There are moments in leadership that stop you in your tracks, fill you with immense pride, and remind you precisely why we do the work we do. Recently, we experienced one of those unforgettable moments at the Local Authority Education Awards, hosted at the University of Huddersfield. It was an event dedicated to celebrating the champions of education, and I am thrilled to share some incredible news with our entire Trust family of schools.   First and foremost, I want to extend my warmest congratulations to two phenomenal colleagues from Upper Batley High School: Denita and Gemma. They were nominated for a special achievement award recognising their truly exceptional work with young people who have SEND. To put it simply: the work Denita and Gemma do every single day changes lives. They provide the safety, understanding, and high expectations that allow our most vulnerable learners to thrive. Plus, as we all know what works with children with SEND works for all children.    The awards were presented by the acclaimed author Jaz Ampaw-Farr, whose hugely successful book; “Because of You, This Is Me,” beautifully documents the profound, lifelong impact that dedicated teachers can have on a child's life. Having Jaz present the awards was incredibly fitting, because Denita and Gemma are living embodiments of that exact message. Because of them, our young people have brighter futures. Our entire Trust family of schools is bursting with pride.   During the ceremony, I was both deeply shocked and incredibly delighted to be called to the stage to receive a Special Leadership Award for my work in ensuring all our schools deliver a first-class, inclusive education for all. This was such a humbling surprise. While I am absolutely honoured to receive this award, I know a fundamental truth: leadership does not happen in a vacuum. This recognition is only possible because I am highly privileged to lead such a superb team of over 700 highly committed teachers and associate staff. You are the ones who do your very best each and every day for all the children we serve. This award does not belong to me. It belongs to everyone across our Trust family of schools. As the famous proverb states; “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” Thank you to our whole staff team, and congratulations Team Batley.   Whether you are in the classroom, managing finances, maintaining our buildings, working in the offices, or supporting our learners' pastoral care and wellbeing, you are a vital part of our village. You make our vision of inclusive education a reality. Congratulations to Denita, Gemma, and the entire Team Batley family of schools. Let's keep changing lives together!   Oh, and for all of the football fans reading this today - 'England knew today was gonna be the day and it was definitely worth the early wake up!' We are bursting with pride for our national team today - come on England! 

Last week was nothing short of extraordinary for our Trust family of schools. Amidst a record-breaking summer heatwave, our school communities showed their true colours—resilient, creative and profoundly united.   We came together to host a series of brilliant events in memory of Jo Cox as part of The Great Get Together 2026. The energy across our Trust family of schools was a powerful reminder of what makes our Trust so special: our unwavering commitment to community. The Great Get Together is all about celebrating the fantastic people who live and work alongside us, anchored in the timeless truth that we are far more united than that which divides us.   Here are just a few of the unforgettable highlights from a remarkable week:   The Batley Bake Off 2026 Our signature baking competition reached new heights this year. We were deeply honoured to welcome Jo’s family again to join us for this special event. Jo’s parents Jean & Gordon are an amazing and inspirational couple, and her sister Kim (now an MP herself as well) is an inspiration, and is highly committed to the importance of education and building strong communities. Despite the sweltering temperatures in the kitchens and halls, the standard of entries was incredibly high again this year. From stunning showstoppers to perfectly executed bakes, our learners and staff showcased immense talent, making the judging panel’s job exceptionally difficult! Congratulations to Batley Grammar School who won first prize for their apple extravaganza - their entry consisted of home grown apples made into delicious apple crumble, apple cheesecake, apple aid, chocolate apples and even apple curry-wow! A real taste extravaganza!   'Step into the Future' & A View From Above On Friday, our energy shifted to the future. Our Step into the Future event featured a breath-taking performance by the cast of Matilda, who were absolutely superb and captured the hearts of everyone in attendance. A fantastic, heartfelt speech was delivered by two inspirational school leaders; Mrs Lockwood and Mrs Sawyer.    Following the performances, more than 250 learners gathered on the Batley Girls’ High School field under the blazing sun. Standing side-by-side, they perfectly spelled out Jo’s name on the grass. A drone captured the moment beautifully from the sky—a stunning visual tribute to a legacy that continues to guide us.   Inspiring Words from Kim Leadbeater MP We were privileged to be joined by local MP Kim Leadbeater, Jo Cox’s sister. Kim spoke movingly to our young people about her sister, their shared journey as local girls into politics, and the vital importance of civic engagement. Her message to our learners was powerful and clear: your voice matters, you matter, and we can all make a positive difference in this world.   Unity in Community is Key Our Trust family of schools is built on the foundation of community. Seeing our learners, staff, governors and local people from our community brave the heat to celebrate togetherness proved that unity isn't just a word we use—it is a value we live out every single day.   I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every teacher, associate staff member, learner, and volunteer who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make last week a huge success. You didn't just host events; you created memories, fostered belonging, and ensured that Jo’s message of unity burns as brightly as ever.   Thank you all for making our Trust a beacon of community spirit.