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Andy Haywood, Teaching Assistant at Rushcliffe Spencer Academy has been shortlisted for this year’s Tes Schools Awards, which celebrate the UK’s most inspiring teachers and schools from both the state and independent sectors, following a record-breaking number of nominations.
Rushcliffe Spencer Academy marked a major milestone on Friday 17 April, with the official opening of its brand-new C Block - a significant development set to enhance learning experiences for hundreds of students.
The school welcomed staff, leaders from Spencer Academies Trust, representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council, project partners, and students to a special opening event celebrating the completion of the ambitious £32 million expansion project.
Students across Spencer Academies Trust have been given a powerful insight into life at two of the world’s leading universities, following a three-day Oxford and Cambridge trip that is already helping to raise aspirations.
Led by Executive Director of Post-16, Susan Sharp, the visit saw 168 students and 17 staff members travel over 650 miles to experience academic life at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and Peterhouse, Cambridge. More than 80 of the students were from Spencer Academies Trust sixth forms, alongside learners from the wider Spires collaboration with the Redhill Trust.
Over 600 colleagues from across our primary academies came together once again last month for two inspiring Primary INSET events, celebrating collaboration and our shared commitment to the children and communities of Spencer Academies Trust.
Hosted at Portland Spencer Academy for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire schools and Brackensdale Spencer Academy for Derby and Derbyshire schools, the events provided an opportunity for colleagues to reconnect with one another and refocus on the shared purpose that sits at the heart of our Trust - delivering the very best for children and young people.
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After months of preparation and hard work, students and staff at Heanor Gate Spencer Academy were proud to present this year’s whole-school production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
As the academy’s biggest and most ambitious production to date, the show builds on the strong tradition of performing arts at Heanor Gate. Performing Arts colleagues have led rehearsals for more than 50 students from across all year groups, with many evenings spent refining performances and preparing every detail ahead of an exciting week of live theatre.
Today we’re celebrating National School Governors’ Day and saying a huge thank you to all the incredible governors across Spencer Academies Trust.
Our governors give their time, expertise and energy to support and challenge our schools and their commitment makes a lasting difference to our pupils, staff and communities.
Fifty pupils from Chetwynd Spencer Academy were proud to represent Spencer Academies Trust at the opening night of Young Voices in Birmingham last month - one of the world’s largest school choir events.
We’re delighted to announce Kate Green as our new Interim Chief Executive Officer at Spencer Academies Trust!
Kate’s journey with Spencer began back in 2003, when she joined Fairfield Spencer Academy as a newly qualified teacher. Since then, her career has gone from strength to strength as she progressed through a range of leadership roles - from Principal and Executive Principal roles to most recently serving as our Director of Primary Education - making a lasting impact across our Trust.
Yesterday, colleagues from across the Spencer Academies Trust - including principals, executive leaders, members of the Board of Directors and central colleagues - came together to bid farewell to our long-standing CEO, Paul West.
After eight and a half years of exceptional leadership, Paul moves on to exciting pastures new, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Reflecting on his time at Spencer, Paul described the role as “the most professionally humbling and enriching experience of my career,” noting that the Trust has been “part of my identity” and “part of my sense of purpose.”
Spencer Academies Trust recently brought together a group of Year 13 students from five of its sixth forms for a Medicine Mock Interview Day, designed to support and prepare aspiring medical students for the competitive application process.
Pupil representatives from across Spencer Academies Trust came together this term for the first Pupil Parliament meeting of the 2025-26 academic year. The session marked an inspiring start to a new year of collaboration and pupil voice across the Trust.
The day opened with a lively and engaging question-and-answer session with Fiona Hallam, Trust Head of Safeguarding. Pupils were keen to learn more about Fiona’s role and her journey within the Spencer family, asking thoughtful questions about everything from her favourite foods and holiday destinations to her love of Formula One.
Bispham Spencer pupils enjoyed a memorable finish to UK Parliament Week as they welcomed Juliet Campbell, MP for Broxtowe, for an engaging morning of discussion and inspiration.
Juliet began her visit with Bispham’s School Council - made up of two elected representatives from every class, all of whom prepared speeches as part of their campaigns. Pupils were eager to share details of their current whole-school referendum on whether Labubu dolls should be allowed in school, and Juliet was impressed by their understanding of democratic processes.