Ian Dewes

Welcome to the Odyssey Collaborative Trust.

I am proud to lead a trust that is committed to giving every child the very best education through working together. Our trust brings together seven primary schools: Asterdale, Beaufort, Borrow Wood, Cherry Tree Hill, Springfield Primary, Portway Juniors and Oakwood Juniors.

Odyssey reminds us that education is a long and meaningful journey. Our focus is on long term success for children and schools, not short term solutions. When the trust was formed, under the leadership of our founding CEO, David Blackwell, there were exactly 2001 children across our schools. Every child was counted, and that belief continues to guide our work today: every child matters.

Collaborative describes how we work. Our schools learn from one another, share strong practice and shape the direction of the trust together. Collaboration for us is about partnership rather than prescription, with headteachers and local governors retaining meaningful responsibility.

Trust sits at the heart of everything we do. We believe in shared leadership and in listening carefully to the staff who know their pupils and communities best. We also value deeply the trust that parents place in us and are committed to being open, honest and accountable in all that we do.

 

Our logo

 

 

Our logo shows cogs working together in the colours of the schools within our trust. Each cog is equally important. If one stops working, the others are affected too. This reflects our belief that every one of our 389 colleagues across seven schools plays a vital role in the success of the trust.

The Odyssey Collaborative Trust logo was designed by Hannah Quick, a former pupil at Beaufort Primary School. While Hannah was a pupil, the school held a competition to design a new logo. Hannah’s design won and remains Beaufort’s logo today. She now works as Senior Art Director for the global public relations company in New York.

The logo, and the story behind it, remind us that we all have a part to play in giving children the best possible opportunities, and that these opportunities can have a lasting impact on their lives.

If you would like to find out more about our trust, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ian Dewes - Chief Executive Officer