Collaboration across our schools continues to support improvement by bringing colleagues together to share expertise, develop practice and respond to common priorities.
Schools and teams have worked together in areas including curriculum development and the sharing of specialist expertise, creating opportunities for colleagues to learn from one another and strengthen practice beyond their own schools. These examples reflect the professional generosity across our Trust and the opportunities to build even stronger connections as we continue to strengthen our ‘One Trust’ culture.
The expertise within our Trust continues to have an impact beyond our own schools.
This year, Whitkirk Primary School was selected through a competitive national process as one of a small number of Reception Lead Schools in the Department for Education’s RISE programme. The appointment recognises the strength of the school’s Early Years provision and the expertise of its Reception team, placing Whitkirk among a select group of schools helping to shape and share best practice in Reception education.
As a Lead School, Whitkirk is now supporting schools beyond our Trust by developing and sharing resources, leading regional network meetings and welcoming schools to see strong practice in action. The recognition also reflects the expertise and collaboration of Early Years leaders across our Trust, whose work together continues to strengthen provision for children within our schools.
“It is a real privilege to be a RISE Lead School for Reception. The networks provide a fantastic opportunity to bring colleagues together, united by a shared commitment to ensuring every child has the best possible start to their primary education. By collaborating and sharing expertise, we can continue to strengthen outcomes for children and families across Leeds.”
Through Red Kite Education, our expertise and partnerships continue to support teachers and schools across the wider education system, extending our impact far beyond our own Trust.
The Red Kite Foundation has now distributed more than £20,000 across 17 projects, creating opportunities and lifelong memories for children across our Trust. Recent awards have funded learning resources for primary pupils and an overseas travel scholarship for a secondary music student.
To mark ten years of Red Kite Learning Trust, Trustees have also awarded £5,000 towards an Outward Bound residential opportunity, with all 16 schools invited to participate.
Our Youth Board brings together children and young people from across our schools, creating a Trust-wide forum to share their views, connect with peers and help shape areas of work that directly affect them.
This year, members have contributed their perspectives on key Trust priorities including our Inclusion Pledge, transition between schools and the wellbeing support available to children and young people. By bringing together representatives from different schools and communities, the Youth Board is helping to ensure that pupil voice informs Trust-wide thinking and decision-making.
This year, £2 million has been invested across our school sites, creating new and improved spaces for children. Major projects have included a new classroom at Colton Primary School, alongside investment across our wider school environments.
A major development has been the creation of Little Ferns Pre-School at Coppice Valley Primary School, opening in September 2026. The new provision will welcome children aged three and four, offering flexible childcare. The purpose-designed Early Years environment will place a strong emphasis on communication and language development, with opportunities for purposeful indoor and outdoor learning.
“We are incredibly excited to expand our early years provision with a purpose-designed pre-school, carefully planned around how young children learn best. Open, connected spaces promote 360-degree communication between children and adults, allowing interactions to flow naturally, while high-quality outdoor environments are designed to spark curiosity, inspire exploration and provide meaningful experiences.”
Careful management of our resources helps ensure more funding can be directed towards our schools and children. This year, our Trust delivered £310,000 in savings and generated £24,000 in income through procurement frameworks, helping to ensure resources are used effectively.
Our procurement function also achieved accreditation through the CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme, an independent assessment recognising the strength of our procurement capability and our commitment to good governance, value for money and continuous improvement.
Schools across our Trust are finding new ways to strengthen relationships with families and the communities they serve. At Rossett School, a renewed focus on community connections and the school’s local profile has contributed to an increase in Year 7 applications. Targeted open mornings have also helped the school engage families who may be less likely to participate through traditional approaches, contributing to improved attendance among a small group of Year 11 pupils during the examination period.
