TWO top performing school trusts have joined forces under a new name to ignite some of the best learning opportunities in the region.
Spark Education Trust replaces Vision 1590, itself the product of a merger in September of two Teesside multi-academy trusts.
The move follows shared ambitions to expand held by the Vision Academy Learning Trust and The 1590 Trust.
Spark will see four secondary schools, including Conyers School, Yarm, Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, Huntcliff School, Saltburn and Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form, Eaglescliffe, and 11 primary schools, come under one umbrella organisation.
The new trust will serve 8,000 children and 1,200 staff making it above average in size. All the schools are currently ranked good or outstanding by Ofsted.
Each of the schools, some of which gained academy status as far back as 2013, will retain their individual identities, including branding and uniforms, but will benefit from the shared expertise held within the trust.
Spark spans three local authority areas and will now run one school in Middlesbrough, 11 in Stockton and three in Redcar and Cleveland. The new board comprises five trustees from each of the former trusts and a new appointment specialising in secondary education.
The move follows the retirement of renowned educationalist and Vision chief executive Simon White.
Spark Chief Executive Louise Spellman told guests at the official launch, hosted by Conyers School, Yarm: “Simon and I had worked together on several projects and joining the two trusts seemed a natural fit in terms of shared vision, values and the geography of the schools. It brings together two small but mighty trusts rooted in optimism, aspirations and the potential of all our young people.
“We wanted a name that would be different. Spark seems appropriate as it captures everything we want to achieve in our schools, such as igniting potential in young people and children and staff being bright sparks. It also celebrates the fact that the safety match was invented in Stockton.”
“Key to the new trust is that our schools will be more than just great exam results and inspection reports. It’s also about the development of the whole child using a broad curriculum and huge extra-curricular activities programme, including creative arts, sport and music. We want outstanding results and everything else including the right career pathways and destinations for our students.”
She said staff would benefit from working in a community of like-minded people with development opportunities for everyone from trainees to executive leadership.
“Working for the trust will be based on optimism and hope,” Mrs Spellman added. “Staff will have the opportunity to upskill in post and there will be a special Bright Sparks initiative for our most talented and ambitious colleagues. They will also have a huge amount of fun working with brilliant colleagues and fantastic young people.
“We will strive to provide an environment where they can flourish and ignite the potential in all our students who will become the trailblazers of tomorrow.”
Spark’s director of education John Downs said: “The curriculum has to be so much more than what happens in the classroom and exam results, it must prepare our young people for what lies ahead so they can deal with whatever life throws at them.”
Spark’s director of education for primary Maria Carlton said too often children were limited by exams. “At Spark we see things differently and make sure pupils will be ready for the next chapter of their lives,” she said. “We will help them enjoy their time at school.
“In years to come they won’t remember period four on a Friday studying maths but will look back on school trips to the Lakes or Parliament, learning a musical instrument, or making a sand castle at the seaside. These experiences will be the catalyst to personal growth and you would struggle to replicate these from a text book. We want to create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Spark’s director of education for secondary Lindsay Oyston told guests: “We will also invest in our talented staff offering professional development, from training to headships. Our Bright Sparks programme will support, train and mentor the teachers and leaders of the future and by doing this we hope to attract high quality candidates to our schools.”
Director of education Danny Yates added: “We will strengthen our community presence and develop partnerships with business. We will help everyone understand how they can make a positive impact on society.”
Conyers School Wins National Award for Outstanding School Trip Leadership
Glynis Pattison,Trips and Visits coordinator at Conyers School in Stockton-on-Tees, has been honored with the prestigious School Trip Champion Award 2024, along with a £2,000 prize to be spent on learning outside of the classroom. Glynis has played an integral role in organizing enriching school trips for over 18 years, serving as the school’s trip coordinator for the past decade.
Glynis’ commitment to providing students with life-changing experiences has been described as “all-encompassing.” From Bushcraft camping and watersports trips to the South of France, to volcanic expeditions in the Azores and educational visits to Paris, Berlin, and New York, Glynis ensures every trip is planned with meticulous attention to detail. Glynis handles logistics, risk assessments, and financial arrangements, enabling teachers to focus on giving the students the very best experience possible.
Each year, Glynis helps over 450 students access residential trips, breaking down barriers to participation by offering tailored financial assistance and ensuring inclusivity. She says, “We try to make sure that we overcome all barriers, be that financial or health-related, so that all students can benefit from experiences that equip them with lifelong skills.”
The award recognizes not only her organisational excellence but also her ability to create opportunities that leave a lasting impact on students’ lives. A parent commented, “If you want life experiences for your child, send them to Conyers – Mrs Pattison goes out of her way to provide our children with the opportunity to explore the world that we live in.”
This national accolade is a testament to Glynis’s hard work and dedication to inspiring the next generation.
Summer 2024 Exam Certificates Are Ready for Collection!
Summer 2024 Exam Certificates Are Ready for Collection!
Learn how to collect your certificates by visiting our information page: Certificates
What you’ll find on the page:
Booking a Collection Slot: Reserve your preferred date and time.
Nominating Someone Else: Download the authorization form.
Required Documents: See what you or your nominee need to bring.
Welcome to Key Stage 3
Please select the link below to view the presentation from the Welcome to Conyers Information Evening for Year 7 parents on Tuesday 10 September 2024.
Well done to all of our Year 7 students for completing Mission: Perseverando. Please find below slides from our Mission: Perseverando Awards Ceremony along with photographs of our award winners.
Conyers School is once again celebrating a fantastic set of results for their Year 11 Students. 28% of GCSE and Technical Grades were at grades 9-7 and 66% were at 9-5. Our Vocational and Technical outcomes are equally impressive with 46% of grades at Distinction*/Distinction. The outcomes for the students are testament to the hard work and dedication of both students and staff throughout the past two years of study.
Our student outcomes continue to be strong and buck the national trend of fewer top grades at GCSE. Securing these outstanding results will ensure that Conyers Students are best prepared for their next steps be it continuing in our Sixth Form or starting vocational courses, apprenticeships and employment.
There were some truly exceptional performances from individuals including:
Eddie Gowland who secured 10 Grade 9s
Tara Mohammed who secured 8 Grade 9s
Abha Kulkarni who secured 5 Grade 9s
Edward Baker who secured 5 Grade 9s
Headteacher, Louise Spellman commented “We are incredibly proud of our students who have demonstrated determination and resilience throughout their chosen programmes of study. Their wonderful grades, both collectively and individually are a product of the hard work of students, the support of their families and the efforts of teachers to ensure our students are able to take their next steps with confidence”