Dear parents and carers,
As we reach the end of yet another term, I wanted to share my reflections on not just the end of 2025 but also the end of my time as CEO of NEAT Academy Trust.
It has been a very busy but very successful first term, with many great things happening across all our schools. Attendance remains our key priority, and while we have seen further improvement, we still need to see this improve. Thank you for your support with this.
We have also completed our first term assessments, and we are really pleased with the progress our children are making – we can really see the impact good attendance has on learning! We have lots to look forward to next term, including our annual volunteer week, which provides a great opportunity to make a positive contribution to the wider community.
This term marked a first for NEAT Academy Trust: a whole-Trust Green Careers Week across every school. By working with local employers and colleges, we shone a light on green careers and raised aspirations by showing learners the opportunities available to them in the green energy sector.
As outgoing CEO, I am incredibly proud to have led our trust from the inception with initially five schools and like-minded leaders who felt we would be better together, to where we are now. I am incredibly proud of how we work with our families and communities, as a trust, we value relationships.
I have learnt so much from the role and am truly grateful for the opportunity. I will be taking the most wonderful memories with me that I will cherish. It has been a joy to watch our young people grow and mature, and to hear what they have gone on to achieve is truly inspirational.
Whilst I am not stepping away completely (as I will be providing support to our primary schools on a part-time basis), I know that things will be different, but there is so much to look forward to. Steve Haigh, as incoming CEO, is going to provide great leadership and will help take the trust to the next stage of development, and I can’t wait to see where we go next!
I am also looking forward to Christmas, which is a time for celebration. As we prepare for some time off to spend with loved ones, please do take time for yourself and to enjoy your time. This last year has been difficult for many, and it is more important than ever that we have hope for a better future. I will leave you with a poem about hope.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
For the last time….
Thank you
Debi Bailey
CEO
Thank you again for your support—we couldn’t do it without you!