We Are Our Trust

Welcoming New Schools to Our Growing Trust

In April, we proudly welcomed Saltergate Schools as the 15th and 16th members of Red Kite Learning Trust. Based in Harrogate, this federation of primary and secondary schools, complete with its own Discovery Learning Nursery, is a fantastic addition to our Trust family, further strengthening our shared commitment to excellence and collaboration.

Connecting for Professional Growth

This year we established Red Kite Connect, an initiative which facilitates networks to deliver creative professional development opportunities. The innovative Sixth Form Advantage Project, delivered with our partners at HFL Education has brought together 22 sixth forms to learn from experts about funding. A metacognition course for teachers was delivered alongside a range of other programmes providing colleagues and professional peers with strategies to support pupils with SEND.

Shaping our Vision for 2030: A Trust-Wide Collaboration

In September 2024, we embarked on an exciting journey, working with stakeholders to gather their views about what they would like the Red Kite Learning Trust to look like in 2030.  Children and young people, parents, staff and leaders were able to explain what is important to them and their vision for the future. The insightful feedback from the consultation has resulted in a vision which authentically reflects the voices in our community of schools. Delivery teams, led by Headteachers and involving colleagues from schools and the central team, are working together to plan the actions needed to achieve our long-term aims in three key areas: Finance and Resource, People and Quality of Education. We look forward to driving this work forwards as a Trust, collectively shaping the next phase of our development through harnessing our shared commitment to achieving excellent outcomes for our children and young people. 

Foundations for Learning: Safe, Dry, and Warm

With the money for capital projects in schools limited, we have prioritised ones which keep children and staff safe, dry and warm. This year has seen water heater upgrades at Austhorpe Primary School so all areas in school have hot water, the replacement of oil boilers at Crawshaw Academy with energy efficient models, and upgrades to site security at Rossett School with the installation of new gates and fences.

Driving Positive Change Through Sustainability

This year, we launched the Red Kite Learning Trust Sustainability Charter, a practical, community-led initiative designed to embed sustainability across all our schools. Linked to our wider strategy to become a net-zero organisation, the Charter empowers pupils, staff, and school communities to take meaningful action across eight key areas, from energy use to biodiversity. Together, we’re not only reducing our environmental impact but also inspiring lasting change within and beyond our schools.

Powering Change: Energy Sparks Across Our Schools

This year, all our schools began to use Energy Sparks, an online portal which provides data insights, action prompts and educational resources to help schools develop their climate action plans, make big energy and carbon savings, and develop pupils' sustainability skills.

Built for Success: New Sixth Form Building

The brand new sixth form block at Temple Moor High School was completed in November 2024. The state-of-the-art building offers exceptional facilities designed to foster learning, collaboration, and social interaction, reflecting our commitment to providing the best possible environment to our Sixth Form students.

Investing in Moments That Matter

Our newly formed Red Kite Foundation has supported twelve projects across our Trust schools this year. From providing funding for a talented swimmer at Temple Learning Academy, creating a sensory outdoor space at Meadowfield Primary School to enabling equine therapy at Whitkirk Primary, the Foundation is enabling children and young people to have opportunities and experiences which go beyond the ordinary.

Shaping Our Trust Through Student Voice

This year, our Youth Board has been actively shaping conversations around sustainability, inclusivity, mental health, and well-being. Meeting every half term, student representatives from across our Trust have shared their ideas and concerns with Trust leaders, helping to influence key decisions and contribute meaningfully to our vision for 2030.

Inspiring Leaders in our Region

In January this year, Red Kite Connect’s Learning from Leaders programme brought together twelve primary Head teachers from across Harrogate, Leeds and Bradford.  Over nine months, participants have benefited from a range of opportunities to: hear from leaders in varied roles about how they lead and the challenges they face, reflect on their own leadership, network, learn from each other and visit other schools. The aim of the programme is to support school leaders on their leadership journey whilst emphasising how collaboration and school-to-school support can strengthen our educational system.   

Financial Overview and Operational Efficiency

The Trust began 2024/25 with a £1.2 million deficit but is now forecasting a £100,000 surplus, reflecting strong progress through income growth and cost control. Key initiatives include using technology to optimise colleague resourcing to where needed most, faster payments, and capital funding wins across schools. Strategic investments and sustainability projects, like solar energy, are generating income, while improved procurement is driving savings and service quality.