Learning Together Through Collaboration
At Red Kite Learning Trust, collaboration is at the heart of how we champion learning and drive improvement. Our strength lies not just in the quality of our individual schools, but in the power of working together, across phases, roles, and disciplines, to ensure every child receives the best possible education.
Primary and Secondary: Learning Together
This year, we’ve strengthened collaboration between our primary and secondary schools to ensure consistency, ambition, and continuity in teaching and learning.
Subject leaders across the Trust have built communities of practice, sharing expertise through joint curriculum development, moderation, and transition planning.
Our Primary Headteachers’ Network brings together leaders from all our Primary Schools and this year they have been exploring school self-evaluation, accountability, and how to use data more powerfully to drive meaningful action.
Our Trust Subject Leads (TSLs) have played a key role. Zara Butterfield (Maths TSL, Crawshaw) supported Early Career Teachers at Rossett School, while gaining valuable insights from their coaching programme to bring back to her own school. Adrian Stipetic (MFL TSL) has helped colleagues adopt the Harrogate Grammar School languages curriculum, with one teacher’s delivery now filmed as a model of excellence for others. Vicki Byrne (English TSL, Temple Moor High School) has extended her support across Temple Learning Academy, recognising its unique context and offering broader whole-school input.
Earlier this year, our Executive Group met at Temple Learning Academy to see first-hand the inclusive, aspirational environment that exemplifies our shared values in action.
These are just a few examples of partnerships that reflect our culture of professional generosity and mutual learning.
Cross-Trust Expertise, Collective Impact
Our School Improvement, People, Finance, Estates, Technology and Operational teams have worked together with schools to provide both responsive support and long-term strategic guidance. This integrated approach means leaders can focus on teaching and learning, supported by a Trust-wide network committed to improvement and excellence.
Looking Beyond Our Trust
We value learning not just from within, but from beyond. This year, our schools and leaders have actively engaged in external partnerships and outreach to strengthen practice and broaden expertise.
Through the wider Red Kite Alliance, our science leaders are part of a major new five-year partnership with the Ogden Trust, supporting 50 schools with CPD and funding to increase uptake of Physics at A Level. Led by Richard Sykes (TSL for Science, Harrogate Grammar School), this is the second-largest collaboration in the charity’s history.
We also continue to facilitate peer reviews across Red Kite Alliance. Most recently, our Director of Secondary Education, Erica Hiorns, worked with Thirsk School to co-develop a quality assurance cycle and review teaching in English and Science.
Our Trust Secondary leaders have benefited from visits to outstanding schools across the country. These included St Mary’s Catholic College in Hull to explore curriculum precision, influencing changes to assessment at Crawshaw Academy and classroom practice at Rossett School. Pastoral leaders visited Trinity at St Edward’s to explore inclusive behaviour systems, and reading leads learned from Roundhay School’s whole-school reading approach, now inspiring Trust-wide reading development.
In addition, the Sixth Form Advantage Programme developed via Red Kite Connect has provided a valuable new network for 22 Sixth Form leaders and their teams across the Trust, the Alliance, and beyond. The programme has offered rich opportunities for learning, collaboration, and expert guidance on funding, helping leaders navigate a complex and evolving post-16 landscape.
By seeking out best practice wherever it exists, we continue to challenge ourselves, grow together, and raise standards for all.
Professional Generosity in Action
Colleagues at every level have demonstrated extraordinary professional generosity, whether leading Trust-wide training, mentoring colleagues, or contributing to research and innovation. This culture of openness and shared accountability has accelerated school improvement and strengthened our identity as a learning organisation.
Make A Difference Day
On 4 July this year, our Make a Difference Day, brought colleagues from across the Trust together for a powerful day of shared learning and reflection, with a focus on Inclusion and operational improvement. Through keynote speakers, workshops, discussions, and collaborative activities, colleagues deepened their understanding of inclusive practice and exploring best practice. More than just a fantastic learning opportunity, the day also strengthened relationships across schools and teams, reinforcing our shared commitment to fostering welcoming, equitable learning environments alongside efficient, well-coordinated operations that support both staff and learners.
Better Together
The impact of our collaboration is evident with improved outcomes, greater colleague confidence, and stronger alignment around what matters most; helping every learner thrive. By working together across schools, teams, and specialisms, we continue to build a Trust where collective expertise drives individual success.