Welcome from the CEO
Welcome from the CEO
Embedded Files
As we look back on another year at Wickersley Partnership Trust, I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our students, staff and school communities. Each half term brings new opportunities for our young people to shine, whether that is through academic success, creative expression, sporting excellence or personal development.
This newsletter highlights just some of the fantastic work taking place across our Trust – from enriching extracurricular activities to impressive events and well-deserved awards. These stories reflect the commitment of our staff and the determination of our students, who continue to aim high in all they do.
At WPT, we are committed to ensuring that all of our young people leave us able and qualified to play their full part in an ever-changing world, able and qualified to play their full part in it. The achievements shared here are a clear reflection of that vision.
Thank you for your continued support and I wish you a restful break.
Helen O'Brien
WPT is 10 Showcase 🎇
WPT is 10 Showcase 🎇
2024 marked 10 years since Wickersley School and Sports College academised, and Wickersley Partnership Trust (WPT) was formed. The milestone year was one of celebration, culminating in our biggest-ever, cross-Trust event - the WPT is 10 Showcase!
On Tuesday 12th November, over 300 students from across our Trust took to the stage at Magna Science Adventure Centre to play their part in the celebrations.
We are incredibly proud of all the students who took part, and all the staff members who helped to make it possible. Take a look below to see our full gallery:
Performing Arts
Performing Arts
At Wickersley Partnership Trust, we are proud to offer a rich and inspiring Performing Arts curriculum that nurtures confidence, creativity and self-expression in our students. Students are given opportunities to express themselves and broaden their horizons, in a supportive environment. By engaging in Performing Arts, students not only develop their technical ability, but also increase their self-belief, resilience and sense of achievement – all of which support them far beyond the classroom.
Pantomimes/Summer Shows
Pantomimes/Summer Shows
Our secondary schools host pantomimes and various shows every year. The staff and students work tirelessly to put on their best performances every time. This year, we were treated to:
Clifton Community School - Snow White
Rawmarsh Community School - Guys and Dolls Jr
The Gainsborough Academy - Elf
Thrybergh Academy - Cinderella
Wickersley School and Sports College - The Princess and the Frog
WPT Awarded Music Mark Status
WPT Awarded Music Mark Status
This year, WPT was awarded Music Mark status for 24/25. Music Mark represents and supports the highest quality music education for children and young people, and we are extremely proud to become a Music Mark member.
The achievement is a testament to the accessible and inclusive Music curriculum across our Trust, the high-quality Music education our staff deliver, and our commitments to ensuring that music is an integral part of our young peoples' lives.
Movement Festivals
Movement Festivals
This year, two of our secondary schools hosted incredible Movement Festivals, giving hundreds of students the opportunity to showcase their talents on stage. From ballet and tap to cheerleading, gymnastics and more – the variety and quality of performances were outstanding. Audiences were even treated to surprise appearances from staff members, making the events extra special!
Well done to everyone who took part - your talent and enthusiam are something to be very proud of!
Young Musician of the Year
Young Musician of the Year
Every year, our Trust celebrates the outstanding musical talent of our young people with our Young Musician of the Year competition. Students from our primary and secondary schools took part in the final in May, performing to a panel of external adjudicators.
13 primary students and 36 secondary students took part (including our host and interlude players), with a range of musical styles, from classical to heavy rock.
Well done, everyone!
Primary Music
Primary Music
This year, our primary school children have been on a musical journey across the globe – exploring everything from Calypso to traditional Chinese music. Through singing, playing and listening, they’ve discovered a wide range of instruments and songs from different cultures, deepening their understanding of music’s rich and varied history.
Our Year 5 and 6 students have also had the exciting opportunity to learn instruments including ukuleles, boomwhackers and drums – building both their musical skills and their confidence.
We are committed to ensuring students understand the value and importance of music in the wider community. Our aim is to equip them with the knowledge, skills and experiences to enjoy and take part in music in a variety of different contexts, helping to widen their cultural horizons beyond what they may encounter at home.
We were incredibly proud to see some of our pupils take part in One Voice, a fantastic event delivered by Rotherham Music and Children’s Capital of Culture. Others represented their schools in Young Voices – the largest children’s choir in the world – performing to thousands and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Sports
Sports
As part of our Entitlement and Enrichment promise, we are committed to giving all students the chance to grow in confidence, develop new skills and explore a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom - including through sport.
This year, the Rotherham School Games programme has offered an incredible 1,050 sporting opportunities across 37 event to our students!
The most highly attended event was the Trust-wide Colour Run, hosted at Rawmarsh Community School and supported brilliantly by 22 of their Year 9 Sports Leaders. The event saw 410 children take part and, alongside pupils from other Rotherham schools, helped raise an outstanding £10,700 (excluding Gift Aid) for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.
Other highlights included our hugely popular Skipping Festival, which culminated in a competitive Skipping Competition. Altogether, 270 children took part – showcasing both enthusiasm and resilience in equal measure.
Colour Run
Colour Run
Back in May, Rawmarsh Community School exploded with colour as it played host to the annual School Games Colour Run, in support of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.
The morning was all about KS2 students, completed as many laps of the colourful course as possible.
The afternoon saw Y9 girls take to the course, making the most of the leftover paint and taking it on with huge smiles on their faces.
This year saw the soft launch of the Children's Capital of Culture's Baton Relay, and students across the day ensured that the baton was passed from child to child to start its journey across Rotherham.
The event raised over £10,000 for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice!
Girls in Sport
Girls in Sport
This year, in partnership with School Games, we’ve supported a number of exciting events aimed at encouraging more girls to get active, try something new and experience the many benefits of sport.
In March, primary pupils across the Trust took part in #LetGirlsPlay, helping more girls engage with football in a fun and inclusive way. As part of Rotherham Girls Week, students also had the chance to try dodgeball, handball, cricket, basketball and rugby - building not just skills, but also teamwork and self-belief.
Later in the year, Year 9 girls from our secondary schools joined others from across the borough for the School Games Colour Run, an afternoon led by the Places Leisure Big Sister initiative, which promotes positive experiences of fitness and wellbeing for young women.
These events are about more than just sport - they are about creating a culture where every girl feels confident to get involved, stay active and aim high. By working with local and national partners, we are proud to be opening doors and building brighter futures for our young people.
WPT Sports Day
WPT Sports Day
On Wednesday 9th July, students from across Wickersley Partnership Trust came together for a fantastic day of sport, teamwork and school spirit.
The event began with Mixed Rounders at Rawmarsh School, followed by an exciting Athletics competition at Herringthorpe Stadium.
A big thank you to our student volunteers and all who took part. Sports Day was a great example of the unity and energy that defines WPT.
Children's Capital of Culture
Children's Capital of Culture
We are proud to provide opportunities that help students grow beyond the classroom, while strengthening ties with our local communities. In 2025, Rotherham became the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture (CCoC) – and our schools have been involved with so many of the celebrations.
From hands-on creative workshops to large-scale community events, students across our Trust have been actively involved in a wide range of exciting cultural activities:
Primary pupils were thrilled to host Firma Kodde Productions from the Netherlands, turning playgrounds into interactive race tracks during the lively ‘Roar Race’ event.
Primary choir students took part in Rotherham One Voice, a musical celebration with the theme of 'Who we are and where we come from'.
Students from Thrybergh, Rawmarsh and Wickersley explored their imagination in the ‘Otherham’ animation workshops, reimagining local landmarks through storytelling.
Thrybergh students produced illustrations for a series of short stories written by students from Highfield Farm Primary School in partnership with Grimm & Co.
Clifton students contributed to a community mural as part of the Big History, Bright Future project – an inspiring initiative that used art to reflect the borough’s rich diversity.
Year 7 and 8 pupils from Clifton also took part in creative sessions in the ‘Jitterbug’ tent, part of the Rotherham Roots Festival.
And finally, all of our Rotherham schools joined in the CCoC baton relay, a borough-wide celebration that was soft launched at Rawmarsh Community School (at the Bluebell Wood Colour Run) and brought schools together in a shared moment of pride.
These experiences not only enrich our students’ education, but also encourage confidence, creativity, and a deeper sense of place and belonging. We are proud to support Rotherham’s cultural legacy and continue working with our communities to inspire the next generation.
Careers
Careers
At all of our schools, our number one priority is preparing students for life. There is nothing more important than ensuring they leave us equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to play a full and active role in society – and to contribute towards improving it.
A key part of that is making sure our young people are fully prepared for the world of work, understand the opportunities available to them after education, and know how to realise their full potential.
Clifton Awarded Quality in Careers Standard
Clifton Awarded Quality in Careers Standard
We’re incredibly proud to share that Clifton Community School has been awarded the National Quality in Careers Standard, using the Career Mark approach. This prestigious national award recognises excellence in careers education, information, advice and guidance across secondary schools, colleges and independent training providers.
As part of the assessment, Clifton’s careers programme underwent a full audit, including a thorough review of how it supports students in making informed post-16 decisions. Students from across the school were interviewed and represented both Clifton and our Trust with pride.
Well done, Clifton!
WPT Careers Team at VIP Racecourse Event
WPT Careers Team at VIP Racecourse Event
Our Careers Team recently attended a VIP event at Doncaster Racecourse, hosted by the National Horseracing College.
They explored the wide range of roles in the horseracing industry and spoke with jockeys, grooms, ground staff and college staff about the exciting opportunities available – many of which are open to students with no prior experience. Impressively, 97% of students gain employment after completing their courses.
Thank you to the National Horseracing College for an inspiring day!
Medical Mavericks
Medical Mavericks
Back in March, we were excited to welcome Medical Mavericks to the Trust for a fantastic careers-focused event.
Year 9 students with an interest in medical and care careers had the opportunity to try out a range of hands-on procedures, including taking blood pressure, performing an ECG, and even drawing blood from a phlebotomy training arm. It was an inspiring and engaging experience that gave students a real insight into the world of healthcare.
A big thank you to Medical Mavericks for helping bring healthcare careers to life for our students!
Success at Careers Awards
Success at Careers Awards
Wickersley Partnership Trust was proud to receive multiple honours at the South Yorkshire Careers Hub Awards.
Clifton Community School and Thrybergh Academy won for Consistently Meeting All 8 Gatsby Benchmarks, while Wickersley School and Sports College received the Student Voice Award.
Two individuals were also acknowledged for outstanding employer engagement. Caroline Lee (VolkerRail and Thrybergh Governor) received an award for her role in the Teacher Encounters Programme and was shortlisted in the Employer Engagement category. Kate Nelson (Henry Boot Construction and WPT Enterprise Adviser) was also nominated in the same category.
These achievements reflect our strong commitment to high-quality careers education and the WPT Enrichment Promise.
First Aid
First Aid
At Wickersley Partnership Trust, we’re committed to helping our students, staff and wider community develop essential life skills. One key part of this is first aid training – something we’ve delivered for many years in partnership with First Aid Schools.
This year alone, we’ve trained over 7,000 students, 150 staff, and 136 parents and carers, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to respond in emergency situations – whether at school, at home or in the wider community.
We are working to develop a continuous and sustainable programme of first aid and mental health first aid across all of our primary and secondary schools. Our aim is to deliver subject-specific first aid, linked to real-life situations students may encounter, making the training meaningful and relevant to their everyday lives.
Extracurricular
Extracurricular
Our broad extracurricular offering enhances our enrichment opportunities by helping students develop new skills, build confidence, and foster a sense of belonging beyond the classroom.
In 24/25, across our secondary schools have offered a total of over 170 extracurricular clubs, including Science Club, Knit and Natter, Dance, Trampolining, Chess and Boardgames.
Over 1450 students have attended an extracurricular activity this year!
On Wednesday 16th July 56 students and 6 staff from Wickersley departed on a two week trip to Kenya.
During the time on the trip they will be completing a week of volunteer work in 3 local community schools, including teaching, sports coaching and building & renovation work.
As part of the trip they will also be taking part in a Swahili lesson, a Kenyan cookery class, a visit to the Great Rift Valley, an elephant orphanage and giraffe sanctuary, all topped off with an over night stay at the Maasai Mara including a safari game drive.
In School...
In School...
Each curriculum area intends to grow mini subject specialists through the development of the subject knowledge and skills. Student knowledge and essential learning skills go hand in hand. Our curriculum seeks to equip students with the understanding of how to develop themselves as well rounded citizens and maintain healthy relationships; to enrich and broaden their horizons, both in their cultural capital and future aspirations.
English
English
Across our Trust, our secondary English students have had access to a range of experiences to boost their knowledge and understanding of the texts they study. During March and April, all our Y10 students watched a performance by Redheart Theatre of Jekyll and Hyde. students thoroughly enjoyed the performance and commented on how it helped with their understanding of the story.
In March, all secondary schools across Rotherham had a poet visit to work with Y8 students. The project was run in conjunction with The Poetry Society and AESSEAL. The poems produced during the day were entered into a competition and winners were invited to a presentation. We had winners from CCS, RCS and TA.
Geography
Geography
This year, our Geography students have brought their learning to life through a range of exciting field trips.
Year 7 explored local crime patterns, Year 8 studied weather and urban land use—including a joint trip with RE to Sheffield/Doncaster Gurdwara and city centres—and Year 9 focused on carbon storage in trees as part of their sustainability work.
GCSE students investigated urban regeneration in Sheffield and Lincoln (TGA), as well as river and coastal processes in Hornsea. A Level students visited the Longshaw Estate and Cranedale Centre to build fieldwork skills for their NEA coursework, with a final trip to Sheffield at the end of the year.
These hands-on experiences have enriched students' understanding and developed vital analytical and thinking skills.
MFL
MFL
In September, all of the Trust schools celebrated European Day of Languages with quizzes and treasure hunts. There have been trips to Tapas restaurants and a cinema trip for Y9 students from across the schools to see a French film. Two of our schools are about to visit France and Spain.
All schools have had plays delivered by Onatti Theatre Company in French and Spanish which have been very well received. Schools took part in the Futbolingo webinar to look at careers linking sport and languages.
The team is also taking part in the Government outreach scheme with webinars for Y9 and 10 looking at languages careers working for Whitehall, abroad or GCHQ.
Science
Science
Science across the Trust continues to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and spark a passion for discovery through high-quality learning and enrichment opportunities.
Well done to Amogh (Y12), who earnt a Diamond Award in the Senior Physics Challenge, placing him in the top 150 UK physics students
Well done to our Y10s who shone in the Junior Physics Challenge, with all earning Bronze or higher and five acheiving Gold!
Three Y10 students took part in the British Physics Olympiad's Experimental Project, with two receiving Silver Awards for their outstanding research
Y7 students from across the Trust took a trip to Magna Science Adventure Centre, where they took part in workshops and got involved in hands-on learning!
Students from Y9 and Y13 enjoyed a virtual visit to space through the WonderDome mobile planetarium. This immersive experience brought their physics topics to life, helping students visualise celestial phenomena and deepen their understanding of space science.
UK Atomic Energy Authority and University of York delivered an unforgettable day exploring fusion energy at TGA. Students explored fusion energy in the Sun Dome and learned about the UK’s first prototype fusion plant being built near West Burton.
Plus so many more science enrichment opportunities, ensuring that we follow The Science Way!
Art
Art
This year, as part of WPT is 10 Showcase, we held our first-ever, cross-Trust art exhibition showcasing incredible artwork from all our primary and secondary schools - a celebration of creativity, talent, and the high-quality art education across the Trust.
WPT students took part in the Don Valley Festival 2025, showcasing their creativity across various judged categories. The standard was incredibly high, with many Trust students winning awards – a huge well done to all who took part!
Our GCSE students took a trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where they had the opportunity to take part in art clay workshop, have a guided tour by staff to talk about the origins and stories behind the sculptures on show, and take photos and create drawings of some of the pieces to supporting in the creation of their exam portfolios.
History
History
On 27th-31st March, 36 Year 8 and 9 students travelled to the battlefields of Belgium and France to visit the site of the First World War.
The group stayed in Ypres and visited a number of British and German war cemeteries and memorials to the missing including the largest British and Commonwealth war cemetery at Tyne Cot. They travelled down to the Somme region of France and visited the largest memorial in the world, Thiepval.
Students learnt how the war was fought in the trenches and some of the stories of the soldiers who were involved. They also visited the old medieval city of Bruges and enjoyed a trip on the canal. The visit culminated in the Menin Gate ceremony on the last night where four students laid a wreath and one student was also picked to read the exhortation.
The students had a wonderful time and learnt a lot from visiting the places that they have studied about.
Design & Technology
Design & Technology
In July, Year 10 Engineering students from Thrybergh Academy had an opportunity to visit the South Yorkshire Transport Museum. They were collected from the school in a heritage bus that used to be part of the Sheffield bus fleet and is now owned and used by the transport museum.
When the students arrived, they learnt about what it takes to keep the museum and exhibits functioning, while being run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. The Museum itself has a range of exhibits from scaled down model battleships, a large collection of Raleigh bikes and a vast collection of cars and commercial vehicles. Many of which are either owned by the museum or on loan from a private individual or another museum.
Students were also given access into their workshop to see their latest projects and the different tools and materials that are used.
The volunteers at the museum all said how polite and engaging the students were and how lovely it was to have a group that would ask questions, get involved and be respectful. A true testament to themselves, many of whom may be looking to turn their future hands towards a field in mechanics/engineering and also the school for following the Thrybergh Way.
RE
RE
At Wickersley Partnership Trust, we believe that visiting places of worship is a valuable experience that helps students deepen their understanding of different beliefs beyond the classroom.
This year, students across the Trust have taken part in enriching RE experiences that have deepened their understanding of different faiths and global issues.
Year 7 visited mosques in Sheffield and Lincoln to explore Islamic beliefs and practices.
Year 8 took trips to Sikh Gurdwaras, learning about worship, community, and sharing a meal in the Langar Hall.
Year 9 worked with the National Holocaust Museum to explore responsibility, justice, and life after liberation.
Year 10 reflected on whether religion causes conflict or peace through essays and creative artwork.
At WSSC, students marked Interfaith Week with workshops and national competition entries, and created powerful work for the Spirited Arts competition.
RE Ambassadors also attended the Holocaust Memorial Service at Clifton Park, joining in a moving tribute of remembrance and unity.
These experiences have helped students think critically, reflect personally, and celebrate diversity.
PSHE
PSHE
Rawmarsh Community School was featured a in best practice guide from the NSPCC - "A Whole School Approach Framework to Sex and Relationships (SRE)".
Well done to RCS and the Trust PSHE Department for ensuring that our schools promote safety and respect, as part of our Trust approach to SRE.
School Report
School Report
During the Spring term, some of our Y5-9 students got a chance to take part in the WPT School Report, delivered by our Media Team. The aim of the project was to give students from across all 13 of our schools the opportunity to use their voice on the topical subjects that matter the most to them, by creating either a video, podcast or new article.
Take a look at the showcase of the students’ work here:
SEND
SEND
At WPT, we believe that all children and young people are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress in order to develop their social, cognitive, cultural, emotional and physical skills to achieve their best and become confident individuals in an ever-changing society. Our staff have high expectations of all students, providing appropriate learning and teaching experiences within a positive pastoral framework. We aim to support students by nurturing an ethos of high aspirations, confidence and fostering in them the desire to achieve.
Our Integrated Resource Provisions have been supporting our students throughout this year with their learning. Our Magna Lane Provision was visited by Sarah Champion MP, , to take a look at the progress that has been made in the last two years, and to highlight our Trust’s commitment to continuous improvement, and the positive impact of these changes on student wellbeing and engagement.
Plus, this year, our Brinsworth Whitehill Primary School has been accredited with the Rotherham Charter Gold status from Genuine Partnerships and Rotherham Charter for the third time.
Y6 Transition
Y6 Transition
The importance of a good start to secondary school education cannot be overemphasised. Our transition programme ensures that we embed the learning habits that will stand our students in good stead for their future academic studies. e believe that all students joining us in Year 7 should understand the core values and expectations of the school, experience the sense of school community and be familiar with the school site, key staff and peers.
This year, we've had the following number of students take part in our Transition weeks:
CCS - 244
RCS - 202
TA - 114
TGA - 180
WSSC - 343
Residentials
Residentials
From 3rd–13th June, Year 6 students took part in the WPT Residentials, a key part of our Enrichment and Entitlement Promise, and our wider transition programme. This year, for the first time, our students took part in a hike through the beautiful Cave Dale in the Peak District and ‘Duck Hunt’, outdoor activities at Ulley Reservoir, and an overnight stay at our Cranworth site.
Pupils built resilience, teamwork, and friendships, while enjoying a range of adventurous experiences — all provided free of charge.
A huge thank you to the WPT Sports Development Team for making it all possible!
Y6 Prom
Y6 Prom
Year 6 pupils from across WPT came together on 16th and 17th June for a fantastic Prom celebration.
The event, part of our wider transition programme, gave pupils a chance to reconnect with friends made during the free WPT Residential and enjoy an evening of fun, dancing, and celebration.
A huge thank you to all staff and contributors for making this memorable, cost-free event possible.
Celebrations and Memories
Celebrations and Memories
Y11 Proms
Y11 Proms
As the academic year ends, our secondary schools marked a major milestone with memorable Y11 Prom Nights.
Students and staff came together to celebrate five years of hard work, with awards, meals, discos, and photobooths provided by the WPT Media Team.
More than just a celebration, the proms recognised the values and character our students have developed.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 - we’re proud of all you’ve achieved and wish you the very best for the future!
Sports Awards
Sports Awards
This year’s Sports Awards at Wickersley, Rawmarsh, and Thrybergh celebrated the achievements, progress, and dedication of our students across a wide range of sports.
From individual honours to team success, each event recognised not just performance, but the values of respect, fairness, and teamwork.
Thank you to our amazing PE staff for making it all possible, and congratulations to every student who received an award!
Awards Assemblies
Awards Assemblies
Over the last few weeks of term, our secondary schools have celebrated students' achievements through our End of Year Awards Assemblies.
These events recognised academic success, personal growth, and positive contributions to school life — reflecting the values of The School Ways and the key skills our students develop, including independence, responsibility, and resilience.
Teaching Awards & Thank a Teacher Day
Teaching Awards & Thank a Teacher Day
Mr Bartle wins National Teaching Award
Mr Bartle wins National Teaching Award
We’re incredibly proud to share that Josh Bartle, Assistant Headteacher at Clifton Community School, has received a Silver Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School at the 2025 Pearson National Teaching Awards. Selected from thousands of nominees, Josh is now in the running for the prestigious Gold Award, to be announced later this year on BBC One’s The One Show.
Josh began his teaching career at RCS and is also a governor at WSSC. A passionate MFL teacher and senior leader, he first brought his skills as a translator into the classroom in 2018, inspiring students to value the power of speaking a second language. He is committed to ensuring all students – regardless of background – leave school able and qualified. His classes consistently achieve excellent results in Languages, and he is known for fostering a strong belief in success among his students.
WPT Teachers receive Certificate of Excellence
WPT Teachers receive Certificate of Excellence
We’re delighted to share that several teachers across Wickersley Partnership Trust have been recognised with a Certificate of Excellence from the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards.
These awards celebrate the dedication, passion and commitment of staff who go above and beyond to make a real difference in the lives of our students. Congratulations to all nominees and recipients – we’re incredibly proud of the exceptional work happening across our classrooms.
National Thank a Teacher Day
National Thank a Teacher Day
18th June marked National Thank a Teacher Day, and students and staff from across our Trust got involved in creating a heartfelt video of thanks for all our teaching and support staff.
On behalf of Wickersley Partnership Trust, we thank all of our wonderful teachers and support staff – your work often goes beyond the call of duty, and today we acknowledge and celebrate you.
WPT Shortlisted in the MAT Excellence Awards
WPT Shortlisted in the MAT Excellence Awards
We are delighted to announce that Wickersley Partnership Trust (WPT) reached the shortlist of two categories in the MAT Excellence Awards.
We were shortlisted for the Staff Development Award and Wellbeing Trust of the Year.
We unfortunately didn’t take home the trophies this time. However, we are incredibly proud to have been recognised among such inspiring finalists. Being Shortlisted is itself a testament to the efforts of our staff and the strength of our whole Trust community.
Long Service Awards
Long Service Awards
This year, we launched our Long Service Awards, to acknowledge and celebrate the loyalty and dedication of our colleagues within the Trust.
Both our support staff and teaching staff work incredibly hard day in, day out, to improve the education and outcomes of our young people and wider Trust community. We wouldn't be able to fulfil our mantra 'to send all young people into an ever-changing world, able and qualified to play their full part in it' without the commitment of our entire workforce.
We're tremendously proud that our WPT workforce is made up of a diverse team (with some having served their schools for over 30 years!), and we would like to honour those who have committed so much of their professional life to WPT, our schools, our students, and our local community.
Staff Development
Staff Development
This year, WPT has supported 40 Early Career Teachers (ECTs) across our primary and secondary schools – 24 ECT1s and 16 ECT2s. We’re pleased to report that all ECTs currently in school are on track to successfully complete their induction years.
Retention across the Trust remains strong, with 93% of all ECTs choosing to stay with WPT.
In our primaries, 3 Initial Teacher Trainees (ITTs) have secured roles within WPT, 2 of whom trained with us. Across the year, we hosted 7 ITTs per placement, with 2 successfully gaining employment in our schools.
Thank you to all staff involved in mentoring, supporting and developing the next generation of teachers.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff Wellbeing
The wellbeing of our staff and students is of utmost importance to us at WPT and since launching our Wellbeing Wednesday initiative back in 2023, we’ve ramped up our efforts to give more support to everyone across our Trust. Our colleagues are regularly provided with information, guidance and events - like this one - to maintain and improve their mental health and wellbeing.
This year, we've put on four wellbeing events for our staff to get together, and do something fun and creative! Hundreds of staff have taken part in the events across the academic year, including:
Pumpkin carving
Wreath making
Easter Egg Cheesecake making, and;
Summer Mocktail making
We look forward to seeing what next year brings, and welcoming more colleagues to our wellbeing events!
Sustainability
Sustainability
[Image by Genfit]
At Wickersley Partnership Trust (WPT), we’re committed to sustainability and having a positive impact on our environment. Back in January 2024, we launched our Solar Panel project at six of our primary schools, with funding secured North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. The first phase of this project has been carried out by Genfit.
Now that the panels have been installed at the six primary schools, we can start to see the differences being made to our energy consumption. In the 12-month period from 1st May 2024 - 30th April 2025, we’re happy to report that the Solar PV installed have delivered meaningful environmental and financial benefits during this first full year of being operational.
During this year, the panels produced 258,000 kWh of renewable energy, which has significantly reduced our reliance on grid-supplied energy.
The systems contributed to an estimated total displacement of CO2e of 52.96 tonnes, which is the equivalent to nearly 8 trips around the world in a standard petrol car. Our direct reduction in carbon footprint (29.24 tonnes) equates to just over 4 trips around the world, and is also equivalent to planting approximately 1,215 trees.
We hope to continue to strive for our sustainability goals, and aim to install more solar panels across our Trust over the next year.
Stakeholders and Suppliers
Stakeholders and Suppliers
We'd like to give a special mention to our many suppliers and stakeholders who have supported us throughout the year. Your support and generosity means that we can provide even more enrichment and entitlement opportunities for our students and colleagues.
Thank you to everyone who has sponsored the WPT is 10 Showcase Staff Awards or worked with us to provide experiences that students might otherwise not have taken part in.
Thank you!
Working with Wickersley Partnership Trust
Working with Wickersley Partnership Trust
Interested in working with WPT? You can find all our vacancies on our Recruitment Portal here.
Alumni
Alumni
Did you attend one of our Trust schools?
Can you help us inspire the next generation by sharing your post-secondary school experience story?
No matter the route you took after school, or how long it is since you left, we’d love to hear from you.
As part of our Careers Entitlement, we want to feed our students with as much information as we can so that they leave their schools and Wickersley Partnership Trust able and qualified to play their full part in the world.
And who’s better to help us raise aspirations than those who have been in their shoes?
Interested? Please fill out the form below:
Previous Newsletters
Previous Newsletters
Want to see everything else that we've been up to across our Trust this year?
Take a look at the links below 👇
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