Chipping Sodbury School is an institution built on strong core values. Developing Aspiration, Respect, Responsibility and Integrity are at the heart of all that we do both for our students and our colleagues. It is these values which have developed so many young people and staff over the years and provided them with the opportunities to grow into successful individuals within the local community and beyond. They are at the forefront of our mission to aim for brilliance in all we do. The origin of the school dates back to the Middle Ages when it was set up as an Endowed School to provide free education for the townspeople. It has gone through many transformations since then which have involved it becoming a Grammar School, a Comprehensive School in 1970, a Cooperative School in 2013 and now a partner school within The Athelstan Trust. Whilst there have been changes over the years, the history remains central to the school’s values and ethos. The Endowed Foundation still provides support for students and is an important part of the school. We believe in providing students with the very best opportunities through achieving the strongest educational outcomes as well as ensuring we develop their character and sense of self. To do this we have the highest of expectations in all that we do for our young people. High expectations of their potential, high expectations of their engagement in lessons and the wider school, high expectations of behaviour and conduct and crucially high expectations of ourselves as educators- working together to ensure we provide the very best experiences for our young people. We are committed to challenging and engaging lessons, ensuring that our staff body is provided with high quality CPD that is evidence informed and that we celebrate staff for their hard work. Our approach to behaviour prioritises relationships, supporting our students in making the right choices through having clear, consistent expectations and an emphasis placed on kindness and respect in all our interactions. We are passionate about collaboration both across the Trust and beyond. The school has strong links with the local primary schools and we have long standing partnerships with local secondary schools, often working with one another to ensure the needs of our local communities are met. As part of the Trust, our staff are afforded opportunities to work with and even deliver sessions to colleagues across the Trust which is hugely beneficial to their own development.   Our school is located on the edge of the Cotswolds, close to both Bristol and Bath and has great access via the M4 motorway which provides strong options for commuting for staff. This has resulted in Chipping Sodbury being able to recruit some of the best professionals from across the region. It also provides great opportunities for student learning outside of the classroom. Experiences such as theatre visits, outdoor education, musical experiences and exploration of the arts is central to the wider curriculum. In April 2021, Chipping Sodbury School joined The Athelstan Trust. A great deal of research and deliberation had gone into this strategic decision. Governors and school leaders were committed to join a multi-academy trust whereby values aligned and there is a culture of genuine collaboration with a focus on school improvement and mutual support. We have been delighted with this move which has already reaped many benefits, including broadening professional development opportunities for staff and securing a wide range of enrichment openings for students.