Our Background

This is a hugely exciting time for the Academy as we are presented with a rare opportunity to make a real difference to the lives and life chances of primary school children in the East Oldham area through the development of our partnership with South Pennine Academies.

Woodlands Primary Academy (NOR 320) is based in the heart of vibrant and diverse communities in East Oldham, just minutes away from two other Academies within South Pennine Academies, Willowpark Primary Academy and Greenacres Primary Academy.  The Academies benefit from some joint specialist teachers and support staff. Woodlands Primary Academy became part of South Pennine Academies on 1^st March 2017 and operates with one Local Academy Board (Governing Body) over the three Oldham Primaries, exploiting the benefits of shared opportunities, CPD and resources and utilizing the skills and talents of staff both within and across the Academies to ensure all children reach their full potential. If you join our team, you will be well supported in your career through exceptional professional development, a knowledgeable LAB and, most importantly, wonderful children and supportive staff.

We are an outward looking partnership with a passion for making a difference and not accepting excuses for low standards. We have set an ambitious vision for the future and have a clear understanding of what can be achieved with the benefits of shared expertise. The partnership we have developed has played a key part in the rapid improvements we have achieved to date.

Through working together, we have effectively reduced teacher workload through shared planning time, supported the purchase of a range of time saving IT based solutions including online solutions to support teacher assessment and recording of rewards, behaviour and safeguarding concerns. Staff wellbeing is a priority for us, initiatives such as no meeting weeks, staff health checks, access to medical support through our employee insurance scheme and supporting flexible working all help to support staff to be happy and successful in their roles. 

Woodlands Primary Academy is a proud member of South Pennine Academies.  The Trust helps us to provide the very best education for our young people through challenge and tailored support.  South Pennine Academies believe in school improvement through a partnership model. This brings drive, expertise and capacity to the school improvement agenda.

The Trust recognises and encourages each Academy’s unique characteristics and ethos, reinforcing their individual identities within their respective communities. Working within a Multi-Academy Trust allows school to school support to flourish. South Pennine Academies provides exceptional opportunities for career training and support within the family of Primary Academies in the trust. A full CPD programme and career pathway is provided by the trust from ECT and RQT programmes to fully funded middle and senior leadership national qualifications. The vision and key priorities of the Trust are outlined below:

Vision

·       To develop a group of closely partnered academies

·       To ensure all academies are world class Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning

·       To ensure the Trust plays a pivotal role in improving the life chances of students

·       To develop local solutions and partnerships to meet local needs

·       To promote school improvement with inclusion and diversity at its core.

Key Priorities

·       Strong and Effective Leadership

·       High Performing Staff

·       Successful Students

·       Engaged Community