TRUST NEWS
Easter Newsletter
Click below to read our Trust Easter newsletter
Trust Educational Leadership Team Launch
We are excited to share some updates with you about changes to our schools’ leadership. As a family of schools, we have enormous wealth in our leadership and now is the time to build on that strength to ensure we provide the best environment for our pupils, staff and schools to grow.
We are at an exciting time in the development of our Trust of schools. Whilst we are rightly proud of all that has been achieved historically, we are ambitious to continue to improve the quality of education that our children receive and deepen and broaden our connection and service to our communities.
It is important to emphasise that with the changes we are announcing, all schools will benefit. We are building a broader model of leadership for our Trust, creating capacity where it is needed, sharing our skills and expertise, and strengthening our structures to help everyone achieve their best to support our Trust aims.
This week, we are announcing a number of changes to the leadership of our schools, from the start of the Summer term. In addition, to underscore the importance of our schools’ leadership in our communities, all our Heads of Schools and Headteachers will be called Principals moving forward. You can see details of these changes below.
Our Executive Principals, in both our primary and secondary phases, will now be enabled to support all schools across our Trust within our Primary and Secondary Leadership Boards, providing strategic direction and support to ensure we can achieve our aims.
Our school leaders have been working together to ensure a smooth transition as they ‘pass the baton’ safely onwards. During the coming weeks, our school leaders will be seen together in our schools and at our school gates, to demonstrate our commitment to this exciting change.
Our school leaders will be making themselves for both staff and parents during the coming week, to answer any questions or concerns.
With firm foundations of trust, respect, and cooperation, these changes will enable us to stride forward, to ensure that all can thrive and succeed.
We are at an exciting time in the development of our Trust of schools. Whilst we are rightly proud of all that has been achieved historically, we are ambitious to continue to improve the quality of education that our children receive and deepen and broaden our connection and service to our communities.
It is important to emphasise that with the changes we are announcing, all schools will benefit. We are building a broader model of leadership for our Trust, creating capacity where it is needed, sharing our skills and expertise, and strengthening our structures to help everyone achieve their best to support our Trust aims.
This week, we are announcing a number of changes to the leadership of our schools, from the start of the Summer term. In addition, to underscore the importance of our schools’ leadership in our communities, all our Heads of Schools and Headteachers will be called Principals moving forward. You can see details of these changes below.
Our Executive Principals, in both our primary and secondary phases, will now be enabled to support all schools across our Trust within our Primary and Secondary Leadership Boards, providing strategic direction and support to ensure we can achieve our aims.
Our school leaders have been working together to ensure a smooth transition as they ‘pass the baton’ safely onwards. During the coming weeks, our school leaders will be seen together in our schools and at our school gates, to demonstrate our commitment to this exciting change.
Our school leaders will be making themselves for both staff and parents during the coming week, to answer any questions or concerns.
With firm foundations of trust, respect, and cooperation, these changes will enable us to stride forward, to ensure that all can thrive and succeed.
DMAT welcomes new expert to drive staff development | Press release
17th March 2021
Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust (DMAT), which supports 17 schools across the region, is delighted to announce that Professor Michael Green has been appointed as Associate Executive Director of People Development.
Professor Green joins the Trust from Ofsted, where he served as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, with the appointment reflecting DMAT’s commitment to developing its staff as well as its students, and ensuring that the whole school community is empowered to fulfil their potential.
Alongside his time at Ofsted, Professor Green brings a range of education experience, including work leading initial teacher education in higher education and as a government adviser.
He has also carried out international advisory work and held senior leadership positions within primary schools, as well as published articles and chapters on a variety of topics, including teacher workload, primary English and learning outside the classroom.
Passionate about supporting teachers in the early stages of their career, his job role will include overseeing and further developing the trust's strategy for the professional development of staff, including those new to the teaching profession.
He will begin work with the Trust on 19th April 2021.
Professor Michael Green, incoming Associate Executive Director of People Development, said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, and welcome the opportunity to draw upon all my previous experience to make a positive impact on the community. It is an extremely exciting time for DMAT, and I really look forward to working with staff across all its 17 schools.
“As has become acutely clear over the past 12 months, children and young people in our schools only get one chance in their schooling. In order for our children and young people to thrive and succeed, we need to harness the potential of our education colleagues, who are the beating heart of our education profession.”
Dan Morrow, CEO and Trust Leader for Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, said:
“I am thrilled that Michael is joining us on our mission to bring positive change to students and staff across Dartmoor. As a Trust, we value all of our teachers and staff enormously, and fully believe in supporting them to fulfil their potential. With Michael’s support and expertise, I am confident that we can do just that.”
Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust (DMAT), which supports 17 schools across the region, is delighted to announce that Professor Michael Green has been appointed as Associate Executive Director of People Development.
Professor Green joins the Trust from Ofsted, where he served as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, with the appointment reflecting DMAT’s commitment to developing its staff as well as its students, and ensuring that the whole school community is empowered to fulfil their potential.
Alongside his time at Ofsted, Professor Green brings a range of education experience, including work leading initial teacher education in higher education and as a government adviser.
He has also carried out international advisory work and held senior leadership positions within primary schools, as well as published articles and chapters on a variety of topics, including teacher workload, primary English and learning outside the classroom.
Passionate about supporting teachers in the early stages of their career, his job role will include overseeing and further developing the trust's strategy for the professional development of staff, including those new to the teaching profession.
He will begin work with the Trust on 19th April 2021.
Professor Michael Green, incoming Associate Executive Director of People Development, said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, and welcome the opportunity to draw upon all my previous experience to make a positive impact on the community. It is an extremely exciting time for DMAT, and I really look forward to working with staff across all its 17 schools.
“As has become acutely clear over the past 12 months, children and young people in our schools only get one chance in their schooling. In order for our children and young people to thrive and succeed, we need to harness the potential of our education colleagues, who are the beating heart of our education profession.”
Dan Morrow, CEO and Trust Leader for Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, said:
“I am thrilled that Michael is joining us on our mission to bring positive change to students and staff across Dartmoor. As a Trust, we value all of our teachers and staff enormously, and fully believe in supporting them to fulfil their potential. With Michael’s support and expertise, I am confident that we can do just that.”
February Newsletter
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Staff thanked for exceptional hard work by Dartmoor Trust leaders
4th February 2021
Senior leaders at Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust (DMAT) delivered wellbeing packages to staff at all 17 of their schools, thanking them for their incredible efforts during the third national lockdown. The wellbeing packages were personally paid for by senior leaders at DMAT to show their appreciation for the outstanding work being done by members of staff to keep schools open to vulnerable children and children of key workers, and provide remote learning support to all students studying from home. Included in the packages were an assortment of treats such as fruit, different types of tea and biscuits. Waitrose, Okehampton, also inspired by the hard work of teachers and school staff, kindly matched the wellbeing packages being provided by the senior leaders which meant they were filled with twice as many treats. Waitrose Team Manager Steve Pearce coordinated the store’s efforts and ensured extra care went into each package before arranging their delivery.
Senior leaders at DMAT, which has 17 schools across the region and welcomed their new CEO Dan Morrow at the beginning of the school term, thought it was the very least they could do to celebrate the staff’s kindness and dedication to support children and families both educationally and pastorally throughout this challenging period.
Ed Finch, Trust Champion at DMAT who personally delivered the seventeen wellbeing packages across schools in the Trust, said:
“This was just a small way to say 'thank you' to the teachers, teaching assistants, office staff, cleaners and all the other people who have helped keep our schools open to the children and young people who really need to be there, and create a remote learning offer for the pupils at home. “Our staff have been working so hard in such challenging circumstances and we wanted them to know how much we value their hard work. It was lovely to have a chance to visit all our schools and to witness their commitment to their children and communities. We are very lucky in the school leaders and staff we have at DMAT.”
Dan Morrow, new Chief Executive Officer at DMAT, said:
“To us it was the least we could do to show in our actions as well as words just how much we care for, value and appreciate all of our teams – the site staff, admin, teachers and support all have a massive part to play in this national emergency.
“We are grateful that Waitrose supported us in matching what the executive team contributed: this was our way of saying thank you and quickly became the community’s way of acknowledging their pride of their schools. Sincere thanks to Waitrose for being the community leader it is.”
Senior leaders at Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust (DMAT) delivered wellbeing packages to staff at all 17 of their schools, thanking them for their incredible efforts during the third national lockdown. The wellbeing packages were personally paid for by senior leaders at DMAT to show their appreciation for the outstanding work being done by members of staff to keep schools open to vulnerable children and children of key workers, and provide remote learning support to all students studying from home. Included in the packages were an assortment of treats such as fruit, different types of tea and biscuits. Waitrose, Okehampton, also inspired by the hard work of teachers and school staff, kindly matched the wellbeing packages being provided by the senior leaders which meant they were filled with twice as many treats. Waitrose Team Manager Steve Pearce coordinated the store’s efforts and ensured extra care went into each package before arranging their delivery.
Senior leaders at DMAT, which has 17 schools across the region and welcomed their new CEO Dan Morrow at the beginning of the school term, thought it was the very least they could do to celebrate the staff’s kindness and dedication to support children and families both educationally and pastorally throughout this challenging period.
Ed Finch, Trust Champion at DMAT who personally delivered the seventeen wellbeing packages across schools in the Trust, said:
“This was just a small way to say 'thank you' to the teachers, teaching assistants, office staff, cleaners and all the other people who have helped keep our schools open to the children and young people who really need to be there, and create a remote learning offer for the pupils at home. “Our staff have been working so hard in such challenging circumstances and we wanted them to know how much we value their hard work. It was lovely to have a chance to visit all our schools and to witness their commitment to their children and communities. We are very lucky in the school leaders and staff we have at DMAT.”
Dan Morrow, new Chief Executive Officer at DMAT, said:
“To us it was the least we could do to show in our actions as well as words just how much we care for, value and appreciate all of our teams – the site staff, admin, teachers and support all have a massive part to play in this national emergency.
“We are grateful that Waitrose supported us in matching what the executive team contributed: this was our way of saying thank you and quickly became the community’s way of acknowledging their pride of their schools. Sincere thanks to Waitrose for being the community leader it is.”
PRESS RELEASE: New CEO gets cracking at Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust
21st January 2021
Highly-regarded education leader Dan Morrow began his role as CEO of Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust earlier this month
Dan Morrow is the new CEO for Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust (DMAT), a family of 17 Primary and Secondary schools across Devon.
Dan, a highly-regarded education leader with a national reputation, joins DMAT having previously been the Trust Leader and CEO for Woodland Academy Trust, an educational charity serving several thousand children in South East London.
The new CEO has kicked things off quickly to do everything possible to support their pupils during these difficult times. Since the beginning of January, DMAT have greatly increased their remote learning provision for all pupils and have been working closely with the Department for Education to provide digital devices to disadvantaged pupils so they can fully access their remote learning.
The Trust has also partnered with Vodafone to provide SIM cards to pupils who do not have broadband access at home. The SIM cards will help pupils get online using their phone or tablet.
As well as tackling the current challenges presented by COVID-19, Dan is working with his team on developing long-term plans for the Trust and the communities they serve. Dan is a strong believer in breaking down barriers and providing pupils with opportunities to fulfil their ambitions and achieve their potential. As they look towards the future, they want to ensure that they are thinking about ensuring a positive and sustained impact for their pupils and communities.
Already work is underway to strengthen the engagement and provision for the whole community and the Trust have launched an exciting new initiative called fellowship passports, which will provide pupils with a clear framework for how they can continue to be motivated and committed to their learning.
The Trust’s schools are also benefitting from other recent key staff appointments. Ed Finch, Rebecca Mullins and Gareth Smith began their roles as Trust Champions this month.
The new Trust Champions joined the Trust’s Educational Services Team and are now working across senior leadership and respective local school improvement teams to boost educational provision and opportunities for pupils. The team are supporting at the frontline of operations whilst also helping to craft a framework of resources and support for children and families within DMAT and across the community more widely. Veronica Lloyd-Richards will also join the Trust as a Trust Champion later in the year.
Dan Morrow, CEO of Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said:
“I have spent a lot of time in Devon previously and have always been stunned not just by the beauty of the landscape but also by the strength and bonds of community. I wanted to find a role that I can really invest in and one in which positive change could be made as a community, therefore the opportunity to work in Devon really is a privilege.
“It has been a challenging first few weeks of term for everybody, but I cannot explain how proud I am of the manner in which every pupil, staff member and parent has conducted themselves. They are a testament to themselves and the Trust. Together I have no doubt we will overcome these difficulties and come out the other side stronger.”
Highly-regarded education leader Dan Morrow began his role as CEO of Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust earlier this month
Dan Morrow is the new CEO for Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust (DMAT), a family of 17 Primary and Secondary schools across Devon.
Dan, a highly-regarded education leader with a national reputation, joins DMAT having previously been the Trust Leader and CEO for Woodland Academy Trust, an educational charity serving several thousand children in South East London.
The new CEO has kicked things off quickly to do everything possible to support their pupils during these difficult times. Since the beginning of January, DMAT have greatly increased their remote learning provision for all pupils and have been working closely with the Department for Education to provide digital devices to disadvantaged pupils so they can fully access their remote learning.
The Trust has also partnered with Vodafone to provide SIM cards to pupils who do not have broadband access at home. The SIM cards will help pupils get online using their phone or tablet.
As well as tackling the current challenges presented by COVID-19, Dan is working with his team on developing long-term plans for the Trust and the communities they serve. Dan is a strong believer in breaking down barriers and providing pupils with opportunities to fulfil their ambitions and achieve their potential. As they look towards the future, they want to ensure that they are thinking about ensuring a positive and sustained impact for their pupils and communities.
Already work is underway to strengthen the engagement and provision for the whole community and the Trust have launched an exciting new initiative called fellowship passports, which will provide pupils with a clear framework for how they can continue to be motivated and committed to their learning.
The Trust’s schools are also benefitting from other recent key staff appointments. Ed Finch, Rebecca Mullins and Gareth Smith began their roles as Trust Champions this month.
The new Trust Champions joined the Trust’s Educational Services Team and are now working across senior leadership and respective local school improvement teams to boost educational provision and opportunities for pupils. The team are supporting at the frontline of operations whilst also helping to craft a framework of resources and support for children and families within DMAT and across the community more widely. Veronica Lloyd-Richards will also join the Trust as a Trust Champion later in the year.
Dan Morrow, CEO of Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said:
“I have spent a lot of time in Devon previously and have always been stunned not just by the beauty of the landscape but also by the strength and bonds of community. I wanted to find a role that I can really invest in and one in which positive change could be made as a community, therefore the opportunity to work in Devon really is a privilege.
“It has been a challenging first few weeks of term for everybody, but I cannot explain how proud I am of the manner in which every pupil, staff member and parent has conducted themselves. They are a testament to themselves and the Trust. Together I have no doubt we will overcome these difficulties and come out the other side stronger.”
Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust: Supporting our Communities through Lockdown
15th January 2021
Our Remote Learning Provision
Despite schools across the Trust remaining closed, except to children of key workers and vulnerable learners, the education for our students has continued thanks to the hard work and diligence of staff, parents and more in the community.
We are continuing to provide remote learning for all students and have improved both our online provision as well as students’ access to it, to ensure our students remain fully engaged with their education throughout this lockdown. Steps we have taken to guarantee our students remain connected with their education include:
Free School Meals
In order to support our students and families who are eligible for free school meals through the latest national lockdown, we are currently working with the local partners and the DfE to provide families with food vouchers. The vouchers will be worth £15 and can be spent at local registered supermarkets. The Trust has now issued physical vouchers to all schools to distribute to eligible parents, and your school will be in contact with further details very soon.
Supporting You
We appreciate what a challenging time it currently is for families and students. If you need support or advice, then please know you are welcome to contact your schools. We have also drawn together a list of organisations and charities who you can turn to for support which we will also share on the Trust website, and wanted to reiterate the importance of us all working together to make it through this challenging period.
Our Remote Learning Provision
Despite schools across the Trust remaining closed, except to children of key workers and vulnerable learners, the education for our students has continued thanks to the hard work and diligence of staff, parents and more in the community.
We are continuing to provide remote learning for all students and have improved both our online provision as well as students’ access to it, to ensure our students remain fully engaged with their education throughout this lockdown. Steps we have taken to guarantee our students remain connected with their education include:
- We are now providing an increased number of live lessons to students, as well as access to a range of engaging educational activities which can be found online here. Part of this includes rapidly setting up shared resource areas to ensure great ideas can spread just as they would across the school if it were open.
- Alongside the Department for Education, we are also providing digital devices to all disadvantaged students to help them access remote learning and are working extremely hard to ensure every child can access their education.
- We have been delighted to work with Vodafone to provide a number of SIM cards for students which will enable those without broadband to access the internet using their phone or tablet.
- Additionally, all our schools will remain open to the vulnerable learners and children of key workers throughout the current period of school closures if required, but parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.
Free School Meals
In order to support our students and families who are eligible for free school meals through the latest national lockdown, we are currently working with the local partners and the DfE to provide families with food vouchers. The vouchers will be worth £15 and can be spent at local registered supermarkets. The Trust has now issued physical vouchers to all schools to distribute to eligible parents, and your school will be in contact with further details very soon.
Supporting You
We appreciate what a challenging time it currently is for families and students. If you need support or advice, then please know you are welcome to contact your schools. We have also drawn together a list of organisations and charities who you can turn to for support which we will also share on the Trust website, and wanted to reiterate the importance of us all working together to make it through this challenging period.
- GOV.UK
- Food banks
- Domestic violence
- Debt and financial concerns:
- Support for Carers
- NHS Support
- Mental Health Support
- Older relatives:
- Bereavement
- SEND Support
Sarah Jones, Principal at Tavistock College, on BBC Radio Devon
13th January 2021
Sarah Jones, Principal at Tavistock College, was interviewed on Gordan Sparks' BBC Radio Devon show on Wednesday 13th January. Listen below from 2:08:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0922f6l
Sarah Jones, Principal at Tavistock College, was interviewed on Gordan Sparks' BBC Radio Devon show on Wednesday 13th January. Listen below from 2:08:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0922f6l
BBC Radio Devon and BBC Spotlight
7th January 2021
Our CEO, Dan Morrow, and Holsworthy Community College Headteacher, Andrew Sweeney, were interviewed on Gordan Sparks' BBC Radio Devon show on Thursday 7th January. Click the link below and you can listen at 2:34 (Dan Morrow) and 1:51 (Andrew Sweeney):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0919tsn
Andrew also made an appearance on BBC Spotlight, watch from 18 minutes, below:
BBC iPlayer - Spotlight - Evening News: 07/01/2021
Our CEO, Dan Morrow, and Holsworthy Community College Headteacher, Andrew Sweeney, were interviewed on Gordan Sparks' BBC Radio Devon show on Thursday 7th January. Click the link below and you can listen at 2:34 (Dan Morrow) and 1:51 (Andrew Sweeney):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0919tsn
Andrew also made an appearance on BBC Spotlight, watch from 18 minutes, below:
BBC iPlayer - Spotlight - Evening News: 07/01/2021
December 2020
Click below to read our Trust Christmas Newsletter 2020 in full
Click below to read our Trust Christmas Newsletter 2020 in full
MR DAN MORROW | PRESS RELEASE
“Revealing the Champion within”
2nd December 2021
From January 2021, Dan Morrow will be arriving as the new CEO for the Dartmoor Multi Academy trust, a family of 17 Primary and Secondary schools within Devon.
Already a highly regarded Education leader with a national reputation, Dan is currently the Trust Leader and CEO for Woodland Academy Trust, an Educational Charity serving several thousand children in the South East of London and employing 350 staff. He is passionate about removing as many challenges as possible for children to believe and achieve following his own experience of being a free school meal pupil who went on to be the first in his family to go to University, reading History at the University of Oxford. Speaking as to why the post attracted him, Dan said: “I have spent a lot of time in Devon previously and have always been stunned not just by the beauty of the landscape but also by the strength and bonds of community. I wanted to find a role that I can really invest in and one where we can make a change together- having such a strong community as a basis really is a privilege.
Dan already has big plans for the schools within the Trust to reach out even further to the communities that they serve. His favoured metaphor for talking about the children in his care involves ‘invisible backpacks’. Inside those backpacks are all the negative experiences and difficulties children have faced which need to be unpacked; no child leaves their bag at the door when they come into school under Dan’s leadership. Children are at the heart of all that Dan does and he noted, “I was a bit lost as a child myself; nervous, anxious and often not confident to speak out. I may have grown past that but we must always remember that every child is gifted and talented- it’s our job as the adults in charge to find what that is for each and every unique learner.”
Dan recognises the most valuable and valued resource under his leadership is his staff. Listening to what staff teams needed ensured Dan created a framework that would allow children to believe and achieve, while also ensuring staff can grow and develop. This supports a climate and culture based on excellence for all. Additionally, he reflects that it can often be that one adult or teacher that can make a difference for a child-“without the belief and support that teachers gave to me throughout my own journey, I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you now.”
Building on the superb support that Dartmoor MAT has given to the community throughout the pandemic, January looks like a truly exciting time for the direction of our schools and for the future of our children. Under Dan’s leadership, the Trust is confident 2021 will be a much better year for us all.
“Revealing the Champion within”
2nd December 2021
From January 2021, Dan Morrow will be arriving as the new CEO for the Dartmoor Multi Academy trust, a family of 17 Primary and Secondary schools within Devon.
Already a highly regarded Education leader with a national reputation, Dan is currently the Trust Leader and CEO for Woodland Academy Trust, an Educational Charity serving several thousand children in the South East of London and employing 350 staff. He is passionate about removing as many challenges as possible for children to believe and achieve following his own experience of being a free school meal pupil who went on to be the first in his family to go to University, reading History at the University of Oxford. Speaking as to why the post attracted him, Dan said: “I have spent a lot of time in Devon previously and have always been stunned not just by the beauty of the landscape but also by the strength and bonds of community. I wanted to find a role that I can really invest in and one where we can make a change together- having such a strong community as a basis really is a privilege.
Dan already has big plans for the schools within the Trust to reach out even further to the communities that they serve. His favoured metaphor for talking about the children in his care involves ‘invisible backpacks’. Inside those backpacks are all the negative experiences and difficulties children have faced which need to be unpacked; no child leaves their bag at the door when they come into school under Dan’s leadership. Children are at the heart of all that Dan does and he noted, “I was a bit lost as a child myself; nervous, anxious and often not confident to speak out. I may have grown past that but we must always remember that every child is gifted and talented- it’s our job as the adults in charge to find what that is for each and every unique learner.”
Dan recognises the most valuable and valued resource under his leadership is his staff. Listening to what staff teams needed ensured Dan created a framework that would allow children to believe and achieve, while also ensuring staff can grow and develop. This supports a climate and culture based on excellence for all. Additionally, he reflects that it can often be that one adult or teacher that can make a difference for a child-“without the belief and support that teachers gave to me throughout my own journey, I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you now.”
Building on the superb support that Dartmoor MAT has given to the community throughout the pandemic, January looks like a truly exciting time for the direction of our schools and for the future of our children. Under Dan’s leadership, the Trust is confident 2021 will be a much better year for us all.
