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CET News

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Trainee teacher talks: from veterinary science to teaching science

12th May 2025

Article from Ambition Institute. Teaching has always been part of Ellie Sutton’s life, even before she stepped foot in the classroom. Eight months into her initial teacher training with Cumbria Education Trust, she explains why she’s retraining to teach science and what she loves about it. A teaching mindset, right from the start “I’ve always liked working with children and in education,” says Ellie. “And I really enjoy teaching because it’s so interesting. But when I was growing up, it was implied that because I was very bright I should want to do more than teach.” So when she left school, Ellie studied for a veterinary degree. “It’s a fantastic science degree,” she says. “Even if you don’t want to be a

Longtown Celebrating Latest Ofsted Report!

2nd May 2025

Longtown Primary School, part of Cumbria Education Trust (CET), is celebrating following their recent ungraded Ofsted inspection, after the inspector concluded that “the school may have improved significantly across all areas.” Their last inspection in May 2019 rated the school as ‘Good’, therefore, based off the inspector’s comments, if they were to be fully inspected, it is likely each of their ‘Good’ ratings would be upgraded to ‘Outstanding’. The Ofsted report was full of praise for the significant school improvement journey the school has been on since joining CET. This was reinforced by the inspectors, who stated “the school builds highly positive relationships with parents and carers from the start of their children’s learning journey. This helps children, including those

INSET Day – April 2025

23rd April 2025

Following a well-deserved Easter break, our schools came together for a valuable opportunity to regroup and refocus during our April INSET Day. Traditionally, this day is dedicated to professional development across the trust – and this year was no different. Spread across our five secondary schools, staff worked within departments to network, collaborate, and share best practice. Each session was tailored to the needs of the attendees, ensuring everyone made the most of their time. Secondary School Staff Staff in our secondary schools convened onsite armed with a packed agenda full of useful and engaging sessions. Each school began the day by revisiting current priorities for the remainder of the academic year and looking ahead to improvement plans for 2025/26.

Annual Governance Conference 2025

4th April 2025

This year’s CET Annual Governance Conference 2025 brought together over 90 dedicated Members, Trustees, Local Advisory Board (LAB) members and school leaders for an afternoon of insightful discussions, strategic planning, and shared learning. The event, in which representatives and LAB members from all of our schools were in attendance, served as a crucial platform to explore the ever-evolving landscape of education governance and its direct impact on student outcomes. The conference opened with a fantastic performance from The Queen Katherine School students, with a medley from ‘Grease the Musical’. The performance showcased the reason that governors give up so much of their precious free time – to give all students across Cumbria the best opportunities available to them. Lorrayne Hughes,

NPQ Celebration Event 2025

3rd April 2025

Cumbria Education Trust (CET) proudly celebrated the success of its latest National Professional Qualification (NPQ) graduates at the NPQ Celebration Event on Monday 31st March 2025. Held at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith, in partnership with Ambition Institute, the event honoured the achievements of educational professionals from across Cumbria and the Northwest of England who have successfully completed their NPQ with CET. This special occasion highlighted the dedication, expertise, and impact these qualifications have had on both personal and professional development, as well as their role in driving school improvement and positive outcomes for young people. The event also recognised the invaluable contributions of CET’s Visiting Fellows, who have played a key role in delivering these programmes. NPQs are nationally

New Leadership Appointments

2nd April 2025

New Leadership Appointments at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School and Castle Carrock Primary School Following a thorough assessment and selection process, we are pleased to announce two key leadership appointments within our schools. Kirkby Stephen Grammar School (KSGS) Nic Tweddle has been appointed as the new Head of School at KSGS, effective from 1st September 2025. Nic is well known within CET, as she is currently the Assistant Headteacher at Workington Academy and is part of CET’s Central Team, where she played a key role in leadership development and student events. Since November 2024, she has also been actively supporting KSGS as CET Deputy Headteacher, providing her with valuable insight into the school’s community and strategic direction. She will be supported

Year 6 Strategy Planning: Strengthening Outcomes Through Collaboration

31st March 2025

Representations from across all 12 primary schools in Cumbria Education Trust recently gathered for a dedicated Year 6 strategy planning day, reinforcing their commitment to improving outcomes for children. Held once per term, these sessions provide an essential opportunity to reflect on current strategies, refine approaches, and ensure every child receives the best possible support as they prepare for their SATs and beyond. Led by Allison Kenyon, School Improvement Lead and directed by Matt Butler, Director of Primary Improvement and Professional Development, various sessions were held to focus on key areas including writing moderation, refining test techniques, and enhancing accessibility for all learners. Each school has a bespoke school improvement plan, driven by data and tailored to its unique requirements

World Book Day 2025

26th March 2025

From the moment the school doors opened, students arrived dressed as beloved literary characters, bringing a vibrant mix of classic heroes, fairy-tale figures, and modern favourites to life. The enthusiasm was infectious, with staff joining in the fun, sparking conversations about books and encouraging students to explore new stories. The day was a resounding success, showing our children’s love of books and storytelling that will continue to inspire their minds long after the event. Whether through dressing up, listening to stories, or writing their own, our pupils demonstrated the power of books in connecting us all. Thank you to everyone who made World Book Day such a memorable occasion. Keep reading, keep imagining, and let the magic of books take

From Sixth Form to Cambridge: Unlock Your Future with Us!

26th March 2025

Got your trial results? Thinking about your options for September? Join a Sixth Form where ambition meets opportunity – discover what WCSF can offer you this September! At WCSF, we take pride in offering outstanding academic and career pathways, ensuring our students are well-prepared for the future. We are proud to celebrate Preston Keeler, who has secured an offer to study Mathematics at the University of Cambridge—a reflection of the outstanding teaching and support at WCSF. Preston commented: “The facilities at WCSF enabled me to achieve my dreams of studying at Cambridge, a place I have always wanted to study. “The teaching has been excellent and pushed me to be the best I can be. I have had outstanding support

Year 2 Skills Showcase in the Sun!

21st March 2025

CET Year 2 Multi-Skills Festival 2025 On Wednesday 19th March 2025, Cumbria Education Trust (CET) hosted its Year 2 Multi-Skills Festival at Workington Academy, bringing together students from our CET primary schools for a dynamic day of sport, teamwork, and fun. Pupils from Castle Carrock Primary School, Caldew Lea Primary School, Hensingham Primary School, Longtown Primary School, Newtown Primary School, Northside Primary School, Petteril Bank School, Tebay Primary School, Yanwath Primary School, and Yewdale Primary School took part in a variety of sporting activities, including Trampolining, Ball Skills, Dodgeball, Basketball, Obstacle Courses and Dance. Supporting them throughout the day were our Year 9 Sports Leaders from The Whitehaven Academy, William Howard School, and Workington Academy, who played a key role