Sprites Primary Academy Named Primary School of the Year at National Teaching Awards

Sprites Primary Academy Named Primary School of the Year at National Teaching Awards

We’re proud to announce that Sprites Primary Academy in Ipswich has been named Making a Difference: Primary School of the Year at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Organised by the Teaching Awards Trust and sponsored by Pearson, the awards celebrate remarkable individuals and teams who make a significant impact on children’s lives across the UK.

Winning a Pearson National Teaching Award represents an exceptional achievement. The awards recognise excellence across 16 categories, with judges selecting finalists from thousands of nominations nationwide. Since joining REAch2 Academy Trust in 2015, the school has made significant, sustained improvements, moving from previous challenges to national recognition. This progress was formally acknowledged in 2022 when Ofsted awarded Sprites a ‘Good’ judgement.

Earlier this year, 93 shortlisted silver winners were announced before the final gold winners were selected. Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, said: “The Pearson National Teaching Awards shines a spotlight on the inspiring individuals whose influence has gone far beyond the classroom. This is a celebration of excellence at the highest level.”

Sprites has become a nurturing and inclusive environment for all pupils, including young carers, refugees and children with additional needs. Once facing challenges in its SEND provision, the school is now recognised for a strong, inclusive provision. Current Headteacher David Ashley reflected on the achievement with pride, "everybody is such a great team, and we've really worked towards making a difference to children. The whole title of this award is ‘make a difference’ and I really think we do that with the offer at Sprites.”

Sprites enriches pupils’ education through memorable, hands-on experiences. Children have had the chance to sing at the O2 Arena, camp under the stars, and explore the grounds of Cambridge University through the 11 before 11 programme. Within school, learning is enhanced through creative, repurposed spaces including the Kids’ Kitchen, Live Lounge and Art Studio.

For Cathie Paine, CEO of REAch2 Academy Trust, the award reflects the heart of the Trust’s mission. “REAch2 was set up to turn schools around, and in the case of Sprites, the journey has been extremely eventful. Tonight, we watched a team of people represent their colleagues in Ipswich and achieve the highest accolade that any Primary school could ever hope to celebrate”.

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

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

National Pet Day is a delightful occasion that encourages us to recognise and appreciate the furry, feathered, and scaly companions who bring joy and comfort into our lives. As we celebrate this special day, let’s turn our attention to the remarkable impact of pets within our school communities.

At REAch2 Academy Trust, where education and compassion go hand in paw, pets play an essential role in teaching children about life lessons such as responsibility, empathy, and compassion.

Our Pet Pioneers at REAch2

Barkley and Barney at Green Ridge Academy

A photo of Barkley - the school dog; on some grass.
A photo of Barney on the floor.

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.

Tom and Jerry at Tidemill Academy

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!

Luna at Sprites Primary Academy

Luna lives with Sprites Academy Deputy Headteacher, Mr Ashley and his family.  Luna is a very caring, docile, gentle and well-behaved dog who was selected for having the right breeding and temperament to be a therapy dog. She has experience of being in a school from when she was a puppy, and has learned how to react well to children.

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