Today, staff members from our PolyMAT schools attended the third and final day of Bett 2025.

We began our day by attending several talks held in the Arena.

Infinite Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Dan Fitzpatrick guides you on a transformative journey that reshapes the landscape of education. Currently, schools are engaged in a finite game, concentrating on grades, rankings, and outdated success metrics. Our learners require schools that embrace an infinite game, fostering change, creativity, and preparing them for a world that demands adaptability and lifelong learning. Drawing inspiration from his ground-breaking book, Infinite Education, Dan presents a bold vision for the future.

Future Skills Unlocked: AI & Education for 2025
Justina Nixon-Saintil leads initiatives that empower IBM and its employees to turn their altruism into action. Under her guidance, IBM aims to equip 30 million individuals worldwide by 2030, generating opportunities through IBM SkillsBuild. Additionally, she will discuss the significance of frameworks for understanding AI knowledge and the essential skills needed across various fields to bridge the AI gap.

Technology and Talent: AI Supporting Skills and Learning in the Creative Sector and Beyond
This session, developed by the National Youth Theatre as part of a complimentary Digital Accelerator program and supported by Microsoft, illustrates how Artificial Intelligence is being integrated into daily creative practices within the performing arts. Innovative generative AI tools, such as Copilot, are revolutionising improvisation, collaboration, and the development of technical skills.

Yet another incredible and inspiring event at Bett!

Enjoy this brief clip showcasing some of our favourite stalls and events from Day 3.

PolyMAT features in the Top Most Inclusive UK Employers Index 2024

Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers 2024 Celebrating the champions of inclusive cultures and best practice in Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement!

The 2024 Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Workplaces is a platform to highlight and celebrate the remarkable achievements of everyone who has committed themselves to building inclusive cultures.

PolyMAT's dedication to diversity and inclusion has been publicly acknowledged as we rank among the Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers in 2024, something of which we are incredibly proud.

With a strong emphasis on innovation and empowerment, PolyMAT is cultivating a workplace where every individual feels appreciated, supported, and motivated to thrive.

Solat Chaudhry, Chief Executive at the National Centre for Diversity said:

“I send my warmest congratulations to PolyMAT on successfully reaching number 83 in the Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Employers Index 2024. 

The inspiring organisations that make the Top 100, demonstrate excellent levels of employee retention and recruitment and clearly demonstrate how they value and respect the people that work for them.

What better than to be recognised by peers and those travelling in the same direction towards the common goal of Fairness in the workplace. It is hugely motivational.”

2024's Champions of Inclusion Our Top 100 Inclusive Employers Index

Brand New Post 16 Building at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys

We're thrilled to share with you our brand-new Post 16 building at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys. This development will cater to the additional numbers enrolling from the girls' school. August 2024 saw the first cohort of students to graduate from Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls and in September 2024 we warmly welcomed these students to the Sixth Form. Check out the video below that showcases the new building and how it seamlessly blends in with the existing school structure.

Mr T Lawrence, Headteacher of Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys states, ‘I am delighted to be able to say that our new build has finally been finished and to such a high standard! PolyMAT, the design team and the builders have been highly flexible in consulting on our needs for an expanding 6th form and have made structural revisions to enable us to have bespoke spaces that adapt to our changing requirements, thus future-proofing the new space provided. It is a building that is welcoming, accessible and enhances the other satellite building to which it is attached, improving access and movements around the latter. And it has incorporated new solar technology as part of our commitment to a greener future. It is a most welcome new space for us to use and will enable us to continue to deliver excellence to our students.’

Mr Tim Plumb, CEO of PolyMAT, has expressed his enthusiasm for the project stating, ‘We were thrilled to be part of a project that will benefit students and the local community. By expanding our current facility, we have created an inclusive space that caters to students from Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls. This will help them not only thrive, but also enjoy their interactions with their learning, with each other and with staff. This expansion has provided students with the ideal environment to further develop their skills and strengths. It will enable them to not only excel in their studies but also to make a positive impact on the world beyond the Poly.’

• Holiday Food and Fun | Royal Borough of Greenwich
• Christmas at Woolwich Works | Woolwich Works
• End of Term Winter Party | Woolwich Works
• Christmas Crafternoon | Woolwich Works
• Gingerbread Greenwich - Art Exhibition in Woolwich, Greenwich - Visit Greenwich
• Winter Light | Southbank Centre
• Kids' Countdown with Just Vibez | Southbank Centre
• Fleet Street Quarter Penguin Parade | Wild in Art
• An interactive trail
• Bridging Generations: Family Play and Connect
• Warm Hubs - Thamesmead
• Winter Lights 2025
• Sparkle in the Park 2024
• Santa on Tour – Dartford Borough Council
• ELF YOURSELF! — Enjoy Bexleyheath
• Free Carol Services at All Souls Langham Place, London
• Southbank Christmas Market 2024: Dates & Info For Winter Market
• Family Carols | St Paul's Cathedral
• Warm + Welcoming Spaces for Residents — The Exchange
• Calendar - Young Greenwich Youth Services
• Where kids can eat for free or £1 in Christmas holidays 2024 | The Northern Echo
• Events & Activities | Greenwich Libraries | Better
• Saturday Farmers Market - Hall Place & Gardens
• 38 free things to do in London with kids
• Kingston Christmas Market
• Free Christmas events in London 2024: Things to do with kids
• Gingerbread Decorating | Greenwich Peninsula
• Love Soupe Cafe & West Thamesmead Community Church
• Christmas Celebration at Heronsgate
• Christmas Carolling at Greenwich Market - Family Event in Greenwich, Greenwich - Visit Greenwich
• Free and budget friendly Christmas things to do in London 2024
• Free Things To Do In London - A Curated List By Locals
• Best Free Things to Do in London at Christmas - The Life of a Social Butterfly
• The ephemeral space at Maison Diptyque London | Diptyque Paris
• Winter Past 2024 | Rooms Through Time | Museum of the Home
• 30+ Free Light Festivals and Illuminated Trails UK (2024) | Museum Mum
• Meet Santa and Friends at Selfridges London | Selfridges
• Your access to Cirque du Soleil content, all in one place | CirqueConnect | Cirque du Soleil
• Full Broadway Shows - Watch FREE on YouTube

Please find below a list of useful links for free events and activities available during the upcoming October Half-Term!

Museums

• Art in the Gardens: Natural History - Horniman Museum and Gardens
• Halloween Fun! - Horniman Museum and Gardens
• Families (nationalgallery.org.uk)
• October half-term: Decoding pictures | Events container | National Gallery, London
• October half-term: The sound of paintings | Events container | National Gallery, London
• What's On · Exhibitions, Events & Courses · V&A (vam.ac.uk)
• Black History Month for kids at the National Maritime Museum | Royal Museums Greenwich (rmg.co.uk)
• October half term family activities at the Queen's House | Royal Museums Greenwich (rmg.co.uk)
• October Half Term Events at National Maritime Museum | Things to do with kids in Greenwich, London (rmg.co.uk)
• Safe Harbour | Royal Museums Greenwich (rmg.co.uk)
• Designer Maker User - Design Museum
• Family Activities: IWM London | Imperial War Museums
• What's On | Tate
• October half term | London Museum Docklands | London Museum
• What's on | Southbank Centre

SEND

• Activity for children with SEND: Inclusive Hula Hooping with Planet Hoop - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Activity for children with SEND: Hoopz Basketball with Planet Hoop - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Activity for children with SEND: Zumba - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Activity for children with SEND: Rugby - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Activity for children with SEND: Glowdance with Kelly - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)

Events in Greenwich

• Tump 53 half term open morning - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Halloween Scavenger Hunt - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Saturday Art Club - Workshop/Course in Greenwich, Greenwich - Visit Greenwich
• Park It in the Market: Halloween - Halloween Event in Greenwich, Greenwich - Visit Greenwich
• Kids' Activities & Games Clubs | Greenwich Libraries | Better
• FREE Halloween craft session for young children Tickets, Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 09:30 | Eventbrite
• Colour Me Happy @AKIndex ( Art & Music in the mix ) (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Kids' Culture Fiesta: Interactive storytelling and theatre session (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Empowerment 4 Families and Children with Own Your Crown CIC (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• GCDA: Family crafts (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• FREE Cuban and African-Cuban dance classes (9-11-year-olds) (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Kids Culture Fiesta: Celebrating Black History Month (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Silk Worm: weaving workshop (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Creative glitter and face painting (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Parks Sports FREE Tennis Camps (Ages 7-16) (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Halloween Creation Stations | Woolwich Works
• Halloween Hunt Window Display | Woolwich Works

City farm

• Mudchute Park and Farm
• Golders Hill Park Zoo - City of London
• See & do | Hackney City Farm
• Spitalfields City Farm
• Vauxhall City Farm
• Visiting The Farm (ktcityfarm.org.uk)

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