Mill Mead Join Laurel Education Trust – Strengthening Opportunities Through Partnership
We are pleased to formally announce that Mill Mead’s academisation will be finalised on 1st September 2025, marking our official entry into the Laurel Education Trust (LET). This milestone represents the next step in our already strong partnership with Simon Balle All-through School, bringing enhanced opportunities for both pupils and staff.
At the heart of this transition is our commitment to collaborative working and the belief that partnerships improve outcomes. Our close work with Simon Balle has already enriched teaching and learning through shared training, joint moderation, curriculum development and leadership support. As we formalise our place within LET, pupils will now benefit directly from this collaboration.
From September, specialist teachers from Simon Balle will deliver:
- Curriculum music lessons to all pupils, alongside an expanded instrumental offer (including new string tuition and a relaunched school choir).
- Modern Foreign Languages teaching, introducing Spanish and French from Reception to Year 6, giving pupils early and varied language experiences.
- Enhanced PE provision, with weekly lessons led by a Simon Balle PE specialist, supporting both skill development and wellbeing.
In addition, we are delighted to share that LET has secured a £550,000 CIF bid for critical fire safety improvements to our premises—demonstrating their investment in our school’s future even ahead of formal conversion.
We are confident that joining the Trust will further enhance the quality of education at Mill Mead through shared expertise, high expectations, and a united vision. We look forward to the continued impact of partnership working on teaching, learning and enrichment for all our pupils.
Mrs Rachael Walsh – headteacher; Mill Mead Primary School