BET Features

Bourne Education Trust believes extraordinary learning experiences extend far beyond textbooks and tests and for this reason we are delighted to spotlight Marnel Junior School, where a holistic educational approach goes far beyond the classroom walls.

Under the leadership of Headteacher, Tijhs Jordan, Marnel has fully embraced this approach. "As educators, we know that enrichment like trips, clubs, and outdoor play are essential," Tijhs explains. "These experiences inspire curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning in our students."

One of the school's proudest achievements is their involvement with the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) programme. OPAL has transformed Marnel's grounds into an imaginative landscape where children can play in the expansive sandpit, experiment in the mud kitchen, construct dens, climb, shoot hoops, craft bracelets, dance to music surrounded by nature and engage in various other activities.

The benefits of this play philosophy are vast. Physically, pupils meet up to 40% of their recommended daily activity levels and importantly, with these options readily accessible, barriers that typically hinder children - such as the fear of asking to join a game or feeling limited in choices - are effectively eliminated. Children build negotiation abilities, learn conflict resolution, take positive risks and forge meaningful friendships - all while having an absolute blast. Cognitively and academically, OPAL play also increases focus and attention when students return to lessons, improving behaviour, concentration, and engagement.

Complementing OPAL, the leadership team at Marnel have created a calendar of exciting trips, events and clubs to enrich learning. From the Gilbert White river exploration to the immersive ‘Open the Box’ historical workshops, the school makes sure that all trips link to learning and opportunities that most of their children have not had.

Extra-curricular clubs offer opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents beyond the academic curriculum, with the school resolute in its belief that all staff led clubs are run free of charge to allow as many children as possible to attend.

With next steps in mind, careers guidance takes centre stage during ‘Futures Week’, ensuring students understand post-school possibilities through a packed programme of inspirational visitors discussing their professions, culminating in a Dragons' Den-style panel where pupils pitch ideas, developing invaluable skills.

Looking beyond their students, Marnel also actively engages parents through workshops on key topics such as mental health, equity, diversity, and inclusion - underscoring its commitment to the entire community.

Alex Russell, BET CEO said: “Marnel Junior School truly epitomises Bourne Education Trust's belief that delivering an extraordinary education means going beyond traditional academics. When a robust curriculum is combined with enriching experiences like those offered at Marnel, there is no doubt children can reach their limitless potential.”

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At Bourne Education Trust, we believe that an exceptional education extends far beyond academic achievement. This philosophy is exemplified by Epsom & Ewell High School (EEHS), where inclusion, wellbeing and pastoral support form the cornerstone of their educational approach.

"We understand that excellence in teaching and learning is built on four crucial pillars: Teaching, Learning, Leadership and Wellbeing," explains Oli Daniels, Assistant Head and Inclusion Lead. "By excelling in all these areas, we achieve our core aim of providing an outstanding education for every pupil."

This holistic vision is realised through EEHS's innovative curriculum. Dedicated lessons are embedded into the school day, addressing what kind of learners pupils want to be and how they can positively approach challenges both inside and outside the classroom. These sessions cover various wellbeing aspects, from mental health and mindfulness to self-efficacy and leadership skills. A unique feature, the 'Red to Blue' programme, helps pupils self-assess their emotional state and learn regulation techniques, while physical wellbeing sessions complement these efforts, developing self-esteem, leadership and promoting overall health.

EEHS's commitment to mental health is particularly noteworthy, with the school becoming the first in the UK to receive the Schools Mental Health Gold Award from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence. This prestigious award recognised EEHS's comprehensive support and education programmes that successfully addressed the stigma surrounding mental health, with the school demonstrating not only robust internal structures and strategies but also a commitment to sharing knowledge and best practices nationally and internationally.

The impact of this dedication is far-reaching, improving pupil and staff self-confidence, resilience and mental health. It has led to better outcomes across the board and fostered a culture of awareness, tolerance and, importantly, acceptance around mental health both in school and beyond.

Central to EEHS's inclusive approach is their Internal Team Around the Family (ITAF), a multifaceted support system of key internal stakeholders and external agencies. Operating from the school's inclusion hub, this team ensures that any barriers to learning are promptly addressed, supporting pupils in accessing their education and realising their potential. The ITAF encompasses a wide range of specialised services, including attendance monitoring, a Buddy Up system (targeted intervention with qualified youth support workers), East to West relational support for pupils and families, ELSA (emotional literacy) support, ESOL (English speakers for other languages), external counselling, 1:1 learning mentors, a Mental Health Support Team providing early help for pupils, staff and parents, Provision for Deaf pupils, weekly drop in sessions with the school nurses team, SEND support, and The Wave - the school's all-encompassing safeguarding and wellbeing hub open daily for pupils.

EEHS's commitment to diverse learning needs is further exemplified by two standout specialist centres. The Provision for Deaf (P4D) caters to both oral pupils and those requiring sign support, offering one-on-one tutorials, small group teaching and in-class support from trained staff. Additionally, EEHS hosts one of the Southcote Centres, providing a unique learning environment for pupils who benefit from bespoke and targeted provision across a mainstream setting while retaining specialist intervention.

Leveraging technology, EEHS uses the Class Charts system to monitor fluctuations in pupils' wellbeing. This enables staff to identify trends and facilitate timely pastoral interventions, especially for vulnerable learners.

The school's dedication has not gone unnoticed. In their 2022 report, Ofsted praised EEHS, stating, "Leaders give pupils' mental and physical health a high priority. The school is the proud recipient of the gold Mental Health Award for Schools. This award offers a framework for improving mental health and wellbeing for staff and pupils."

Alex Russell, BET CEO, commented: "Epsom & Ewell High School truly embodies Bourne Education Trust's commitment to providing an extraordinary education. Their innovative approaches to inclusion, wellbeing and pastoral support create an environment where every pupil can thrive. When academic excellence is combined with such comprehensive support, we witness the incredible potential of our pupils being realised."

Looking to the future, EEHS plans to develop a new inclusion facility at the heart of the school and a wellbeing garden, further underlining their commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive educational environment.

At Bourne Education Trust, we are proud to celebrate Epsom & Ewell High School's outstanding work in fostering inclusion, wellbeing and pastoral support - key elements in shaping the future of education.

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Bourne Education Trust is proud to spotlight Philip Southcote School, where 'Learning for Life' isn't just a motto – it's the foundation of an educational approach that prepares students for meaningful, independent futures.

At the heart of Philip Southcote's distinctive offering is their comprehensive careers and life skills programme, which weaves real-world experiences into every aspect of learning. From active, hands-on lessons in money management to local shopping trips and problem-solving through artistic design, students engage with practical skills that directly translate to life beyond school, developing their independent living skills and access to the world around them.

Underpinning this approach is the innovative 'Wheel of Independence' framework, which tracks students' progress across eight essential life skill areas: money, meal preparation, time management, leisure, self-care, housekeeping, laundry and food shopping. This comprehensive approach comes to life during weekly family days, where sixth form students apply these skills in practical settings – planning menus, shopping for ingredients, preparing meals and developing essential social skills, all while building real-world independence.

These life skills are further enhanced through the school's skills centre. Housing a fully operational hair and beauty salon, charity shop, café and vinyl crafting studio, it provides both Philip Southcote students and those from other local special schools with authentic workplace experiences. Sixth form students dedicate one full day each week to developing two chosen skills, while younger students with particular sector interests can also gain valuable work experience here too. 'These aren't just simulated environments,' explains Mrs Cooper, deputy head overseeing careers and next steps. 'Our students develop real skills in real situations, serving customers and managing daily operations.'

Building on these workplace experiences, the school offers a carefully structured work experience programme for both year 10 and sixth form students. Year 10 students engage in week-long placements across sectors including education, hospitality, mechanics, retail, animal care and hair and beauty, while sixth form students undertake more tailored experiences, ranging from one-week placements to year-long weekly commitments, all aligned with their individual interests and future aspirations.

To ensure successful transitions beyond school, the dedicated 'moving on' coordinator works closely with students and families, uniting them in their goal to maximise each student's independence for life after school. This support extends beyond the classroom through half-termly careers assemblies featuring professionals and successful alumni, next steps evenings and the annual careers fair which turns the school hall into a hub of opportunity.

Sitting alongside this and further demonstrating that the school is carefully actioning its commitment to inclusivity and the needs of all learners, British Sign Language skills are developed and embedded within the curriculum – a programme which provides Philip Southcote learners with valuable communication skills, ensuring that deaf students can fully participate in school life, effectively breaking down barriers within the community.

Alex Russell, BET CEO, remarked: 'Philip Southcote School exemplifies our trust's commitment to extraordinary education. Their innovative approach to combining practical life skills with academic learning ensures every student can work towards independence and meaningful employment. This is exactly the kind of transformative education that changes lives and builds futures.'

Philip Southcote School is a special school for pupils aged 11-18 with moderate learning difficulties and additional learning needs. To find out more about the school please visit their website: Welcome to Philip Southcote School.

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Bourne Education Trust believes extraordinary learning experiences extend far beyond textbooks and tests, and for this reason we are delighted to spotlight Woodmansterne Primary School, where outdoor learning has become an integral part of the educational journey.

Set within 5.5 acres of grounds, Woodmansterne's Little Oaks Farm offers pupils a unique opportunity to connect with nature through hands-on experiences. ‘For years, we have embraced outdoor learning as a key part of our curriculum,’ explains the school leadership team. ‘These experiences inspire curiosity, resilience and a deep responsibility towards the natural world.’

At the heart of Woodmansterne's approach is Little Oaks Farm, which recently celebrated its first anniversary. Here, every child participates in animal care - from mucking out the pig pen and grooming goats to feeding the rabbits and guinea pigs. These daily tasks foster empathy, teamwork and respect for living creatures. Children learn the importance of routine, responsibility and the rewards that come from nurturing the animals in their care.

Beyond animal husbandry, the farm-to-fork philosophy thrives as pupils tend crops in the allotment area, ensuring their animals receive fresh, nutritious food. This sustainable approach helps children understand natural cycles, food production and the effort required to cultivate food sources, creating meaningful connections to what they learn in science and geography.

The outdoor learning experience extends further with outdoor cooking sessions where children master fire-building skills and prepare simple meals in the great outdoors. These experiences link to key curriculum areas such as science, design technology and nutrition while also allowing children to embrace the joy of shared experiences around a campfire. Meanwhile, orienteering activities with compasses and maps develop navigation skills, problem-solving abilities and confidence in exploring natural environments.

How do these experiences sit alongside a more traditional approach?

What makes Woodmansterne's approach particularly special is its integration into the weekly curriculum. Each class documents their outdoor journey in an Outdoor Learning Floorbook, capturing experiences, reflections and achievements beyond the classroom walls. These visual records celebrate the hands-on learning that takes place in nature's classroom.

What does the future hold for Little Oaks Farm?
As part of its ongoing commitment to Little Oaks, the school is continually exploring new elements that can be introduced thoughtfully, ensuring the farm evolves while maintaining a strong connection to the curriculum. This dedication is shared by the wider school community, where children, staff and the PTA enthusiastically support and sustain this exceptional resource. Through initiatives such as cake sales, school discos, animal adoption opportunities and fetes, they ensure that Little Oaks Farm continues to thrive and provide meaningful experiences for all pupils.

Alex Russell, BET CEO, commented: ‘Woodmansterne Primary School perfectly reflects our Trust's commitment to providing a well-rounded education that extends beyond traditional academics. Their creative use of outdoor space offers rich, hands-on learning experiences that support the development of the whole child. By connecting classroom concepts with real-life experiences at Little Oaks Farm, pupils gain a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the world around them.’

With its unique approach to outdoor education, Woodmansterne Primary demonstrates how embracing nature as a classroom can transform learning, build essential life skills and create memories that last long after the school day ends.

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At Twickenham School, reading is not just a skill – it's a culture.

At Bourne Education Trust, we believe that when values are put into action, extraordinary learning experiences follow. Nowhere is this more evident than at Twickenham School, where a whole-school commitment to reading is transforming both outcomes and opportunities for students. 'Language is the door, and reading is the key,' the team at Twickenham explain. 'A strong command of language unlocks success not just in school, but in life.'

This belief is central to Twickenham's ethos, curriculum and pastoral provision. Literacy is a clear school priority - embedded into curriculum design across all subjects and reinforced through initiatives that develop a love of language, reading and critical thinking.

One of the most visible ways this comes to life is the school's twice-weekly tutor reading programme, where students read aloud from a carefully chosen collection of diverse and engaging novels. 'We want every student to hear and experience great writing, regardless of their reading level,' explains the school's literacy lead.

Beyond tutor time, reading is woven into every corner of school life. All students attend half-termly library sessions, maintain reading logs for independent reading and have access to a newly refurbished library - now the vibrant heart of the school. Stock is monitored and refreshed using a tracking system that shows which books and genres different year groups are borrowing.

The impact is measurable and striking. Within just one year, over 2,000 additional books have been borrowed from the library, with particularly impressive gains in the younger years: year 7 students borrowed 1,073 more books than the previous year, while year 8 saw an increase of 556 loans. Student book requests are frequent and the library has become a hub of reading, conversation and exploration. With chess, games clubs and literary events hosted in the space, it is a warm and welcoming environment for all - especially those who might not consider themselves 'typical' readers.

Literacy across the curriculum

Literacy development isn't confined to English lessons. Reciprocal reading strategies - predict, clarify, question and summarise – are taught across all subjects, and classroom posters reinforce these strategies. Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and displayed on knowledge organisers and learning journeys, while students create their own glossaries to reinforce new words.

Staff receive regular CPD on how to embed vocabulary and comprehension into their teaching - a key strategy for supporting both SEND and EAL students. "We teach to the top and scaffold up," says the school team. Whether through writing frames, scribed assessments or 1:1 support, all students are given access to ambitious content.

For those who arrive with low reading ages, early and targeted intervention is essential. Students are assessed through NGRT testing and placed in small group reading support, led by skilled TAs. The school has found particular success with age-appropriate, dyslexia-friendly texts such as the Reading Rollercoasters series, which offer engaging content in accessible formats.

Reading for pleasure

At Twickenham, reading for pleasure is not left to chance. The school hosts author visits for every year group, celebrates events like World Book Day and promotes reading through displays, competitions and social media.

From the moment students join in year 7, they are introduced to a healthy diet of high-quality reading, carefully designed to expose them to a broad and diverse range of genres and voices. Staff are relentlessly positive about reading, creating an environment where a love of books is both encouraged and celebrated.

Initiatives like Battle of the Books - a Richmond borough competition for year 8 - and peer-to-peer reading schemes help strengthen reading identities across the school. 'Reading Leaders' from years 9 and 10 support year 7 students weekly, helping to build confidence, fluency and friendships.

Beyond the school gates, Twickenham works with Richmond Borough Libraries, ties book fairs into parents' evenings, and runs a much-loved Book Buzz initiative, where all year 7s receive a free book from a specially selected list of ten diverse titles for them to read and review.

Community and culture

Twickenham School’s reading culture is shaped and strengthened by its community. Student voice plays a vital role, with library helpers, book request forms and regular surveys all influencing library stock, events and enrichment activities.

Reading enrichment continues to grow, offering a wide range of carefully planned opportunities that cater to all interests and abilities. From bookmark competitions and sustainable book drives to themed reading challenges and word-based games like Scrabble and Boggle in the games club, students engage with language in ways that build confidence, creativity and critical thinking.

Parental involvement is encouraged through social media, newsletters, book recommendations and workshops, including sessions on how families can use reciprocal reading strategies at home. The school also works closely with a local primary school to foster a love of reading early on. Importantly, this partnership is open to all - not just the most able readers. Year 8 students regularly visit year 3 pupils to read together, building confidence, leadership and connection through shared stories.

A culture of success

The impact of Twickenham's literacy strategy is already visible. Reading ages are rising - with some students improving by as much as four years in nine months. More students are choosing English Literature at A Level and the school is seeing growing confidence and enthusiasm for reading across all year groups.

BET CEO Alex Russell commented: 'Twickenham School's approach to reading is everything we champion at Bourne Education Trust - thoughtful, inclusive, ambitious and grounded in evidence. In a time when national reading enjoyment is in decline, Twickenham is turning the tide.'

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