As we enter this special period of celebration and festivity, I wanted to reach out to all members of the Golden Thread community – our wonderful parents, carers, and dedicated colleagues – to reflect on the vibrant work I’ve witnessed across our eight schools over the last two terms.
Conversations and Community
My favourite day of the week is Monday. Each Monday, I have the privilege of visiting two of our schools where I get to speak directly with our pupils. During these conversations, I learn about their latest lessons, find out their favourite school lunch (it’s tough competition!), discover what they are hoping for from Santa, and hear the latest updates from their family lives – from new babies and “annoying” siblings to moving home or getting a new pet.
It is a truly wonderful and much-valued way for me to understand our children better, often while enjoying a delicious school lunch at the same time. These moments remind me that our schools are not just places of learning, but true centres of community.
Recognising Dedication
You may have recently seen the Pearson National Teaching Awards highlighted on programmes such as The One Show. These prestigious awards celebrate the very best teachers, support teams, and individuals who make our schools truly special. For those of us in education, we know that these celebrations are rightly deserved.
While the Pearson Awards shine a national spotlight, I believe our own local recognition is just as vital. This past summer, thanks to some very generous sponsorship, I was honoured to host an event for colleagues across our schools. It was a beautiful occasion that allowed me to say a personal “thank you” to those winners and, importantly, to reaffirm that all our schools are full of the most diligent, hard-working, and dedicated professionals.
The Extra Mile
Walk into any Golden Thread school right now, and you will see this dedication in action. In just the past few weeks, I have witnessed:
- Adults with beaming smiles teaching new festive songs to our youngest children.
- The excitement of cross-school sporting competitions taking place.
- Colleagues giving up their own free time to run enriching clubs and after-school activities.
Our teams across the Trust consistently go the extra mile. They ensure not only that the national curriculum is delivered, but that every child receives a truly enriching experience, full of sport, music, art, and technology – all underpinned by genuine care and compassion.
A Simple “Thank You”
Our colleagues may not be featuring on The One Show this year, but they deserve immense recognition. Working within the current educational climate is highly pressured, and their role is one of the toughest yet most important jobs in the world.
If I could give an award to every single colleague, I absolutely would. As we reach the end of the term, I know that any small gifts you choose to give are always gratefully received, whether they are chocolates, homemade treats, or flowers. They are definitely not expected, but always a lovely gesture.
However, more important than any physical gift is something much simpler and more powerful: a genuine “thank you”. A simple expression of appreciation goes a very long way to showing just how much we value the whole team that surrounds each Golden Thread child.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, a Happy Holiday, and a joyous New Year. We look forward to welcoming you and our pupils back to school in January 2026!
Garry Ratcliffe, CEO
