
Fierté Family Newsletter
Issue 7 - May 2026
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Dear Fierté Families,
At the heart of our Trust is a simple but powerful belief: every child is unique, and that individuality is something to be celebrated.
Across our ten primary schools in Burton and Tamworth, and through our subsidiary company, Our Pride, Our Joy, each setting has developed its own distinct character, values and traditions. These reflect the communities we serve and the children and families who make our schools so special. Although there is much we share, it is these differences that enrich us and make each school truly unique.
What brings us together as the Fierté Family is not a desire to be identical, but a shared commitment to our core values and to providing every child with a rich, happy and excellent education. We are proud to be a Trust that celebrates the individuality, of our schools, our staff and, most importantly, our children.
This year, we are once again looking forward to our annual festival, where each school comes together to showcase and celebrate the uniqueness of its children through dance and song. It is always a joyful occasion and a wonderful reflection of the diversity, creativity and talent within our Trust.
We know from your feedback that while many of you are aware your child is part of a wider Trust, you may not always see what that means in practice. Being part of the Fierté Family allows us to share expertise, support one another and create opportunities—like our festival—that bring our children together while still honouring what makes each school special. Most importantly, it enables us to stay true to what matters most: ensuring that every child flourishes.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we will continue to celebrate all that is good in each and every one of us.
With warmest wishes,
Maria Hamblin (CEO)
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Why Being Part of a Trust Benefits Your Child
We are proud to share that our Trust continues to be recognised as a strong and stable organisation, something that brings real benefit to the children, families and communities we serve. This strength provides a secure foundation for our schools. Clear systems and well-established processes (Health and Safety, Safeguarding, HR, Standards) ensure that we consistently deliver high-quality education, something that has been affirmed through inspections across our schools over many years. Behind this sits a dedicated central team, working closely with school leaders so they can focus on what they do best—continuing to improve and enrich the experiences of our children each and every day.
Our Trust Strategic Plan keeps us focused on what truly matters: the difference being part of the Fierté Family makes for every child. We are always asking ourselves how we can do even better. In July, we will be seeking our children’s views to understand how we can further support them to feel happy, healthy and successful in their learning and life.
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Trust Pupil Leadership Team

Fierté Trust is made up of a broad spectrum of different primary schools in very different contexts. From big to small, rural to urban, old to new. It is partly that celebration of our different qualities that gives us our combined strength. Staff at different levels and in different roles often meet up and support each other and this brings them a sense of belonging to Fierté. Of course, that sense of belonging is something we want our children to share in too.
That is where the Trust Student Council comes in. Every term, a student representative from each of the ten schools is chosen to meet up and discuss ideas and initiatives they would like to share across the schools. The children, from Reception to Year 6, have a drink and a biscuit and have a bit of play time together with their new friends, as well as getting down to the serious business of exercising the voice of the children and letting Trust leaders know what they think is important.
Campaigns they have pursued have included poster competitions about saving energy and about being active. They have also pushed the agenda of belonging and being better, together with ideas such as pen pals where classes have written to children in other Fierté schools. They are also keen to meet other Fierté children through pairing classes up on Teams to play spelling games or just to say hello.
They also form a great sample of children who can be consulted by leaders to include pupil voice in trust-wide decisions. They have written letters to persuade people to become governors, chosen the best way to spend small pots of money and voted for the most relevant and important celebration days to be covered in assemblies across the Trust.
The Trust Student Council is hugely important for the way it brings children together physically and emotionally, fostering the sense of belonging and ensuring that children's voice is always at the heart of Fierté. After all, they are what we are here for!
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We celebrate individuality
Mr. Tony Hand
Vice-CEO
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Celebrating individuality across the Fierté Trust
At the heart of our Academy Trust is a shared belief: every child and every member of staff is unique, and that individuality should be recognised, valued, and nurtured. While we are united by our drive for excellence and share common principles, we are equally committed to ensuring that these are delivered in ways that honour the diverse needs, strengths and identities within our Trust family.
For our pupils, celebrating individuality means creating learning environments where all can thrive. Our classrooms are inclusive by design, with carefully considered adaptations that enable each child to access the curriculum and experience success. Whether through targeted interventions, flexible teaching approaches, or the thoughtful use of scaffolding and challenge, we ensure that learning is both accessible and ambitious. We empower our teachers to respond to children’s needs with creativity, expertise and care.
This commitment extends beyond academic support. We encourage pupils to express themselves, explore their interests, and develop confidence in who they are. From enrichment opportunities to pupil voice initiatives, we provide meaningful ways for children to shape their own educational journey.
For our staff, celebrating individuality is equally important. We maintain clear, research-informed practices across the Trust to ensure consistency and quality. However, we trust our professionals to interpret and apply these practices in ways that are appropriate for their phase, subject or class context. This balance between shared vision and professional autonomy allows innovation to flourish while maintaining coherence.
By valuing individuality alongside collaboration, we create a culture where everyone, pupils and staff alike, feels seen, supported and inspired to succeed and proudly reach standards of excellence.
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We celebrate individuality...
Mr. Andy Jones
CFO
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Why our leaders celebrate individuality...
Our Trust is committed to celebrating the individuality of every school and every child. Through termly budget meetings, we take time to understand the unique needs of each academy, ensuring resources are directed where leaders feel they will have the greatest impact on pupils. The Trust Board carefully reviews every school in depth, working collaboratively to support them in becoming the very best they can be.
While we sometimes need to make difficult decisions, we are always guided by a clear principle: we are here to educate children, and one approach does not suit all. Our financial planning supports all aspects of school life—from maintaining safe, welcoming premises to investing in staffing, training, and high-quality catering.
At the heart of every decision are people: our staff, our families, and most importantly our children. We strive to treat everyone fairly, with equity and care, ensuring each school and each child is given the support they need to thrive.
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We celebrate individuality..
Our schools are deeply committed to celebrating the individuality of every child, recognising and valuing what makes each pupil unique. Through their daily experiences and personal journeys, our pupils are encouraged to express themselves with confidence and authenticity. Below is a snapshot of the diverse and inspiring activities they have taken part in, each reflecting their willingness to embrace who they are while showing support and respect for others. We are incredibly proud of every one of them.
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We celebrate individuality...
Ankermoor
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A school is about working together and sharing common goals, but sometimes it’s about celebrating individuality. This is why we want to celebrate an individual achievement this term from one of our very special children. This Year 6 child was the only representative from Ankermoor Primary Academy to compete in the Tamworth Schools’ Swimming Gala. Competing alone requires great courage, and he showed real bravery in handling the pressure of the event. He also demonstrated excellent sportsmanship by cheering on competitors from other schools throughout the day.
Representing our school brilliantly in the backstroke race, he finished in first place, earning the title of the fastest backstroke swimmer in Tamworth. This is an incredible achievement, and everyone at Ankermoor is immensely proud of him.

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We celebrate individuality...
Anker Valley
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At Anker Valley Primary School, individuality is recognised and celebrated as a strength that enriches the whole school community. Across the school, pupils are encouraged to express themselves, take pride in their unique qualities, and develop confidence in who they are.
Across the school, pupils are encouraged to embrace who they are and to feel confident in expressing themselves. Whether through learning, creativity, friendships or personal achievements, children are supported to understand that being different is something to be proud of. Classrooms are inclusive spaces where all voices are valued, and where pupils learn that everyone’s ideas, perspectives and experiences matter.
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We celebrate individuality...
Dosthill
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At Dosthill Primary Academy, celebrating individuality means valuing each child’s unique ideas, creativity and perspective. Recently, this was beautifully reflected in Year 2’s art and outdoor learning.
As part of a creative project, Year 2 pupils combined their understanding of nature and art by designing their own stick figures using natural materials they collected themselves. Although each child worked with the same starting point, every finished figure was different, reflecting individual imagination, thought and expression.
The children carefully considered posture, movement and detail, making personal choices about how to represent their ideas. This activity not only celebrated creativity, but also encouraged pupils to appreciate that everyone’s work is unique and worthy of recognition.
Through opportunities like this, individuality is celebrated daily at Dosthill, helping children grow in confidence, self-expression and pride in who they are.

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We celebrate individuality...
Edge Hill
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At Edge Hill, celebrating individuality means providing pupils with meaningful opportunities to discover and develop their unique interests, from sport and dance to the performing arts. Adam Sroka (Year 6) was specially invited to perform at the prestigious Star Prize Festival, hosted at the Royal Albert Hall in the Elgar Room, on Tuesday 12 May 2026, in London. Ahead of this exciting occasion, he took part in a rehearsal on Monday 11th May at the Royal College of Music. All young pianists had the unforgettable experience of performing on the iconic red piano once owned by Elton John and Adam returned home with a certificate, professional photographs and cherished memories that will last a lifetime. We are all very proud of him.

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We celebrate individuality...
Glascote
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At Glascote Academy, “we celebrate individuality” in all its wonderful forms, recognising that every person brings something unique and valuable to our school family. Each of us has our own strengths, interests and talents, and it is these differences that make our school vibrant, dynamic and inspiring. By valuing who we are as individuals, we create a culture where everyone feels proud, confident and supported to shine. Whether it is through swimming, dancing, sport, writing, or many other passions, every talent adds something special to the life of our school.
When we bring these talents together, we build a rich and diverse community where everyone belongs. In swimming, we see determination and personal growth; in dance, creativity and expression; in sport, teamwork and resilience; and in writing, imagination and voice. Each of these areas reflects different strengths, and each deserves equal recognition and celebration. We learn from one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and appreciate the many different ways people can excel. No two individuals are the same, and that is something to be celebrated, not changed.
By recognising and valuing individuality, we create an environment where everyone feels inspired to achieve their best. We encourage each person to explore their talents, take pride in their strengths, and embrace what makes them unique. Together, we create a community where differences are respected, talents are nurtured, and everyone is inspired to excellence.

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We celebrate individuality...
Garden Village
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At Garden Village Primary Academy, every child is recognised, valued and celebrated as an individual. We proudly ensure that each pupil feels a strong sense of belonging, self-worth and pride in who they are.
Progressing from their unique starting points, success is celebrated in its many forms—from progress in reading and writing, creativity to growing in confidence. We recognise that achievement looks different for every child, and we champion each step of their journey with equal pride.
Our culture ensures that every pupil is inspired to explore their interests, develop their strengths and embrace new challenges, enabling them to become well-rounded, confident children.


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We celebrate individuality...
Heathfields and Wilnecote
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We Celebrate Individuality:
In our art lessons at Wilnecote Junior Academy, children have been exploring sculpture as a powerful way to express who they are. Through creating and designing their own pieces, pupils make personal choices that reflect their ideas, experiences and identities. This process beautifully reflects our trust value of celebrating individuality, as each child’s voice and creativity are valued and brought to life. By recognising and appreciating the differences in every piece, we nurture confidence, respect, and a shared understanding that being different is something to be proud of.


At Heathfields Infant Academy, one of our core values is that we celebrate individuality. We are proud to recognise and nurture the unique qualities, interests and strengths of every child.
Each day, we create opportunities for children to express themselves, whether through their learning, creativity, friendships or personal achievements. Our classrooms are inclusive and welcoming spaces where differences are valued, and every child is encouraged to be confident in who they are.
We celebrate individuality by:
By working closely with families, we ensure that every child feels seen, supported and celebrated. Together, we are building a community where everyone belongs and thrives.
We have recently enjoyed spending time with the children outside the classroom and engaging in conversations, getting to know more about individuals and sharing funny stories that children like to share with adults.

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We celebrate individuality...
Manor
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Every child is unique and has their own character, interests and strengths. At Manor, we have the advantage of being small enough that all staff know all of the children as individuals. This allows us to cater for their particular needs in a bespoke way.
One example of this is a popular child who needed some support at break times and whose passion is cricket. We were able to support him to organise a cricket game with his friends. That meant he was creating positive relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and was able to share his individual passion for cricket.

Another is our new Peace Garden, which has been created by volunteers. All the children have been involved in planting it, but some children have taken a particular interest. They have been able to take responsibility for the maintenance and watering of the plants and their individual passion nurtured.
Wherever possible, we draw on the flourishing individual strengths of our children, staff and volunteers to add value to the Manor community, proving that the dividend from pooling those unique qualities means we are ‘Better Together’.

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We celebrate individuality...
Violet Way
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At Violet Way we love how different we all are. We have been celebrating what skills we have and how proud we can be of our friends. Some of us are great at gymnastics, others love maths, while others can play an instrument and Maypole Dance.
If we were all the same, life would be boring, so we love that we are all different and celebrate this with our friends. We were reminded of this when we did our Maypole dancing. All of our Maypoles looked amazing, but each one was different, no two were the same.

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OPOJ Ankermoor have been lucky enough to have had a hatching experience with ducklings over the last few weeks. The children worked together as teams to care for the ducklings, handling them and giving them the opportunities to learn to swim. We have celebrated our individuality through closely observing the ducklings' personalities and then suggesting names for our ducklings. Nursery then voted as a group for their final names. Nursery chose Pingu, Daffy and Hope. They joined Magic and Lucky, our older ducklings, who have inspired lots of learning about the world around us.

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As always, thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we will continue to build on our strengths, listening, learning and growing so that every child in our care thrives.
Maria Hamblin
CEO
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