I am thrilled to share some fantastic news with our Trust family and wider community. Following an Ofsted inspection in September 2026, Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School in Batley has received an overwhelmingly positive inspection report. From safeguarding and curriculum quality to leadership, behaviour and personal development, inspectors were positive about all areas of Healey School and saw the school as being at the heart of the Healey community. Reading this report filled me with immense pride. It is a true reflection of the vibrant, supportive and high-achieving environment that defines Healey School. At the core of any great school is a commitment to academic growth, and the inspector's findings show just how strong those foundations are at Healey: “Pupils develop secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics. The school's focus on these subjects, including early reading, helps pupils gain the essential knowledge and skills they need for future learning.”   Beyond the classroom, the report highlighted the rich array of experiences provided to all our young people. From serving as eco council members, prefects, and attendance ambassadors to participating in educational visits and hands-on learning experiences that build confidence, resilience, and ambition for the future. Inspector's observations were very clear on the sense of joy and community that fills the school every day. The report noted that behaviour is a strength of the school, praising our polite, respectful learners who arrive ready to learn, backed by consistent expectations and strong relationships with staff. Most importantly, the voice of our learners shone through brightly: “Pupils are proud to belong to this welcoming and inclusive school community. Pupils enjoy learning and generally achieve well. They approach lessons positively and are keen to contribute their ideas.”   Healey plays a vital role in the heart of Batley, fostering connections across generations and teaching children the importance of kindness, respect, and self-belief which prepares them thoroughly for the next stages of their education and lives. Achievements like this do not happen by chance. They are the direct result of the inspiring leadership of Headteacher, Luisa Lang, whose clear vision and dedication, alongside her exceptional team, and the school's very strong Governing Board have built a school where every single learner can thrive.   To our extraordinary staff: thank you for your relentless hard work, energy, and passion. To our wonderful learners: your enthusiasm and effort shine through every day. And to our parents and carers: thank you for your unwavering partnership and support, you make Healey the special place it is. We encourage our whole community to take a look at the inspector's full findings. You can read the official Ofsted report in full on the Ofsted Website.   Congratulations once again to everyone at Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School!

On Saturday we held our Trust Annual Governance Conference 2026, and my overriding feeling is one of immense gratitude and optimism. Members, Trustees and Governors joined the Trust Central Team for the day, united by a shared dedication to the children, young people and families of Batley. We are highly privileged to have a team of over 85 volunteers in these key leadership roles across our Trust family of schools.    The theme for this year’s conference was Belonging and Togetherness. These are values that sit at the very heart of everything we do in Batley. We know that when young people feel a true sense of belonging, they thrive, succeed, and grow into confident adults who make a positive difference in the world.   Our Governors are a vital part of our wider leadership team. Every single Governor is a volunteer who gives up their time so generously to support, guide and champion our schools. That gift of time and expertise is invaluable, and on behalf of our entire Trust family of schools, I want to say a heartfelt thank you.   The tone for the entire day was set in the most extraordinary way by our fabulous learners from Field Lane School. Opening the conference, they spoke to a room full of people about what education means to them as young people. To stand up in front of a large audience and speak with such clarity, eloquence, and heart takes immense confidence. They were truly inspirational and served as a powerful reminder of exactly why we do what we do.   It was equally wonderful to welcome their parents, whose pride shone through as they watched their children captivate the room. Moments like those capture the true spirit of our community - families, schools and Governors all working together to support our young people.   During the conference, our Chair of the Trust Board set out our key governance pledges for the year ahead. Throughout the day, governance volunteers at all levels, from School Governing Boards, to Trustees to our Members, all had the opportunity to connect, collaborate, analyse key documentation, and shape our strategic vision for the year. The energy and passion in the room proved just how much we can achieve when we align our efforts for the benefit of all our learners.   There is so much potential waiting to be unlocked in Batley, and with such a committed staff and governance team, the possibilities are endless.   Thank you once again to everyone who attended and contributed to making the conference such a resounding success, and to our outstanding governance team for their excellent planning and organisation on the day. Here’s to an exciting, ambitious, and impactful year ahead!