Blog
Latest News from Mercian Educational Trust
Building Global Connections at Mercian Educational Trust
At Mercian Educational Trust, we are committed to providing an education beyond academics and local borders. Our Global Links Programme embodies this vision, giving our pupils and staff opportunities to understand and engage with the wider world. By connecting our schools in Worcestershire and Herefordshire with communities abroad, we are preparing our pupils to become responsible global citizens, aware of the challenges and opportunities within a diverse, interconnected world.
A Journey to Tanga, Tanzania
Recently, as part of this programme, five MET teachers travelled to Tanga, Tanzania, where they spent time in local schools and communities. During their stay, they observed the daily realities of Tanzanian education, teaching in classrooms with over 100 pupils and observing traditional ceremonies. These experiences offered a fresh perspective, allowing our teachers to explore new teaching methods, connect with local educators, and appreciate the resilience and creativity of Tanzanian pupils and teachers. This exchange of knowledge and experience enriches our classrooms and builds lasting relationships with colleagues abroad.
Virtual Exchanges: Bringing Global Learning Home
While our teachers were immersing themselves in Tanzanian culture, our pupils in the UK were connecting with pupils in Africa through virtual exchanges. These online sessions allowed students to learn about each other’s daily lives, discuss cultural differences, and see firsthand how their efforts—such as fundraising on Non-Uniform Days—are making a tangible difference. This interaction helps them understand the global impact of their support, turning abstract lessons on empathy and responsibility into real-world actions and connections.
Creating a Path for Global Citizenship
Through our Global Links Programme, Mercian Educational Trust strives to cultivate a culture of empathy, responsibility, and global awareness. By bridging the gap between classrooms in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Tanzania, we are not just broadening academic horizons—we are preparing our pupils to become compassionate, informed individuals ready to contribute positively to the global community. This programme is an essential part of what makes MET a distinctive and forward-thinking multi-academy trust in Worcestershire.
Boosting School Attendance with a Support-First Approach: MET’s Recent Training Success
Last week, Headteachers, Attendance Leads, and Attendance Officers across Mercian Educational Trust (MET) came together for an impactful training session focused on improving student attendance. Led by Donna Parker, MET’s Attendance and Family Support Lead, the session introduced strategies from the “Support First” approach, which aims to address attendance challenges by building connections, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and ensuring a welcoming school environment.
The “Support First” approach is designed to help schools boost attendance by prioritising relationships and community. Donna shared practical, hands-on techniques that schools can use to monitor attendance and intervene early when issues arise. The session emphasised the importance of positive reinforcement and preventive measures to keep students engaged and attending regularly.
MET is proud to extend this valuable training to other schools across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, helping them implement effective attendance strategies. For schools interested in learning more, please contact Donna Parker at dparker@metacademies.org.uk.
Teachers' Reading Group Returns for a Second Year of Collaboration and Learning
We are excited to announce the return of the Teachers’ Reading Group for its second year, a collaborative initiative supported by the Open University and UKLA (United Kingdom Literacy Association). This group provides a valuable opportunity for educators from across Worcester and Worcestershire schools to come together, discuss the latest research on reading, and share best practices.
As a multi-academy trust in Worcestershire, Mercian Educational Trust (MET) is committed to supporting initiatives that foster collaboration and professional development across our schools. This year, the Teachers' Reading Group will host six meetings—starting with a launch session, followed by five project sessions. Each group will focus on two key lines of enquiry, helping teachers deepen their understanding of reading research and apply it effectively in their classrooms.
The group brings together educators from schools within our multi-academy trust in Worcester and beyond. Participants include staff from local libraries, two secondary schools, and three primary schools outside our Trust. This broad network enhances the learning experience and strengthens partnerships across Worcester schools.
A key success of this initiative has been the collaboration between Malvern Library, The Chase School, and primary schools within the Trust. Together, we share the latest publications and work on improving book engagement for our students. This partnership emphasizes the importance of teamwork, not just within MET schools but across the broader Worcestershire education community.
By bringing together educators from various Worcestershire schools, we continue to strengthen our commitment to collaboration and shared learning. If you're interested in learning more about the Teachers' Reading Group, please email us. We look forward to another year of professional growth and inspiring conversations!
Year 6 Pupils Enjoy Language Afternoon at The Chase School
On Wednesday, 2nd October, The Chase School hosted an engaging language afternoon for Year 6 pupils from local primary schools, including three schools from Mercian Educational Trust, Somers Park Primary School, Great Malvern Primary School, and Northleigh CE Primary School. Led by Mrs. Bennison and supported by Year 10 pupils, the event focused on enhancing the children's knowledge of French and introducing them to basic Spanish.
A Fun and Educational Experience
The session began with the children introducing themselves in French and practising conversational skills, such as asking questions about family and pets. This interactive experience allowed the Year 6 pupils to build confidence in using a foreign language while being supported by Year 10 pupils. A highlight of the afternoon was the croissant and juice break, where pupils had to ask for their snacks in French, making language learning fun and practical.
Introducing Spanish with Engaging Activities
After the break, the children learned to count to ten in Spanish—an exciting new experience for many. They applied this knowledge during three rounds of Bingo, listening attentively to the numbers called out in Spanish. The pupils' enthusiasm and engagement in the activity underscored the value of providing new learning experiences in a fun and supportive environment.
This event illustrates the benefits of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), such as the Mercian Educational Trust, in fostering collaboration and creating enriching learning opportunities for pupils. At Mercian Educational Trust we encourage schools to pool resources and expertise and attend events like this language afternoon, which bring pupils from different schools together. Collaboration between schools within MATs supports academic growth and helps prepare and empower children to thrive in secondary education.
Opportunities for Schools in Multi-Academy Trusts
Events like this language afternoon provide a great opportunity for schools within a Multi-Academy Trust to enhance their curriculum and create shared learning experiences. The collaboration between primary and secondary schools helps students feel more confident and supported as they approach the next stage of their education. The children had the chance to experience high school language lessons in a relaxed, friendly setting, which will serve them well as they transition into secondary school.
Supporting Learning and Building Confidence
For Year 6 pupils, this event provided a valuable opportunity to expand their language skills, supported by older pupils and teachers. The interactive and fun nature of the activities ensured that the children were engaged throughout the session, helping to build their confidence in learning new languages. We are proud of the pupils who participated and grateful to The Chase School for hosting such a positive and educational event.
This event exemplifies the power of collaboration within Multi-Academy Trusts like the Mercian Educational Trust, showcasing the range of opportunities for schools to enhance learning. By working together, schools within our Worcestershire Multi-Academy Trust can offer pupils engaging and impactful educational experiences that build confidence and prepare them for future success.