecting on the many achievements of our pupils and staff, as I prepare to move on from Impington and ELA at the end of this term. It has been a privilege and a joy to lead this incredible school for five years, and to have been a part of it for over a decade. This year has been one of the most successful in the College’s history, with so many great achievements, from our Good Schools Guide visit back in the autumn, and being named Sunday Times UK Comprehensive School of the Year back in December. We also received glowing feedback from our IB Evaluation for our sixth form programmes, the Diploma and Career-Related Programmes, with many strengths highlighted from the high-quality teaching to the development of international mindedness in our pupils. Finally, back in the Spring it was fantastic to have the efforts of our entire community recognised in the Ofsted report, with the College graded ‘outstanding’ in all areas for the first time ever.
More recently, we were delighted to be reaccredited for the third time at Gold level, for the Carnegie Award for Mental Health in Schools, and especially to learn that IVC is the first school in the country to be recognised three times at this level. The Award celebrates excellence in mental health provision for staff and students, as well as the different ways in which Impington staff share their practice both locally and nationally.
As always, this has been a busy term for trips and events, with a thriving programme of local and international trips supporting the curriculum. Pupils have enjoyed trips to Framlingham, central Cambridge, Abbey Fields and more! Further afield, following a programme of service learning in College, pupils have travelled to Botswana, and groups of students have also travelled to the Ardeche for an outdoor adventure trip, the French, Spanish and German exchanges, and the Battlefields trip. This term we have also had our Gold DofE practice expedition, and nearly 250 students completing their Bronze DofE expeditions, as we prepare to launch the Silver Award at IVC in September. As always, we are exceptionally grateful to our staff who give up a huge amount their free time to organise and lead trips; they provide incredible experiences for our students.
Within the Arts, we had a hugely successful Creative Summer Festival in mid-July, with a phenomenal display from across Visual Arts and DT, and a range of performances bringing the College to life across two evenings. This is the culmination of a highly successful year across our creative subjects, and so many concerts, performances and displays.
I am also delighted to be able to share that once again, our IIC students achieved some exceptional IB outcomes, with the results released early in July. Our IBDP students achieved a 92% pass rate with an average point score of 34. Two of our own IVC students achieved outstanding scores of 43 and 42 points – placing them among the highest-performing students globally. We also had a significant number of pupils who achieved over 40 points, the equivalent of 4A*s at A Level.
Our IBCP students also performed brilliantly, with a 98% pass rate. Many achieved top grades in their IBDP subjects, including 6s and 7s, reflecting their strong academic performance across the programme. Students across both pathways have secured places at a wide range of prestigious destinations, including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, King’s College London, and a number of top universities and conservatoires in the UK and internationally. These achievements are a testament to the hard work, resilience, and ambition of our students – and to the incredible support and expertise of our staff.
Finally, I would like to thank all parents, staff, friends and the wider community for the support they have shown to me and to the College during my time at Impington. I am very sad to be leaving IVC but I know that the College will be in very safe hands with Ms Sale at the helm, supported by our incredible senior team.
Victoria Hearn
Executive Headteacher
VISTA
ACADEMY
LITTLEPORT
As we reflect on the second year as Vista Academy Littleport, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the pace, variety and focus that have shaped this final part of the year. At Vista, we ask students to bring the best of themselves every day and this term that has been seen in every corner of the school.
The continued raising of standards in the classroom teaching has been significant and rapid once again this year. This has occurred through the addition of high-quality new staff members alongside carefully considered individual support, training, mentoring and coaching for teaching staff. Our Year 11 students approached their exams with maturity and calm, supported by a comprehensive tutor time and after-school academic intervention programme throughout the year. Year 10 students navigated their mock exams well and engaged in a week worth of work experience placements across the county, building early insight into life beyond the classroom.
There have been a number of curriculum events running alongside our day to day offer in school. We have had 48 trips run this year including: a STEM visit to Babraham Institute, Sizewell B nuclear power plant science trip, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions for Bronze and Silver, Year 9’s court experience, the GCSE Art Exhibition and various trips to Ely and Cambridge, to name a few. Each of these has offered students something more – a chance to connect, apply themselves differently, or take a new step and enrich their understanding of their subjects and broaden horizons.
We have also maintained a strong focus on student and staff wellbeing. Our Wellbeing Non-Uniform days have been well-supported and raised money for our pastoral work and charities. Year 11’s Leavers’ Day was thoughtful and celebratory in equal measure. And our maiden Summer Fayre was a wonderful community event run by our new PTFA. Our pastoral team continues to work with a large number of external agencies and our local partnerships continue to be a real strength of the Academy.
Enrichment Week provided a platform for students to engaging in a wide programme of activities both on and off-site. Over 100 students will have taken part in our overnight Vista camp, and others will have fled further afield to destinations including Alton Towers, Arsenal Stadium, Eaton Vale (Year 7 residential), Borough Market (London) and Cambridge’s Botanical Gardens – to name a few of the 14 trips across the week. The range is broad: food, science, sport, creativity, beauty and culture are all reflected, and the additional activities at Vista have been planned to offer something meaningful to every student.
Throughout the term, our character education and Vista Values has remained our anchor. It shapes our choices and the way we work with one another. I’d like to thank our staff for their continued professionalism, and our families for your ongoing support as we further develop our school culture and offer.
Looking ahead to the new academic year, we do so with confidence in being fully staffed with subject specialist teachers and clear sense of direction, strengthened by our collaboration with sister schools across the Eastern Learning Alliance. Finally, we look forward to celebrating our Year 11 GCSE results this summer and sending them on to post-16 destinations around the county including an increased number off to Cambridge based Sixth Form colleges such as Hills Road, Long Road and Chesterton.
Nick Harrison
Executive Headteacher
THE CAVENDISH
SCHOOL
As we reach the end of another remarkable year at The Cavendish School, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we have achieved together and to extend my sincere thanks for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership.
This year has been filled with milestones, firsts, and moments of real pride across our school community. One of the highlights has been the success of our curriculum cafés, which saw good attendance from parents. These events were a valuable opportunity for us to share insights into our curriculum and families were able to engage meaningfully with their children’s learning. The conversations, curiosity, and collaboration that emerged from these sessions reminded us of the strength of TCS’s school-home partnerships.
We are also incredibly excited to have our new sixth form set up and ready to open this September. Developed in collaboration with The Open University, this innovative provision enables our pupils to pursue academic excellence in a way that is both aspirational and highly personalised. We are so grateful to the OU team for their dedication in supporting us to create a truly unique offer that will allow our pupils to soar.
Our Assistant Headteacher for Curriculum, Gemma, proudly represented The Cavendish School at the International Baccalaureate World Conference in Budapest, where she delivered a presentation on our outstanding model for combining high-quality autism provision with a globally respected curriculum. It was a moment of great pride to see our work recognised on an international stage.
This year also brought rich career and employer encounters to our pupils, thanks to support from a wide range of organisations and individuals. From Nissan, Domainex, and our local police services to a captivating visit from Dr Nicolas Pradel, an astrophysicist who spoke about space and exploration; these experiences ignited passions and broadened horizons. The Astro Pi workshop allowed for a rare interaction with the International Space Station, this was a real highlight for many pupils, sparking curiosity and making learning feel truly out of this world.
A beautifully performed production of The Railway Children, kindly donated by a member of our community, brought a magical moment to our school and left many pupils with a newfound appreciation for theatre and storytelling.
A particularly informative highlight of the year was our Autism Awareness Community Event, where we were privileged to be joined by speakers including Dean Beadle and Lisa Lloyd, among others. Their insights and advocacy brought our community even closer together in understanding and support. We were delighted to be supported at the event by the director of Education for Cambridgeshire who joined us as a participant.
Our first ever GCSE cohort sat their exams with great resilience, managing not only the pressure of formal assessments but also the sensory and emotional demands of the process. Their achievements culminated in a joyful and well-deserved celebration at prom—a first for our school and a memory we’ll all cherish.
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our wider community, including generous contributions from the Histon and Impington Beer Festival towards our outdoor gym and Granta Arts, who have pledged funding for a pottery wheel to enhance our creative provision.
Most importantly, I want to thank each and every one of our pupils. Your hard work, determination, and courage to be yourselves inspire us every day. It is an honour to be part of your journey. Wishing you all a restful and joyful summer.
Stephanie Smith
Head of School
DOWNHAM
MARKETACADEMY
As we come to the end of the school year, it’s important to pause and reflect on the many successes our students have achieved. Each day at the Academy, I see students striving further and working harder to reach and exceed their potential. It’s been truly inspiring to witness their growth and development throughout the year, made possible by the unwavering support from you, our parents and carers, our brilliant team of staff, and the wider community.
A particular highlight this year has been the success of our students involved in the Jon Egging Trust (JET) Blue Skies Programme. This opportunity has seen students take part in a variety of enriching activities, including visits to RAF Marham, team-building sessions with the RAF, and a graduation ceremony where they shared their experiences. Every student who took part has shown growth in confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. I look forward to seeing them continue onto the next stage of the programme next year, alongside a new group of students beginning their journey.
DMA students have also enjoyed a wealth of enrichment activities that have extended their learning beyond the classroom. From competitive sports fixtures and captivating drama performances to music showcases and educational trips both near and far, our students have truly shone. They’ve demonstrated not only their many talents but also a willingness to embrace new opportunities.
Another memorable moment this year was the celebration of our Year 11 and Athena Sixth Form proms. Both events were fantastic celebrations, marking the end of exams and the beginning of exciting new chapters. It was heartwarming to see the community come together to support and celebrate our students. I wish all our Year 11 and Year 13 students the very best as they move on to new challenges and opportunities and I look forward to welcoming some of them back as Athena students in September.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to welcome our new cohort of Year 7 students in September. Their transition days in early July were a great success, it was a joy to see them getting hands-on in science and competing in mini tournaments during PE. I can’t wait for them to officially join our DMA community in the new academic year.
Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every member of our community. Your continued support, whether as a student, parent/carer, member of staff, or part of our wider network, plays a crucial role in making DMA a place where students can thrive.
I wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer break, and I look forward to another successful year together in September.
Natalie Paine
Head of School
CHESTERTON
COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Community support
We would like to take this opportunity to thank parents and friends of Chesterton for their continuing support this year. On Friday July 4th we saw the culmination of the PTFA fundraising events at the annual School Bash which was attended by over 400 members of the school community. The PTFA has worked tirelessly throughout the year to raise significant funds exceeding £25,000 which has helped to improve student experience. The events themselves have been such fun too, involving a significant number of students who have either performed, run stalls or simply helped out at the many events. Parent donations and a significant donation from the Simon Gibson charity have meant the total amount of money raised for the school this year exceeds £100,000. We are very grateful to all parents and the wider community for helping support our students gain the best possible experiences. I would also like to thank the parents who support in other ways such as helping support our younger readers which has made such a big difference.
World class
Following the Ofsted visit in February we have been looking to shape the future direction of Chesterton. These discussions have centred around the values of the Eastern Learning Alliance particularly the Trust’s commitment to: ‘offering students at ELA schools a world-class education because we know the power strong educational experiences hold in terms of enhancing young people’s life chances’. Governors, staff and students have been actively engaged in defining what world class looks like for Chesterton. This work is ongoing, however certain themes are emerging, including having a more global outlook through the work we do and providing students more opportunities to belong to the school and wider community. The pressing issue of climate change and how we as a school community can raise awareness will feature more prominently in the years to come.
Student experience
The Arts continue to thrive at Chesterton. This was clearly articulated by Michael Rosen who visited the school earlier this term and invited our students to perform his own work ‘Voices of Hope and Compassion’ at the Corn Exchange. He was so impressed with our students he has expressed a desire to be Chesterton’s artist in residence. All students have the opportunity to take part in the numerous extra-curricular clubs giving hundreds of students the chance to perform in a variety of settings including in front of the King at Buckingham Palace. Once again, more students from Chesterton have been selected to be part of the National Youth Theatre than any other school in the country and a further 6 have performed at the Ambassadors Theatre as part of the National Youth Monologues competition. Our musicians have performed in greater numbers than ever in venues across Cambridge. The school is very pleased to be selected to be the lead school for the Cambridgeshire music hub. Supporting others is a key strand of one of our core values – creating community. Our sixth formers support students within the school and local organisations such care homes and primary schools in the city. This year our Year 12 students went on the annual trip to Kenya to further the charitable work at the Nyathuna Primary School focusing on providing funding to support the provision of food to the 250 students.
Rolf Purvis
Executive Headteacher
Opportunities with the Eastern Learning Alliance
There are a number of vacancies across our family of schools. Find out more about our current vacancies by visiting our website – tela.org.uk/vacancies/
