Page 7 - Ad Astra Trust Newsletter 2025

Crooksbarn Primary

Support Achieve

We believe that our Mental Health support offer for children, We believe that we have a very strong pupil voice offer. Our
families, and staff is a key strength of Crooksbarn. Our open Pupil Maths Ambassadors continue set the bar in terms of
and positive ethos around mental health creates a solid achievement and are excellent role models for the rest of
foundation on which the whole school community can build to the children. They are elected by fellow pupils and continue
make the most of both school and life. We are proud to have to progress via a bespoke training programme and really
won the Healthy Schools Award, recognising our commitment enjoy assisting and challenging not only our younger children
to promoting, educating, and supporting pupils’ wellbeing in but all ages throughout the school. Our school council
a truly holistic way. Our extensive 4-tiered support system continue to thrive and after following the democratic process
ensures that all pupils and staff are cared for, with early with an election week with our own ballot box, the elected
intervention in place when further support is needed. A representatives serve their classes and report back to staff,
dedicated in-school mental health team meets regularly to leading to some great in-depth discussions over how we can
review support strategies and monitor pupil progress across improve our whole school offer. Our local MP Chris McDonald
the school. We also prioritise supporting staff wellbeing by came into school to oversee the process and talk to the
responding directly to their needs- offering tailored CPD, children about how parliament and democracy work together
helping build confi dence, and supporting open conversations at a local and national level.
around mental health. Parents are signposted to external
agencies and are encouraged to speak with staff about how we
can work together to support their child. Mental health is not
taboo at Crooksbarn - it is championed and celebrated.

Togetherness

Our playground project is complete! This has been a long
process but could not have been done without amazing
partnerships with our parents and the Trust. Our main KS1
area has been resurfaced, with markings recently added. Part
of this area now has astro turf and a permanent play structure
has been installed. Our children have really enjoyed using
the new facility and our staff are able to provide a play-based
environment which has helped our pupils develop motor skills Success
as well as showing an increase in positive social behaviour.
Our Foundation Friends (Y6 children who buddy up with EYFS Our recent OFSTED inspection has without doubt been
pupils) have really enjoyed using our new area as way to the single most signifi cant success in school this year. In
interact safely with their partners. February 2025, Inspectors judged us to be “good” in all areas.
The Ofsted report says: “The school is highly ambitious for
every pupil to be successful and achieve well, including those
Respect with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Pupils enjoy school and attend regularly. Pupils are happy,
This year, our commitment to providing a respectful and safe and valued in the school’s warm and caring atmosphere.
inclusive school environment and curriculum has continued to Pupils are polite and respectful and show kindness to
strengthen and evolve. ¯Respect is modelled through the daily staff and each other. Staff create a nurturing and inclusive
interactions between children and staff, and an appreciation environment by supporting pupils’ mental health and well-
of diversity and inclusion is incorporated into our curriculum being. Pupils feel welcome and included. Pupils follow clear
and classroom rules. The development of our art curriculum behaviour routines based on being ready, respectful and
has allowed us to provide a safe space for children to explore safe. Pupils behave sensibly in lessons, following routines
diverse cultures, traditions, and viewpoints through visual and engaging positively in their learning.”
storytelling and collaborative projects. By studying artists from The report concludes: “The school has improved signifi cantly
different backgrounds and creating group artworks, students since the last inspection. Support from the trust has helped
learn to value diversity and practice empathy. This was leaders and staff grow their knowledge and confi dence
highlighted in our recent Ofsted report where it was stated that through coaching and mentoring. Managing staff workload
“Pupils show respect for different faiths and beliefs and have and well-being has been a key priority. Staff feel well
a strong understanding of equality and fundamental British supported by leaders. Governors check the school’s progress
values.” In the coming months we will celebrating Refugee and focus on key priorities.”
Week by creating an art project which will be displayed in our We would like to thank the whole Crooksbarn school
‘Curiosity Cube’. We will also be continuing to collaborate with community for the part they have played. However, we will
organisations and artists in our local community and will be not rest on our laurels and have already started to address Mr Twiby
honouring our local heritage by celebrating the bicentenary of the areas highlighted in the report as we strive for even
the modern railways.¯ further improvements.

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