Autumn half term is now in sight and I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s looking forward to a little bit of a break before we start the run-in to Christmas. It’s that time of year again when we have the auditors in to undertake our annual accounts review, so there might be some new faces in our academies for a few days over the coming weeks as the audit team carry out their important work.

I’d like to welcome the latest addition to our Board of Directors: Professor Nick Hodge. Nick is Professor of Inclusive Practice in the Sheffield Institute of Education at Sheffield Hallam University, and his research interests focus on the attitudinal and structural barriers that lead to disabled children and their parents and carers becoming marginalised, disempowered and excluded within the educational system. Nick’s expertise and values are an excellent fit with our own and I’m delighted he’s agreed to join us.

As one new face arrives, another familiar face will be moving on. Tracey Brooke has taken the decision to step down from her role as Chief Finance Officer with Nexus MAT, and will be leaving in the next 3 months. There will be time between now and when Tracey leaves for me to fully acknowledge her huge contribution to the work of our Trust, though needless to say she has worked tirelessly for our children and families over the past 2 1⁄2 years and all of our academies have felt the direct benefit of Tracey’s hard work. I will now start the task of working with Directors to recruit a new Chief Finance Officer.

Our Extended Services offer continues to grow, with demand increasing again this half term. I know that there are more parents out there who want access to services beyond what we’re presently commissioned to provide and Victoria Morris is working closely with Rotherham Council to try and agree how we can do more to meet this need. Thank you to all the staff who continue to volunteer to deliver these services. It makes a huge difference to our families.

I’m sorry to finish this briefing with sad news, but as some of you already know on 26th September 2018 we lost Jack Burrows, who sadly passed away whilst in Bluebell Wood Hospice. Jack was - is - a much loved pupil of Hilltop School and grandson to one of our beloved clerks, Diane. I have known the family for a number of years and it was remarkable to see how many lives Jack has touched in his too short a time with us. I was so proud to see so many of our staff - past and present - in St. Margaret’s Church, Swinton, for Jack’s funeral. Painful as it was to bear witness to such a sad day, I know that Jack was loved by all those who knew him and I have no doubt that the joy we brought to his life was reflected back in the joy he brought to ours. I’d like to thank Claire, Matt and Jack’s family for allowing us to be part of that day and for letting us know their beautiful boy.

Have a wonderful half term everyone.

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