Diary of a School Leader: Benjamin Barker #2

November 2024

Welcome to the latest update on our journey toward the opening of King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree in September 2025. We’re excited to share our progress and recent events that bring us closer to welcoming our first Year 7 cohort.

Engaging with the Community

We extend our gratitude to the following schools and local venues for welcoming us this past month. These visits allow us to connect with staff and prospective families, strengthening our ties across the community:

• Northway Primary & Nursery School
• Saint Clare’s Catholic Primary School
• Al-Rahma Mosque

Professional Development and Conferences

This past October, our team joined the “Challenge and Elevate” conference, where keynote speaker Anne Seneviratne of Ofsted shared valuable insights into bridging the attainment gap among students and reinforcing foundational learning at Key Stage 3. Her emphasis on curriculum depth and the importance of revisiting key topics resonated with our approach at King’s. Additionally, Vicky Atherton led a session on effective teaching language and curriculum delivery, which provided our staff with practical strategies to ensure every student thrives.

Visit to Longdendale High School

In mid-October, Mr. Barker visited Longdendale High School to reconnect with former colleagues and observe innovative teaching methods. This visit provided valuable insights, showcasing the impact of a positive school culture and support for Year 7 students as they transition into secondary school. Experiences like these remind us of the importance of collaboration and shared learning across schools.

Community Service: Litter Picking Initiative

In keeping with our commitment to community responsibility, we have introduced a weekly litter-picking session, inspired by the local Penny Lane Wombles group. Every Friday afternoon, staff and students contribute to keeping our surroundings clean, fostering pride in our local area. Interested in volunteering? Get in touch to join us in our efforts around Wavertree Technology Park.

Curriculum Spotlight: Building Well-Rounded Leaders

Our vision is rooted in the belief that all students have the potential to develop academically and personally. The ASPIRE values—Aspiration, Self-awareness, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Endeavour—shape both our character and leadership development, which are central to our curriculum.

The King’s Curriculum emphasises:

• Academic Skills and Intellectual Habits: Our curriculum helps students develop learning strategies and time-management skills essential for lifelong learning.
• Character and Leadership: Students engage in meaningful leadership roles and community-building activities, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility.
• Rich Enrichment Program: Every Wednesday, students engage in enrichment activities tailored to their interests, from fencing and gardening to journalism and dance.

Our ultimate aim is to prepare students not only for academic success but also for active citizenship. Through experiences like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Combined Cadet Force, and School Parliament, students cultivate practical skills and confidence, ready to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society.

Thank you for following our journey, and we look forward to sharing more updates next month. For more information, feel free to contact our admin team or join us on social media to stay connected.

King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree is founded on international research and traditional values with a huge focus on leadership and academic development.

At King’s, the vision is “To develop in each of our students the academic skills, intellectual habits, qualities of character and leadership traits necessary to succeed at all levels and become successful citizens in tomorrow’s world”.

King’s Leadership Academy Wavertree are a proud member of the Great Schools Trust family of schools, a values-led Trust that wants their children to believe in themselves and develop the character traits necessary to make a difference in society.

Stay connected by following our progress on social media and attending our upcoming events.