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Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Key Benefits
    • BSJT Overview
    • BSJT News
    • Financial Information
    • Scheme of Delegation
    • Services
    • Staff Wellbeing
  • Admissions
  • Trust Board
  • Opportunities
    • BSJT Overview
    • Joining a Local Governing Body
    • Joining The Trust Board
    • Thinking Of Joining the Trust?
  • Being a Multi Academy Trust
    • BSJT Overview
    • Key Benefits
  • Policies
    • Overview of Governance
    • Meeting Attendance
    • Scheme of Delegation
    • Financial Information
    • Master Funding Agreement
    • Memorandum of Association
    • Policies
    • Register of Interest
  • School Improvement
  • Login
    • Governors
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Benefits of Joining the Trust

There are a multitude of great benefits to joining the Bushey St James Trust.

Click the icons below to read case studies from staff, students and governors.

Benefits to Primary School Students

Benefits to Secondary School Students

Benefits to Sixth Form Students

A Stronger Student Voice

How being in the MAT benefits teachers and all staff

Finance & Resource Benefits

Free Gym and Childcare

Exciting Curriculum Initiatives

Leadership

Benefits for Governors

Bushey St James Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales, company number 7895684, registered at Bushey St James Trust, Coldharbour Lane, Bushey, Herts WD23 4PA
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Benefits to Primary School Students

Primary school students are given the opportunity to take part in events at the Secondary school such as attending workshops and performances organised by the hardworking staff and students. This gives them a preview of life after Primary and engages their minds in new activities and interests they may not have had the opportunity to take part in previously.

Students take part in a transition week in which they are given a timetable and attend lessons in a secondary format with their temporarily assigned class, preparing them for how their school life will change when they leave their Primary school.

By familiarising students with the buildings and routines of a secondary school, the secondary transition becomes a much easier process and encourages growth right from the first day.

 

Scroll over the tiles below to hear directly from a new of our students.

A Primary Pupil Perspective

Year 5 Pupil

Hartsbourne Primary School
"I really enjoyed the recent basketball festival held at Bushey Meads School. We were able to work together in teams and get to know new friends from other schools. It was fun! The Sports Leaders at Bushey Meads helped us a lot – they were very kind. I loved learning new skills and then putting them into practice in the games at the end of the festival."

Year 5 Pupils

Little Reddings Primary School
"I loved going to Bushey Meads School, the secondary school in our Trust. This term we were able to use their catering suite to make healthy muffins. I felt like a proper chef and it was a great experience for me."

Year 5 & 6 Pupils

Little Reddings Primary School
“Thank you for inviting us to watch Oliver at Bushey Meads. It was a lovely opportunity to see the show. Year 5 pupils all agree that it was the best play that they have seen.” Adam

"I have loved going to Bushey Meads School each year to enjoy a brilliant performance of their annual School Production. It has been inspiring!" Rebekah

Toby - Year 6

Hartsbourne Primary School
"It was great to watch the Bushey Meads Theatre Company’s performance of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The storyline was accompanied by a string orchestra (who also happened to play the mechanicals within the play) and singing and dancing fairies."

Benefits to Secondary School Students

Secondary school students are given new and exciting leadership opportunities when working with the primary schools such as leading extracurricular activities like our DANCE CLUB. These promote key skills such as leadership, organisation,presentation techniques and time management.

A Secondary Student Perspective

Year 10 GSCE Dance Student

Hartsbourne Primary School
Little Reddings Primary School
I have really enjoyed being part of the BSJT Dance Academy, having the opportunity to work alongside talented dancers from the two primary schools right up to Sixth Form level. I have learned so much and been inspired to work amongst such a talented group of dancers.

Year 6 & 10

Bushey Meads School
Little Reddings Primary School
The BSJT Orchestra across the Trust provided exciting opportunities for us as musicians. It’s a fantastic way to develop your abilities. Ryan Year 6

I loved being with people who shared my passion for music especially with such talented musicians. Phoenix Year 10

Benefits to Sixth Form Students

Year 12 Student

Bushey Meads School
"I have really enjoyed my Sixth Form Community Service which has focused on reading with Year 5 students in one of the primary schools in our MAT. The pupil I am reading with has really improved and it has given me real satisfaction to see this."

Year 12 Student

Bushey Meads School
"As a Year 12 Childcare student studying level 3 Childcare I am able to spend a day and a half each week at work placements as part of my course. I also get the opportunity to spend a whole week at my placement in January each year. Being part of a MAT makes it feel like you are working in the same family and I have loved the experiences offered at the Primary Schools."

Year 12 Student

Bushey Meads School
"As part of my Sixth Form coursework, I had to design and manufacture a recycling bin aimed at promoting recycling to younger children. It was great for me to work closely with pupils in one of the MAT’s primary schools and inspiring to understand the children's opinion and be able to respond by creating a product designed specifically for them with their needs in mind."

A Stronger Student Voice

Teacher

Bushey Meads School
The annual Student Voice meeting was led by our Senior Student Leadership team and was focused around the transition process from primary to secondary school. Head Boy Leon led a great ‘getting to know you’ session of SPLAT with all the students. It was terrific to see everyone integrating, laughing together, sharing and creating memories.

Teacher

Hartsbourne Primary School
One of the BMS Buddies gave a brilliant presentation to the primary school pupils about the work that the BMS Buddies do to help all students make a very successful transition from one school to another. During the meeting students from Hartsbourne and Little Reddings gave us plenty of tips as to how this process could also be improved which was very helpful.

How Being in the MAT Benefits Teachers & All Staff

Science Teacher

Bushey Meads School
As a member of the Bushey Meads Science Faculty I was really pleased to have the opportunity to work with my primary school counterparts and run a science INSET during which staff conducted a number of experiments that could be repeated with their pupils. All the science investigations could be tailored to the age-related appropriate depth of student understanding. Lots of on-line resources and ideas were also shared and, after the presentations, staff worked on how to incorporate these into schemes of work. It was great!

Assistant Headteacher

Bushey Meads School
As the MAT’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) I was able to deliver a comprehensive training session to all staff across the MAT. As the DPO I also attended each Full Governing Body Meeting within the Bushey St James Trust this term and have trained all Governors in the key aspects of data protection and security pertinent to their roles and the within the work that they do within their schools and across the Trust.

Teacher

Bushey Meads School
I loved our recent MAT Teacher Toolkit focused on writing across the years from Early Years, all the way up to Year 13. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about how children learn to write through mark making and developing their fine motor skills in Nursery and Reception, all the way up to Sixth form where the children are learning to develop their understanding of high level texts and interpreting meaning behind the different use of language.

Teacher

Hartsbourne Primary School
Each year in November the Bushey St James Trust organises an annual conference for all staff across the three schools. Inspiring themes have included Creating a Culture of Stretch and Challenge and Harnessing the Power of Independent Learning. We have benefited from listening to superb key note speakers and taking part in really useful workshops delivered by Leading Practitioners which support our continuing professional development programme across our three schools.

Teacher

Bushey Meads School
The BSJT Reading Group is now in its second year. With its continued focus on developing current and relevant pedagogical knowledge, the half termly sessions offer an opportunity for staff like me to find out about recent developments in education, discuss the validity of each and identify new strategies to trial within their own classrooms.

Finance & Resource Benefits

The Trust is continually looking for ways to secure best value for money and to keep up to date with modern times and the constant changes with technology. We tender for all contracts in a professional manner and we have recently awarded the following new contracts:

  • Payroll – estimated contract value £12k per year
  • Catering - estimated contract value £350k per year
  • Cleaning - estimated contract value £114k per year

Trust Theatre & Events Space

With a substantial financial investment the installation of theatre raked seating provides a superb hall which can also be used by all schools within the Trust for prestigious events. A state of the art HD Projector, professional cinema screen, industry standard sound and lighting facilities, sprung dance floor combined with the theatre style raked seating have transformed the space into an outstanding theatre and performance venue.

Trust Mini-Bus

One of the most exciting things that happened since joining the BSJT in December is the acquisition of a school mini-bus to be shared between the three schools. It has opened up the possibilities for accessing even more wonderful enrichment opportunities are and as a leader at Hartsbourne I can honestly say that we are very grateful to the Trust for their support. Primary Deputy Headteacher

Free Gym & Childcare

Cost Price Childcare Provision for BSJT Staff

Member of Staff

Bushey Meads School
One of the massive attractions of working within the Bushey St James Trust is ability to access the cost price childcare which is offered to all members of staff. Since the birth of my first child I have accessed this provision for now both of my children. The hours of opening are from 8.00 am till 6.00 pm and it is so convenient, being based literally 5 minutes from my home school.

Member of Staff

Bushey Meads School
In real terms it has saved me in excess of £9000. Not only that though, the care offered by the staff at Little Gems is truly outstanding – they are so lovely, experienced and know the children really well. My two children are so happy there!

Free Membership of the Body Mind Soul Gym

Teacher

Bushey Meads School
A great benefit of working within the Bushey St James Trust is the access the free on-site ‘Body Mind Soul’ Gym. With a full induction offered and official private membership it is great! Having spent costly gym fees over the last few years and then struggled to access the various private gyms out there in the community, it offers me the chance to either, get to work an hour earlier for a good work out before school, or go towards the end of the day before heading for home.

Teacher

Bushey Meads School
It fits in with the work life balance and, not only that, it is saving me nearly £500 a year in Gym membership fees that I wasn’t really making the most of. The Gym crew from the 3 schools in the MAT are a great team!

Exciting Curriculum Initiatives

Primary Trained KS2 – 3 Teacher

Little Reddings Primary School
Across the BSJT a core group of ten different teachers including me have all had the opportunity to work across the three different schools within the Bushey St James Trust. With the curriculum areas of Dance, Maths, Design and Technology, English and Music represented, it has helped to strengthen curriculum pathways from Key Stage 2 – 3 and shape clear next steps to take this agenda to the next level. It has been great to be involved in this pioneering work.

Art Teacher

Bushey Meads School
I loved helping out at the Mini Olympics – an annual event in which the students play giant noughts and crosses, a parts of the body relay race, a spelling game and a balloon game. The children were engaged, eager to take part and had clearly spent time learning the key vocabulary that was provided for them. Each team worked so well together and supported each other. There was a buzz around the field that showed a love for the French language.

Primary Trained KS2 – 3 Teacher

Hartsbourne Primary School
The first Bushey St James’ Trust Spelling Bee was a pertinent way to end the year as students from each school formed teams and established friendships. As one of the teachers leading the event we decided to deviate from the traditional spelling bee format in order to cultivate a learning environment that promoted collaboration and inclusivity.

Art Teacher

Bushey Meads School
The Collaborative Art project for students from across the BSJT allowed students from Little Reddings and Hartsbourne to learn about the rules of perspective and draw, design, build and paint houses individually and then in groups in their art and design technology lessons. Finally students added fairy lights and led lights into the inside of some of the buildings. A sense of unity was created in their artwork, through the consistent use of recycled materials, and neutral white and grey colour scheme. When assembled together the piece had quite an impact!

Year 5 Teacher

Little Reddings Primary School
Students from across the MAT were fortunate enough to enjoy a visit from the I.D.E.A.S Technology bus. This genuine American school bus, full of cutting edge technology, gave our students hands on experience with some of the most exciting technology for education. Within the bus, our lucky students explored 3D printers, FUSE coding devices and watched a 3D simulation of the human body. In addition, our students were exposed to the latest virtual reality, exploring Google Expedition and Tilt 360 degree immersive paint package.

Lead Practitioner for KS2 – 3

Bushey Meads School
I loved getting students involved in the More Able poetry workshop at Stanmore Library where Bushey Meads students were able to spend the day working with the published poet Neal Zetter. After the workshop they then created their own poetry workshop and taught students at both Hartsbourne Primary School and Little Reddings School. The primary students responded very positively to the workshop, wrote some fantastic poems and ended the workshop with performances of these.

Head of D & T Faculty

Bushey Meads School
It was great to welcome two classes of Year 6 pupils from Little Reddings at Bushey Meads School to learn more about programming using Python. During the masterclass the pupils engaged with putting messages on the monitor, performing calculations and using variables. They also studied aspects of 3D design and managed to learn a range of 3D software skills to design a badge which was then printed in 3D on the school’s state of the art 3D printer. With just a few key instructions, the students had to use their problem solving skills and initiative to navigate their way around the software tools. The next step will be to see the machine printing their designs in liquid plastic!

Leadership

Deputy Headteacher

Bushey Meads School
The key senior leaders overseeing the raising achievement agendas in both schools (particularly in phonics, literacy, English and maths) have been able to meet and scrutinise pupil level data across the different phases of the MAT, but more importantly, share best practice in relation to all the initiatives that are working so well to ensure that all students reach their potential. Secondary Deputy Headteacher

Assistant Headteacher

Hartsbourne Primary School
As a senior leader I have really benefitted from some of the superb joint leadership training offered across the MAT. As a wider team we have been able to discuss and reflect on our own styles of leadership and shared many practical examples to enhance our work. I have always come away energised, enthused and much more aware of my leadership strengths; and of course those that I am looking to improve.

Benefits for Governors

Governor

Bushey Meads School
As a Governor, being part of a MAT brings about economies of scale and the opportunity to collaborate across all schools. In-depth training sessions to all Governors across the MAT have been delivered on a number of key topics including Safeguarding, Exclusions, Handling Complaints and the new Ofsted Framework.