At the ceremony, finalists will be in the running for Gold Awards, having already been recognised amongst thousands of nominees earlier this year when they received Silver Awards.

̨��swag Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) has teachers in the running for Gold Awards in the following categories:

• Early Years Team of the Year – ̨��swag Primary Academy Woodlands, Doncaster

• Teacher of the Year in a Primary School – Natalie Poornomansy, ̨��swag Primary Academy Woodlands, Doncaster

• Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School – Rachel Hindley, ̨��swag Academy Hindley, Wigan

• Unsung Hero – Josh Bray, ̨��swag Academy Shafton, Barnsley

The glittering awards ceremony, which will be hosted by TV presenter and radio broadcaster Gaby Roslin at The Brewery, will bring together teachers, lecturers, support staff, institutions and special guests. The evening will showcase the incredible work of all who work in education, going above and beyond what is required to make young people’s educational experiences not only valuable but unforgettable.

Lee Wilson, CEO at OGAT, said:

“I am thrilled that several of our dedicated staff members have been shortlisted as finalists for the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards! This is a testament to their unwavering commitment to our students, innovative teaching practices, and passion for fostering a love of learning.

“These teachers exemplify the very best of our family of schools and their dedication inspires us all. To be recognised on a national level is an incredible achievement and I am immensely proud of each and every one of them.

“Their hard work and creativity in the classroom make a real difference in the lives of our students and this nomination is a well-deserved acknowledgement of their exceptional contributions. I wish them the very best of luck in the final stage of the awards. Regardless of the outcome, they are already winners in our eyes!”

The Pearson National Teaching Awards are organised by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity that has been supporting educators for over 25 years. These awards aim to acknowledge the essential roles that teachers, support staff, and early years educators play in shaping the lives of young people.

Mary Palmer, CEO of the Teaching Awards Trust shared her thoughts on the upcoming ceremony:

“Every educator deserves acknowledgement for the exceptional impact they have in both their classrooms and the wider community, every day. The awards evening is a chance to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work happening in early years, schools and colleges across the UK, and celebrate all who make it happen. Huge congratulations to everyone who has made it this far and best of luck!”

Entries are now open for educators across the country to be recognised in the 2025 Pearson National Teaching Awards. Submissions can be made through the Pearson National Teaching Awards website.

An ̨��swag Academy Ripon student is celebrating after winning Gold with his choir at the World Choral Cup.

Michael Chihobvu, a Year 7 student and member of the Choice Children’s Choir of Zimbabwe, joined 54 choirs at the competition hosted in Barcelona where the choir scooped Gold for its Western performance in the children’s division. The group also secured a Silver award in the folklore division and was one of a select number of acts to perform at the competition's opening ceremony. Although known for its traditional Zimbabwean music and dance, the choir gave several performances throughout the competition, singing in a range of languages including Shona, Latin, English and isiNdebele.

Despite being over eight thousand miles away from the rest of the choir, Michael was able to join group rehearsals via video calls and get extra practice in at school break times. The youngster is currently looking for a local choir to join.

Commenting on the win, Michael said:

“The competition was a thrilling experience for me after doing most of my practice online. I had to wake up very early for rehearsals because of the time difference and I also had to give up my break times to practice in the school music room. Winning gold was a huge achievement and it showed me that hard work pays off.”

Winning is nothing new for the choir which walked away from last year’s Lisbon Sings competition with two silver awards!

Ellis England, a Year 11 student at ̨��swag Academy City Fields, is celebrating after becoming a two-time world champion at the World Karate Commission (WKC) World Championship.

After winning gold at the tournament last year, Ellis, 15, who represented England, secured this year’s gold medal in the age 15 to 17, under 55kg category at the world championship event held in Albufeira, Portugal in October.

Commenting on the win, he said:

“I’m really happy and proud to have defended my title and become a two-time world champion!”

Ellis trains four times a week after school at the Wakefield-based Kaiju Martial Arts, as well as instructing younger students once a week.

The youngster's win wasn’t the only success for the family, as his mum, Samantha Popman who also represents England, walked away from the competition with five world championship titles!

Parents and school leaders are praising a uniform recycling scheme designed to combat rising living costs. The service collects used uniforms, refurbishes them to top-notch condition, and resells them at discounts of up to 50 percent.

The RE:FORM initiative which is run by Trutex, was awarded Best Circularity Reuse award at the 2022 National Recycling Awards. The programme provides parents with donation points at every ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) school. Trutex then launders, repairs, and repackages the items for parents and carers to purchase via the Trutex website, with an interest free option to spread out payments, further easing any financial strain.

Besides affordability, this scheme offers impressive environmental benefits. By reusing clothing and extending its life by as little as 9 months, it reduces landfill waste and minimises carbon and water use by as much as 30 per cent*.

Several garments including blazers, trousers and some skirts are made from 100 percent post consumer recycled polyester, contributing to millions of plastic bottles avoiding landfill every year and further boosting sustainability.

Over 8,000 garments have been recycled by OGAT since it started participating in the scheme in 2021, demonstrating the programme’s success across its family of schools.

Commenting on its success, Katy Bradford, Deputy CEO at OGAT, said:

“The response to our uniform recycling scheme has been incredible, not only do parents and carers love having affordable options, but it also teaches valuable lessons about sustainability and reducing waste. The programme is making a tangible difference in students' lives and modelling environmental responsibility - It's a win-win for everyone involved.”

Matthew Easter, CEO of Trutex, added:

“It’s great to see that our RE:FORM programme is now embedded across the OGAT network. Giving parents access to good quality, pre-loved uniform is not only helping them reduce the costs of sending their children to school but is a far more sustainable option than cheap clothing that does not last.”

* Reference from  - part of the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP)

̨��swag Primary Academy Kirkhamgate has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted for a second time after a two-day inspection which found the school to be ‘an exceptional learning environment where pupils feel safe, valued, and supported.’

The glowing report is full of praise from inspectors, stating ‘Pupils thrive in the school’s calm and aspirational environment. Behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are eager to learn. They engage enthusiastically with lessons and take pride in their achievements. Pupils achieve well.’

Other highlights of the report include:

●        Right from the start, there is a clear focus on developing pupils' phonics skills and fostering a love of reading. Staff are experts at teaching children to read. As a result, children learn to read quickly.

●        Staff work closely with external agencies, the trust, and parents to ensure that the needs of pupils with SEND are identified early.

●        The school’s strong culture of respect and care is evident in the way that pupils interact with each other and with staff. Bullying is rare.

●        Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. They praise the excellent support that their children receive, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

●        Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, benefit from a rich and well-delivered curriculum.

●        The learning environment provides many opportunities for children to explore and develop their social skills.

●        Behaviour across the school is exemplary.

●        Staff well-being is a priority. The school takes active steps to manage workload and provide support.

●        All staff benefit from the regular training the multi-academy trust provides.

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

“Outstanding is an exacting standard and represents exceptionality. We are all incredibly proud of the achievement but know we could not have gotten there without our wonderful children, families, community and the wider support from the ̨��swag Family.”

̨��swag Primary Academy Kirkhamgate, formerly Kirkhamgate Primary School, joined ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) in 2013, after being placed into special measures by Ofsted. It was then inspected in 2014, just four terms after joining OGAT, and was rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.

A Worksop school has been rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted. ̨��swag Academy Portland, Netherton Road, was given the grading following a two-day inspection in September.

The report opens with praise for the ethos and calm environment within the school, stating “The school’s values, ‘be kind, be proud and be resilient,’ are reinforced regularly and are lived daily. Pupils are known and cared for very well. They know who to turn to if they have any worries. They are safe. Pastoral care is very strong.”

Other highlights of the report include:

●        Pupils value the focused, orderly and calm ethos across the school. Their conduct is polite, courteous and purposeful.

●        Pupils benefit from a range of well thought through opportunities to support their personal and character development. They take pride in their achievements. They enjoy extra-curricular activities, for example, singing in the school choir, which is a joy to listen to.

●        The school enables pupils to gain knowledge, understanding and skills. Staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) by adapting teaching to meet their needs.

●        The school has developed a comprehensive personal, social, health and economic education curriculum. This includes age-appropriate relationships and sex education. Pupils learn about healthy lifestyles.

●        Reading is a whole-school priority. The school’s ‘Portland Read’ initiative is introducing younger pupils to a range of carefully selected texts that nurture a love of reading and extends their understanding of diversity

●        Overwhelmingly, staff are upbeat about the school. They value the positive changes in the school’s culture. They appreciate training opportunities. They welcome steps to make workload more manageable. Staff morale is positive and they are very proud to be part of the school.

●        Leaders, including those with responsibility for governance, know the school very well. They lead with a shared vision and strong moral purpose. They strategically focus on what needs to be developed.

Danielle Sheehan, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Portland, said:

“I am delighted with the outcome of our inspection, it was overwhelming to see our students keen to share how happy they are learning at Portland. The inspectors could see the love and care from all of our staff, which in turn leads to high quality learning. I’m bursting with pride.”

 Carolyn Blundell, Associate Executive Principal, added:

“I am delighted that the hard work of Mrs Sheehan and her team has been recognised in this inspection and the report recognises what a special place ̨��swag Academy Portland is.

“I would also like to thank the students for their contribution to the inspection process and their hard work and dedication every day. It is a delight to be involved and I look forward to working with the school in the coming months and years; I have every confidence the school will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Middlesbrough Football Club and its Foundation have reinforced their commitment to the local community by providing a base for the continued education of young students.

Since September, the Riverside Stadium has housed Year 7 pupils from ̨��swag Academy Riverside, due to ongoing building works at the school site. Temporary classrooms were set up in the East Stand to allow students to start their secondary education, including full catering provision for lunches.

Building delays resulted in discussions between the Department for Education, ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) and MFC representatives earlier this year, and all parties are delighted with the outcome.

Students have been taught the full curriculum and have had access to sporting facilities. The club gave additional support by offering signed shirts and other incentives to encourage good behaviour and attendance. Members of the club’s Academy also held a Q&A with students on the life of a young professional footballer.

An MFC spokesperson said:

“We see the football club as the heartbeat of our community and the work of the Foundation within that is so important. It’s been a real privilege to house the school pupils and help them continue their education.”

Stephen Merifield, Associate Executive Principal at OGAT, added:

“Spending the first half term of their secondary school education at MFC has undoubtedly been a unique experience for our students. We have been delighted with the provision and service from MFC and the fact that the children have had a full educational experience amid a complicated situation.

GCSE History students from ̨��swag Academy Danum embarked on a profound three-day visit to the historic Ypres Salient. The trip, designed to deepen their understanding of World War One, provided students with immersive experiences that enhanced their studies and brought history to life.

Highlights of the visit included a solemn and reflective ceremony at Vimy Ridge, where students laid a poppy wreath in remembrance of those who lost their lives. They also had the honour of participating in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, a nightly tribute to the fallen soldiers, where they paid their respects alongside visitors from around the world. At the preserved trenches in Sanctuary Wood, part of the Hill 62 museum, students explored the harsh realities soldiers faced on the front lines, gaining valuable insight into the lives of those who served.

The visit also offered deeply personal moments for students Esmay and Jacob, who had the unique opportunity to pay respects to relatives who served and sacrificed their lives during the war.

In emotional visits to cemeteries across Belgium, Esmay shared:

“It was lovely to see my ancestor’s grave and pay my respects.”

Fellow student Jacob added:

“I’d encourage anyone who wants to go; it’s really interesting and I had a great time.”

Guides from Time Travel Education provided unparalleled knowledge, taking students to both British and German cemeteries to understand different perspectives of the conflict and learn about the medical challenges soldiers faced. These powerful experiences encouraged students to reflect on the past, their family histories, and the sacrifices made during the war.

Scott Thomas, Associate Vice Principal at ̨��swag Academy Danum, expressed his pride in the students saying:

“Opportunities like these outside the classroom support the fantastic work of staff in the academy and give students experiences they’ll remember for a lifetime. I still remember my own battlefield visit fondly, and our students have shown what a credit they are to the academy and our community.”

The students’ exemplary behaviour was noted by hotel staff, the guides, and the Belgian community, who commended their politeness, respect, and the way they interacted with one another throughout the trip.

This experience is part of ̨��swag Academy Danum’s commitment to enhanced enrichment opportunities. With over 50 free clubs and activities each week, the academy provides students with numerous ways to expand their horizons outside the classroom. The World War One battlefields visit is just one of many memorable trips offered by the academy, from Nottingham’s Justice Museum to the Italian Alps ski trip, Arras Christmas Markets, and Beamish Museum.

̨��swag Academy Haydock has been rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted in its first inspection since joining ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust (OGAT). The Clipsley Lane-based school, formerly Haydock High School, was graded ‘Inadequate’ in 2019 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 earlier this month.

The report opens with praise for the improvements made in the quality of education, stating: ‘The school has high expectations of all pupils’ academic achievement. With a strengthened curriculum, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are now learning more successfully, in most subjects, than they did in the past.’

Other highlights of the report include:

• This is a school that is built on a strong foundation of mutual respect. Pupils benefit from high-quality pastoral support. There are strong relationships between staff and pupils.

• There is a consistent approach across the school to how behaviour is managed. Staff model the positive behaviour that they expect of pupils. Pupils behave politely and courteously.

• Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, take pride in their work. They build a secure body of knowledge over time.

• Teachers know what to teach and when to teach it. They are experts in their subjects. The school has invested heavily in training for staff around the delivery of the curriculum.

• The school is motivated by preparing pupils to thrive in modern Britain. This includes raising pupils’ aspirations through a carefully constructed careers programme.

• The school has prioritised reading. Pupils who struggle with reading are given support that helps them to become fluent and confident readers.

• Pupils’ wider development is carefully considered through a raft of exciting opportunities such as workshops with visiting poets, trips to outward bound centres and involvement in local community projects.

• Under the guidance and support from the trust, staff flourish.

Phil Abram, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Haydock, said:

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us. It is an absolute pleasure for us to work in this community. Haydock is a special place and deserves to have a good secondary school.
“Whilst it is pleasing to read that the inspectors enjoyed visiting our school, we will continue to work extremely hard to support our students in every aspect of their learning and experiences to achieve the best possible outcomes and develop as learners and people.

“To further support this we are working closely with secondary schools across St Helens to collectively ensure that all of our young people develop as good citizens and can pursue their chosen career upon leaving school.”

Lee Wilson, CEO at OGAT, added:

“As a Family of Schools, ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust is incredibly proud of the transformation at ̨��swag Academy Haydock. Once deemed 'Inadequate', the academy now shines as a beacon of sustained success.

“This fantastic report is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire school community. ̨��swag Academy Haydock is truly putting students first, raising standards and transforming lives.”

̨��swag Primary Academy Bell Lane in Ackworth has been awarded the Intermediate level of the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work in today’s world.

As well as weekly Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) lessons, pupils also participate in activities that celebrate different cultures and the community languages which are spoken by children and families in the academy. ̨��swag Primary Academy Bell Lane is an MFL Centre of Excellence, leading MFL across ̨��swag primary academies.

The academy has also forged a partnership with a school in France, allowing pupils to take part in letter exchanges and video calls to share similarities and differences.

On hearing the news of the achievement, Rebecca Pattison, Principal at ̨��swag Primary Academy Bell Lane, said:

“Receiving this reward is a true reflection of the passionate commitment that our children and staff show to internationalism at the academy.

“We believe in the value of every student, and this is reflected in how we've built our school communities. By naturally connecting students who share a community language with others across the trust, we've fostered friendships and a strong sense of belonging.” 

Shannon West, Head of UK Schools for the British Council, added:

“̨��swag Primary Academy Bell Lane’s international work has earned the school well-deserved recognition with the British Council International School Award - Intermediate Certificate.

“We are proud and delighted to work with this great school. Many thanks to everyone for all their commitment to developing international work and sharing excellent classroom practice and resources. This is enriching education for its pupils, and their excellent collaborative projects with partner schools overseas are bringing the world into their classrooms. International work is key support for developing skills young people need to be globally aware citizens of the future.

“Embedding an international ethos across a school can lead to International School Award Accreditation, the highest award level. Schools looking to join this supportive and engaging global network should contact us at the British Council.”

The Award is now available worldwide in countries such as Greece, India, and Nigeria. Over 6,000 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.

The International School Award encourages and supports schools to develop:

●        An international ethos embedded throughout the school

●        A whole school approach to international work

●        Collaborative curriculum-based work with international partner schools

●        Year-round international activity

●        Involvement of the wider community

• The BRIGHT trial, funded by the NIHR, included over 4,600 secondary school pupils from 42 schools over 2.5 years

• The intervention showed a positive effect on self-reported brushing habits six months later and some evidence of preventing tooth decay for those students from low-income families

• Tooth decay affects a third of young people aged 12-15 - this increases to a half in young people living in areas of poverty

Text message reminders can help to improve tooth brushing habits in teenagers, particularly those from low-income families, a new study has shown.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with the Universities of Cardiff, Leeds, York and Dundee, investigated the effectiveness of a new programme designed to encourage better brushing habits and reduce tooth decay in secondary school pupils.

Tooth decay is a very common disease affecting a third of young people aged 12-15 years. This increases to nearly a half in youngsters living in areas of poverty. Young people with tooth decay often suffer from toothache, loss of sleep and problems eating; as well as it affecting their overall physical health and mental wellbeing. It can also lead to increased school absences.

The BRIGHT trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and published in the journal of Health Technology Assessment, included a classroom lesson and twice-daily text messages about toothbrushing. The researchers involved 4,680 students from 42 schools across England, Scotland and Wales.

While the overall impact on preventing cavities was not significant, the intervention showed a positive effect on self-reported brushing habits six months later.

The report suggests the programme may be particularly beneficial for students from low-income families, as the analysis found some evidence of prevention of tooth decay within this group.

Professor Zoe Marshman, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry, who co-led the BRIGHT trial, said: 

“We checked almost 4,700 secondary pupils’ teeth at the start of the study and after two and a half years. Pupils who received the lesson and text messages reported brushing their teeth more often after six months, but did not have less tooth decay or plaque after two and half years. Pupils eligible for free school meals, however, may have benefited more than others suggesting a potential for the programme to reduce inequalities in oral health. 

“Tooth decay and all its negative consequences such as toothache, loss of sleep and problems eating are very common in children of secondary school age. While school-based initiatives for children between the ages of 4-11 have been delivered for decades, there is very little for secondary schools.

“However, this is a critical stage for toothbrushing practices to become an established behaviour for adulthood. This is why it is vital to help young people to improve their understanding of the importance of toothbrushing and skills to prevent tooth decay.”

The text messages and lessons were well-received by students and teachers. Although challenges were identified with delivering text messages, the lesson plans have been downloaded almost 1,000 times.

Researchers will now use these results to find better ways to help secondary school pupils keep their teeth healthy. The study also highlighted the need to better understand the factors that influence oral health habits in teenagers, particularly sugar consumption 

James Colliver, Lead Learning Manager at ̨��swag Academy City, Sheffield took part in the BRIGHT trial. He said:

“We have a lot of students losing their teeth so I felt it was definitely worthwhile. One of the girls, aged 12, who was in the class told me she’d already had eight teeth out, so that made it feel like this was really important.” 

Dental health is now statutory content of the health education curriculum for primary and secondary schools in England. The BRIGHT trial involved the development and evaluation of a new intervention which covers the dental health content for secondary schools.

The Leeds United Foundation works alongside a number of schools in the city.

A select group of students from a local secondary school were recently given a guided tour of Elland Road, as part of their ongoing behavioural intervention work being done through the Leeds United Foundation.

̨��swag Academy Hemsworth is just one of a number of schools in the city to partner with the club’s official charity, with an on-site member of Foundation staff working alongside students to provide additional support and help them achieve their goals.

Aimed at a group who have struggled with attendance, behaviour and other school-related issues previously, those who visited the stadium signed ‘contracts’, which included a set of basic rules such as keeping on task during lessons, uniform requirements and punctuality targets.

Andy Wormald, Behaviour and Attendance Officer at the Foundation, said:

“The selected few students didn’t necessarily get it right last year, so we are looking at different ways to provide them success in their education.

“This includes rewards, goals, how we can help them achieve what they want to by getting them in school and making sure they are able to try and be the best versions of themselves. We have got parents involved in the signing of the contracts today to help get those messages across.

“There will be some fantastic opportunities throughout the year for the students. There are some big changes to be made and there will be some great success stories, because I am confident they are capable of turning things around.”

Kate Howarth, Assistant Principal at ̨��swag Academy Hemsworth, added:

“It is an amazing opportunity to work with this group of students. This is a joint project between the Leeds United Foundation, our academy, the students and their families. Getting everybody on board and behind these students shows them how much they can achieve if they make those changes they need. It will hopefully set them on a really good path to achieve the goals that they are setting.

“It is an amazing thing for them to come here and see all the facilities at Leeds United. It gets them thinking about their aspirations and their goals and the big picture, not just thinking about where they are now in their school year, but where they want to go and what they want to achieve.”

More about the Leeds United Foundation Secondary Education programmes can be found on their website.

A Middlesbrough school has hosted a special exhibition from the Anne Frank Trust, called “A History for Today”. The exhibition which explores the story of Anne Frank and her family, challenges visitors to think about concepts such as tolerance, mutual respect, human rights and democracy. As part of the exhibition, ̨��swag Academy Ormesby students were trained as ambassadors to guide visitors around the exhibit. 

Craig Wright, Vice Principal at the school, said:

“Anne Frank’s story is very relevant for young people today and it has been a real privilege for our students to lead this important work. As a school community, we are committed to promoting the fundamental values of tolerance, respect and democracy.”

Councillor Luke Henman, added:

“I was really pleased to have visited the Anne Frank exhibition. Year 9 students did a fantastic job guiding me through the story of the Frank family. The academy is using the project as a platform for more work on anti-bullying, anti-racism and anti-homophobia.  Everyone involved should be proud.”

The Anne Frank Trust is an educational charity leading workshops on the holocaust and its impact today. They use Anne Frank’s story as a catalyst for learning and reflection about prejudice. The use of Anne’s experiences as a young Jewish person during the Holocaust provides a powerful insight for young people to learn and reflect on the dangers of antisemitism and all forms of prejudice. 

North Notts College, Tuxford Academy, Elizabethan Academy, ̨��swag Academy Valley, ̨��swag Academy Portland, Worksop College and Retford Oaks were all recently visited by the North Notts BID team to share more information on the tools available through the latest crime prevention measure from the North Notts Business Crime Reduction Partnership (NNBCRP).

Available for the public to download for free, the WalkSafe app enables users to track their location and set timings so that chosen friends and family are aware of when they are expected to arrive at a destination. The app can send automatic alerts to their contacts on the app if they do not finish their journey close to their anticipated time.

Sally Gillborn MBE, Chief Executive of North Notts BID, said:

“Everyone has a responsibility to look after each other’s welfare away from home and that is particularly important to stress within our student population navigating to and from school as well as during their free time.

“The WalkSafe app provides a free and immediate resource to spot potential signs of danger and will play a vital role supporting pupils in the district so they can make safe decisions. Through our visits to the local schools, colleges and sixth forms, our team had many productive discussions with pupils about their enthusiasm to use WalkSafe to look after themselves and their friends.”

Carolyn Blundell, Associate Executive Principal at ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, said:

“The WalkSafe app is an invaluable tool for keeping our students safe. It provides them with peace of mind knowing that they can get help quickly and easily if they need it. The app is also a great way for parents to track their children's location and ensure that they are getting home safely. We are grateful to North Notts BID for bringing this app to our schools and highly recommend it to other schools in the area.”

Sally added:

“While the uptake of WalkSafe has been positive, we cannot stress enough the importance of providing a free resource like WalkSafe, not just in school settings but for accessing safe venues and refuge points, so that people can update on their whereabouts and be informed they are choosing the safest route to their destination.” 

The WalkSafe app complements North Notts BID’s DISC crime reporting app, digital radio scheme and the Night Angels - a support service for the Saturday night-time economy. It also supports the evening economy alongside the recent introduction of Best Bar None accreditation that ensures people can socialise safely.

As well as schools, the BID is also calling out for more hospitality venues to become registered WalkSafe venues. Eligible venues must provide at least one of the following:

• Ask for Angela

• Best Bar None accreditation

• Active bystander trained

• Security present

• Available mobile charging points

• Available sanitary products

• LGBTQIA+ friendly

The WalkSafe app is available to for free on the App Store and Google Play Store.

For more information, visit the North Notts BID website, .

̨��swag Grange Academies Trust has worked with staff and unions to develop the policy and produce the ‘Let’s Talk’ guidance.

A spokesperson for the ̨��swag Family said:

“For every ten women experiencing menopausal symptoms, six report that it has a negative impact on their work. With the right support, there’s no need for women to press pause on their career during this natural transition.

“We provide training with staff across our schools to ensure people feel comfortable discussing this with colleagues, so we can give the right support at the right time to those who need it.”

Cameron has undertaken considerable research to produce a report into the need for statutory financial education, which OGAT will feature as part of its upcoming Student Voice Conference on 26 November at the ̨��swag Institute of Education in Doncaster. 

Alastair Campbell has written the foreword for Cameron’s report, which lobbies parliament for statutory financial education. Campbell states ‘Feeling confident and safe in a world in which money, whether we like it or not, matters so much. Helping young people develop that confidence is what this report is all about. It deserves to be widely read, not just by young people, but by thought leaders and policy makers too.’ 

Outlining his work on the report, Cameron said:

“My campaign is vital to the education of our country’s young people. Finance has never been so important, with online fraud rife, and young people being in control of their finances at a younger age than ever. We find ourselves in a scenario where children are becoming adults without the fundamental knowledge they need to protect their finances. 

“There are millions of young people who are unsure when it comes to car insurance or university debt, which are issues that affect our young people before they are adults. This is a failure, and should not be allowed to continue. As it stands, certain schools deliver brilliant financial education, whilst others do not. To combat this, we need a statutory curriculum, making it compulsory for all schools across the country, which is the status currently given to sex education. A new curriculum should be sculpted by experts in collaboration with young people, so we can foster a new generation of students who are equipped with the information and advice that they need to succeed financially. The dire need for this has been highlighted by Parliament itself, in a cross-party review by the Education Select Committee. 

“My report has been endorsed by a plethora of influential organisations, including GoHenry, PSHE Association, The Diana Award, ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, The Money Charity, MyBnk and Positive Money. I am also fortunate enough to have a foreword from Alastair Campbell. My survey on financial education has been answered by around 1000 students and displays their current lack of confidence with money. The support is clear and the need is evident.”

The Student Voice Conference will focus on the theme of ‘Finding your Future’ and Cameron will join representatives from all 29 secondary schools across the ̨��swag Family of Schools. Staff and students will have the opportunity to listen to a keynote speech from Lyndsy James, founder of Active Fusion, provide feedback about what they want or need in terms of a personal development curriculum and have the opportunity to complete and submit ‘bids’ for funding from the Trust’s newly established Student Voice Innovation Fund in hopes to receive funding to support initiatives in their schools to impact positively on all students.

If you would like to know more about Cameron’s report or attend the Student Voice Conference for the launch, please contact socialmedia@outwood.com.

Feedback from the review included many positive comments about the school’s approach to teaching and learning science, with the reviewer noting: ‘It is clear that through the new vision and principles, the children are at the centre of science development at Woodlands. The subject leader has a clear focus on science capital and wanting the children to see Science as relevant in their lives now and in the future.’

Paul Williams, Science Lead at the school, said:

“We are thrilled to receive the PSQM! This award reflects the hard work of staff across the whole school in our pursuit to provide our children with a science curriculum of the highest quality.

“Our children love the practical elements of science, so we particularly enjoyed extending the curriculum, to hold STEM workshops as well as an enrichment club that parents could participate in with their children. We are especially proud of the feedback from the accreditation panel, as reflecting on our journey so far allows us to look forward to where we can continue to take science in the future.”

The report also praised the school’s STEMfest initiative, commenting: ‘With initiatives such as STEMfest, the children’s imaginations have been truly captured. They have expressed their love of meeting STEM representatives and meeting other children who enjoy Science just like them!’

PSQM is a comprehensive evidence-based professional development programme that effectively develops science leadership, ensuring teachers have the knowledge, capability and support they need to transform science education and shape future generations. 

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire.

Helen Sizer, PSQM Co-Director, said:

“By enabling effective science leadership, PSQM is powering the potential of all children to see the relevance and importance of science in their lives, now and in the future. Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science leadership, teaching and learning and the profile and quality of science in each accredited school is very high. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, headteachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”

̨��swag Primary Academy Littleworth Grange has maintained its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating following an inspection in July. The glowing report begins by stating ‘Pupils at this school are friendly, happy and kind. The school has high expectations of behaviour, conduct and learning. Pupils thrive on this.’

Inspectors also commented on the curriculum in place at the school, specifically praising the ‘̨��swag Diploma’, noting that it is ‘a rich set of experiences that build in complexity and expectation from early years to Year 6. The experiences are exciting and meaningful.’

Ofsted’s report is full of highlights, including that:

• The curriculum is ambitious. It has been carefully planned to engage and interest pupils.

• Children at the early stages of learning to read are supported exceptionally well. The school’s chosen approach to teaching phonics is well established and followed consistently.

• Staff know pupils well. They treat them with kindness and care.

• Behaviour is exemplary both in classrooms and at other times of the day. Pupils have very positive attitudes to learning.

• Pupils enjoy the wide range of opportunities the school gives them. This includes residential trips, visitors to the school and a multitude of playtime activities.

• Teachers benefit from the regular training they receive from leaders within the school and the trust. Teachers’ subject knowledge is strong. They use it well to plan inclusive, exciting lessons.

• The school’s focus on pupils’ personal development is exemplary. The school has successfully implemented a curriculum that focuses on important aspects of personal, social, health and economic learning.

Karen Wakefield, Lead Principal at ̨��swag Primary Academy Littleworth Grange, commented on the positive report:

“Our recent Ofsted inspection validated the incredible hard work and dedication of our staff and students. The inspector recognised the positive and nurturing atmosphere we have created, where children feel safe, supported, and eager to learn.

“We are particularly proud of the inspector’s acknowledgement of our commitment to fostering a love of reading and developing well-rounded individuals. This is a testament to our school's core values and our unwavering belief that every child deserves the best possible education.”

Ofsted has rated ̨��swag Academy Ripon as ‘Good’ overall - and ‘Outstanding’ for its personal development curriculum. The report states that the school ‘provides pupils with a strong academic curriculum alongside a breadth of wider opportunities that significantly enhance the education. These opportunities support pupils to develop academically, and as individuals, during their time at the school.’

Inspectors were also positive about the Academy Conduct and Expectations (ACE) programme, noting that ‘pupils learn to become mature and respectful members of the school community’ and the programme ‘helps pupils understand why it is important to make positive choices about their behaviour.’

Some of the many highlights of the report include:

• The school provides pupils with a rich set of experiences beyond the curriculum

• Pupils at the school benefit from a high-quality education. They achieve well. Their detailed knowledge, and the qualifications that they achieve, prepare them well for their next steps in education, employment or training.

• Pupils learn an ambitious curriculum. This is carefully sequenced so that pupils’ knowledge builds over time.

• Leaders have trained teachers well in how to support pupils with SEND.

• Pupils’ attendance is higher than other schools locally and nationally.

• The school, and trust, continue to make changes to ensure that all stakeholders work together to support pupils who attend the school.

• Each aspect of the school’s personal development offer helps pupils to be better prepared for adulthood.

Rachel Donohue, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Ripon, said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Ofsted has acknowledged the quality of education our students benefit from and that they achieve well. I am particularly proud of staff who are recognised for preparing pupils well for their next steps in education, employment or training through the delivery of our Personal Development curriculum.

“Moving forward, we will continue to strive for excellence, placing our pupils at the heart of every decision we make.”

This year's GCSE results highlight the significant progress made by students across a broad range of subjects. The Trust saw particularly high attainment rates in subjects including Chemistry where 89% of students achieved a Grade 5 or higher, Physics saw 79% of students secure a Grade 5+, 72% of Photography students were awarded a Grade 5+, and 66% of students achieved a Grade 5 or higher in German.

Julie Slater, Chief Executive Principal (Secondary) at ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, said:

“We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 students and all that they have achieved throughout their secondary education. Our students have worked incredibly hard, have shown great resilience and have developed into exceptional young adults.

“We are very proud of all that they have achieved and what they will go on to achieve in their future studies and careers. I wish them every success for their futures; it has been a privilege to have been able to work with them.”