Speak Up students from ̨��swag Academy Freeston are currently preparing to share their brilliant performance 'Empatheatre' with the Freeston Foundation and staff!

Speak Up is a unique initiative that brings together secondary school students, local artists, and teachers to co-create artistic responses to the issues that matter most to them, in collaboration with Theatre Royal Wakefield and The National Theatre . Here are some of their thoughts about the programme:

“If you had told me two years ago I would be standing on a stage performing like this I would never have believed it. But Speak Up has been amazing for me. I have learned how to be confident and how to express myself in a way I never thought was possible.”

“I would never join the drama, signing or musicals groups because they scare me. Speak Up isn't just about performing and making shows. It's a way to tackle a problem creatively and that's why I have been coming for two years.”

“I don't feel like I fit in at school. But speak up is different. We are like a family. Everyone is welcome and it's so much more inclusive than other parts of school. I just feel like these guys are my friends. We support each other and make room for each other. I don't want it to end.”

“I think covid affected our age group a lot more than people think. I lost my social skills and I didn't want to do anything after lockdown. Speak Up sessions have made me come out of my shell. I don't think people realise how much teenagers were affected by the lockdown. Speak Up is the only place I feel heard and safe and happy.”

“A lot of us are neurodiverse. It's kind of a big deal that we are doing this, performing and speaking up. I feel so proud of us and I have so much respect for the others in the group. That's our way of doing things. It's different.”

̨��swag Grange Academy hosted its first-ever iftar dinner for more than 160 members of the community, to celebrate and acknowledge students and their families fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which constitutes the basis of how Muslims live their lives. The other pillars are faith, prayer, charity and pilgrimage. Fasting is an important practice as it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith. During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset, instead eating a meal just before dawn; the suhoor, and breaking their fast with a meal after sunset, known as the iftar.

Year 13 student, Toheed Khan, who worked with school staff to organise the event, said:

“The Iftar was a chance for all of us, regardless of background, to come together and celebrate the richness of different cultures and beliefs, helping to build stronger, more understanding communities.

“I truly believe that events like these help the local community and wider society understand the true representation of Islam - a religion of peace, unity and respect.”

The event opened with talks from the academy principal, Andrew Downing, and Toheed Khan who spoke about the significance of Ramadan and fasting, followed by guest speakers including a local Imam. A Year 9 student then did a call to prayer and an Imam led prayers for those who were participating.

Julekha Motara, Assistant Principal who coordinated the evening, added:

“It was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the diversity and inclusivity that make our school community so special. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to making the evening so memorable. Their support, kindness and participation truly made it a night to remember.

“Events like this highlight the power of coming together and we look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate and connect as a community.”

Twelve dedicated students from ̨��swag Academy Hindley have successfully completed The Scholars Programme, a transformative initiative by The Brilliant Club. This achievement marks a significant step in their academic journey, opening doors to competitive universities and beyond.

The Scholars Programme is designed to bridge the opportunity gap faced by students from less advantaged backgrounds. Research shows that students from the least advantaged backgrounds have only a 2 in 100 chance of attending the most competitive universities, compared to 28 in 100 for their more advantaged peers (UCAS Multiple Equality Measure). This disparity persists into higher education, with disadvantaged students 20% more likely to miss out on a 1st or 2:1 degree, impacting their future and society as a whole.

The Brilliant Club directly addresses this challenge. Through the programme, PhD tutors share their expertise and passion for learning with small groups of high-potential students aged 8-18. This intensive experience, consisting of seven tutorials and a rigorous university-level final assignment, equips students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to excel.

One student shared:

“The Brilliant Club has improved my confidence in English language and literature. It also introduced me to the critical thinking model which helps in almost all subjects. Very great experience.”

Another student highlighted the programme's practical benefits, stating:

“Brilliant club is fun but it is not easy; you have to work for it. It helped me as it taught me a new way to lay out my work and how to manage time. It also gave me an idea of what university is like and best of all, I have something to show for when I apply to colleges or jobs.”

The success of the Scholars Programme goes beyond individual achievements. Research using data from the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) demonstrates a positive impact on GCSE attainment, further solidifying its role in fostering academic success.

In 2023/24, the Brilliant Club worked with 19,968 young people across 872 schools. By 2026, they aim to expand The Scholars Programme to reach over 20,000 students annually, providing them with the tools to access university. They are also pioneering initiatives focused on university transition and student success, ensuring that less advantaged students thrive in higher education. 

The graduation ceremony at the University of Manchester, where the students received their certificates, was a celebration of their hard work and a testament to the transformative power of The Brilliant Club. 

Michael Coleman, Vice Principal at ̨��swag Academy Hindley, said:

“Our students showed their dedication to the programme by attending the weekly seminars and writing a 2,000-word essay. Their contributions to these discussions were a pleasure to see. I am sure more students will now consider university as one of their future paths.”

For more information about the Brilliant Club, please visit

North Notts BID has announced the appointment of three new board directors, expanding its representation of female leaders from across the district.

Falling ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March), North Notts BID has welcomed to its board Katy Bradford, deputy chief executive officer at ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, Abi Priestley, owner of Oakrange Engineering and Torworth Lakes, and Katy Jarvis-Morgan, STEP site stakeholder manager for UK Industrial Fusion Solutions.

The new appointments will sit alongside five other female board members, including chief executive Sally Gillborn MBE.

George Buchanan, chair of the North Notts BID board, said:

“As a business-led and managed improvement district, these appointments will build upon the success of our board in ensuring the BID maximises its value for levy payers.

“The BID should be representative of all types of businesses and the people behind them, and it is fantastic to welcome three female leaders who bring a variety of experience across different industries, including education, industrial, leisure and STEM.

“As headline sponsor of the upcoming North Notts Business Women Awards, we are committed to celebrating the contributions of women to business growth in the district. Our aim is to champion the value of local businesses, enabling their input to help shape the future of the services provided by North Notts BID for the benefit of our towns.”

Katy Bradford, deputy chief executive officer at ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, said:

“As an education trust with our ̨��swag Academy Portland, ̨��swag Academy Valley and ̨��swag Post 16 Centre Worksop in the district, we recognise the importance of North Notts BID not just for businesses and the local community, but also students and families who engage with businesses and events that the BID supports.

“I am excited at the opportunities for ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust and how it can contribute to North Notts BID to grow the connection between business and education, particularly regarding skills development and employment opportunities.”

Abi Priestley, owner of Oakrange Engineering and Torworth Lakes, said:

“Operating two businesses in North Notts, spanning industrial and leisure, I aim to bring different perspectives on what services and benefits really matter to our local businesses, helping the BID to build upon the fantastic services it provides, from security measures to employee training opportunities.”

Katy Jarvis-Morgan, STEP site stakeholder manager for UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, said:

“STEP Fusion will have an enormously transformative impact on the local community, supporting long-term job creation and growth in North Notts. By joining the North Notts BID board, I hope to build the connection between our new base in West Burton and the wider towns in our district, developing a local understanding of what the project will deliver and supporting the BID to achieve our shared goals.”

For more information about North Notts BID, visit .

Schools throughout the UK are celebrating a windfall thanks to a loyalty scheme that has seen one of the UK’s largest public sector buying organisations give back £19.2 million over the past 15 years.

Publicly-owned YPO has revealed that 9,785 of its customers have been given a total of £355,316 as part of its annual commitment to share its profits with them.

Wakefield-based ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, which manages 41 schools in the north of England, received £5,477.62 in the latest payout, which rewards customers for the purchases they made at during 2023. Vouchers are issued and can be spent on any of YPO’s range of more than 22,000 products.

The academy said it was delighted to receive the funding boost.

Chief executive officer Lee Wilson said:

“This benefits all of our 41 schools. We had already decided that YPO was the best place to buy the products we needed and having done that, YPO hand back a share of their profits so that we can use it to invest in our children.

“Our schools will all get their share of the vouchers and are free to use them as they see fit. Heads of department and teachers will be able to boost the resources available to them. In some cases, this might simply make their budgets go further, while in others the vouchers will be used for ‘nice to have’ items.”

YPO’s managing director Simon Hill said:

“We’re delighted to play a part in helping customers that regularly buy equipment and resources from us by offering them a share of our profits.

“Giving back to the public sector is our purpose and has been at the heart of everything we have done since we started out more than 50 years ago.

“Through this scheme, we’re able to offer a significant bonus to schools, which enables teachers to allocate funds where they think they would benefit their pupils the most.”

The largest voucher awarded to a single educational setting was £509.58 for Exmouth Community College in Devon. Schools in Sheffield received the highest cumulative total, with more than £24,400, followed by Manchester (£21,800), Newcastle (£18,000), Leeds (£14,600) and Liverpool (£14,500).

Schools in Wakefield received £12,898, followed by Birmingham with £12,316, Bradford (£12,054) and Warrington (£10,057).

Wakefield-based YPO is owned and governed by 13 local authorities across Yorkshire and the North West, and returns all profits back to the public sector - totalling £165m in dividends to local authorities across the country since its formation in 1974.

Ian Dixon, regional business development manager at YPO, marked ̨��swag Grange’s windfall by handing over a cheque to Mr Wilson. He said:

“Customers love our loyalty scheme because it’s so simple to build up vouchers and redeem them online, just by logging in to your YPO account and going to the loyalty voucher dashboard.

“The vouchers don’t have to be redeemed all at once, but customers should use them before April 1. You can find out if you have loyalty to redeem by logging on to your account.”

More information about YPO’s Loyalty scheme is available at

̨��swag Academy Bishopsgarth in Stockton-on-Tees has been praised by Ofsted following its most recent inspection. The report, which comes after a two-day inspection in January, opens by saying ‘Pupils are well cared for, and they are safe at ̨��swag Academy Bishopsgarth. The school puts pupils’ best interests first, and staff know pupils well. The school often goes to great lengths to support pupils and their families, especially at times of great need.’

Ofsted graded the school as ‘Good’ in the ‘behaviour and attitudes’ and ‘personal development’ inspection areas.

Highlights of the report include:

• The school quickly identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff are provided with detailed information about pupils’ needs and the strategies to support them.

• The school’s ‘Life’ programme covers important themes such as healthy relationships and online safety. It provides pupils with opportunities to be active citizens in the local community. They visit residents at a local care home, litter pick and the choir performs in the local community.

• The school quickly identifies individual pupils who struggle with reading and who require specific support. More widely, the school has clear strategies to support pupils with their reading in lessons.

• The school prioritises pupils’ attendance. It works effectively to identify the barriers that some families face so it can take effective action to overcome them. As a result, recent rates of attendance have improved, and fewer pupils are persistently absent.

• The careers programme is carefully planned. Starting in Year 7, pupils receive detailed information and guidance to help them make informed choices about their next steps.

• Teachers feel well supported by the principal and other leaders with their workload and well-being. They are proud to work at the school.

Jason Rhodes, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Bishopsgarth, said:

“We are pleased that the improvement in behaviour from the last inspection report has been recognised. We feel really proud that the partnership work with our families has been identified as a strength of the Academy.”

Charity and kindness are at the heart of life at the academy. Placed prominently in the corner of the main school dining hall, the Random Acts of Kindness Tree serves as a reminder of the good that occurs every day on campus. Every Wednesday the student Pride Lead and Learning Manager refresh the tree with new names, showing that inclusion, kindness and community are core and active values within academy life.

Weekly assembly incorporates topical content that represents different backgrounds, cultures, and local needs. The IQM assessor noted that “praise is daily and celebration events are frequent” in the academy, so that every student is included in the academy’s uplifting environment throughout the year.

Read the full report on the

̨��swag Academy Danum has been awarded the prestigious Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) Centre of Excellence status. The award highlights the school’s leadership in fostering an inclusive, supportive and aspirational environment for students, staff, and the wider community.

The Centre of Excellence status is awarded to schools that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to inclusion and have the capacity to inspire and lead others in adopting best practices. ̨��swag Academy Danum is now part of an elite group of schools recognised for transforming lives and raising standards within education.

The IQM report commended the school for its ‘relentless determination to provide the very best’ and for creating a warm, welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that celebrates diversity. The report also praised outstanding leadership, positive relationships and dedication to providing a safe, supportive and aspirational learning environment for all students.

Highlights from the report include:

• “A strong culture of support ensures staff feel valued, listened to and empowered to thrive.”

• “Bespoke interventions through The Bridge, Personalised Learning Centre (PLC) and Aspire Centre ensure all students are supported to achieve their full potential.”

• “Strong partnerships with parents, carers, local employers and external agencies enable the school to support student aspirations, well-being and success beyond the classroom.”

Amanda Crane, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Danum, expressed her pride in the school’s success, saying:

“I’m so pleased that the efforts of staff, students and parents have been recognised in this wonderful report. Working in education brings challenges, but it is clear we are heading in the right direction building a school that the community can be proud of.”

The report also included glowing feedback from parents. One parent said:

“I feel incredibly reassured by the high staff presence at the start and end of the day. It’s clear the school cares, and I know my child is in safe hands.”

Another added:

“The ethos of ‘students first’ shines through. Danum has proved to be the right place for my child, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Denise Godfrey, Vice Principal at the school, also reflected on the achievement:

“This award validates the hard work of our teams across the school. Inclusion isn’t just something we talk about; it’s part of our daily practice and embedded in our values.”

The assessor further praised the academy’s focus on student well-being and development, commending staff for their proactive, caring and effective approach to identifying and overcoming barriers to learning.

Scott Thomas, Associate Vice Principal, said:

“This achievement reflects the tireless work across every corner of our school community. The innovative and inclusive systems we have in place allow all students, no matter their background or challenges, to access the very best education. We are proud of the progress we have made and remain committed to building on this success. At ̨��swag Academy Danum, pupils are more than just a grade.”

As ̨��swag Academy Danum continues to raise standards and transform lives, this award highlights its unwavering mission to provide exceptional opportunities for all students, preparing them for bright and successful futures.

̨��swag Academy Hindley has been rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted in its first inspection since joining ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust (OGAT). The Mornington Road-based school, formerly Hindley High School, was graded ‘Inadequate’ in 2020 due to factors including quality of education and leadership and management. The school, which joined the ̨��swag Family of schools in January 2022, was subject to a two-day inspection in December.

The report opens with praise for the positive relations between students and staff, stating ‘Pupils are welcomed by smiling staff as they cross the purple line at the school’s entrance each morning. These friendly greetings ensure that pupils’ first experience of school each day is a positive one. The strong relationships between staff and pupils exemplify the school’s culture of care.’

Other highlights of the report include:

• The school focuses on celebrating pupils’ successes. This helps pupils to flourish. 

• The school ensures that vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), have the support that they need to learn successfully. 

• Pupils learn the importance of being polite and well mannered. Respectful interactions with staff are the norm.

• Lessons are calm, purposeful environments where learning is rarely disrupted.

• With support from the trust, leaders have rapidly and successfully improved the quality of education that the school provides. This has been driven by a strong emphasis on staff development.

• Staff share a strong commitment to raising pupils’ aspirations and providing an education that enables pupils to succeed

• The school is tenacious in its work to understand any causes of absence and to remove any barriers to pupils attending well. This work is proving effective.

Jude Norman, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Hindley, said:

“I find it difficult to fully express the pride I feel at our school being recognised as a setting where children receive a 'Good' education. The Ofsted report captures a sense of our school with its caring ethos and the commitment all staff have to transforming the lives of our students. 

“The inspection focused on the quality of our students' overall experience of school and with ‘Good’ in all areas, it recognises how we focus on success to help students to flourish, we are committed to raising their aspirations and that our school is a welcoming and safe place where students wish to be. I consider it a privilege to lead ̨��swag Academy Hindley and am proud of a report which highlights the hard work of our staff, the good conduct of our students and the support of our wider community.”

Julie Slater, Chief Executive Principal at OGAT, added:

“I am so proud of the transformation that has taken place at ̨��swag Academy Hindley. It is a wonderful school where young people belong to something special. The school's transformation from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Good’ in all areas demonstrates what can be achieved when children, families and staff work together to transform the educational experience in a community.

“Exceptional opportunities are provided to our young people both in and out of the classroom to ensure they become great citizens. The community of Hindley should rightly be proud of its young people. The Ofsted report is a beautiful read.” 

Students, parents, carers and staff at ̨��swag Primary Academy Bell Lane held a fundraising event to support student, Oliver, 9, and his family after a cancer relapse just before Christmas.

Oliver was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, in 2020 at the age of four and was subsequently able to take part in a treatment trial in the US after fundraising generated donations of £300,000. After undergoing extensive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and vaccines, Oliver was declared cancer-free in 2021.

Unfortunately, just before Christmas, Oliver relapsed and doctors discovered two new tumours in his neck and back. He is currently undergoing an initial course of chemotherapy which will allow doctors to see how the tumours respond.

The fundraising event which was held at the school on Monday 27 January, saw two teachers, Victoria Mees and Samantha Hemingway, shave their heads in solidarity with Oliver to try and boost donations to Oliver’s JustGiving page. Currently, the page has raised more than £15,000.

Rebecca Pattinson, Principal at the school, said:

"When we received the devastating news that Oliver's cancer had returned, the whole of the Bell Lane team wanted to support Oliver and his incredible family.

"When Mrs Hemingway and Miss Mees came to me and said they wanted to shave their heads, in front of the children and our families, I was in awe and incredibly proud to work with such amazing people. The whole school, including the children, want to raise as much money as possible for this amazing cause.

"At ̨��swag Primary Academy Bell Lane, we refer to ourselves as 'Team Bell Lane' and each member of our community is committed to our family. I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Bell Lane family.

"The whole school community has shown kindness and compassion and everyone is determined to do their own small part to support Oliver's Army. What a team to lead!"

To donate to Oliver’s fundraising, visit the JustGiving page.

Students at ̨��swag Academy Shafton are the latest to learn about sustainable period products and eradicating period poverty through Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls’ educational period campaign. 

The campaign aims to improve period dignity, educate young people about sustainable, reusable period products, and find an alternative method of disposal to flushing pads and tampons down the loo, which can cause blockages in the sewer network. 

Yorkshire Water’s education team have devised a programme that includes sessions on period health and wellbeing for secondary school students. As well as distributing free ‘Full Cycle’ kits, the period health education sessions feature where to access products and explain the benefits of sustainable products that can be better for the environment, the pocket and the sewer network.  

Anne Reed, social value and education manager at Yorkshire Water, said:

"We are proud to be working with Hey Girls to help educate young girls in Yorkshire about reusable, sustainable period products and the benefits they bring, both environmentally and financially. 

“Over 220m non-sustainable products are flushed away every year which contain plastic and take a very long time to break down, which can cause problems to the sewage network. 

“The aim is not to convert everyone to reusable products, but to use them as a gateway to openly talk about period poverty and the problems flushing single-use sanitary products can cause." 

The partnership will provide 20,000 reusable, sustainable period packs to a number of secondary schools across the Yorkshire region. 

̨��swag Academy Shafton was selected to take part in the programme because blockages are a known issue in the area. 

Alison McQueen, principal at ̨��swag Academy Shafton, said:

“We were really pleased to welcome Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls into the academy to educate and to promote the use of sustainable period products. The partnership aims to make period products accessible to all while minimising environmental impact, both of these topics are important to our socially conscious students.

"Students are taught about sustainability through our Personal Development curriculum and are very aware of the need to live sustainably. Talking to students after the session, they felt empowered to make informed choices about their period products and contribute to a more sustainable future. We are incredibly thankful to Mrs Riley and Miss Kaye for their support in leading this project from an academy perspective and very grateful to Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls for their commitment to working with us." 

Kate Smith, co-founder and director of Hey Girls, said:

“We are pleased that Yorkshire Water is underway with delivering educational sessions to young girls, to promote period dignity and providing them with free period products. We want to put an end to 1 in 10 people affected by period poverty in the UK and stop 49% of pupils missing an entire day at school because of their period.” 

Students, parents, carers and staff at ̨��swag Primary Academy Bell Lane are rallying around to support student, Oliver, 9, and his family after a cancer relapse just before Christmas. 

Oliver was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, in 2020 at the age of four and was subsequently able to take part in a treatment trial in the US after fundraising generated donations of £300,000. After undergoing extensive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and vaccines, Oliver was declared cancer-free in 2021.

Unfortunately, just before Christmas, Oliver relapsed and doctors discovered two new tumours in his neck and back. He is currently undergoing an initial course of chemotherapy which will allow doctors to see how the tumours respond. 

Oliver's school has planned a fundraising event, where two teachers, Victoria Mees and Samantha Hemingway, will shave their heads in solidarity with Oliver. The event will take place on Monday 27 January at 2.30 pm. Currently, Oliver’s JustGiving page has almost £9,000 in donations.

Rebecca Pattinson, Principal at the school, said:

"When we received the devastating news that Oliver's cancer had returned, the whole of the Bell Lane team wanted to support Oliver and his incredible family.

"When Mrs Hemingway and Miss Mees came to me and said they wanted to shave their heads, in front of the children and our families, I was in awe and incredibly proud to work with such amazing people. The whole school, including the children, want to raise as much money as possible for this amazing cause.

"At ̨��swag Primary Academy Bell Lane, we refer to ourselves as 'Team Bell Lane' and each member of our community is committed to our family. I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Bell Lane family.

"The whole school community has shown kindness and compassion and everyone is determined to do their own small part to support Oliver's Army. What a team to lead!"

To donate to Oliver’s fundraising, visit the JustGiving page.

Post-16 students and academy leaders at ̨��swag Academy Adwick have showcased their new, state-of-the-art T-Level facilities to Ed Miliband, MP for Doncaster North, along with course placement partners from the NHS, RDASH, Doncaster City Council the Association of Colleges.

The academy began offering T-Level Health in September 2023, now following a recent significant investment, students train in a purpose-built hospital wing and have access to a new IT suite. As part of the course, students spend one day a week working with NHS professionals in external hospitals and healthcare facilities.  

Students were keen to share their experiences with Mr Miliband and demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have gained, both at the academy facilities and working alongside professionals in a range of different specialisms. 

Mr Miliband MP said:

“̨��swag Academy Adwick’s new facilities and T-Level curriculum will play a significant role in shaping the futures of our young people in Doncaster.”

Andy Scruby, Lead Principal at the academy, added:

“It’s rewarding to see students receiving high-quality, industry experience in professional medical settings and being able to link this with the knowledge and skills developed in our facilities with their teachers. The partnerships between the NHS, teachers and students are extremely powerful and it is no surprise to see the levels of engagement and professionalism of our students.”

Professionals shared how they value the relationships they have formed with students, who have become integral members of their teams. Many students have secured professional positions for when they finish their studies and will have the chance to continue learning at degree level and beyond.

Mr Miliband MP continued:

“Students will gain first-hand experience in their chosen subjects, working alongside professionals across the region. The opportunities on offer are of the highest calibre and I cannot wait to see the students succeed in their studies”

The vision to deliver T-Levels at the academy has been the effort of Aalok Kanwar, Senior Science Director at ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust (OGAT), whose tireless dedication to offering courses and careers education has now come to fruition, enabling students to access a pathway into highly skilled and rewarding careers. Working with the Department for Education and Doncaster City Council, OGAT were able to secure funds to build outstanding new facilities, inspiring students and providing them with the very best teaching and learning opportunities.

Mr Kanwar, said:

“I am thrilled for the students and teaching staff. These facilities will allow the students to experience a workplace environment while developing the practical skills required for success within healthcare.

“Although based at ̨��swag Academy Adwick, we welcome any Year 11 student, regardless of school, to study within these facilities; ultimately, our goal is to create a sustainable local employment pathway for the young people of Doncaster. If you are interested, please come and visit. We hope that like our current students, you will be truly excited and inspired!”

As the T-Level in Health has been such a popular choice for students at the academy, the school has recently announced that it will be expanding its courses for September 2025. Students across Doncaster can now also apply to study T-Level Animal Care or Administration and Management. Further construction work will start in the coming weeks to develop specialist facilities within the school to accommodate these courses. As with the Health course, 20 per cent of learning time will take place outside of the classroom, with students being guaranteed an industrial placement for one day a week. 

The courses include:

• T-Level Health 

  Develop practical skills in patient care, medical terminology and healthcare administration, preparing you for a rewarding career in the NHS or other healthcare settings. Work placement partners include; NHS Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital, Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation and City of Doncaster Council

• T-Level Animal Care 

  Gain hands-on experience in animal handling, husbandry and welfare, opening doors to careers at veterinary practices, animal shelters, and zoos. Work placement partners include; Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Markham Grange. 

• T-Level Administration and Management 

  Build essential business skills like communication, project management and customer service, leading to exciting opportunities in various industries. Work placement partners include; Amazon, Polypipe, Next and ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust.

T-Level courses provide a clear route from GCSE studies to high-quality education and training in the academy and are partnered with leading employers. Equivalent to three A-Levels, the qualifications provide the students with skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications to either progress directly into professional roles at the end of their course, continue their studies in higher education or enter higher-level apprenticeships. 

Alongside top-quality facilities, students studying at ̨��swag Academy Adwick have access to expert teaching, local work placements, careers guidance and support and a dedicated work placement mentor.

The Medal Presentation, set for Thursday 23rd January, will see Harry receive the coveted BCA Medal of Honour for Service to Volunteering & Charitable Giving (BCAv). Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominals to commemorate their achievements.

Harry has dedicated over 40 years to improving and supporting a better education for pupils staff and communities across the North East of England. Starting in the 1980s, when his children were in secondary school, he volunteered to be a governor. Now, at age 81 he still volunteers several hours a week, working across various councils and Multi-Academy Trusts.

Upon his retirement, Harry saw his volunteering as his new 'job'. His diary is always full and, he never says no to being there to support and help improve schools. He is a governor or director at multiple schools across the Teesside area. He also sits on appeals and exclusion panels for Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Redcar Councils. He travels to schools, and council offices, multiple times a week to attend meetings, give advice and support school management teams.

Harry's support to education has influenced the lives of several thousands of children across Teesside. His expertise and knowledge is appreciated by many people, often being the first person called for advice. Furthermore, he is the Chair of The Ropner Trust charity, and over his lifetime so far, Harry has donated over 150 units of blood to the NHS Blood Donation Service.

Stephanie Wood from BCA Partner One Stop commented:

"This year's medalists exemplify the incredible support within our communities, especially during challenging times. We're honoured to partner with the BCA and play a part in recognising these exceptional individuals."

The presentation, hosted by TV presenter Matt Allwright, will be attended by BCA Patrons Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers, and The Rt Hon Lord Dholakia. Following the ceremony, medalists will enjoy an Open Top Lap of Honour tour and a certificate presentation at another distinguished Westminster venue.

Students from ̨��swag Post 16 Centre Worksop have successfully completed a six-week work experience outreach programme with local employer Premier Foods, which aims to attract a younger demographic into the manufacturing industry. 

With limited places available on the programme, students had to formally apply and go through interviews to secure a spot. A careers workshop which explained how to write a CV and interview best practices was delivered by Premier Foods before the applications opened. 

Successful students completed their Level 2 Health & Safety and Food Safety qualifications, opening up opportunities to pursue a route into manufacturing. Students also had the opportunity to undertake work experience in several departments, including human resources, learning and development, and technical, gaining insight into how these areas of the business support wider functions.

The Premier Foods team gave students access to their Claylands Avenue-based factory, which manufactures products for big brands such as Batchelors, Bisto, OXO and Sharwoods. 

At the end of the programme, students produced pamphlets focusing on how support functions contribute to and benefit business. 

Neve P, who took part in the programme said:

“My time at Premier Foods was such an excellent experience to get an insight into the working life. It opened my eyes to understand how the business runs and how many factors play a part in sustaining it. It has definitely helped me for the future!”

Janette Shea, Head of Centre, at ̨��swag Post 16 Centre Worksop, said:

“The successful candidates who participated in the Premier Foods outreach programme had an amazing experience, which enabled them to learn new and develop existing employability skills. It has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain insight into the world of work and we appreciate the time and effort that Premier Foods have put into making this such a great experience.”

A spokesperson for Premier Foods added:

“It's been a pleasure working with the ̨��swag Post 16 Centre to support Year 13's in their transition to the working environment.

“It's been a brilliant experience to support local and future talent to allow them to understand the opportunities available on their doorstep.”

Premier Foods employs over 4,000 people and operates 13 manufacturing and office sites across the UK.

̨��swag Academy Freeston in Normanton has achieved the Leading Parent Partnership Award (LPPA), awarded by Optimus Education, for its outstanding level of parental engagement.

The LPPA has been running for over 21 years and for a school to achieve it, it needs to meet all the framework criteria, which span 9 different objectives.

The assessor’s report for the school stated:

• Feedback evidences that parents are very appreciative of the staff and feel confident in approaching the academy if they have any queries or worries. They value regular contact with staff. Moreover, they know that any issues will be addressed swiftly.

• When parents receive reports and other information, these are free from unnecessary educational jargon.

• Communication between the academy and parents is a real strength with very efficient systems in place.

• Vulnerable families are well supported. The support provided is bespoke to meet the needs of the pupil and the wider family.

• Parental engagement is one of the central principles of the academy and leaders feel it is an integral part of its development.

Having achieved the award, the school is now accredited for three years.

Lisa Allott, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Freeston, said:

“The LPPA gave us a real opportunity to reflect on our communication with parents, carers and the community. We were clear that we wanted to establish where we were at the start of the process and use the opportunity to look at what we could implement to improve further over the year and how we can continue this impact over time. We continue to strive to reach out to all of our community and welcome their feedback.”

Students and staff at ̨��swag Academy Danum have brought the true spirit of Christmas to life this holiday season, making a heartfelt impact on their local community and beyond. With generosity, compassion and holiday cheer, the academy’s efforts have brightened the festive season for those in need.

In support of Save the Children’s annual Christmas Jumper Day, the students donned their most festive sweaters, raising over £160 for the global charity. The funds will contribute to vital programs that provide children worldwide with access to education, healthcare, and a brighter future.

Closer to home, the academy has also embraced ‘Mission Christmas’, a campaign aimed at ensuring every child wakes up to a gift on Christmas morning. Students have been donating toys, games and other presents, demonstrating their commitment to bringing joy to young people who might otherwise go without this holiday season.

The spirit of giving didn’t stop there. ̨��swag Academy Danum students have also taken their Christmas cheer on the road, visiting Heatherwood School to spread festive joy through carol singing. Their performances created a magical atmosphere, leaving a lasting impression on the school’s pupils and staff alike.

Recognising the importance of connecting with all members of the community, students are also crafting and delivering thoughtful Christmas cards to local care homes. These small yet meaningful gestures are sure to bring warmth and joy to the residents, reminding them they are remembered and cherished during the festive season.

Lydia Parkhurst Ryder, Associate Assistant Principal at the school, praised the students for their efforts, saying:

“The kindness and generosity shown by our students this Christmas period has been incredible. It’s been heart-warming to see everyone joining in to support such meaningful, local causes and to spread a little festive joy to those who need it most.”

Principal Mandy Crane also shared her pride in the students’ contributions, adding:

“Sometimes, teenagers get a bad reputation; to see our young people work together to create opportunities for joy this season is inspiring.”

̨��swag Academy Danum’s community Christmas initiatives stand as a shining example of what can be achieved when compassion and teamwork come together. Their efforts are a testament to the power of giving back and are a reminder of the true meaning of the festive season.

Students and staff at ̨��swag Academy Ormesby are supporting local families this Christmas by running a hamper appeal in aid of CAUSE.

The school collected food, clothing and toys which will go to Teesside families to help them over Christmas. This is the second time the school has supported the campaign and students managed to raise more donations this time round, exceeding their target number of hampers. This means some hampers will be given to families within the school community. Donations were delivered to Breckon Hill Community Centre ready for distribution.

Paul Saxton, Personal Development Lead at the school, said:

“It has made us extremely proud as a school community to see our students embrace the needs of others before their own. They’ve built on their generosity from last year and managed to raise even more donations this year; it’s been amazing. Education is always important but being a kind human being is infectious.”

As well as the Christmas hamper campaign, CAUSE also organises holiday hunger campaigns in February half term, Easter and summer holidays, providing bags of food to schools for distribution to families, giving them a little extra support to feed their children whilst schools are closed.

CAUSE also responds to crisis requests, enabling families to receive support with items such as beds, bedding, wardrobes, drawers, small electrical items, household items and food. To find out more about their provision, please visit

Students at ̨��swag Academy City Fields are the latest to learn about sustainable period products and eradicating period poverty through Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls’ educational period campaign.

The campaign aims to improve period dignity, educate young people about sustainable, reusable period products, and find an alternative method of disposal to flushing pads and tampons down the loo, which can cause blockages in the sewer network.

Yorkshire Water’s education team have devised a programme that includes sessions on period health and wellbeing for secondary school students. As well as distributing free ‘Full Cycle’ kits, the period health education sessions feature where to access products and explain the benefits of sustainable products that can be better for the environment, the pocket and the sewer network.

Anne Reed, social value and education manager at Yorkshire Water, said:

"We are proud to be working with Hey Girls to help educate young girls in Yorkshire about reusable, sustainable period products and the benefits they bring, both environmentally and financially.

“Over 220m non-sustainable products are flushed away every year which contain plastic and take a very long time to break down, which can cause problems to the sewage network.

“The aim is not to convert everyone to reusable products, but to use them as a gateway to openly talk about period poverty and the problems flushing single-use sanitary products can cause."

The partnership will provide 20,000 reusable, sustainable period packs to a number of secondary schools across the region.

City Fields was selected to take part in the programme because blockages are a known issue in the area.

Helen Steele, assistant principal and teacher of PE at ̨��swag Academy City Fields, said:

“Access to period products and education is a right for young women. Many young women don't attend school because they are embarrassed about being on their period.

“Yorkshire Water and Hey Girls have taken steps to support schools in talking more openly about period health and overcome the embarrassment. The education around reusable products and their effectiveness during the school day was welcome news for some students. It provided a safe space to discuss the options available to them.

“As a school who are pushing on sustainability our students were genuinely interested in how period products can cause blockages and how they can be part of the solution.”

Kate Smith, co-founder and director of Hey Girls, said:

“We are pleased that Yorkshire Water is underway with delivering educational sessions to young girls, to promote period dignity and providing them with free period products. We want to put an end to 1 in 10 people affected by period poverty in the UK and stop 49% of pupils missing an entire day at school because of their period.”

Perrie, 9, a student at ̨��swag Primary Academy Kirkhamgate, has won Simon Lightwood MP's third annual Christmas card competition, winning tickets to Wakefield Theatre Royal’s Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.

In September, Mr Lightwood launched the competition and invited all primary schools within his constituency to take part, with the winning entry to be used as his official Christmas card.

More than 400 students submitted their artwork for consideration, all of which have received a certificate to thank them for their participation.

As the winning entry, Perrie has won tickets to see Wakefield Theatre Royal’s Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, which is running between 26 November 2024 – 5 January 2025.

Simon Lightwood MP said:

“I can’t believe how many Christmas card designs I’ve been sent this year! You can’t move for them in my office, its brilliant.

“To all the children that took part in this year’s competition – thank you so much. Your designs were marvellous, and it was really hard to pick just one winner. I’m so proud to have such a talented group of constituents.

“As ever, I’d also like to thank the wonderful Wakefield Theatre Royal who, for the third year running, have kindly donated tickets to their Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, and provided my competition with such a wonderful prize. Tickets are selling quickly, so make sure you snap up yours soon!”

Matthew Vickers, Principal of ̨��swag Primary Academy Kirkhamgate said:

“We're incredibly proud of Perrie! Her winning design captures the spirit of Christmas and showcases the amazing talent we nurture here at ̨��swag Primary Academy Kirkhamgate. Having Mr Lightwood join us to present Perrie with her certificate made it even more special.”