A world-class education 02 03 Welcome from David Ross, our Sponsor and Chairman

I am delighted that eyes to the world around them. parents are part of the fabric to be drifted into. It’s about you have decided to We do this through the only of our school community. embracing the opportunities -wide enrichment and the challenges it presents, learn more about what programme of its kind within Discipline is an important value and helping prepare our an education at the the state education sector. A at our schools. We expect every students for an exciting future. student to turn up on time and be David Ross Education programme that gives our students access to the kinds of life-changing polite and well presented – and Trust means for our we expect parents’ full support experiences normally only students, our teachers available at fee-paying schools. in adhering to these standards.

and our communities. Our promise to every student at As you will see, the last year has one of our schools is clear; we An all-round David Ross also seen a great many milestones will help them to become their Sponsor and Chairman, achieved in our Trust’s history and confident, academic best. education David Ross Education Trust I hope that you enjoy reading We achieve this We hope that every student will our students’ inspiring stories. not only be joining us for their through our focus on: It is my belief that British education classroom experiences. A hallmark needs to be broader in the of the David Ross Education About David Ross experiences and opportunities Trust’s reputation is the host of co- Academic rigour curricular enrichment opportunities that it provides for young people. Continuing his family’s long- we offer for all of our students. The 21st-century workplace At the heart of any successful standing commitment to the needs open-minded and creative education is a commitment Whether it is debating, drama, wider community, David Ross thinkers who are able to address to exceptional academic music, sport, art or outward- is a passionate philanthropist, the challenges of our times. achievement. We will always bound pursuits we want to dedicated to developing encourage and push our support every child in developing opportunities for young people. This is why a David Ross students to achieve the very Education Trust education is the confidence and skills that highest levels they can. will stay with them for life. One of the co-founders of compellingly different. As a Carphone Warehouse, David leading multi-academy trust, we We will find ways to inspire our We hope at the end of their carries out his philanthropic are committed to giving every students to be intellectually education we have developed work through the David Ross student attending one of our curious, interested in the intelligent, socially self- Foundation, which makes schools a world-class education. broader community and world confident young people, well charitable donations to a range An education that creates in which they live, and keen to equipped for further education of educational, community and academically gifted, confident, absorb and embrace knowledge and the workplace – and cultural initiatives including the well-rounded young people in at every opportunity. keen to contribute to the David Ross Education Trust, the the classroom, in the workplace To help our students to achieve community in which they live. University of Nottingham, and and in their communities. the John Ross Community Fund. their very best, we expect our We want them to be aware of We pride ourselves on our parents to be engaged in their the challenges of 21st-century The first school to join the academic rigour, driven by development; from attending life – and sensitive also to David Ross Education Trust in talented, dedicated and inspiring school events, to providing the challenges of others. 2007 was , teachers who help our students feedback to teachers about a secondary school based in to fulfil their true potential. We their son or daughter’s progress. As you will see, a David Ross David’s hometown of . believe in opening our students’ Quite simply, our students’ Education Trust education isn’t 04 05

About our Trust 12,000 students Leicestershire 1,900 teachers & staff 34 academies London 22 primaries 11 secondaries 1 special school

The David Ross Education Trust is a network of unique and diverse academies, committed to becoming one of the top-performing multi- academy trusts in the country. Recognised as one of 11 system leaders nationwide, the Trust works with 34 primary and secondary schools across the country.

Our schools range from smaller rural primaries with around 50 children, to much larger Our mission secondary schools in the centre of urban areas. “Our mission is to give every child attending one of our schools In September 2017, the Trust’s brand new through-school, Bobby Moore Academy, a world-class education. We achieve this through our Trust’s opened in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth unique culture, where delivering academic excellence and Olympic Park in Stratford, London. The embracing the value of enrichment and citizenship are at the inspirational school, which currently caters heart of who we are, and what we do as an organisation. for Year 7 students, will eventually educate, engage and inspire 1,560 primary and “David Ross Education Trust schools create rich and exciting secondary school children across two sites that will sit alongside the former Olympic Stadium. learning environments that inspire our students to become their confident, academic best through a broad and Working together, with a shared ethos and values, our close-knit family of schools allows balanced curriculum.” pupils to begin and continue their world- class academic journey throughout primary Rowena Hackwood and secondary school within the David Ross Chief Executive Officer, David Ross Education Trust Education Trust. 06 07 Embracing a “I don’t know any other schools that offer such amazing opportunities! These experiences world-class education have helped me to develop my skills both

Our students don’t drift into a David Ross Education Trust education. academically and socially and I know I’ve got They embrace it. the support of my teachers and the David Who better to tell our story than our students? As our talented students demonstrate, academic excellence, embracing the value of enrichment Ross Education Trust.” and investing in community citizenship are at the heart of who we are, Lucas Gartshore and what we do as an organisation. Student at

From Charnwood College to the University In a league of his own – top of the exam of Cambridge: David’s story table, top of the podium: Lucas’s story

Charnwood College student David From visiting Google UK’s Head In 2017, Lucas Gartshore was one As part of the trip Lucas spent Horstmann celebrated success this Office in London to serving as of the top-performing students in time learning more about climate summer when he secured his place Head Boy at Charnwood College, the country at GCSE. change and completed a wide at the University of Cambridge to David has regularly acted as a range of community work. study Computer Science. representative for the school and a The Skegness Grammar School role model for his peers. student secured the very best A regular competitor in the David’s ambition to study at the grades in all nine of his subjects, Trust’s Summer Cup, Lucas also University of Cambridge started A skilled pianist, David also achieving the new Grade 9 got the opportunity to meet and Lucas and his after the David Ross Education regularly competed in the Trust’s in English Language, English learn from gold-medal-winning Mum Tracey, Trust introduced him to an Music Cup, showcasing the Literature and Maths as well as Olympians. Oxbridge student. As part of this broad range of skills that he has seven A*s. celebrating on The talented student, who is experience, David was able to developed. GCSE results day find out more about the gruelling Alongside his academic studies, currently completing his A levels “The opportunities that I have Lucas has thrown himself into in Maths, Further Maths and interview process and prepare experienced since our school the outstanding enrichment Chemistry at Skegness Grammar himself for life at the world- joined the David Ross Education “I don’t know any other opportunities the school is able School’s Sixth Form, hopes to renowned centre of learning. Trust have been incredible. They schools that offer such to offer as part of the David Ross study Chemistry at the University of have helped me to develop my amazing opportunities! These Throughout his time at Education Trust. Oxford; an ambition fuelled by an skills and achieve my ambition experiences have helped me Charnwood, David consistently Oxbridge conference held at the of studying at the University of to develop my skills both excelled academically, but also In 2016, Lucas was one of only 11 school. David was recognised Cambridge. academically and socially and benefited from a wide range of students from across the Trust to “I cannot thank my teachers I know I’ve got the support of for his outstanding extra-curricular and enrichment take part in a once-in-a-lifetime An all-round top performer, enough for helping me to my teachers and the David Ross opportunities provided by the ecological conservation project in Lucas has shown dedication, achievements at become an independent thinker Education Trust. Trust. the Caribbean. commitment and focus across Charnwood College’s and learner. I can’t wait for what every part of his education. Excellence Evening the future holds.” “I definitely feel that I am on the right path to securing my place at Oxford.” 08 09

There have been many outstanding Academic performances across our Trust’s schools. excellence Here are some of the highlights:

David Ross Education Trust schools • In 2017, Greenfields Primary create a rich and exciting learning School, in Kettering, was ranked in environment that inspires students the top 3% of schools nationally to become their confident, for pupil progress in reading, writing academic best. and mathematics. We are committed to giving every child attending one of our schools a world-class education. • Pupils and staff at Ainthorpe An education that creates Primary School, in Hull, saw Key academically gifted, confident, Stage 2 results rocket from 22% well-rounded young people in the to 70% in 2017. classroom, in the workplace and in their communities. • , in Grimsby, currently ranks in the top 20% of Our performance schools in for student progress, and is consistently named • The David Ross Education Trust one of the top-performing schools in is recognised as one of 11 . System Leaders for education across England. • 81% of primary school • This year Welton CE Academy, near children now attend a school Daventry, celebrated a 100% pass that has been rated Good or rate at Key Stage 2. Outstanding since joining the Trust in comparison to 32% on conversion. • In 2016, , in Tattershall, claimed the title of the • Half of the Trust’s secondary most improved secondary school schools that have been in Lincolnshire, while Charles Read inspected since joining the Trust Academy, in , was ranked are also now ranked Good or one of the top 100 most improved Outstanding. schools in England in 2015. 10 11 Academy spotlight: Greenfields Primary School

Broadening Horizons

Greenfields Primary School in Through the support of the Sandra Appleby, Headteacher at Kettering is now ranked in the David Ross Education Trust, Greenfields Primary School, said: top 3% of schools in England and a relentless focus on raising for progress in reading, writing aspirations, building academic “Our recent successes are not and mathematics and is rated standards and offering a broad and only because of the outstanding as one of the top five schools in balanced curriculum, the school progress that our children make, Northamptonshire for the same has been transformed. but it is also down to the expertise measure. and efforts of our staff who work In the summer of 2015, Ofsted tirelessly to provide the very best The school was recently crowned rated the school as ‘Good’, outcomes for our pupils. East Midlands Primary Champion praising the leadership, quality of at the prestigious TES Pupil teaching and the positive attitude “Working in the heart of our Premium Awards, held at the of pupils. Greenfields is now going community, we are also delighted “We are proud to work with House of Commons, and was from strength to strength. that we have just opened a our colleagues across the a Primary School Finalist in the dedicated nursery provision, Northamptonshire Education Working in partnership with catering for families in our local David Ross Education Trust, Awards. schools across the David Ross area. sharing best practice and Education Trust, Greenfields benefiting from the one-of-a- This kind of success is a far cry Primary School is able to share “We are proud to work with our from the academic picture when best practice and access a wealth colleagues across the David Ross kind experiences and learning the school joined the David Ross of enrichment opportunities that Education Trust, sharing best opportunities on offer as part of practice and benefiting from the Education Trust in November are unique to the network. the network.” 2013. At that time, the school one-of-a-kind experiences and had a challenging reputation The school has also embraced learning opportunities on offer as in the local community and the Trust’s leading eLearning part of the network.” Sandra Appleby progress levels in all subjects were programme, making digital Headteacher, Greenfields significantly below the national technology an integral part of Primary School average. lessons every day. 12 13 Academy spotlight: Humberston Academy

Humberston Academy

Before joining the David students at Humberston students to continue, or begin Ross Education Trust in 2011, Academy fully embrace the their world-class education at Humberston Academy in Grimsby opportunities provided as part of Humberston Academy and faced an uncertain future. Fast the Trust’s pioneering enrichment benefit from the school’s winning forward to today, and the school programme. culture of embracing academic occupies an elite category excellence. Matt Watling, Principal following their ‘Outstanding’ In the last year alone, many of the at Humberston Academy, said: Ofsted rating from Her Majesty’s students have competed in high- Inspectors. profile sporting events alongside “It gives me great pleasure Olympic royalty such as Sir Steve seeing our students celebrate After celebrating an impressive Redgrave and Colin Jackson CBE, so many fantastic achievements “The opportunities that are set of GCSE results in 2016, taken part in workshops with every year. Not only is this down available beyond the classroom Humberston Academy was named professional operatic performers to the fantastic staff who are so are also a vital part of our the top-performing secondary from Nevill Holt Opera, and committed to developing the school in North East Lincolnshire. travelled to tropical climates to potential of our students, but also ethos, helping us to push our The academy topped the region’s take part in ecological conservation the genuine partnerships that have students further and believe in performance rankings across programmes. developed through the David Ross what they can achieve.” three out of four key government Education Trust. measures. Humberston Academy has close ties with the Trust’s local primary “As a network, we test ideas, Matt Watling The latest GCSE results from 2017 schools, Edward Heneage Primary share best practice and work with Principal, Humberston Academy show that an incredible 80% of Academy and Fairfield Academy, other schools within the Trust to students achieved the new GCSE where they actively share best help challenge our thinking. The standards in English, while 78% practice and ways of working opportunities that are available of students achieved this new to build stronger communities. beyond the classroom are also a measure in Maths, marking another These close links with the Trust’s vital part of our ethos, helping us incredible year for the school. surrounding schools and other to push our students further and local primaries have allowed believe in what they can achieve.” As well as thriving academically, 14 15 Embracing outstanding “The experiences that I have had access to have been unbelievable. Taking part in all opportunities of these sporting events has made me even more determined to keep training and to We recognise that to achieve academic excellence, we need to provide our work hard in order to reach the next level in young people with a broad and rich curriculum that will inspire them to excel throughout their lives. my performance.” Victoria Godwin We strive to ensure that our young people are intellectually curious, interested Academy in the broader community in which they live, and keen to absorb and embrace knowledge at every opportunity.

A gold-medal exam performance: From Head Boy to Uppingham School Victoria’s story scholar: William’s story

Victoria Godwin began her Through the support of the Trust, William Greenhalgh was in Year 7 As Head Boy at Charles Read secondary school career at Victoria has worked alongside when joined Academy, William led the school’s ’s Malcolm Arnold some of the country’s most the David Ross Education Trust in student council, taking on the role Academy, the Trust’s largest inspirational athletes, giving her 2013. of ambassador at many external secondary school. the insight she needed into the events and speaking to senior rigour, determination and ambition Now, four years later after achieving leaders about his experiences of a Following her impressive GCSE required to achieve her academic outstanding GCSE grades, William Trust education. performance this summer, achieving and sporting aspirations. will join the prestigious Uppingham the highest grades across English School in Rutland, thanks to a Sixth “Not only have I left Charles and Maths as well as five A*s and “The experiences that I have Form Scholarship with the Trust’s Read Academy with some two As, Victoria has now been had access to have been independent school partner. great qualifications, but I have awarded the David Ross Education unbelievable. Taking part in all of experienced some incredible Trust scholarship and will complete these sporting events has made This was not simply based on opportunities that I will never her A levels at Skegness Grammar me even more determined to William’s academic skills alone forget. One of my highlights of School. keep training and to work hard but the range of extra-curricular my time at Charles Read was in order to reach the next level activities that he took part in and his being appointed as Head Boy. As well as excelling academically, in my performance. commitment to his community that This experience has enabled Victoria has also shown exceptional really made William stand out from me to build on my confidence sporting talent. In 2015, Denise “I am thrilled that I am going to the crowd. and help prepare myself for the Lewis OBE named Victoria a shining be staying within the Trust and future.” star of the Trust’s sporting Summer studying at Skegness Grammar From participating in international Victoria celebrates Cup. Victoria was selected as one School.” expeditions to competing in William has fully of only two students to receive Trust-wide debating competitions embraced the Gold at the David and sporting events, William has mentoring from an elite athlete academic and Ross Education Trust and has taken part in many training always thrown himself into the Summer Cup opportunities with the British opportunities on offer at the David enrichment Olympic Association. Ross Education Trust. opportunities offered by the Trust 16 17

Outstanding The Burnet News Club: a platform opportunities for our students to share their views Thanks to an innovative Here are just some of our students’ partnership with the Economist recent highlights: Educational Foundation, students from across the David Ross Education Trust are sharing their • Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to • Inspirational workshops with world- views on the world as part of travel the world with Outward Bound renowned artists including Marc Quinn, the Burnet News Club, a unique Canada and take part in challenges and Jonathan Yeo and David Dawson, project for school pupils. volunteer projects across the globe. helping students to explore their The Club, which links school pupils with experts creativity and inspiration. • Trust-wide sports tournaments attended from across the globe, has encouraged our • Music festivals and choral workshops pupils to discuss topical issues and develop by Team GB sporting heroes such as their skills of negotiation, logic, storytelling, Sir Steve Redgrave, Colin Jackson delivered by acclaimed musicians scepticism and curiosity. As part of the project, CBE and Crista Cullen MBE, allowing and conductors to build students’ pupils have had the chance to write articles our students to show what sport means confidence and grow their musical and share their points of view on wide-ranging to them. talents. global and national current affairs subjects. • A VIP drumming masterclass with Pink • Professional performances with the In recognition of his incredible contribution to Nevill Holt Opera, Shakespeare the project, Ryan, a Year 8 student at Malcolm Floyd’s Nick Mason, providing the Arnold Academy, was recently invited to opportunity for music scholars to learn Schools Festival and the National Buckingham Palace to collect an ‘Outstanding from the very best. Youth Orchestra. Contribution Award’ for the exceptional quality of his writing and debating skills. • A tennis coaching session with Andy • Talent development pathways for Murray for four lucky students during sport, music and the arts, allowing Ryan said: the week that he was named World students to explore their passions away “I am thrilled to receive this award. I Number One. from the classroom. have enjoyed participating in debates • Higher education opportunities and and discussions and it has provided a • A unique opportunity to visit Google platform for me to share my thoughts and UK’s Head Office, providing a behind- experiences delivered by the University arguments on key current affairs issues. the-scenes tour of the global company of Cambridge, University of Being part of the Burnet News Club really and insight into future careers in Nottingham and Uppingham School, gets you thinking about your point of view technology. helping to prepare students for their in the context of what’s happening in the academic future. world around you. • A partnership with the Economist’s “I am looking forward Burnet News Club, allowing students to taking part again to learn from international experts and next year along with debate complex current affairs issues. the rest of my peers at .” 18 19 Strong community

Our partners At the heart of our Trust is our firm belief In order to deliver a world-class education, we work with world-renowned in creating outstanding organisations that are specialists in their fields. community citizens. Through their support we can further enrich the learning experiences of our pupils, and provide once-in-a- Our partnerships, our culture lifetime opportunities and experiences that are truly unique to our Trust. and our commitment to the We are incredibly proud of our partnerships with many prestigious organisations including Russell Group communities that we serve, universities, independent schools, arts and music specialists, national governing bodies, professional clubs and define who we are and how many hundreds of national, regional and local organisations across the UK. we set about achieving our objectives and our aspirations.

We expect our students to be kind, courteous and respectful of others in everything that they do. It’s about creating schools and students that our communities can be proud of.

From contributing to their School House, to representing their peers as part of the School Council, teamwork, democracy and proactive participation are encouraged from the very moment that pupils begin their school career with the David Ross Education Trust.

Community cohesion is promoted through our local, national and international links. Every student is encouraged to take part in community challenges in order to help give back to their local community, to value our local neighbourhoods and to learn to empathise with others. For further information about the David Ross Education Trust please visit www.dret.co.uk