The audience was wowed by dance numbers, musical performances, cheerleading routines and even yo-yo displays in a series of highly competitive heats, with eight acts making it through to the final showcase.

Performers had to impress a judging panel made up of Cllr Jackie Meade, Councillor for East Folkestone, Tim Smith,  Music Producer at local recording studio ‘Seaview Studio’, Steve Shaw, Principal at Folkestone Academy and Am’e Moris, Principal at Morehall Primary.

The Best in Primary award, presented by Steve Shaw, went to Indie-Lew from Morehall Primary, with a live drawing of a dinosaur to the ‘Jurassic Park’ theme tune, while Best in Secondary, presented by Tim Smith, was Ivan from Turner Sixth Form performing on the guitar ‘Ronda alla Turca’ by Mozart.

The Murphy Prize, named after Turner Schools CEO Seamus Murphy and awarded to the act who shows the most potential for the future, was awarded to Martello Primary’s Nestor, who performed ‘Scarborough Fair’ on the trumpet.

Finally, the overall winners of Turner’s Got Talent 2024,awarded by Cllr Jackie Meade, were announced: Folkestone Academy’s students, Beth, Ava, Leah, Angel, Esme and Eden who performed ‘Ex-Wives’ from the musical Six.

Michelle Foxwood, Director of Creative Arts at Turner Schools, said:

“Once again the pupils of theTurner Schools Trust have provided an outstanding evening of entertainment. Their talent and confidence is testament to the creative education at their schools and to our ethos of striving for excellence.”

Leah Whiting, from the Folkestone Academy ‘Ex-Wives’ performance, said: 

We were so happy about winning the competition that we cried! It was such an amazing experience to be able to perform in front of so many people. We’re so proud of our achievement.”

Tim Smith, Owner of Seaview Studios, said: 

"It is so exciting to see how much talent there is in the next generation and I am thrilled to see that being nurtured in these schools"

Seamus Murphy, CEO at Turner Schools, said:

“I was delighted to see the variety of talents on show this evening. Well done to all who reached the final and congratulations to all the winners”. 

Companies including: Invvu Construction Consultants, Church & Dwight, Saga, Eurotunnel, Jenner, Swiss Re, NHS Pharmaceuticals, and Digital Kent all exhibited at Turner Schools’ annual Careers Fair, which focused on STEM this year.

Hundreds of students were able to access the careers fair as it toured three schools within the Turner Schools group - Turner Free School in Folkestone in January, Folkestone Academy in February and Dover Christ Church Academy (DCCA) in March. 

Students in Dover were able to take part in the careers fair for the first time since the school became part of Turner Schools.  As part of the Trust’s fully inclusive approach, all pupils from the Aspen 2 Specialist Provision at Dover Christ Church Academy also participated in the fair.

As well as exhibitors introducing students to job roles that utilise STEM subjects, a range of further and higher education providers including Canterbury Christ Church University and East Kent College were on hand to explain the qualifications they offered in STEM.

Pupils across all year groups attended the careers fair, enabling them to learn more about the wide range of career opportunities available in these industries and ask employers more detailed questions.

Katy Tibbles, Trust Head of Careers, explained: 

“Every year we run a series of careers fairs that link to a specific sector. This means that pupils get a more in-depth look at that particular industry and a greater insight into the wide variety of roles, not just those that are well known. 

“This year, we focused on STEM and it was great to have so many local companies attend the fairs and provide engaging activities that inspired the pupils to consider careers in this field.”

Fiona Dryburgh, Invvu Construction Consultants, commented:

‘We had a fantastic experience at the Turner Schools STEM Career Fairs, engaging with students (who were brilliant!), sharing insights into our work, and shedding light on career paths within the construction industry.

“At INVVU, we are passionate about enlightening students of all ages about the diverse opportunities in Engineering and Construction Design, showcasing the dynamic careers available in this field.

“We find that many students associate engineering solely with repairing cars or machines. However, the field of engineering encompasses much more than this and is intricately intertwined with everything we encounter in our daily lives from roads to bridges, schools to drainage systems, lighting and heating.

“Given the skills shortage in the UK, we recognize the importance of our role in inspiring future talent to explore careers within our industry, and after meeting lots of switched on and engaged students, at the Turner Schools - the future looks bright!’.”

Pupils from DCCA were delighted to attend the fair for the first time:

“I found it really interesting finding out all about different jobs I could do in the future and I hope we can do this again.” - Stanley, year 8 DCCA. 

Holiday Extras is a forward thinking, local company specialising in technology, software engineering and product development. Their state-of-the-art offices cater for more than 800 employees and with a mantra of 'no fun, no point' they're an enticing employment route for young people. 

Students on the trip enjoyed a tour of the amazing campus facilities, learned about different job roles and entry routes, including apprenticeships, and also had the opportunity to learn about the exciting impact of artificial intelligence on business development.

The trip was organised as part of the Turner Schools careers programme which aims to provide pupils with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to make informed choices about their future. 

As well as the Year 10 visits, Holiday Extras have also recently supported schools in the trust by attending their STEM Careers Fairs and talking to sixth form students about their apprenticeship opportunities.

Nicola Boston, Culture & Experience Lead, said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to host both Folkestone Academy and Turner Free School at our campus. Our mission is to inspire and educate local young people about the world of career possibilities available to them - these visits were the perfect opportunity to do this. The students had fun experimenting with the latest AI technology as well as learning about how it’s transforming our business operations.”

Chloe, a Year 10 student at Turner Free School, said: 

“Going to Holiday Extras was lots of fun. I really liked the environment and the building, it made me think that it would be a fun place to work - everyone seemed to be enjoying what they were doing. It was really inspiring to learn about artificial intelligence and how it’s being used more by businesses. It made me realise that jobs will look very different by the time I go to work.”

Katy Tibbles, Head of Careers at Turner Schools, said: 

“It’s a privilege to work with supportive and innovative companies such as Holiday Extras. As a local business, they will offer real career opportunities for our young people as they progress into the world of work. Visits such as these inspire pupils and help them navigate their way through education and on to meaningful employment in the future.”

The prestigious awards, run annually by the national body for careers education in England - The Careers and Enterprise Company, celebrate excellence in careers education.

They select just ten careers education champions, whose collective effort has promoted skills and great outcomes for young people, from thousands nationwide.  

This year’s awards recognised champions who stood out in three areas: Widening Opportunity, Building Future Skills and Raising Quality.

Turner Schools, which runs schools including Folkestone Academy, Turner Free School in Folkestone and Dover Christ Church Academy in Dover, was recognised in the Raising Quality section, for “demonstrating exemplary leadership in improving the standard of careers provision in their area”, according to the selection panel, who said:

“The Trust has demonstrated strategic leadership for careers across all its schools and built strong relationships with local employers.”

The panel also recognised that Turner Schools’ achievement in careers education was even greater because a higher number of the trust’s students – 44% compared to the national average of 24% - were eligible for free school meals. A higher figure is often equated to increased disadvantages faced by children in education and beyond.

The panel reported: “They progress to a wide range of post-16 destinations, with a mix of academic and vocational pathways, suggesting that pupils are well informed of the different options available to them.”

Turner Schools was awarded the accolade during National Careers Week in a ceremony at the House of Lords, attended by Seamus Murphy, Turner Schools’ CEO and Katy Tibbles, Trust Head of Careers, and hosted by Baroness Nicky Morgan, with the keynote speech given by Lord David Blunkett. 

Seamus Murphy, Turner Schools’ CEO said:

“I was delighted to have our careers provision celebrated at such a high profile event. Our strategic focus on the importance of careers education is a reflection of the trust vision for excellence in education for all and a vindication of the investment we have put in our amazing staff and partnerships.”

Katy Tibbles, Head of Careers at Turner Schools, said: 

“It was an absolute honour to be recognised for raising quality at The Careers and Enterprise Company’s Careers Excellence Awards. 

“As a trust we recognise the importance and impact of good careers education for all young people to ensure that they can take their best next step as they progress through education and into the world of work. 

“Having worked hard for a number of years to create a meaningful and rigorous careers programme that meets the needs of all pupils across our schools, it means a lot to us to receive this award.”

Holiday Extras is a forward thinking, local company specialising in technology, software engineering and product development. Their state-of-the-art offices cater for more than 800 employees and with a mantra of 'no fun, no point' they're an enticing employment route for young people. 

Students on the trip enjoyed a tour of the amazing campus facilities, learned about different job roles and entry routes, including apprenticeships, and also had the opportunity to learn about the exciting impact of artificial intelligence on business development.

The trip was organised as part of the Turner Schools careers programme which aims to provide pupils with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to make informed choices about their future. 

As well as the Year 10 visits, Holiday Extras have also recently supported schools in the trust by attending their STEM Careers Fairs and talking to sixth form students about their apprenticeship opportunities.

Nicola Boston, Culture & Experience Lead, said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to host both Folkestone Academy and Turner Free School at our campus. Our mission is to inspire and educate local young people about the world of career possibilities available to them - these visits were the perfect opportunity to do this. The students had fun experimenting with the latest AI technology as well as learning about how it’s transforming our business operations.”

Chloe, a Year 10 student at Turner Free School, said: 

“Going to Holiday Extras was lots of fun. I really liked the environment and the building, it made me think that it would be a fun place to work - everyone seemed to be enjoying what they were doing. It was really inspiring to learn about artificial intelligence and how it’s being used more by businesses. It made me realise that jobs will look very different by the time I go to work.”

Katy Tibbles, Head of Careers at Turner Schools, said: 

“It’s a privilege to work with supportive and innovative companies such as Holiday Extras. As a local business, they will offer real career opportunities for our young people as they progress into the world of work. Visits such as these inspire pupils and help them navigate their way through education and on to meaningful employment in the future.”

With five rounds of intense gameplay, the tournament witnessed captivating moves and tactical manoeuvres from all participating teams. Players had to display all their focus, determination, and skill, as they battled it out on the chessboard.

Despite the fierce competition, the Harvey A Team emerged as the victors, with their teamwork and strategic acumen clear throughout the tournament. Three of the best individual players also hailed from the Harvey A Team, further highlighting their talent and dedication to the game.

The players from Turner Free School showed their own commendable sportsmanship and determination throughout the tournament. 

Max, a Year 9 student from the Turner Free School team, said: 

“I really appreciated the fact that there were many competitive players. I was very proud of the team as we had a great team performance!”

Francesca Fozard, who runs the Turner Free School chess team, said: 

“Congratulations to the Harvey Grammar School A Team on winning this fantastic chess tournament. They showed considerable ability, dedication, and strategic insight over the course of the day and really deserved to come out on top. 

“I would like to thank all our players for showing such sportsmanship and commitment to the game, which helped make this such a successful event. Well done to the Turner Free School team as well, as Aidan, Dhan, Max, Johan, Oscar, and William, all demonstrated their passion for the game and competed with unwavering determination.”

The tournament not only provided an opportunity for students to showcase their skills but also fostered camaraderie and sportsmanship among participants. As chess continues to inspire and engage young minds, events like these serve as a testament to the enduring appeal and intellectual challenge of the game

Enthusiasm permeated the air as novices and seasoned musicians alike gathered to create a symphonic spectacle. The workshop provided a platform for students to showcase their talents and join forces in creating awe-inspiring renditions of iconic pieces. From the pulsating "Mambo" from West Side Story to the enchanting "Hedwig's Theme" from Harry Potter, and the formidable "Imperial March" from Star Wars, the repertoire captivated both participants and spectators.

Throughout the day, the students not only honed their musical skills under the guidance of Kent Music professionals but also forged new friendships and bonds through the universal language of music. Throughout the workshop students went beyond the boundaries of their individual schools to create a truly creative environment where all could collaborate and share their passion for music.

Over the course of the day, it became evident that the workshop had a profound impact on the participants. The echoes of their performances lingered in the air, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. The event showcased not only the musical abilities of the students but also instilled in them a deep sense of achievement and camaraderie.

Mr Field, Director of Music at Folkestone Academy, said:

“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Folkestone School for Girls and Kent Music for organising this transformative event. The Orchestra Workshop Day stands as a testament to the power of music to inspire, unite, and unlock the boundless potential of young talent.

“It was truly awe-inspiring to see these incredible young people’s collective efforts transformed into a crescendo of confidence as they harmonised with fellow musicians, their spirits soaring with each note. It is a shining example of the collaborative spirit within our local schools and the commitment to fostering creativity and camaraderie among our students.”

Jasmin Year 8 pupil at FA said: “It was really good how we were able to play in sync so well together even though we had only been rehearsing for that day. I definitely would like to do something like this again!”

Michael, Year 9 pupil at TFS said: “It was brilliant to meet other musicians from the local area and to find out more about them.”

Theo, from Turner Free School and previously Morehall Primary, received the Remarkable Achievement Award. This was in recognition of his passion, skills, and accomplishments in music despite the challenges he has faced. 

He takes part in Folkestone Academy’s weekly Folkestone Music Lab to further develop his musical skills. He also hosts a weekly Sunday morning show on Folkestone Academy FM from 0900 – 1000.

Theo enjoys making music through remixing songs and experimenting with drum machines. In partnership with his Music Lab tutor Oli they have explored production sounds and deepened Theo’s understanding of musical progressions, chords, and different instrumental sounds. They are now working on further developing Theo’s remixing skills at the Music Lab.

The Folkestone Music Lab runs every Saturday morning in term time at Folkestone Academy. The Music Lab also offers some financial support to those families who are interested in pursuing further musical experiences but are unable to access these.

The Wards Childrens Awards have been running for 20 years and are designed to celebrate the amazing achievements of children, families, and charities in Kent despite the challenges they may face. The awards are organised by estate agents Wards and supported by the KM Group and Kent Community Foundation, and this year were hosted by Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins.

Theo said: It’s great to get an award especially  as sometimes it’s difficult for me to access music lessons due to being blind. I love to be creative with music and enjoy the remixing of tunes.”

Mandy Sangiuseppe, Inclusion Development Manager at the Folkestone Music Lab, said:

“Theo is a truly inspiring and committed young individual, who has a wonderful sense of humour and committed ideas of what he wants to achieve in the sessions… We are immensely proud of what Theo has achieved in his time whilst attending the Lab and look forward to following and supporting his musical journey!“

During these engaging workshops, students embarked on a creative journey where they designed their own ‘crazy golf’. Armed with microbits, small yet powerful programmable devices, the students delved into the fascinating world of coding, learning to program their designed golf courses with precision and ingenuity. The microbits allowed the students to control the movement of golf balls around their courses and even craft ingenious obstacles and challenges for players to conquer.

During the workshops students also learned how to program servo movement and control this using light sensors and programmable LED lights. Under expert guidance, the students used these to create moving robots and innovative gadgets which responded dynamically to light levels.

The workshops were a great success with students learning about the basics of programming and electronics, as well as being encouraged to explore and experiment.

Belle, a student at Turner Free School, said:

"I really enjoyed the crazy golf workshop. It was great to be able to design and build our own courses, and then program them using microbits." 

Oscar, a student at Turner Free School, said:

"The light sensor and LED light workshop was really cool. I learned how to create devices that could respond to light levels."

Mr Papworth, Lead Teacher of Computing and Art at Turner Schools, said: 

"We were thrilled to witness the enthusiasm and creativity displayed by our Year 9 students during these workshops. We are immensely grateful to U Can Too for their invaluable support in making this initiative a resounding success and we are looking forward to running similar workshops in the future.

“Turner 25 aims to provide enriching experiences as well as the opportunity for students to apply their learning in a practical, real-world, context. These workshops have done just that, as well as fostering a sense of innovation and creativity which we hope will serve our students well over the course of their studies."

A number of pupils have achieved exceptional individual results including:

• Zasha Afsheen, who achieved grade 9s in English language and literature, two 8s in science and an 8 in Citizenship. 

• Our two head pupils, Madeline Neale and Daisy Cooke achieved strong results across the board, with notable highlights for Madeleine including a Distinction* in Business and grade 8s in English language, English literature and double science, whilst Daisy secured a grade 8 in French. 

• Dylan Jackson also performed well, achieving some excellent results, with a grade 8 in English literature and grade 7s in English language and French. 

• Fia Greppi also achieved highly in all her subjects, with particular success demonstrated through her grade 8 in Geography, grades 8 and 7 in double science and a Distinction in Business.

Jenni van Deelen, Head of School at Turner Free School, said:

“We are all so pleased to celebrate this first ever set of GCSE results at Turner Free School. These excellent results reflect the incredible work that our students and staff have put in over the last few years as we all pulled together to overcome every challenge. These successes are well-deserved and I am so proud of them all.”

Seamus Murphy, CEO of Turner Schools, said:

“Congratulations to all our young people who are celebrating their GCSE results today. It is wonderful to see so many happy faces and to hear these excited voices celebrating their results. These GCSE results will give them a solid foundation for their next steps, and it is clear to see that the future is bright for these brilliant young people.” 

The aim of the project was to encourage boys to explore their strengths and interests; to raise awareness of career pathways that they may not have otherwise considered; and to develop their knowledge of higher education.

Over a 2 month period, the boys participated in a series of five workshops which included designing a university, creative writing, healthcare, physical theatre, and digital arts, as well as a visit from the author Sam Gayton. The project culminated in a visit to the University of Kent’s campus in Canterbury.

During the visit the students enjoyed taking part in two laboratory-based workshops, in fingerprinting and anthropology. 

In the fingerprinting workshops the pupils wore lab coats and used special powders to get their own fingerprint which they used to create a keyring, while in the anthropology workshop they analysed a replica human skeleton to understand how much they could learn about a person from their remains. 

They were also taught about heptalogy - the study of reptiles - and got to touch a real snakeskin, as well as learning about forensics through flies and maggots to learn a time of death. Finally, they explored the biodiversity of plants and how these can help uncover a crime scene. 

The boys got to take part in real discussion and questioning of the various subject areas, as well as receiving a tour of the university.

A celebratory award ceremony ended the day with boys being presented certificates for taking part in the series of workshops which formed the project. 

Aaron Hughes, a Turner Free School student, said: 

“The campus tour was great! The university was much bigger than I expected. The trip to UKC made me want to go there when I'm older.”

Dylan Dodd, a Turner Free School student, said: 

“I didn't think I would like forensic science, but I really enjoyed learning how to get fingerprints off surfaces using magnetic powder! I also found the tour really interesting, especially seeing the gym, theatre, cinema and library. I was surprised how big the library is as there are 4 floors including a cafe!”

Cillian Moss, a Folkestone Academy student, said:  

“I thought that the university trip was really interesting and it got me thinking a lot about things. I thought about what job I could do in the future if I went to university and how it would affect my life.”

Leeton Gentry, a Folkestone Academy student, said: 

“The trip to the university was really fun and interesting. I really enjoyed the fingerprinting workshop and how it was all real life stuff that we were doing.”

Kelly Jarrett, Careers Advisor at Turner Schools, said:

“It has been a privilege to witness how inspired pupils have been collaborating together, exploring new ideas and concepts that are not part of the standard curriculum. The visit to the University of Kent campus gave the boys valuable insights into university life which was brought to life through exposure to being part of laboratory style activities. 

“We are really proud of how our boys have seen the project through gaining more confidence and knowledge in the process. We would like to extend our thanks to The University of Kent for allowing our pupils to have this opportunity which will hopefully have a huge impact on their future study pathways and careers.”

This annual event gives businesses  from across Kent the opportunity to explain to Folkestone pupils more about careers in their sector. They can offer guidance about which academic pathways to follow at this stage of their education, as well as explaining the requirements of different roles.

Pupils of all ages learned about the vast range of careers available in the health and social care sector and the skills they would develop if they were to choose one of these paths. They also had the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities to deepen their understanding of the variety of roles available in the sector.

Evie-Jane Evans, a Year 9 student at Turner Free School, said: 

“I found the experience very helpful and interesting, helping me understand what jobs they offer and how they got to where they are in their careers today, as well as what qualifications they needed.”

Roxy Williams,  a Year 9 student at Turner Free School, said: 

“Today I got to understand where I can go after I leave school and learnt about different apprenticeships I might like.”

Dylan Jackson, a Year 11 student at Turner Free School, said: 

“It has given me a better understanding of the career pathways available to me and of the industry as a whole.”

Jessica Burton, a Year 11 student at Turner Free School, said:

“I discovered how to apply for the job I want through speaking to ASK.”

Kai Oliver, a Year 11 student at Turner Free School, said:

“I found the diverse opportunities available through apprenticeships interesting.”

Clementine Newsome, Careers Advisor at Turner Schools, said:

“I have been really pleased with feedback received from pupils, staff and exhibitors from our careers fair. Part of the success I believe has been due to targeting the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing sector, which gives more of a focus and allows us to create resources related to the industry, to help prepare pupils for the fair and make the most of the opportunity. 

“It was important to keep the fair as fun and as interactive as possible, so we had a range of activities for our pupils to engage in to help their understanding of the variety of roles available in the sector. 

“Just a few of these included VR headsets for pupils to experience life through the eyes of dementia sufferers, checking the pulse of an extremely life-like mannequin used to help train care workers, learning how to administer CPR and trying out software used to build specialist websites for care providers. We now need to decide which sector to focus on for next year!”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The full list of attendees is as follows:

Daniella Sherriff and Joe Donnelly (2gether Support Solutions) 

Chelsea Stradiotto (ASK/CXK), 

Mohammed Ali (Care at Home Services), 

Karen Paine and Campbell Glazier (Digital Innovation), 

Molly Smith and Leanne Walledge (Folkestone College), 

Josh Oatham and Megan Maslak (Folkestone Football Academy), 

Natasha Kerrigan (Earlsgate Podiatry) 

Jo Shapter (East Kent Footcare), 

Jaden Osborne (Hilton Nursing Partners), 

Jenny Tomei (Jenup), 

Neil Staveley, David Keningale and Giles Barnard (Kent Community Warden Service), 

Rebecca Stroud-Matthews and Jodie Knowles-Baker (Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust), 

Jennifer Evans, Jessica Palmer and Maria Konstantoula (NELFT Emotional Wellbeing Team), 

iwona king (East Kent Hospital Trust, NHS), 

Mossie Razzaq Holt (School Counsellor), 

Rachel Haden and Colin King (Shepway Sports Trust), 

Shane Forster (The Education People), 

Ern Marnden, Thomas German, Tomris Scott (The Fifth Trust), 

Frank Martin and Hannah Chant (Young Lives Foundation), 

James Sheridan and Kelly Gowar (Bannatyne Health Club), 

Mary Langford (Kent & Medway Medical School).

The five schools within the trust - Folkestone Academy, Turner Free School, Morehall Primary, Folkestone Primary, and Martello Primary - worked together and independently to organise activities as part of the trust-wide community engagement programme.  

Throughout the week pupils took part in a range of lessons, presentations, and workshops to celebrate different aspects of diversity. Guest speakers shared their knowledge and experiences; the overall aim being to develop pupils' awareness, appreciation, and understanding of those who may be different to themselves, and to inspire and provide role models for those pupils who may not not see themselves reflected in everyday life.

Some of the main activities this year included:

• Visit of Sir Stephen Wall

  • Sir Stephen spoke to pupils in Years 11, 12, and 13 about LGBT rights and what it was like for him growing as a gay man and working as a British Diplomat at a time when it was unacceptable to be part of the LGBT community.

• Visit of Wordly Wise Ambassador Mark Parrin

  • Mark talked about his physical disability and what it is like being in a wheelchair. He shared stories of some of the challenges he’s faced, such as being left on aeroplanes for hours because airport assistance hasn’t been available and having his wheelchair destroyed by baggage handlers. Mark highlighted the importance of having a positive attitude when facing adversity.

• Nathassia Devine Performance 

  • Chart topping, electronic music artist Nathhassia performed to pupils in Years 7 and 9. Her music promotes inclusivity and kindness. Nathassia also talked about her experience of being bullied as a child because of her multi-cultural heritage and the impact that that had on her mental health. She encouraged pupils to be kind and accepting of each other and to speak up if they ever felt unhappy.

• Positivity Pebbles

  • Year 7 pupils at Folkestone Academy spent the week reflecting upon aspects of diversity that were important to them. They each decorated a pebble to promote inclusion and kindness which they then placed in areas around the town.

• Books for Change

  • Emily Ghassenpour from Books for Change worked with pupils throughout the primary schools, delivering anti-racism workshops. She encouraged pupils to reflect upon what we mean by the term racism and how people feel when they are treated differently because of the colour of their skin. 

• Library visits

  • Pupils in Year 2 visited their local libraries to have a storytime session with books that promote inclusion. Staff from the library read The Proudest Blue and And Tango Makes Three; the children then had a discussion about the stories and why it’s important to have diverse characters represented in books. They then made posters for a display in the library to promote books with diverse themes.

• The Beacon Plus

  • During the primary school week, both Martello Primary and Folkestone Primary carried out activities with The Beacon Plus. Year 6 children from Martello visited the Beacon Plus Community Cafe on Tuesday and enjoyed time with the learners there, hearing about the work that they do and their goals for the future. On Thursday, Year 6 pupils at Folkestone Primary were treated to a talk from one Beacon Plus learner about autism and then they were joined by 16 other learners from the provision who spent the morning chatting and playing games with the children.

• Young Animators Club

  • Year 4 and 5 pupils at Morehall Primary participated in an animation workshop which was delivered by the Young Animators Club. They discussed what it means to be neurodivergent and then created animators that reflected how neurodivergent people might feel in different situations.

Katy Tibbles, Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager at Turner Schools said: 

“As a trust, we're passionate about developing our pupils into well-rounded individuals with open minds and an appreciation for a diverse society. Whilst inclusion is part of our everyday practice, we use these weeks to really celebrate and focus on diverse topics. Essentially, our goal is to develop our young people into well rounded, open-minded adults who appreciate living in a diverse society.”

Am’e Moris, Principal at Morehall Primary said: 

“It’s incredibly important that our children learn about inclusion. Diversity Week encourages kindness, understanding and empathy. The children have had lots of fun participating in the activities this week, but most importantly, they have developed knowledge and an appreciation for a diverse society.”  

Ben, Year 12 pupil at Folkestone Academy said: 

“The talks this week have been really interesting. They have broadened my perspective; I really enjoyed the talk on LGBT history.”

Sophie, Year 9 pupil at Turner Free School said: 

“Diversity week has made me think more about others and the importance of being kind to each other.”

Olive, Year 5 pupil at Martello Primary said:

“This week we have learnt that it doesn’t matter if you are different, or think that you are different, everyone is important and special. Everyone deserves to be treated the same way and not different because of the way they look or feel.”

The Ofsted inspectors highlighted the support that the school receives from Turner Schools, commenting that “trustees and governors are skilled, knowledgeable and extremely well-informed about the school’s standards”. They also noted that “pupils enjoy coming to this well managed, calm and orderly school”. 

Other key highlights recognised in the report include:

• “Leaders, trustees and governors are ambitious for all pupils”. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ofsted praised school staff’s work to design an “ambitious and broad curriculum”. 

• “Staff know pupils well and have high expectations of them”. Pupils do well to live up to these expectations, working hard in class and concentrating while at school. Bullying is not tolerated at the school and pupils are regularly taught how to resolve conflicts and who they can speak to if they have any concerns. 

• “Pupils achieve well in most subjects”. This is down to the work of school leaders in selecting and organising key knowledge that pupils need to learn. “Teachers use their expert knowledge to explain subject matter clearly and design interesting activities for pupils”. They set demanding work which effectively develops pupils’ reading and oracy skills. 

• Staff do well to identify pupils’ needs accurately, so pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve as well as their peers in almost all subjects. This is attributed to well-trained staff who provide strong support as well as teachers doing well to adapt the curriculum successfully. 

• School leaders “have made reading a priority”. They identify which pupils struggle with reading and then the weakest readers are well supported by trained staff to catch up. Teachers use effective assessment to identify and respond to gaps in pupils’ learning. This is aided by staff building strong relationships with pupils so that they develop positive attitudes to learning.

• Pupils feel safe at Turner Free School and treat others respectfully, socialising well with each other and behaving well around the school. Pupils are enthusiastic about the school’s ‘family dining’ environment, where they organise dinner tables and sit together with staff. They “relish being part of the school council where they can have a say on school issues”.

• “Pupils are keen to be involved in extra-curricular activities”, with the school recently introducing the ‘Turner 25’. This initiative helps pupils complete five community-based activities each year, such as cleaning up the local area in a ‘litter pick’. Pupils also have the choice of a range of sports clubs, as well as new activities including African drumming and science clubs. 

• “Leaders’ strategies to improve pupils’ attendance and reduce suspensions are effective.” In rare instances when pupils misbehave, they are supported well by staff to improve behaviour in future. Leaders have also created a strong safeguarding culture so that pupils are safe at all times and ensure that pupils receive targeted support when necessary.

• “Staff feel valued and well supported by leaders”. Turner Schools organises an extensive range of training for staff and teachers also benefit from working alongside colleagues within the trust on various areas of work, sharing what works well as a team. Leaders, trustees and governors across Turner Schools “prioritise staff well-being and workload”, which is recognised and appreciated by staff. Staff note that leaders “support and develop them well”. 

Kristina Yates, Executive Principal at Turner Free School, said: 

“I am so proud of the wonderful staff and pupils we have here at Turner Free School, and we are all delighted to have this glowing Ofsted report. This is the end result of a tremendous amount of hard work from everyone here and it is fantastic to have these efforts recognised by Ofsted. 

“From starting out in portacabins to settling into our superb new building, it has been a real journey for all of us here. But we all know this is just the start for Turner Free School and everyone here is committed to using this inspection as a foundation we can continue to build upon.” 

Seamus Murphy, CEO at Turner Schools, said: 

“Congratulations to everyone at Turner Free School on this glowing report. They should all be extremely proud of themselves for their efforts and for their success. We all see the great work taking place every day at the school and I am so pleased that Ofsted have recognised and praised this. I look forward to seeing the school continue to move from strength to strength and continue to develop their provision for the future, as we continue to do everything in our power to support them.”

The hampers included ingredients for a Christmas dinner, excluding meat products, and helped bring festive cheer to families across Folkestone. The project was funded by a £2,000 donation from Folkestone Rotary Club and £900 from Folkestone Town Council, as well as £415 donated by Turner Schools staff. This last figure was match-funded by the Trust.

Katy Tibbles, Senior Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager at Turner Schools, said:

“We were delighted to offer families across Folkestone these festive hampers. We know how tough life is right now for too many families and so we wanted to do what we could to help out. Hopefully this brought a smile to people’s faces and allowed them to have a really special Christmas. Thank you to the Folkestone Rotary Club, to Folkestone Town Council, and of course to our fantastic staff for their support in making sure we can offer these hampers.”

Sarah Morgan, Director of Secondary Improvement at Turner Schools, said:

“Our aim was to bring festive cheer to those in need and to show everyone the Turner spirit. I am so proud of the staff members who donated to this project, as well as those who offered their time to help us pack up and deliver these hampers. I am delighted that we have been able to offer these hampers to so many families this Christmas.”

The aim of the week was to broaden pupils’ awareness of what is meant by diversity and inclusion; to encourage pupils to develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding towards those who are different to themselves; and to gain an appreciation for the diverse community in which we live.

Events included:

• Neurodiversity workshops with The Young Animators Club - Pupils participated in workshops on the concept of neurodiversity and how it feels to be neurodiverse, before producing animations to reflect their thoughts.

• Anti-racism workshops with Books for Change - Pupils actively engaged in workshops delivered by Books for Change where they talked about the impact of racism and the importance of treating people equally. 

• Mark Parrin (Ambassador at Wordly Wise) - Mark delivered assemblies to Year 10 pupils at Folkestone Academy and Turner Free School, sharing his story of how he became paralysed in his mid-twenties, and how having a positive attitude has helped him to live a full and rewarding life. He went on to talk about the work he does now to support other people living with disabilities.

• Mr Lea Baynes, teacher at Folkestone Academy - Delivered assemblies at all schools about his experience of being transgender., speaking openly and honestly about the challenges he faced as a teenager and the struggles of trying to ‘fit in’ before realising that he was transgender. 

• Folkestone and Hythe District Council - Deputy Leader Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee and other Council representatives spoke to pupils about diversity in the workplace, looking at the 9 protected characteristics and why having a diverse body of employees makes the workplace a more successful and happier environment.

• Hearing impairment specialists from Kent Supported Employment  - Helped pupils to understand what it’s like to be hearing impaired and what they can do to support members of the community with these needs.

• Storytime with Dita the Drag Queen - To end the week, pupils spent the day with Dita the Drag Queen, reading stories about gender differences, using appropriate pronouns, and inclusive language. They got to know Dita, asked them questions, enquired about their job, their life, their own experiences at school, and learned exactly what it looks like when somebody, who may initially appear different in some way, is happy and confident and able to express themselves however they see fit.

A Year 7 pupil from Folkestone Academy said:

“This week I have learnt to be more respectful and considerate of other people's feelings. We should celebrate the differences between us; no one should experience discrimination.”

Seamus Murphy, CEO at Turner Schools, said:

“As a trust we embrace the diverse culture in which we live and we want our pupils to grow up having confidence in themselves, no matter what their situation may be. This week, pupils have had the opportunity to explore a wide range of issues and have heard first hand from people with diverse backgrounds. Pupils from all age ranges have approached the week with interest and maturity and I know that they have gained a huge amount from these experiences.”

Katy Tibbles, Community Engagement Manager at Turner Schools, said:

“It has been a privilege to work with such a diverse group of people throughout the week. I am incredibly grateful for the contributions made by members of the wider community and the stories that they have shared with us.”