London Trust Leaders Network Gathers at Drapers’ Hall for Insightful Autumn Session

On Tuesday 7th October, the London Trust Leaders Network (LTLN) convened once again for a dynamic morning of discussion and collaboration at the stunning Drapers’ Hall in London. The event brought together senior education leaders from across the capital to explore key developments in policy, planning, and inclusion.

The morning began with refreshments and informal networking from 9:30am, before the agenda officially opened at 10:00am with a session led by Alan Parnum, Acting Regional Director at the Department for Education, who was joined by colleagues Dominic Riddex and Judith Fuller. Together, they provided a comprehensive overview of current headlines in education, pupil place planning, and strategies for mainstream inclusion. Their insights were followed by a contribution from Matt Jones, RISE Advisor, who added further depth to the discussion with practical strategies and sector-wide perspectives.

Following a short break at 11:30am, attendees heard from Steve Rollett, Deputy CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), who provided valuable updates on national policy and the evolving landscape of trust inspection.

Reflecting on the event, several founding members and attendees shared their thoughts:

Tim Plumb, CEO of PolyMAT:
“The strength of the London Trust Leaders Network lies in its ability to bring together diverse voices and experiences. Events like this allow us to stay ahead of policy changes and ensure our schools are best placed to support every child.”

Matthew Kleiner-Mann, CEO of The Ivy Learning Trust:
“Having the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and tackle shared challenges with fellow trust leaders is what makes the LTLN so impactful. These moments of genuine connection are where real progress begins.”

Sian John, Chief Talent Officer at E-ACT:
“It is so exciting to see how the LTLN continues to grow. We are expanding our reach and connecting with more leaders-especially through LinkedIn. The momentum we are building is a reflection of the passion and commitment across our sector.”

Gill Kemp, CEO of University Schools Trust:
“It was lovely to be back at Drapers’ Hall. Thanks to a valued contact from our Trust, we’re fortunate to be able to host an LTLN event here annually. The setting adds a sense of occasion and tradition that perfectly complements the forward-thinking spirit of our discussions.”

The LTLN was established by Gill Kemp, Matthew Kleiner-Mann, Tim Plumb, and Sian John—leaders who envisioned a collaborative space for London-based trust leaders to share best practice, influence policy, and drive meaningful change across the education sector.

The atmosphere throughout the morning was one of genuine engagement and shared purpose. We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming colleagues to Drapers’ Hall and look forward to even more trust leaders joining us for the next LTLN event.

Lighting Up Our Community: Celebrating Diwali Together

At PolyMAT, we understand how important it is to support and celebrate the rich cultural traditions of our diverse community. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a time of joy, reflection and togetherness. Diwali is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India and across South Asian communities around the world.

How Diwali Is Celebrated:

• Lighting diyas (oil lamps) and candles
• Decorating homes with rangoli (colourful patterns made with powders or flowers)
• Sharing sweets and festive meals
• Wearing new clothes
• Visiting temples and offering prayers
• Fireworks and community gatherings
• Exchanging gifts and spending time with loved ones

To everyone in our school community celebrating Diwali, we wish you a wonderful time filled with light, love and laughter.

Looking to join in the celebrations? Here are some free and local Diwali events happening in London:

Diwali at Greenwich Peninsula

• Peninsula Square, SE10
• Saturday 18 October, 2pm–7pm
• Garba dancing, Dhol drummers, Bollywood DJ sets, lantern-making workshops and a glowing evening procession.
• Free entry – just turn up!

Illuminate: Diwali at the National Maritime Museum

• Saturday 25 October | 10am–5pm
• National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, London SE10 9NF
• Free Entry

Diwali at Marble Hill House, Twickenham

• Marble Hill House, TW1 2NL
• Saturday 18 October, 2pm–7pm
• Illuminations, Dhol drumming, Bhangra and Bollywood dance workshops, and a puppet parade.
• Free entry

Let’s celebrate the light within us and around us.
Happy Diwali from all of us at PolyMAT.

Transport Options to Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary Schools

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys and Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls, both located in Thamesmead, benefit from great public transport links, making them easily accessible for students across South East London.

Bus Routes Serving Both Schools

Students can travel conveniently using several Transport for London (TfL) bus routes:

• 244 - Connects Thamesmead with Woolwich and Abbey Wood
• 301 - Runs between Bexleyheath and Woolwich via Abbey Wood
• 472 - Links North Greenwich to Thamesmead via Charlton and Woolwich
• 229 - Runs between Thamesmead and Sidcup via Bexleyheath
• B11 - Runs between Thamesmead and Bexleyheath via Abbey Wood.
• 401 - Runs between Thamesmead and Bexleyheath via Belvedere
• 177 - Connects South East London to Thamesmead via Greenwich and Woolwich.
• SL3 - Offers fast connections between Thamesmead, Abbey Wood, Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Chislehurst, and Bromley North
• 672 - A dedicated school service operating during peak times

Rail & Elizabeth Line Access

Nearby Woolwich and Abbey Wood stations offer Elizabeth Line and South-eastern services. From these stations, students can take a short bus ride to either school using the 244, 301, 229, or SL3.

Both schools are located within walking distance of key bus stops, making them accessible for students from a wide range of local communities.

Travel Times to Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary Schools

Whether attending Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys or Girls, students benefit from quick and reliable travel options from nearby areas:

Estimated Bus Travel Times

• Thamesmead: Most routes begin or pass through Thamesmead - approx. 5-10 minutes walk or bus ride depending on location
• Abbey Wood: Direct via 301, 244, or SL3 - approx. 10-15 minutes
• Woolwich: Direct via 244 or 472 - approx. 15-20 minutes
• Plumstead: Via Woolwich, then 244 or 472 - approx. 20-25 minutes
• Charlton: Direct via 472 - approx. 25-30 minutes
• Bexley: Via 301, 229, or SL3 - approx. 30-35 minutes

These travel times make both schools highly accessible for students across the borough, supporting punctuality and ease of commute.

GCSE Results Day Highlights - Now Live on YouTube! 

We are so proud to share our latest GCSE Results Day videos, now available to watch on our YouTube Channel.

Capturing these moments on film allows us to relive the pride, joy, and emotion of one of the most meaningful days in our school calendar. It’s a powerful celebration of the hard work, resilience, and achievements of our Year 11 students - and a heartfelt reflection of the incredible support from our dedicated staff and wider school community.

At PolyMAT, our vision is success for everyone, and these results days are a powerful reminder of that commitment. Whether academic, creative, or personal, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, and we are proud to provide an environment where that’s possible.

A huge thank you to all the staff and students who took part in the filming and helped capture the spirit of the day. Your contributions made it truly memorable.

Head over to our channel to watch the highlights and celebrate with us!

We are delighted to announce that the Regional Director at the Department for Education has approved our significant change request to establish a Local Authority Resourced Provision (LARP) Satellite Provision. This new provision will serve as an extension of the existing LARP currently based at and operated by Woolwich Polytechnic School (WPS) and is scheduled to commence in 2026. The proposed expansion will increase the total LARP capacity from 15 to 45 pupils, with the additional 30 places delivered via a new satellite site. This approval is conditional upon further consultation prior to the opening of the provision as a single-sex Satellite LARP, as the initial consultation was conducted on the basis of a co-educational model.

The consultation period runs from Monday 8th September to Friday 3rd October 2025 and allows anyone with an interest (for example parents, other schools and the local community) to comment on the proposal for the satellite LARP to open as a single-sex (all male) provision rather than a co-educational one.

You can comment by emailing consultation@woolwichpoly.co.uk

Bannockburn Primary School, a proud member of the PolyMAT Trust, has been officially recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding across all five inspection categories: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Early Years Provision. This powerful endorsement follows the school's inspection on 10 and 11 June 2025.

PolyMAT is immensely proud of Bannockburn Primary School’s exceptional achievement, which reflects the dedication, heart, and high standards that define the trust’s vision for education.

Tim Plumb, CEO of PolyMAT comments:

“This recognition affirms Bannockburn’s unwavering dedication to fostering excellence, equity and empowerment. We’re incredibly proud of every student, parent/carer, and member of staff who made this achievement possible.”

Rachel Ford, Headteacher of Bannockburn Primary School added:

“This outcome reflects the shared passion and integrity that drives our entire school community. I am incredibly proud to be part of such a collaborative and supportive school community.”

 

A culture of excellence and warmth

Inspectors described Bannockburn as “an oasis of calm,” where pupils manage their behaviour “exceptionally well” and demonstrate pride in their school through “kindness, positivity, and respect.” Relationships across the school were praised as “warm and respectful,” creating a “highly supportive and nurturing environment for learning.”

Ambitious learning for all

The curriculum was commended as “broad and ambitious,” thoughtfully sequenced to allow children to build on existing knowledge. A standout example came from the music provision, where pupils progress from learning basic patterns in Year 3 to exploring atmosphere through chord sequences in Year 6. Teachers were recognised for skilfully connecting pupils’ learning to wider themes, helping them become “knowledgeable and articulate learners.”

Early years and SEND success

The Early Years environment was hailed as “exciting and enabling,” with children confidently engaging in a range of activities. Staff were celebrated for helping children develop “language and communication skills” that set them up for success in Year 1. Inspectors highlighted that pupils with SEND “do very well from their different starting points,” due to timely support and adaptive teaching strategies.

A love of reading and leadership

Reading is at the heart of Bannockburn’s culture, with “engaging and animated” story sessions and an expertly delivered phonics programme. The school’s approach to personal development stood out for its uniqueness and impact - every pupil from Year 2 upwards takes part in leadership groups like the ‘media team’ and ‘premises personnel’, contributing meaningfully to school life.

A community powerhouse

Beyond academics, pupils are active citizens - cooking and selling healthy meals, raising funds for charity, and mentoring younger peers. Breaktimes offer a variety of enriching activities, from gardening to organised sports, reinforcing values like kindness, creativity, and service.

Staff pride and strong leadership

Staff reported feeling “happy and proud to work here,” supported by tireless efforts from leaders and governors. The school’s commitment to hearing student voices in decision-making was lauded, ensuring that all policies and changes serve pupils’ best interests.