Issue 1131: 4th September 2026

  • HEADLINES



A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW CEO…


I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Chief Executive Officer of Rayleigh Schools Trust and Executive Headteacher of The Sweyne Park School.


I have worked in education for nearly 30 years, beginning as a maths teacher before becoming a senior leader and, in 2015, Headteacher of The Deanes. More recently, I served as Executive Headteacher across The Deanes and Cornelius Vermuyden School.


My role, at Rayleigh Schools Trust, is to work with the leaders, staff and trustees of both Glebe Primary School and The Sweyne Park School to build an even stronger Trust, while protecting the distinctive character and community of each school.


Above all, I want to ensure that our Trust and its schools provide the very best education, care and opportunities for every child. This means supporting our staff, sharing expertise between our schools and making thoughtful decisions that always put children’s needs first.


Strong relationships with parents and carers are an important part of this work. I look forward to meeting many of you over the coming months, listening to your views and working together to help every child across our Trust achieve and thrive.



Desi McKeown


CEO, Rayleigh Schools Trust
Executive Headteacher, The Sweyne Park School

Welcome Back

I’d like to start by welcoming you back to the new school year.  As you have read above, the Rayleigh Schools Trust has been fortunate to appoint a permanent CEO and Executive Headteacher in Mr Desi McKeown who brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles.  My role, as Head of School will be the running of Sweyne Park on a day-today basis, and one which I am both proud and privileged to undertake.  I look forward working in partnership with you in continuing to support your child/children in the future.  

Open Evening

We will be holding our annual Open Evening on Thursday 17th September from 5.30pm to 8.00pm during which we will welcome Year 6 pupils and their parents/carers.  As usual and in order to allow staff to prepare for the event, pupils will be dismissed at 12.30pm on that day.

Earlier in the week I emailed an invitation to parents/carers of pupils and students in Years 9 – 13 regarding your child’s participation in Open Evening as a Tour Guide.  Please can I ask that you complete the consent form via the link within that email.  Alternatively, if your child is in Year 7 or 8, they may be asked to support a particular department on that evening – they will be given a separate letter over the coming days so that you can give your consent as necessary. 

Thank you in advance for supporting with this important day in the school calendar.  

Coming Soon....

We are excited to have a very busy and exciting start to the autumn term with a number of events planned.  I thought it would be helpful to have a list for your diary.  As ever, more details for each event will be shared nearer the time.

 

8th September         Berlin Trip – Parents’ Meeting (5.30pm)

8th September         Welcome to Year 7 (6.00pm)

9th September         Celebration/Welcome to Year 13 (5.30pm)

11th September        School Photos

15th September       Welcome to Year 11 (6.00pm) 

16th September       Welcome to Year 12 (6.00pm) 

17th September        Open Evening (5.30pm – 8.00pm)

23rd September       Welcome to Year 8 (6.00pm)

29th September       Welcome to Year 9 (6.00pm)

And Finally….

Have a great weekend.

What do you do when you're not in school?

We would love to hear about your hobbies, interests and achievements...

If you have any stories and/or photos that you would like to share, please contact us at pupilservices@sweynepark.com

Open Evening: Thursday 17th September from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.
We will be running tours of our school every day at 8.55am from Monday 21st - Tuesday 29th September.
There is no need to book.
Please click here for further details
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