Children’s campaign took a lot of bottle

Youngsters at one east Dorset school showed a lot of bottle when they persuaded a milk supplier to switch to more environmentally friendly goods. The children at Oakhurst Community First School and Nursery in West Moors have successfully lobbied for their usual milk cartons and plastic straws to be switched to the greener glass bottles and re-usable drinking cups. Their … Read More

Race in memory of a special life

A Dorset headteacher and a school governor are joining forces to run in the Paris Marathon in memory of a much-loved former pupil. Clare Hewitt, headteacher of Sixpenny Handley First School, and governor Sharon Carter, are taking on the 26 mile race in memory of Emily Brown who lost her brave two-year battle with cancer last year aged just seven. … Read More

Children’s journey of discovery

Dozens of children from a Dorset’s Heath Academy Trust have embarked on a mission to find out more about Britain and its values. Their mission began in 2017 with a visit to Wimborne Minster for a discovery about Christianity and then followed a trip in 2018 to a Mosque to learn more about British Muslims. Now their latest 2019 venture … Read More

Children don’t dodge the chance to compete

Sixty children from six Dorset schools came together in what has become a friendly rivalry in their annual calendar. The schools of Heath Academy Trust  ­-  Sixpenny Handley First, St Ives Primary, Three Legged Cross First, St Mary’s First and Oakhurst First in West Moors and St James  First in Alderholt – come together every year for the annual Year … Read More

Teachers take inspiration from sporting stars

Teaching and support staff from across six Dorset schools came together for a special conference at AFC Bournemouth to learn from sport how ‘together, anything is possible’. The conference was organised by the Holt Teaching Alliance, part of east Dorset’s Heath Academy Trust, to inspire school staff that together they can transform children’s lives. Kicking off the event was the … Read More

School is declared awesome

A Dorset school has been declared ‘awesome’ by Ofsted inspectors. St Mary’s CE First School and Nursery in West Moors has been officially judged Good again in its recent Ofsted inspection. In his report, lead inspector Alexander Baxter said the school, part of Heath Academy Trust, was passionate and supportive of its motto “Believe in better and be more awesome.” … Read More

Read all about it – school gets new look

Children and staff at an east Dorset school are celebrating after their school received £17,000 worth of new facilities. St James’ CofE First School in Alderholt has not only bagged a new outdoor area for its Reception pupils but has also been granted its wish for an improved library. Now the school is hoping the whole community can be ‘co-opted’ … Read More

Stately school trip

Children from six east Dorset schools were brought together for a special trip to Kingston Lacy designed to enrich their learning. The trip was organised by the Heath Academy Trust so pupils from its schools – Sixpenny Handley First, St Ives Primary, Oakhurst First and St Mary’s First in West Moors, Three Legged Cross First and St James First in … Read More

Ann puts down new roots

Oakhurst First School is planting the seeds for a successful future with the appointment of a new headteacher. Staff and children at the West Moors’ school have given a warm welcome to their new head, Ann Clark. Ann joined the school, which is part of the Heath Academy Trust (HAT), at the start of term. She said: “I am delighted … Read More

Pupils make a splash

Youngsters from a Dorset multi-academy trust made waves when they took part in their annual swimming gala. All six schools in the Heath Academy Trust dived into the competition, which was hosted at St Ives Primary School, near Ringwood. The gala saw 40 children in Years 3 to 6 take part in a variety of races, both individual and relay. … Read More