WPT Newsletter
October 2025
October 2025
Welcome to the first WPT Newsletter of 2025/26!
As we settle back into a new academic year, we've done and achieved some exciting things across the Trust! Take a look at some of the things our students and staff have been up to.
We’re proud that two of our leaders have been shortlisted in this year’s National School Awards, which celebrates the outstanding achievements of educators, leaders, schools and Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK.
Lee Rushforth, our Director of Estates, has been shortlisted for the Estates Management of the Year Award, recognising his exceptional leadership and innovation in managing educational estates. Lee was also shortlisted in the Education Estates People's Award in the 'Estates Professional of the Year' category.
Shaun Flynn, Chair of Governors at The Gainsborough Academy, has been shortlisted for the Governor of the Year Award, honouring his outstanding contribution to school governance and his positive impact on students, staff and wider community.
The National School Awards will be held in December at the House of Lords. We wish both Lee and Shaun the very best of luck!
On Friday 3rd October, children across Aston Lodge enjoyed their annual visit to the Church to celebrate Harvest Festival. Each class had the opportunity to perform a song about the harvest, showcasing the hard work they had put into practising and performing together.
Well done, everyone!
On Tuesday 7th October, four Aston Lodge pupils took part in the Panathlon Bowling Event!
Not only did they have an amazing day participating in the activities and making new friends, but their skill, teamwork, and determination also helped them bring home First Place! It was wonderful to see their excitement throughout the day, and they were a real credit to the school.
Year 6 had an exciting and action-packed day on their annual visit to the climbing wall! This trip is always a highlight of the year, giving students the chance to challenge themselves, step out of their comfort zones, and work together to encourage and support their classmates.
It was wonderful to see every single pupil pushing themselves higher than they had before. Many children overcame initial nerves, showing real determination as they scaled the wall.
We’d like to say a huge well done to our very talented musicians who performed at the Rotherham Riverside Recital at Riverside House.
The Rotherham Riverside Recital was in front of a small audience and our wonderful pianists had the opportunity to play on a world-class Steinway grand piano.
On 26th September, the prestigious BBC Sheffield Make a Difference Awards took place at the New York Stadium – an evening dedicated to celebrating inspirational individuals and groups who are making a real impact in their communities.
We are incredibly proud that members of the Rotherham Youth Choir and Rotherham Harmony Choir were invited to play such an important role in this special event. Representing our schools and community were Cole (Y13), Saff (Y9), Belle (Y10), and Mrs Pitchford, alongside other staff and choir members.
We are thrilled to share that Year 7 student, Dana, successfully trialled over the summer and has secured her place for a second year with Doncaster Belles ETC. This is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to Dana’s talent, dedication, and hard work on and off the pitch.
On Thursday 9th October, Y9 were lucky enough to welcome 20 business volunteers to school, for a Careers Speed Networking Event.
Students had the opportunity to meet a variety of employers, spending five minutes with each volunteer to ask questions about their roles, industries, and career paths. After each session, they moved on to the next volunteer, giving them the chance to explore a wide range of local and national career opportunities.
We’re incredibly proud of Evie, who recently competed in the WMAC World Martial Arts Championship in Hull. Demonstrating true grit, determination, and skill, Evie earned two bronze medals – one in Non-Traditional Weapons Kata and another in Musical Weapons Kata.
This achievement has secured her the title of 3rd place champion in the World Games, twice! An incredible accomplishment that reflects her hard work and dedication.
As the nights draw in and the leaves begin to fall, our Y10 students completed the final DofE expedition of the season with a Silver practice in the Peak District.
Throughout the expedition, the students’ attitude, commitment, and behaviour were outstanding. Well done to everyone involved!
On the 8th October, our Year 5 and 6 pupils had a fantastic time at the STEM workshop! The session introduced them to key concepts in electricity, renewable energy, engineering, and maths, helping them see how these subjects link together in the real world.
On Tuesday 14th October, Rotherham Leisure Complex was filled with excitement and energy as children from Brinsworth Whitehill joined twenty schools from across the borough for a day of inclusive sport at the Rotherham School Boccia Tournament. Organised in partnership with School Games and Abbey School, the event celebrated teamwork and talent across both mainstream and special schools.
A huge thank you to our wonderful families for their generous food donations as part of our Harvest Festival celebrations. Yesterday, Sarah from the Rivers Team visited KS2 to lead a special assembly, and she was truly overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown by our school community.
On Friday 26th September, primary schools across Wickersley Partnership Trust proudly took part in the Macmillan Coffee Morning.
We are truly grateful for the generosity shown across all of our schools – whether donations came in the form of cash, online contributions or home-baked cakes shared with friends. Thanks to this collective effort, our WPT primary schools raised over £850 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Every penny will help the charity continue its invaluable work providing care and support to people living with cancer and their families.
This October, our secondary schools are stepping up for charity in their annual Sponsored Walks. Students from all year groups will be taking part, raising funds for their chosen causes.
Thrybergh Academy and The Gainsborough Academy will hold their walks on 24th October, just before half term. Keep an eye out in November to see the totals raised across the Trust!
As part of our ongoing Staff Wellbeing initiative, colleagues across the Trust took part in a fun and creative pumpkin carving event, offering a chance to relax, connect, and enjoy time with their school teams. Now in its third year, our wellbeing programme continues to provide a range of activities and support designed to strengthen relationships, promote a positive workplace culture, and ensure staff feel valued and motivated.
With 123 staff members showcasing their impressive pumpkin designs, the event was a wonderful reminder of the importance of taking time to unwind and celebrate the incredible teams who make our schools thrive.
Y6 made a fantastic start to their History learning as they began exploring the topic of World War Two.
In their first lesson, the children investigated the key causes of the war and learned about the different countries that were involved in the conflict. They then worked together to place significant events in order on a timeline, helping them to see how the war unfolded step by step.
In September, Class 1 had a very important visit from the Road Safety Team. The children learned all about how to keep themselves safe when they are near or crossing a road. The team explained why it is important to always be aware of cars, bikes, and other vehicles, and how small actions can make a big difference in keeping safe.
Year 6 visited Crucial Crew at the Lifewise Centre in Rotherham.
Throughout the day, pupils took part in a range of interactive workshops and role-play scenarios designed to teach them vital life skills that will help them stay safe and make responsible choices as they grow older. They learned about road safety, fire safety, water safety, how to travel safely by bus, and important topics such as child exploitation and knife crime awareness.
Wickersley Partnership Trust (WPT) has been awarded the Music Mark of Recognition for Ambition and Quality in Music Education for the 2025/26 academic year – a testament to our Trust’s commitment to providing exceptional and inclusive Music opportunities across our schools.
The Music Mark of Recognition is a new national programme from Music Mark, the UK’s leading organisation for Music education. The programme celebrates schools and Trusts that demonstrate a strong commitment to high-quality, inclusive Music provision and a belief in the value of Music as part of every young person’s education.
By receiving this recognition, we have pledged to:
Advocate for the importance of Music education within the curriculum and creative life of every school
Provide equitable, diverse and inclusive Music education for every young person
Welcome opportunities to broaden musical horizons through collaboration with community and national partners
This term, we held our very first Sandhill Top Table, and it was a huge success!
This new initiative is all about celebrating those children who consistently show excellent behaviour in the dinner hall. Staff on duty nominated pupils who stood out for setting a positive example to others – whether that was through their impeccable manners, being kind and considerate, or helping to create a calm and friendly lunchtime environment.
On Thursday 2nd October, Sandhill students came together for a very special Harvest Festival assembly. The children put on a wonderful showcase of themed performances, including songs, poems, interesting facts and even a quiz to test everyone’s knowledge. Each performance reflected the importance of the season and the values of thankfulness, community, and sharing.
On Friday 10th October, Rawmarsh Sandhill joined in with ‘Wear it Yellow’ for Young Minds, encouraging children and staff to wear yellow to raise awareness of young people’s mental health.
The day began with a special assembly, highlighting how small acts of kindness can make a big difference to the wellbeing of those around us.
Today, we say a very special farewell to two much-loved members of our school communities - Mrs Hoden from Rawmarsh Community School and Mrs Ironmonger from Clifton Community School - as they both begin their well-earned retirements.
Between them, they have dedicated over 50 years of service to our schools, supporting generations of students, staff and families. Their commitment, care and kindess have left a lasting mark on everyone they have worked with.
Whether working front-of-house or behind the scenes, they've both gone above and beyond in everything they've done - truly embodying the values at the heart of our Trust.
We'd like to thanks Mrs Hoden and Mrs Ironmonger for their hard work, loyalty and dedication over the years. You'll both be greatly missed, but your legacy will continue to inspire those who follow.
From us all at Wickersley Partnership Trust - congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for everything!
Before the summer, Clifton’s Y9 dance suite and five talented Y11 students had the exciting opportunity to work with a professional dance company over a five-week creative project. The collaboration was originally designed to prepare them for the official opening of The Empire Theatre, where they were due to perform as part of the celebrations.
Kaine, Y10, had an incredible evening when he attended the prestigious National Television Awards, following the huge success of his role in Adolescence earlier this year.
The series was a standout hit and took home a well-deserved win in the ‘New Drama’ category – an amazing achievement for everyone involved.
We are incredibly proud to share some fantastic news – Clifton Community School’s very own Mason Wiltshire has officially qualified to take part in the Kickboxing World Games!
This is an outstanding achievement and a true reflection of Mason’s dedication, discipline, and passion for his sport. Competing at such a high level requires years of commitment, and Mason’s success is a testament to his relentless hard work and determination to be the best he can be.
Recently, Y10 student Cody travelled to Warsaw, Poland, to compete in the prestigious G1 Polish Open. Fresh from his success in Germany the previous weekend, Cody was feeling confident and ready for the challenge ahead.
Despite just missing out on a bronze medal, Cody has had an incredible two weekends of competition, facing some of the best fighters in Europe. Out of seven matches across both tournaments, he won five – an outstanding record at this level.
Congratualtions to our Y7 students, Kelsie and Erin for achieving their Yellow Belts in Taekwondo!
Both successes are fantastic achievements and demonstrate the girls' dedication, perserverance and focus.
Well done!
Two of our talented TGA students, Noah and Yasmin, are published authors!
They’re proud members of Gainsborough Young Writers – a group of 10-18 year olds who meet each month at The Old Hall – and together they’ve created and published their very own anthology: ‘Twists and Turns – Tales from Gainsborough Old Hall’.
We've continued with our Proud to be TGA initiative this half term. We want our students to be Proud of the work they accomplish and of the school they belong to. Our Proud Podium, Proud phone calls home, and Proud Plenaries are just some of the ways we have been accomplishing this.
Proud to be TGA.
In September, Y6 spent a day at the Lifewise Centre in Hellaby for our Crucial Crew visit.
Crucial Crew is an excellent experience where our Y6 learners take part in different real life scenarios with the aim of learning how to become more independent and knowing the dangers that we can face in the real world!
On Tuesday 30th September, pupils across Thrybergh Primary had a very special treat when they were visited by Jenny York, a published author, who came to talk all about the magic of stories and the writing process.
Y4/5 had an exciting visit to Eden Camp History Museum, perfectly linked to their History topic on World War 2. During the visit, the students explored the museum’s immersive exhibits and discovered what life was like during this challenging period.
Class 12 have been absolutely loving their rugby practice! The sessions have been packed with energy, giving the children the chance to develop their skills, build confidence, and strengthen their teamwork with every game they play.
Y6 had a fantastic time at Crucial Crew, taking part in a wide variety of interactive sessions all focused on how to stay safe in real-life situations.
Throughout the day, they explored a range of important topics, including knife crime, the justice system, hate crime, fire safety, anti-social behaviour, and road safety.
Earlier this term, Y2 were very lucky to take part in a fantastic Pantomime Workshop, delivered by Children’s Capital of Culture. The session brought the magic and excitement of pantomime right into the classroom, giving the children a chance to experience theatre in a fun, interactive way.
The children were captivated from start to finish, joining in with the songs and actions throughout. They also had the opportunity to step into some of the roles themselves, showing off their acting skills and confidence on stage.
At Aston Hall Junior & Infant School, we’re incredibly proud of the extraordinary talents of our students – both inside and outside the classroom.
In October, we shone the spotlight on Sienna (Y5), Loui (Y5), Ashleight (Y6) and Finlay (Y6) for their sporting achievements outside of school.
Click the link below to find out more.
A huge well done to Billy, Theo and CJ, who have all recently celebrated fantastic achievements with Rotherham Scouts.
Billy and CJ were both awarded the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award, the highest honour a Beaver Scout can achieve, recognising their commitment, hard work, and enthusiasm across a wide range of challenges and activities. Meanwhile, Theo proudly earned the Chief Scout’s Acorn Award, an equally impressive milestone that celebrates dedication, teamwork, and learning new skills.
On the 10th October, 16 pupils proudly represented Aston Hall at the Rotherham Cross Country Championships. The course began with a huge hill but every runner showed incredible grit and determination to complete it!
It was heart-warming to see the children supporting one another – as soon as an Aston Hall runner appeared, the rest of the team could be heard cheering their name and offering encouragement.
Two students from Thrybergh Academy, Harvey and Ava, recently competed at the WKO British Open Championships in ring sports, showcasing determination, skill, and sportsmanship.
Harvey participated in two K1 fights and came away with an impressive gold and silver medal. This was only his second tournament, and his progress continues to impress!
Ava took part in both kickboxing and a K1 fight, achieving gold in both disciplines. Her outstanding performances are a testament to her dedication and hard work.
This week, Ebony, Harry, and Alfie are heading to Italy to represent England in the WTKA World Games!
This is an absolutely outstanding accomplishment and a true reflection of their dedication, discipline, and passion for their sport. Each of them has already achieved so much this year, and their hard work continues to pay off as they take on this amazing international challenge.
Rehearsals are well underway for our next pantomime – DICK WHITTINGTON. The cast are working incredibly hard and deserve the biggest audience possible. 30% of tickets have already sold, so get yours now to avoid disappointment!
We are proud to share that we have been officially awarded the Career Mark Certificate for Commitment, recognising our ongoing work to embed high-quality careers education and guidance across the school.
This achievement reflects our strategic approach to raising aspirations, ensuring that every child begins to understand the world of work and the opportunities available to them from an early age. Our careers curriculum is designed in line with the new Ofsted framework, focusing on personal development, cultural capital, and preparing pupils for their next steps in education and beyond.
Our students are continuing to make a difference in the community through a long-standing partnership with Broadacres Care Home.
What began as handwritten letters of kindness soon developed into regular in-person visits, and they’re now an established and much-loved part of our school life.
The collaboration is now a structured and sustained programme that runs throughout the academic year. Each half term, a different year group visits Broadacres to take part in a variety of shared experiences
At Rawmarsh Ashwood Primary School, we are incredibly proud to have taken part in this year’s Rotherham School Games Cross Country Event, celebrating determination and teamwork among our Y3 to Y6 pupils.
The event at Herringthorpe Stadium was a fantastic opportunity for every child to get involved – whether competing, cheering on friends, or striving for personal bests. From our confident Year 3 and 4 runners embracing the thrill of racing, to our determined Year 5 and 6 pupils pushing themselves to the limit, the day was filled with encouragement and team spirit.
On behalf of Wickersley Sixth Form, we would like to invite you to our Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday the 13th of November, from 5.00 p.m. until 8.00 p.m.
During the evening, students and parents are free to explore our school facilities, visit departments, find out more about our new House System and speak to teachers about the sixth form courses that we offer.
What a busy start to the 25/26 Academic Year, with lots of fantastic acheivements across the Trust!
On behalf of Wickersley Partnership Trust, we wish all our students and staff a happy half term.
Wickersley Partnership Trust