We were honoured to welcome the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, to our Early Years Stronger Practice Hub lead school, Haltwhistle Primary Academy, on Thursday 20th February 2025. During her visit, we had the opportunity to showcase our accomplishments as a Stronger Practice Hub and highlight the importance of hubs like ours in supporting the entire Early Years workforce. After learning more about the hubs, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson toured Haltwhistle’s early years provision, with footage being captured by both the DfE and ITV News. This was in support of the announcement that additional funding will be invested into early years and childcare entitlements, ensuring children receive the best possible start in life. The visit also coincided with the exciting news that Stronger Practice Hubs will be extended for another year. The Secretary of State is pictured alongside some of the key players in the success of our Great North Early Years Stronger Practice Hub. You can read more about the Great North Early Years Stronger Practice Hub at https://www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/ne/great-n-eysph/about-hub…

Ashley Academy has benefited from a brand new purpose built outdoor area for Early Years pupils.  WISE Academies has invested in the site to allow children to explore, learn and play in an inspirational outdoor environment and provide opportunities for development across all areas of the Early Years curriculum. Tony Irvine, Headteacher of Ashley Academy welcomed the development which has proved popular with children, parents and staff.  Tony said that “We’ve had significant investment from WISE Academies to create such a wonderful space for the children to learn, play and develop the skills that they need for reception and school life.  It is incredible in comparison to what the children used to have but area means that they can thrive and the staff love it.” “So far, we’ve had really positive feedback from parents and school community as they are proud that the school has invested in their children’s future. “The teachers can see how we want to take the school forward but it is all for the children to learn and it now puts on a par or more with the best outdoor area in South Shields, which is something that we are really proud of. “I want to extend…

1 st September 2024 saw three additional schools joining our Multi Academy Trust.Our new academies are Thornley Academy, St. Andrew’s Academy and EshWinning Academy. All three are from the Durham area and this means that WISEAcademies now comprises sixteen schools across five different Local Authorityareas. To reflect the growth and geographical spread of WISE Academies, we operate on aRegional Hub basis. Thornley, St. Andrew’s and Esh Winning Academies willtherefore be at the forefront of the newly established Durham Hub. WISE Academies has been established as a MAT since 2011. This long experienceof the academy sector means that we can make the transition to academy status assmooth as possible and offer support every step of the way. The idea of partnership is important to us and is central to the success of our MAT.We know that we can learn from each others’ successes. The way we work meansthat we can use the talent that exists within our organisation in a creative way toallow all of our academies to achieve their full potential. We are delighted to welcome our new Durham colleagues and eagerly look forwardto working with all three academies to share our respective expertise and bestpractice between each other and…

Adderlane Academy held the official opening of its newly remodelled building.…

The WISE Olympics took place on 12 July 2024 at Gateshead Stadium.  We were thrilled to bring together pupils from across our 12 participating WISE Academies schools for a momentous event filled with friendly competition, school pride, and unforgettable memories. Memorable Moments Take Centre Stage The WISE Olympics is part of our exciting “Memorable Moments” program, fostering connections and collaboration between our schools. This fun-filled day allows pupils of all ages and abilities to showcase their talents, celebrate their school spirit, and feel the joy of being part of the WISE Trust. From Heats to Cheers: Building Up to the Big Day The journey to the WISE Olympics began within each school. Pupils participated in qualifying heats and in-school competitions. The top performers and teams then proudly represented their schools at the grand event. Adding another layer of spirit to the event, each participating school designed their own flag based on the Olympic values. These beautiful flags, bursting with creativity and school pride, were displayed proudly during the opening ceremony. Celebrating Excellence, Respect, and Friendship The WISE Olympics embodies the very spirit of the Olympics itself. We celebrate: The Main Event Our youngest pupils participated in a carousel of exciting…