REAch2 Expands Early Years Provision with Five New School-Based Nurseries

Five REAch2 Schools Secure Government Funding to Expand Nursery Places

REAch2 Academy Trust is proud to announce that five of our schools have successfully secured funding through the Department for Education’s School-Based Nursery Grant, as part of a national initiative to expand early years education. These grants will enable our schools to open new nurseries or expand existing provision, ensuring more children can access high-quality early education in a familiar school setting.

The following REAch2 schools will benefit from this investment:

Garden City Academy – 15 new full-time equivalent (FTE) places for 2-year-olds
White Meadows Primary Academy – 8 additional FTE places for 2-year-olds
Brampton Primary Academy – 30 FTE places for 3- and 4-year-olds
Springhill Primary Academy – 8 additional FTE places for 3- and 4-year-olds
Heath Hayes Primary Academy – 30 additional FTE places for 3- and 4-year-olds

These new and expanded nursery settings will open from September 2025, providing much-needed places for families and strengthening the link between early education and primary school.

This announcement is part of a nationwide expansion of school-based nurseries, with the DfE approving the first 300 school-based nurseries, set to provide up to 4,000 places by September. This investment delivers on the government’s commitment to improving early years education, ensuring more children start school ready to learn.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reinforced the importance of this initiative, stating:

“Delivering on our promise of a better early years system is my top priority, which is why we’ve more than doubled our investment in this first phase so thousands more children can benefit from high-quality early education from this September.”

Research continues to show that early education is vital for children’s development and school readiness, particularly for those who may need extra support. School-based nurseries also provide more inclusive settings, ensuring children with special educational needs have access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

Early Education Minister Visits Garden City Academy

To mark the launch of the School-Based Nursery Programme, Early Education Minister Stephen Morgan MP visited Garden City Academy, one of the first primary schools to receive funding under this initiative.

During his visit, the Minister saw firsthand how the school will expand its nursery provision in September 2025, creating 15 full-time equivalent places for 2-year-olds. He emphasised the importance of embedding early years provision within primary schools, stating:

“Garden City Academy is a perfect example of what our School-Based Nursery programme is all about—creating high-quality early years places in trusted school settings, right at the heart of their communities.

The expanded nursery at Garden City Academy will not only support local families—it’s part of a major national effort to expand access to early education and give every child the best start in life.”

REAch2’s Commitment to Early Years Education

At REAch2, we are committed to ensuring that every child has access to a strong foundation in their early years. Cathie Paine, CEO of REAch2, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative:

“We are delighted to be expanding our nursery provision, ensuring more children can benefit from high-quality early education in a nurturing environment.

Our ethos is built around giving children the best start possible, supporting their development through engaging activities, experienced staff, and a focus on holistic growth.

This initiative reflects our community’s shared belief in the importance of early education, and we are proud to partner with families to create a foundation for lifelong learning.”

What’s Next?

All five of the REAch2 nurseries included in this expansion are scheduled to open from September 2025. The Trust is also preparing for a potential second wave of applications, which could allow even more schools to benefit from this initiative.

By growing our nursery provision, we are not just increasing access to early education, we are ensuring that more children enter Reception with the confidence, skills, and readiness to thrive.

Martlesham Primary Academy Unveils Exciting New Learning Spaces

Headteacher Emma Churchman shared her excitement about the transformation:

"This project marks a huge milestone for Martlesham Primary Academy, ensuring we can provide the very best facilities for our children. Martlesham Primary may be a small school, but we are a vibrant place buzzing with positivity and possibility—our new learning spaces are already making a real difference to both the children and staff, and it’s been brilliant to see how positively they are responding to our new-look school."

The redevelopment was made possible through close collaboration between REAch2 Academy Trust, Suffolk County Council, Concertus (project managers and design consultants), and Seamans Building (lead contractor). Despite the challenges of working on a live school site, the project was completed with minimal disruption to children’s learning, ensuring that pupils could continue to benefit from high-quality education throughout the process

REAch2 CEO Cathie Paine formally opened the new facilities and praised the efforts of all involved:

"We are thrilled to see this investment come to life. This is a great example of how strong partnerships can deliver real benefits for schools and their communities. Martlesham Primary School is already a great school, and I’m excited to see them go from strength to strength in these fantastic new facilities."

The new spaces were officially handed over during the October half-term, and pupils are already embracing their enhanced learning environment. With these enhancements, Martlesham Primary Academy is now even better equipped to support its pupils' learning and development for years to come.

Charles Coulson, Associate Director at Concertus, said, “The new expansion is a fantastic asset to the children and local community. The team worked hard to create a new state-of-the-art learning facility, and we were pleased to see the students enjoying their new classrooms at the official opening”.

New National ‘Starting Reception’ Definition Launched to Support Parents and Schools

A new national definition of school readiness has been launched by a coalition of leading education and early years organisations, including REAch2, to help parents, carers, and educators better understand what it means for a child to be ready for Reception.

This is the first time that such a large group of organisations involved in education, parenting, and early years have come together to define school readiness and offer practical guidance to parents and carers. Currently, there is no official definition, despite increasing recognition of its importance in a child’s early development.

The Starting Reception definition provides an agreed set of skills and activities that families can use to help their children feel confident and prepared for school. It is designed to close the gap between teachers’ and parents’ understanding of school readiness, highlighted in Kindred Squared’s annual report.

To address this, the Starting Reception website has been launched, offering easy-to-access guidance for parents, carers, and educators. Schools and organisations working with families can also download and personalise the definition with their own branding and signpost local support services.

What Does School Readiness Look Like?

The new definition groups recommendations into four key areas that support children’s early development:

Growing independence – Encouraging children to manage tasks like using cutlery, putting on their coat, and using the toilet independently.
Building relationships and communication – Developing social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and talking about feelings.
Physical development – Ensuring children are active for at least three hours a day, can hold a pencil, and enjoy creative activities like drawing and painting.
Healthy routines – Encouraging good habits such as brushing teeth twice a day and limiting screen time.

Each category includes links to expert organisations providing practical advice on how to build these skills into everyday routines at home.

Supporting Parents to Give Children the Best Start

At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to supporting parents in preparing their children for the exciting transition to school. This is not about imposing rigid expectations but instead providing clear, supportive guidance to help every child start school with confidence.

The initiative follows the government’s recent pledge to increase the number of children who are school-ready to 75% and has been welcomed by education leaders, including Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, who described the new resource as a “vital tool” for parents.

Cathie Paine, CEO of REAch2 Academy Trust, said:

"Starting school is a huge milestone for children and their families, and we know that early experiences lay the foundations for lifelong learning. At REAch2, we believe in working in partnership with parents and carers to ensure every child gets the best possible start. This shared definition of school readiness provides clear and practical guidance to help families feel confident and prepared for that important first day of Reception. We are proud to have contributed to this work and hope it will empower parents across the country."

For more information, visit Starting Reception.

REAch2 Shortlisted for Three MAT Excellence Awards

This year, REAch2 has been named a finalist in the following categories:

MAT of the Year – Celebrating the collective achievements of all 62 REAch2 schools, the dedication of our staff, and the incredible progress being made across the Trust.
Environmental Trust of the Year – Recognising our commitment to sustainability, from embedding environmental education in our curriculum to the practical steps schools are taking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Staff Development Award – Highlighting our investment in the professional growth of our teams, ensuring that staff at all levels have access to high-quality training and career development opportunities.

These nominations reflect the hard work, innovation, and dedication of our school and central teams, who work tirelessly to provide the best possible education for over 21,000 children across our Trust.

Cathie Paine, CEO of REAch2, said:

"To be recognised in these three categories is a huge testament to the collective effort of our staff, pupils, and wider community. It is particularly special to see our commitment to environmental sustainability and staff development highlighted alongside our Trust-wide impact. These nominations belong to every single person in REAch2 who is making a difference every day in our schools. Congratulations to everyone!"

The MAT Excellence Awards are presented by Optimus Education, in partnership with the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), and celebrate the positive impact that multi-academy trusts are having across the education sector. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 19 June 2025.

For more information about the awards, visit MAT Excellence Awards website.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this success. We are proud of what we are achieving together.

Phoenix St Peter Academy Receives Visual Arts School Award at Black History Month Celebration

Phoenix St Peter Academy in Lowestoft has been awarded the Visual Arts School Award at Lowestoft Town Council's Black History Month celebration, held at The Victoria Hotel.

The school’s artwork, inspired by Alma Thomas, a renowned artist known for her “powerful form of brilliantly coloured and richly patterned abstract art,” caught the attention of the event judges.

Amy Gloss, head of art at Phoenix St Peter Academy, said: “We chose Alma Thomas as our inspiration for our artwork this year and the children were incredibly enthusiastic about her style of art.” The students’ artwork, described as a “vibrant expression” of Alma Thomas's style, created a “beautiful river of Black History art” when displayed together.

The evening, which was opened by the Mayor of Lowestoft, Nasima Begum, included a welcome video from former boxer Antony Ogogo. Poetry was performed by Ivya Scott of the Suffolk Windrush Celebration Committee, accompanied by Gambian music from Julla. Awards were presented by Ivy Scott, poet, author, and ambassador of The Hold. The evening closed with the poem A Windrush Child by Windrush elder John Agard.

Terri Freeman, deputy headteacher at the school, said: “This acknowledgment extends beyond artistic prowess; it is a testament to the values that define our school and those that resonate throughout our academy trust. We are committed to ensuring an environment where every child can truly realise the greatness within themselves and others.”

REAch2 Launches Pioneering Carbon Literacy Course for Primary School Leaders

November is ‘Cut Your Carbon’ Month, and on November 14, we’re marking Carbon Literacy Action Day in a significant way!

In partnership with Cambridge University Press & Assessment and the climate education charity Climate Adapted Pathways for Education (CAPE), REAch2 Academy Trust is thrilled to announce the launch of a new Carbon Literacy course tailored specifically for primary school leaders.

This groundbreaking course aims to raise climate awareness, enhance understanding of carbon emissions, and equip school leaders with actionable strategies to reduce their schools’ carbon footprint. The Carbon Literacy course—created as part of a unique collaboration with Cambridge University Press & Assessment and CAPE—is designed to address the specific needs of primary schools and empower educators to take decisive climate action.

It will provide essential training on climate science, carbon reduction practices, and case studies on sustainable school initiatives. It will also align with REAch2’s ongoing sustainability initiatives, like the commitment to more remote meetings to lower travel emissions.

Christine Ozden, Global Director for Climate Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, emphasized the impact of these kinds of partnerships, noting, "Building knowledge and capacity to tackle climate change is crucial, and partnerships play a central role in achieving this. We’re proud of this initiative with REAch2 Academy Trust and CAPE, which will empower schools with the knowledge and tools to become champions of environmental sustainability and confidently discuss climate change with their students."

In celebration of Carbon Literacy Action Day on November 14, REAch2 held its Headteacher strategy meeting remotely, calculating the reduction in CO2 emissions and financial savings achieved through this choice. "Every action counts," remarked REAch2’s Head of Sustainability, Elaine Brook, “and it’s a great way to demonstrate the real impact of carbon-conscious decisions.”

With November as 'Cut Your Carbon' month, we are encouraging our school communities to reflect on ways they can contribute to a more sustainable future—whether through changes at school, home, or even during the commute.

This Carbon Literacy course is an important part of our commitment to fostering a climate-aware educational environment all year round, with the goal of training all REAch2 staff over the next three academic years.

By equipping primary educators with the knowledge and tools they need to discuss climate change effectively and implement sustainable practices, we hope to inspire lasting change in our schools and communities.

Sustainable Expansion at Lawley Village Academy, Creating More Spaces for Local Families

The project marks a strategic effort by REAch2 to meet the growing demand for high-quality education in the Telford area, while also reflecting the Trust’s priority to implement sustainable practices in school development. The new facilities incorporate eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, including solar panels and improved insulation, reducing the school’s carbon footprint. As this video shows, the building contractors Pave Aways really share the REAch2 commitment to sustainability.

Cathie Paine, CEO of REAch2 Academy Trust, said:“At REAch2, we are committed to creating not only exceptional learning environments but also ones that reflect our dedication to sustainability. The expansion of Lawley Village Academy is a perfect example of our efforts to blend growth with green principles, ensuring future generations have access to both quality education and a healthy planet.”

Claire Freestone, Headteacher at Lawley Village Academy, added:
“This expansion allows us to offer more children a place in our nurturing environment, while also providing them with a school that respects and protects the environment. We’re excited to see the benefits it will bring to both our students and the wider community.”

Buckinghamshire School Awards 2024: Celebrating Excellence at Green Ridge Primary Academy

REAch2 school Green Ridge Primary Academy stood out with several finalists and winners:

Inclusion Award Finalists:

Both the Early Years Team and the Inclusion Team were recognised for their dedication to creating inclusive environments. The Early Years Foundation Stage team excels in fostering a setting where every child is celebrated, incorporating diverse cultural elements into learning and engaging parents through platforms like Tapestry. Meanwhile, the Inclusion Team has embedded inclusion into the school's culture, earning accolades like the Inclusion Quality Mark and Centre of Excellence status.

Celebrating Pets in Schools: A Paw-sitive Experience at REAch2 Academy Trust

Barney is the new school dog at Green Ridge Academy. He is a red cavapoo and has been attending the school since he was just 12 weeks old. Barney is 8 months old and has already settled into life at Green Ridge excellently. Barney is training to become a therapy dog with the PAWS Therapy Dog programme and is currently enrolled in the Good Companion Award and is completing foundation level.

Barkley has been the school dog at Green Ridge since we opened seven years ago. Despite being in his senior years now and slowing down he is still much loved by all the children and staff. His highlights at work include hearing children read, being taken for walks on the field and hoovering the hall floor after lunchtime.

Words provided by the Year 6 children at Tidemill Academy –

Tom and Jerry are our two class pets and have lived a great life so far. They have lived in a plastic cage at the back of the class. There was a time when everyone came in on a Monday, to see that Tom had climbed to the top of the cage! Then, he fell off onto the soil and kept on climbing. He had a lot of resilience. Tom and Jerry are a unique species of snails; Giant African land snails. They are one of the largest ones in the world. They are not mammals nor reptiles as they are malluses. At the end of term, the snails were ready to be picked up by the children. We were told to be very gentle as they are very delicate. The snails slithered on our hands and it was a great experience!

The Educational Benefits

Empathy and Compassion
Pets teach children empathy and compassion. When children care for animals, they develop a deeper understanding of their needs and emotions. Whether it’s feeding, grooming, or simply offering a gentle pat, these interactions foster kindness and emotional intelligence.

Stress Reduction
Petting a dog or watching fish swim can reduce stress and anxiety. They remind us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the simple joys of life.

Responsibility and Routine
Caring for pets instills a sense of responsibility. Children learn about routines, feeding schedules, and cleanliness. These lessons extend beyond the classroom, preparing them for life’s responsibilities.

Celebrate with Us!

On this National Pet Day, let’s celebrate the paw-sitive impact of pets in our schools. Whether it’s a wagging tail, a gentle purr, or a chirpy tweet, our animal companions enrich our lives and create lasting memories. Remember, every day can be a pet day—so give your furry friend an extra treat and a heartfelt pat today! 🐾🐶🐱🐰🦜

To learn more about the schools mentioned in this article, please take a look at their website:

Green Ridge Academy
Sprites Academy
Tidemill Academy

Welcoming Aqueduct Primary School into the REAch2 Academy Trust!

REAch2 Academy Trust is delighted to announce the newest addition to our family of schools: Aqueduct Primary Academy in Telford. Effective April 1, 2024, Aqueduct officially became a part of REAch2 Academy Trust, marking a significant milestone in our collective journey of school improvement.

Amid recent challenges, the school's senior leadership team and the DfE, together with the trust, collaboratively concluded that Aqueduct and REAch2 are well-suited for a successful partnership. Together, we are enthusiastic about embarking on a shared mission to elevate the school's provision and enhance the learning experiences for all its children, embodying our Trust's commitment to 'Always aim higher'.

As of 1 April 2024, Aqueduct Primary joins Bushbury Lane, Heath Hayes, Lawley Village, Norton Canes, Silkmore, Veritas and Apley Wood (also joining on 1^st April) within Cluster 1. Gerry Crofts, Deputy Director of Education in Cluster 1 has said, “Our collaboration represents the beginning of a dynamic partnership. Alongside the Senior Leadership Team at the school, we're eager to enhance outcomes and enrich the learning experience for every child at Aqueduct Primary School."

With 60 academies across the UK, boasting an impressive 95% rating of Good or Better, REAch2 brings a wealth of school improvement experience and resources to the partnership. Cathie Paine, CEO of REAch2 Academy Trust, emphasised the Trust's unwavering commitment, “We warmly welcome Aqueduct into our family of schools. Along with the staff and senior leaders, we share a common purpose to elevate Aqueduct Primary Academy to new heights, striving for excellence and ensuring that every child receives a truly great primary education.”

Tammy Lockley, the Headteacher at Aqueduct, has been intricately involved in the conversion process and eagerly anticipates working with schools within Cluster 1 while leveraging additional support from REAch2 Academy Trust. Mrs. Lockley expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “REAch2 have not only shown their commitment to support us in Aqueduct’s journey, but have been welcoming and positive. We are pleased that they share our passion to make every child successful and happy. We are excited to become part of such an accomplished academy trust.”

12 3 4 5

Cookie	Duration	Description
_GRECAPTCHA	5 months 27 days	This cookie is set by Google. In addition to certain standard Google cookies, reCAPTCHA sets a necessary cookie (_GRECAPTCHA) when executed for the purpose of providing its risk analysis.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	1 year	Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category .
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Duration	Description
_ga	2 years	The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_127426520_1	1 minute	This cookie is set by Google and is used to distinguish users.
_gid	1 day	Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
CONSENT	16 years 4 months 2 days 9 hours	These cookies are set via embedded youtube-videos. They register anonymous statistical data on for example how many times the video is displayed and what settings are used for playback.No sensitive data is collected unless you log in to your google account, in that case your choices are linked with your account, for example if you click “like” on a video.
vuid	2 years	This domain of this cookie is owned by Vimeo. This cookie is used by vimeo to collect tracking information. It sets a unique ID to embed videos to the website.

Cookie	Duration	Description
IDE	1 year 24 days	Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
NID	6 months	NID cookie, set by Google, is used for advertising purposes; to limit the number of times the user sees an ad, to mute unwanted ads, and to measure the effectiveness of ads.
test_cookie	15 minutes	This cookie is set by doubleclick.net. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE	5 months 27 days	This cookie is set by Youtube. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website.
YSC	session	This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos.
yt-remote-connected-devices	never	These cookies are set via embedded youtube-videos.
yt-remote-device-id	never	These cookies are set via embedded youtube-videos.
yt.innertube::nextId	never	These cookies are set via embedded youtube-videos.
yt.innertube::requests	never	These cookies are set via embedded youtube-videos.

REAch2 Academy Trust

Uncategorized