New SCMAT school is top of the class

A Barrow school that has joined the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust this month is celebrating a hat-trick of education award nominations.

Three staff from Ormsgill Primary School and Nursery, which transferred into the new South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust led by Furness College on September 1, are in the running for prestigious Golden Apple Education Awards.

The Golden Apples celebrate the best of education in Cumbria and talent, resilience and achievements of the education sector and its inspiring people.

Ormsgill School Headteacher Mick Cull said it was a double celebration joining SCMAT the shortlisting of his staff across four categories.

“We are delighted that the quality of the school’s teaching and support staff and its close links with the community has been recognised in these education awards.  It shows the sheer depth of talent we have at our school and the work that the staff put in above and beyond their roles.

“We are starting the academic year on a very positive footing. Our membership of South Cumbria Multi-Academy trust will accelerate improvements we are already making for the benefit of our pupils and the community.”

Ormsgill staff nominated for Golden Apples include Stephanie Buttriss, who is shortlisted in the Best Teaching Assistant category for her innovative work to give a voice to a pupil who struggles to communicate with the outside world.

In addition, teacher Laura Reid is in the running for Best Teaching Professional for her going above and beyond her own specialist subject of maths to improve literacy levels across her school and launching the community-wide Ormsgill Book Festival.

Plus popular caretaker Arthur ‘Hedley’ Smith has been nominated by pupils for Best Support Staff and also for the People’s Choice Award, which goes to a public vote.

The South Cumbria Multi Academy Trust was launched in September 2021 with education at its heart and a real focus on pupils achieving their full potential and gaining valuable academic and life skills.

Ormsgill School joins founding member Chetwynde School as the Trust commits to providing excellent education across the area. It will work with industry and the wider community to identify what skills and expertise are needed to give children and young people the best chance for their future.

Furness College Principal and Chief Executive Professor Andrew Wren said: “As soon as I stepped foot in the school and met Mick and he outlined the ethos of his school and his vision for the future, I knew that Ormsgill School was a perfect fit for the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

“Ormsgill School is a great school with a forward-thinking team led by someone who wants to make a real difference in his community and we are pleased to have them as our first standalone primary school.”

SCMAT is also working with Vickerstown School, which is set to formally join the Trust later this term, with more local schools also scheduled to join later in the academic year.

For further information about joining the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, visit the website www.scmat.org.uk or email info@furness.ac.uk with the heading SCMAT.