Rushcliffe Spencer Academy “has a vision that ‘everyone will be given the chance to shine brightly’. This aim underpins this highly ambitious and very inclusive school.”
Heanor Gate Spencer Academy has today been named a Top 10 finalist for the World’s Best School Prizes 2025. The five World’s Best School Prizes, founded by T4 Education in the wake of COVID in 2022 to share the best practices of schools that are changing lives in their classrooms and far beyond their walls, are the world’s most prestigious education prizes.
Charles Haydn-Slater, Subject Lead for Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) at John Port Spencer Academy, has been named a finalist for Subject Lead of the Year at this year’s prestigious TES Schools Awards. This national event, held annually in London, honours the exceptional contributions of educators, schools, and trusts across the UK, shining a spotlight on those who go above and beyond in shaping the future of education.
Being shortlisted is a remarkable achievement - one that reflects both personal dedication and the collective effort of an entire department. For Charles, it's a moment of recognition not only for his innovative leadership in the classroom but also for the deeper vision he's championed: to make PRE a subject that’s relevant, inclusive, and transformative for students.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, we sat down with Charles to hear more about his journey - from his surprising career beginnings to his philosophy of teaching, his department’s evolution, and what this national recognition means to him and his school community...
We are incredibly proud of the Rosecliffe Spencer Choir, who recently took part in a very special event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Held at the historic Abbey Circus Air Raid Shelter, the choir delivered a touching performance that honoured the strength and sacrifice of those who lived through the Second World War.
After a lifelong career dedicated to supporting school communities through education catering, Tanya Flinders, Trust Catering Operations Manager, is retiring and bidding farewell to our schools.
Tanya has played a pivotal role in overseeing and developing catering services across the Trust, ensuring thousands of students received nutritious, high-quality meals every day. Her leadership and commitment have left a lasting impact on our schools, staff, and pupils alike. We sat down with Tanya as she reflected on her journey, the joys and challenges of her role, and what lies ahead in retirement…
Spencer Primary Pupil Parliament came together for their third meeting of the academic year in an inspiring gathering held at Portland Conference Centre. The event brought together children from across the Spencer Academies Trust, showcasing a growing network of pupils committed to making a difference in their schools and wider communities.
Excitement filled the room as pupils reunited with familiar faces and welcomed new representatives who joined in place of those who couldn’t attend. Each pupil proudly received their Trust Pupil Parliament badge, symbolising their important role in shaping the future of their schools.
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievement of James Heppell, our Graphic Designer and Brand Manager at Spencer Academies Trust, who successfully completed the London Marathon to raise funds for our very own charity, Spencer Superstars, last weekend!
James took on the 26.2-mile challenge following months of dedication and training, crossing the finish line at 4 hours and 24 minutes!
Staff, parents and pupils at Wyndham Spencer Academy are celebrating this week after receiving a tremendous report from their most recent Ofsted inspection. With the amazing work by the team at Wyndham, Ofsted have confirmed they have continued to maintain standards which were previously graded as ‘Outstanding’ in 2014.
Rosecliffe Spencer Academy have achieved a remarkable milestone by earning the prestigious Green Flag Eco School award with a distinction for ‘excellence in improving sustainability and environmental learning in our setting'. This recognition celebrates the school marking a significant achievement in their ongoing commitment to creating a greener future!
The Green Flag award is an internationally recognized accreditation that honours schools demonstrating their dedication to environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Rosecliffe’s success is a testament to the hard work and passion of both pupils and staff in integrating eco-friendly initiatives into everyday school life.
The Spencer Academies Trust is delighted to welcome Bispham Spencer Academy in Toton, as the newest member of our growing family of academies. The school officially joined the Trust this month, marking an exciting new chapter in its journey of providing exceptional education to children in the community.
Bispham Spencer Academy is a flourishing primary school known for its high standards of teaching and learning, strong community ethos, and commitment to ensuring that every child reaches their full potential. Recently rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with ‘Outstanding’ recognition for personal development, the school shares the Trust’s values of excellence, inclusion, and innovation in education.
Over 600 educators and colleagues across our 19 primary academies came together this month for two enriching Primary Inset events, designed to foster collaboration and a shared sense of belonging across the Spencer Academies Trust. Hosted at Brackensdale Spencer Academy for Derby and Derbyshire schools and Portland Spencer Academy for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire schools, the events were a testament to the power of community in education.
The theme of the day, ‘Belonging’, emphasised the importance of inclusive and supportive environments for both pupils and colleagues in our academies. Through an engaging program of keynote speakers, workshops, and real-life stories, the event reinforced the Trust’s values of Aspiration, Partnership, and Responsibility.
Spencer Academies Trust and Chetwynd Spencer Academy are excited to announce the grand opening of Chetwynd Spencer’s new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) which officially opened at the end of last term. The state-of-the-art facility was unveiled on 18th December, with a special event that saw Nottingham Forest stars Anthony Elanga and Ola Aina join staff, students, and parents in celebrating this exciting milestone for the school.