Newsletters

This has been a wonderful term for INMAT. For the first time since its inception in 2017, all INMAT schools have been judged to be ‘GOOD’ by Ofsted. This is a significant achievement and reflects the hard work and dedication of all our INMAT staff, governors and trustees in bringing about long-term change and excellence for our pupils.

I joined INMAT in August 2021, just shy of four years ago. In this time, we have gone through 16 Ofsted inspections, with all our schools inspected at least once. Some of our schools have continued to build on their ‘good’ status, whereas others have demonstrated rapid improvement by moving from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ within the shortest time frame possible.

We know that our pupils are getting a great education with more and more being well prepared for the next stage of their education. Whether this means moving to a new key stage within an INMAT school, or when they leave us to secondary education. This is due to the commitment of our staff to do what is right, and what is best for our pupils. We also know our children are well looked after with our dedicated team of welfare staff supporting our families and pupils across all our schools. I am constantly in awe of the work they do.

Following this wonderful news, we are very pleased to share that shortly two new schools will be joining INMAT. Rothwell Victoria Infant and Rothwell Junior Schools will be joining the trust in the autumn term. We are very much looking forward to welcoming the pupils and staff from these schools to our very special team, and to share knowledge and expertise across all 13 schools. This is an exciting time for INMAT, and I know we will see continued success in the future.

Helen Williams

CEO, INMAT

We're thrilled to announce that Ashby Fields Primary School is celebrating a significant achievement following its most recent Ofsted inspection, which rated the school as ‘Good’ across all key areas.

Ofsted said:

✅ “Pupils thrive at this school. They are happy and feel safe.”
✅ “There is a culture of acceptance. Pupils recognise the value of difference.”
✅ “Pupils behave well in lessons and work well together.”
✅ “The school’s ambition for every pupil to achieve their potential is beginning to be realised.”

Inspectors visited the school on 1 and 2 April 2025, highlighting the school’s effective leadership, positive learning environment, and strong academic provision. The report praises the school’s culture of high expectations, inclusivity, and the courteous behaviour of its pupils, who “thrive at this school” and “feel safe and happy.”

The inspection team commended the school’s well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum, noting that “pupils build on firm foundational knowledge over time,” and that “staff strive to provide high-quality teaching.” Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) were found to be well supported, ensuring they make strong progress through an inclusive approach.

In particular, the early years provision was recognised for offering purposeful and well-connected learning experiences, with reading established as a priority from the first days in school. This focus continues as children progress through the school, with targeted support helping all pupils become confident and fluent readers.

Highlights:

•  Curriculum is ambitious, clearly sequenced, and designed to ensure strong progress. Teachers are supported to identify gaps quickly and give tailored help so every child can succeed.
• Reading is a strength – from the first days in Reception, children are immersed in a vocabulary-rich environment with strong phonics teaching and engaging story times. Those who need extra help receive it quickly and effectively.
• Early Years provision is purposeful and well-planned, giving children a great start in their education.
• “Pupils with SEND are well supported… Staff make the necessary adaptations so these pupils can access learning effectively.”
• Personal development shines through too, with enriching experiences like residentials, clubs, and our much-loved school band performing for families.
• “Staff feel valued… Leaders care about their well-being and workload.”
• “Close support from the Trust has helped the school continue to improve.”

We are so proud of our progress — from Requires Improvement to Good in every category — and this reflects the dedication, care, and effort of our staff, pupils, families, and wider community.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. This is a celebration for all of us.

A Sunny, Safe, and Super-Term at FHIS!

What a fantastic term it’s been at Falconer’s Hill Infant School! With the sun shining and spirits high, our pupils have enjoyed a term packed with outdoor adventures, learning, and teamwork.

One highlight was Road Safety Day, where every year group took part in engaging workshops led by our local PC. The children learned vital road safety skills in a fun, hands-on way—an important lesson delivered with enthusiasm and care.

Taking full advantage of the glorious weather, both staff and pupils have been spending time in our beautiful school grounds, playing team games, exploring nature, and enjoying the fresh air.

A big shout-out to our brilliant Eco Club, who’ve been busy litter-picking and keeping our outdoor spaces clean, green, and ready for more fun. They’re making a real difference and showing us all the power of small actions!

Here’s to a term of growth, sunshine, and shared achievements!

Rachel Edkins

Headteacher

Falconer's Hill infant School

Supporting Mental Health & Safeguarding in Our Schools

Why the Early Years Matter More Than Ever

At INMAT, safeguarding is not just a policy—it's a commitment to the wellbeing of every child. As mental health challenges rise nationally, we are placing a renewed emphasis on the link between emotional wellbeing and effective safeguarding.

Early Mental Health: A Foundation for Life

Research shows that 50% of mental health conditions are established by age 14. This means the primary years are not only critical for learning but for building emotional resilience and recognising early signs of distress.

We know that children can't learn unless they feel safe, seen, and supported. That’s why our schools work proactively to:

• Build trusted adult relationships
• Create calm, predictable routines
• Teach emotional regulation through PSHE and targeted interventions
• Use trauma-informed approaches when responding to behaviour

Safeguarding with a Mental Health Lens

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) across INMAT are trained to consider mental health as both a safeguarding concern and a risk factor. We take a joined-up approach:

• DSLs work closely with SENDCOs, pastoral staff and parents
• Staff are trained to notice changes and act early
• Schools have clear escalation pathways, including links to Early Help and CAMHS
• We prioritise safe spaces and listening culture in every classroom

We also know that safeguarding means looking beyond the school gate. That’s why contextual safeguarding—understanding the risks children face in their community, online, and peer groups—is central to our practice.

What You Can Do

We encourage all families and staff to:

• Talk about feelings regularly at home and in school
• Notice changes in mood, energy or behaviour
• Use resources like YoungMinds, Place2Be, and the NSPCC for support
• Reach out early to your child’s teacher, pastoral lead, or DSL if you’re concerned

Our Commitment

INMAT is proud to create schools where safeguarding and mental health are woven into the fabric of daily life. Every child deserves to be heard, valued, and supported—and we are here to make that happen.

If you’d like to learn more about our safeguarding and wellbeing work across the trust, please get in touch with our central safeguarding team or your school’s DSL.

Resources for Families & Staff:

• YoungMinds Parents Helpline

• NSPCC - Keeping Children Safe

• Place2Be - Supporting Mental Health in Schools

Let’s keep working together to ensure our schools are safe, nurturing, and empowering places for every child to grow.

September 2024 marked a significant milestone for The Abbey Primary School with the opening of nursery provision for 3-year-olds, which has been a resounding success.

The transition for our youngest learners has been seamless, thanks to the careful planning and dedication of staff. It's been a joy to witness nursery pupils settle into school life with such ease and enthusiasm. Their smiles and laughter have brought a new energy to corridors and classrooms.

The nursery curriculum has proven to be robust and engaging, providing a strong foundation for our children's educational journey. We've designed it to ensure clear progression into our Reception curriculum, creating a smooth pathway for continuous learning and development. The progress made by our nursery pupils has been nothing short of astounding. Their curiosity, creativity, and growing confidence have surpassed our expectations, reinforcing our belief in the importance of early years education.

Throughout the year, our nursery children have embarked on exciting adventures beyond the classroom walls. They've experienced the wonders of farm life on day trips, getting up close with animals and learning about the natural world. These hands-on experiences have sparked their imaginations and fostered a love for learning that we hope will last a lifetime.

Our commitment to cultural diversity has seen the children explore different cultures through stories, music, and art. It's heartwarming to see them embrace new ideas and perspectives with such openness and enthusiasm. In our workshop area, their creativity has flourished as they've built, painted, and crafted with unbridled joy.

Perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of our nursery provision has been watching the children form firm friendships. The bonds they've created with their peers in both The Vikings and the Romans class have been truly special. These friendships not only support their social development but also create a sense of belonging within our school community.

As we look to the future, we're excited about the potential of our nursery provision and the positive impact it will continue to have on our children's educational journey. The success of this initiative reaffirms our commitment to providing the best possible start for every child at The Abbey Primary School.

Caroline Farmer

Headteacher 

The Abbey Primary School

St James Infant & Pre-School had a fantastic time celebrating VE Day with each class dressing from a different era and performing songs and dances during a special playground picnic. Bluebells class embraced the 1940s, sampling wartime foods like spam and beef dripping, trying traditional games, and even comparing old-style maths lessons to their own. The whole school sang the National Anthem and danced to party tunes from across the decades, making it a day to remember.

Reception class at Wollaston Primary School have been collaborating with Pre School and enjoyed meeting some very friendly ducklings.

Ashby Fields Primary School have been learning about the life cycle of a chicken in real time as they hatch chicks in the classroom.

The Abbey Primary School's Year 3 classes have created an amazing display showcasing their exploration on ammonites. They have created detailed sketches, printed their ammonites and created reports on Mary Anning. Year 3 have discovered fascinating facts about different ammonite species.

Falconer's Hill Infant School Year 2 classes learnt about mixing shades of colour in Art. They explored how to make colours lighter and darker.

Kingsley Primary School's Year 4 girls attended a Basketball Festival at Northampton School for Girls (NSG), walking up to the school to enjoy a jam-packed morning. Demonstrating the Kingsley school values of Endeavour, Respect and Synergy, our children were brilliant and worked well alongside girls from Parklands Primary as well as taking direction from NSG's young leaders.

Kettering Park Junior Academy received a huge donation of Easter eggs and bubbles, thanks to 'The Rising Sun', which were gifted to the children at the end of last term to enjoy over the Easter holiday.

Kettering Park Infant Academy invited their EYFS parents into school to plant a beanstalk as part of their Jack and the Beanstalk topic. We cant wait to see how tall your beanstalks grow! Keep us posted @INMAT on Facebook.

Hall Meadow Primary School queued up to say farewell to Mrs Church after 23 incredible years. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and dedication have touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours, Mrs Church!

Little Harrowden Primary School's reception class were lucky enough to receive a visit from RaptorXotics, Dave the Mini Beast Man, where they were able to touch live minibeasts such as this giant snail!

We are also looking for Trustees to support the central team. If you or someone you know has an interest in HR, SEND, IT or education, please get in touch. Contact Carole on 01604 434600 or Carole.Kirby@inmat.org.uk