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Helping children start the school day fed, settled and ready to learn is an important way schools support families.

Speaking on BBC Radio London, Marino Charalambous, CEO of North Star Community Trust, spoke about the role school breakfast clubs play in helping children begin the day positively.

Breakfast clubs give children a chance to eat breakfast, spend time with friends and settle before lessons begin. This helps pupils arrive in class calm, focused and ready to learn.

At a time when many families are facing increased financial pressure, breakfast clubs provide an important way for schools to support children and families.

Marino said:

“Breakfast clubs help ensure children arrive in class settled, focused and ready to learn.”

Across North Star Community Trust, our schools work closely with families to make sure every child feels supported from the moment they arrive at school.

You can watch the interview here:  https://youtu.be/sKmt93zNmWI?si=AnW2-NBlXRy6wiia

If your child has missed their vaccination at school, Vaccination UK have a number of catch-up clinics around London and the UK which you can book onto.

Click here to select your borough, location and contact details for the local team  è Catch-up clinics

Further to the news of an outbreak in Kent, please see above advice that our NHS colleagues have asked us to share re: Meningitis and Septicaemia.

This is for awareness only and there are no cases in our schools.

More information can be found on the NHS website  www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis 

Now rated one of the highest-performing primary trusts in the country – and serving one of the most challenging contexts

The newly published government performance tables place North Star Community Trust joint fourth nationally among multi-academy trusts at Key Stage 2.

Across our three primary schools, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in 2025.

What makes this particularly significant is the context:

• 51% of pupils are disadvantaged

• 65% speak English as an additional language

• 23% have identified special educational needs

When broken down further, the trust is top nationally for disadvantaged pupils, for pupils with English as an additional language and for pupils with SEN.

Nationally, these characteristics are statistically associated with lower attainment.

We are proud of our children, our staff and the communities we serve.

If you are a teacher, leader or support colleague who believes in high expectations and making a real difference, we are always keen to hear from talented professionals who want to work in a values-driven trust.

Enfield Heights Academy has been singled out for praise by the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, for the exceptional results its pupils achieved last year.

In a special letter to the school, she highlighted how children – especially those facing the greatest barriers – had reached some of the highest outcomes nationally. 

She described this as a “significant achievement” and proof of what’s possible when ambition and commitment come together.

Bridget Phillipson said:

“Your school’s performance places it among the very best nationally, and this is a significant achievement. Thank you for everything you do to give children the best possible opportunities to succeed.”

“Your school’s achievements demonstrate what is possible, and I hope you will continue to share your experience and best practice with others.”

With 93% of pupils reaching or exceeding the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, Enfield Heights is the second top-ranked primary in Enfield, and sits within the top 1% of schools nationally.

Headteacher, Justyna Powrie, said:

“It’s a remarkable honour for the government to say we are one of the very best schools now in the country.”

“This success belongs to our children, families and staff. Together, you’ve shown what’s possible – and we couldn’t be prouder.”

You can read the letter to our parents here.

Congratulations to our 12 graduates who have successfully completed the Level 2 Teaching Assistant course, delivered through our Community Outreach team.

Many have continued volunteering within the Trust, applied for new roles, or are now pursuing further studies in education. Their hard work and commitment were recognised at a special celebration ceremony, marking an exciting step forward in their careers.

We’re so proud of their achievements and wish them every success as they move into employment and continued growth.

So proud of our Year 11s

We are extremely proud of our Year 11 students and all that they have achieved through their hard work and determination.

Their results reflect the effort they have put into their studies and the support they have received from staff and families.

There are many inspiring individual success stories, with students exceeding their own expectations and setting a strong foundation for their future.

These achievements highlight the resilience of our young people and the pride we all share in their success.

We are especially pleased with strong outcomes, including in biology, chemistry, physics, creative subjects such as drama, and community languages, which highlight the breadth of talent across the school.

We are also encouraged to see positive progress in a number of subjects compared to last year, reflecting the dedication of both staff and students.

Arthur Barzey, Headteacher:

“I am immensely proud of all our Year 11 students and the results they have achieved this summer. Their hard work, determination and resilience have really paid off, and there are so many inspiring stories of young people who have gone above and beyond their own expectations. I would also like to thank our staff and families for the support they have given along the way.”

Marino Charalambous, CEO, North Star Community Trust:

“I want to congratulate all our Year 11 students on their achievements. Their successes are a testament to their hard work, and to the families and staff who have supported them throughout their journey. At North Star Community Trust we remain committed to giving every young person the best possible opportunities to thrive.”

• Heron Hall’s first ever Sixth Form cohort has exceeded expectations – with excellent outcomes in some of the toughest A levels and a 100% pass rate in vocational courses.
• Stand-out success in challenging subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geography, Sociology and History shows our students can rise to the challenge – and succeed – in the most demanding courses.
• Our students have achieved impressive results across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects, proving that at Heron Hall you can aim high and achieve your goals.

“I am incredibly proud of our students and the progress they have made. Many have surpassed expectations through sheer hard work and resilience, achieving results that open doors to universities, apprenticeships, and careers they once only dreamed of. As our pioneering first cohort, they have been true trailblazers — embracing the challenges of rigorous academic study and shaping a culture of STRIVE that will inspire future generations. I would also like to thank our dedicated staff, our Sixth Form team, and the families who have supported our students every step of the way.”

      Arthur Barzey, Headteacher

“These results show that Heron Hall is a place where ambition is matched by achievement. Students have flourished across a broad range of courses, proving that with the right support and opportunities they can reach – and often exceed – their goals. It’s an inspiring moment for our whole school community”                                                                                         

      Dr Donald Graham, Chair, Board of Trustees

“Our very first group of Sixth formers has delivered exceptional outcomes, achieving strong results in both academic and vocational pathways. From science and humanities to technology, they have shown determination, talent and the ability to excel in highly demanding subjects. This is an excellent foundation for the continued growth and success of our Sixth form.”

       Marino Charalambous, CEO

Apply Now for a place in our Sixth Form

We still have some places for September 2025.

You can find out more here.

Our parents recently took part in a creative model-making workshop, part of a project to redesign Oxford Street as a family-friendly, pedestrian space. Led by community artist Christina Kalinowski and Project Manager Denean Rowe from Plan Aid London , families used paper, card and plenty of imagination to build models showing their ideas for a greener, safer, and more welcoming Oxford Street. A fantastic session that brought families together to shape ideas for real urban change — thank you to our brilliant Community Outreach team for making it possible.

“A strong academic foundation for all students”

Ofsted has published its report on the findings of its
inspection of our school in October.

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes
an overall effectiveness judgement – such as ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ – in
inspections of state-funded schools.

Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement – such as ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ – in inspections of state-funded schools. However, the report captures many aspects of the exceptional work happening at Heron Hall Academy, which we are immensely proud of.  

Heron Hall Academy will continue to strive for excellence and improvement in everything we do, ensuring every pupil achieves their full potential.

Key Highlights from the Report:

1. A welcoming and inclusive community:

“Pupils value the diversity celebrated at Heron Hall. All pupils, and students in the sixth form, are welcomed to this highly inclusive community, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).”

” Pupils feel safe and supported, knowing that well-trained staff are available to help them with any worries.”

 2. Ambitious curriculum and high standards in teaching:

“Pupils follow a carefully considered curriculum, including in the sixth form.” Lessons are “typically purposeful,” helping pupils “build up their knowledge and skills over time.”  This demonstrates the school’s commitment to ensuring a strong academic foundation for all pupils.

 3. High-quality teaching:

“Teachers have strong subject knowledge and present knowledge clearly. Teachers routinely check pupils’ understanding. This ensures that, in most cases, any misconceptions are swiftly identified and corrected.” This reflects the effectiveness of the teaching in fostering high standards.

 4. Closing the disadvantage gap:

“The gap between those who are disadvantaged and those who are not is closing and smaller than the gap nationally.” This highlights the school’s success in ensuring equity in academic achievement.

5. Opportunities beyond the classroom:

Pupils enjoy “an ambitious range of additional activities to further enhance their learning,” including the robotics club, book club, and talks with professionals such as a criminal barrister. They also benefit from regular visits “beyond their local area,” including trips to “Kew Gardens and the Houses of Parliament.”

6. Tailored support for all pupils:

Systems are in place to “identify pupils with additional needs,” ensuring that pupils with SEND or early-stage English learners receive the help they need to “access the same curriculum as their peers.” 

Pupils struggling with reading are supported to “read with increasing accuracy, fluency, and confidence,” with the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers “smaller than the gap nationally.”

7. Strong preparation for the future:

Pupils, including sixth-form students, are supported to “prepare for their next stage of education, employment or training.” The school provides opportunities to “learn about and engage positively with a range of employers and further education providers,” including during work experience placements and the “annual careers fair.”

These findings affirm the hard work of our dedicated staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils, and the support of our wider school community.

We will continue to build on this positive foundation as we strive for excellence in every area. Your partnership in supporting our pupils’ success is invaluable, and I look forward to continuing this journey together.

Arthur Barzey