Half-Term Update from

the Chief Executive Officer

Dear parents and carers, 

I hope that you are all well and that you have enjoyed the first half term of this academic year as much as I have. It has been an extremely busy but very positive and energising half term across Mersey View Learning Trust. As we approach the half-term break, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership, and to share with you some of the work that has taken place across the trust.

Since the beginning of September, I have been spending my time visiting the schools in the trust and in doing so, I have had the privilege of talking to many of your children. It is a pleasure to hear how happy they are at school and how much they value the support of the staff, leaders and headteachers. Across the trust, we have seen pupils settling well into their new routines and approaching their learning with enthusiasm. The thirst for learning in classrooms is palpable!

It has been a pleasure visiting our schools. In particular, it has been invaluable getting to see the high-quality education and nurturing environment that the children in our trust experience at each and every school. Some of my highlights of the half term include the following:

• attending the family fun day at Chesterfield High School and seeing how well Year 7 pupils were transitioning to their new school
• being in awe at the sheer number of excited Year 5 and 6 pupils and their families who attended Chesterfield High School’s open evening
• putting on my trainers and chatting to Year 6 pupils at Waterloo Primary School while having a tour of the grounds and having a go on the outdoor equipment
• being warmly greeted by the Reception children at the Rowan Tree and invited to join in their learning
• spending two full days with staff and pupils at Rowan Park celebrating inclusion and pupils’ progress
• hearing the whole school sing in assembly at Valewood Primary School and listening to pupils talking excitedly about their reading
• learning about the new curriculum characters at Forefield Junior School and hearing how proud pupils are of their school
• seeing how excited the young children at Forefield Infant School are about their Forest School space.

This half term has also marked some important steps forward in our journey as a trust. Since August, together with Mel Wright, our Chief Operations Officer and Sofia Palios, our Chief Financial Officer, I have been working closely with school leaders to set clear strategic priorities for the trust over the next couple of years. We remain committed to strengthening our leadership, financial sustainability and inclusion across all of our schools.

As you know from my previous letter to you, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every child in the trust benefits from a first-class, inclusive education. To support me in realising this vision, I am delighted that Helen Tantouri, Paul Lindley and Karen Lynskey have joined me in the trust’s central team. Their expertise is already having a positive impact on our school improvement plans and has created new opportunities for emerging leaders within our schools. This also allows our leaders to share their best practice more efficiently across our schools.

I am working closely with everyone in the trust to shape a clear vision for the future, rooted in ambition, inclusion and community. I am excited that I will be able to share more with you in the coming months as we rebrand, redesign our website and logo, and continue to build a trust that champions excellence and equity for all children.

I would also like to extend my thanks to our members, trustees, chairs of governors, headteachers and all staff for the warm and professional welcome I have received since taking up post in August 2025. Your ongoing support and leadership are valued greatly, and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure the best for all children in the trust.

As we head towards the half term break, I hope that you and your children have lots of rest, fun and quality time together. Thank you for all that you do to support your child’s learning and well-being and for your ongoing support of Mersey View Learning Trust.

I wish you all a peaceful half-term break.

Yours sincerely 

Rachel Goodwin 

Chief Executive Officer