We’re very proud of Malvin’s Close Academy for being named one of the five North East Reception Networks! Malvin’s Close Academy will provide additional reception year practice resources, events and opportunities for other schools in the North East. Reception Networks are part of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy. Something we at WISE are very proud of championing, especially in connection to The Great North Early Years Stronger Practice Hub. This appointment strengthens our core passion of inspiring success and excellence for all pupils. Congratulations to all the schools appointed but especially to Malvin’s Close Academy! Read more about Reception networks here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reception-networks/reception-networks…

Ofsted inspectors visited Prudhoe West Academy recently and were clearly impressed, with all evaluation areas judged by Ofsted as being at a Strong standard. An example of the positive outcome is reflected in this quote “Pupils at Prudhoe West Academy brim with excitement about coming to school each day. This is reflected in their high attendance. They talk with enthusiasm about their learning and the wide range of opportunities they experience. Pupils enjoy their lessons and are motivated by the many incentives that encourage them to try their best.” It’s a great report and is available at https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50298303 Thank you to our staff and leaders in securing a high-quality education for all pupils.…

WISE Academies was absolutely delighted with the outcome of Welbeck Academy’s recent inspection. Welbeck serves a very deprived community with around 75-80% of its pupils eligible for pupil premium. Ofsted inspectors recognised significant strengths across the school, with Attendance and behaviour, Curriculum and teaching, Early years, Inclusion, Leadership and governance, and Personal development and well‑being being judged at a Strong standard; with Achievement being judged at the Expected standard. The Headteacher, Louise Saunders, Regional Education Director, Paul Martindale and the wider staff team there are doing an incredible job in providing a first class education for their pupils! A huge well done to all concerned! You can read the full inspection report at https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50294368…

Earlier in the year the government announced plans to improve behaviour and attendance in schools across England. This includes new RISE ‘Attendance and Behaviour Hubs’ which will involve lead schools with exemplary practices partnering schools need to improve behaviour and attendance culture. On 12th November 2025 there was an announcement of which schools would be leading Attendance and Behaviour Hubs, and WISE Academies is delighted to announce that Croftway Academy was selected and will be working with a group of schools to share their best practice. Louise Sanderson, Headteacher of Croftway Academy said “Croftway Academy, part of WISE Academies, is delighted to have been successful in its application to be a RISE attendance and behaviour hub lead school. We pride ourselves on being able to support our pupils and their families to ensure consistently high levels of attendance.  We are proud that our strong behaviour has been recognised. We welcome the opportunity to support colleagues from other schools to ensure the best possible chances of success for pupils across the region.”…

Two Northumberland schools have this week joined WISE Academies. Bothal Primary School and Central Primary School in Ashington are now part of the WISE multi academy trust which has 18 primary schools in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham. The two schools, which each operate on split sites and together have around 1,500 pupils, had formed the Ashington Learning Partnership foundation trust in 2007. In December 2023, Ofsted published two reports following inspections, rating Bothal as ‘outstanding’ across the board and Central as ‘good’ overall with outstanding leadership and management, early years provision and behaviour. The schools will now be known as Bothal Academy and Central Academy. The transfer to WISE Academies on March 1 follows a successful consultation process last year involving teaching and support staff, unions, parents, local politicians and other key stakeholders. It coincides with the launch of the schools white paper Every child achieving and thriving last week, which sets out mandatory plans for all remaining schools to join a trust – putting collaboration at the heart of education. Zoe Carr OBE, CEO of WISE Academies, welcomed the latest additions to the trust. She said: “As the white paper states, schools joining high-quality trusts benefit…