���ϳԹ���, a specialist provider of SEND and alternative provision (AP) education across Greater Manchester and Merseyside, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Inclusive Trust of the Year award at the 2025 Tes Schools Awards—dubbed the ‘Oscars of Education’.

The Tes Schools Awards celebrate the most inspiring individuals and organisations across UK education. EdStart’s nomination recognises its outstanding work in supporting young people who have struggled in mainstream school due to SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), and social, emotional or mental health challenges.

Helping Students Re-engage and Thrive

Working with students who have often been excluded or disengaged from mainstream education, EdStart is known for its welcoming and nurturing environment. Its schools build strong, consistent relationships with students and their families, helping them re-engage with education in a way that works for them. Smaller class sizes, one-to-one key workers, and emotional wellbeing support mean young people are not only back in school—but thriving.

Importantly, EdStart ensures that every student leaves with a clear path forward. It has an exceptional record of a zero NEET rate, meaning all students go on to further education, training, or employment after Year 11. Its inclusive approach extends beyond the classroom too—supporting staff wellbeing, engaging with families, and building strong links with local colleges, employers and communities.

CEO Response

CEO James Lowe said:

“We’re thrilled to be shortlisted for this award. It reflects the extraordinary dedication of our team and the resilience of our young people. We believe every student deserves a second chance and the opportunity to succeed—regardless of their background, challenges or past experiences.”

“At EdStart, we work hard to create a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment where every young person feels seen, heard and supported. We don’t just focus on academic progress—we care deeply about wellbeing, confidence, and helping our students feel like they belong. To have that approach recognised at a national level is a real honour, and it motivates us to keep doing even more.”

Recognition from Tes

Jon Severs, Editor of Tes Magazine, said:

“We’ve seen some incredible entries nominated in this year’s awards. The Tes Schools Awards are a highlight of the year, and it’s important that we properly recognise the fantastic work that’s been done in education across the academic year.”

Winners will be announced on 20th June 2025 at a glittering gala at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, London.

To view the full shortlist, visit .

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Staff and students at EdStart Schools are celebrating after the school, which supports young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, was rated ‘Good’ in all areas following its recent Ofsted inspection.

The school was praised for its strong pastoral care, high expectations, and commitment to helping students succeed. In the report, inspectors highlighted the school’s warm and nurturing environment, where students—many of whom have previously had negative experiences in education—feel safe, supported, and valued.

“Pupils are warmly welcomed into a nurturing environment. Staff prioritise getting to know pupils well, and over time, pupils come to trust staff. They feel safe, cared for, and listened to.”

Focus on Qualifications and Future Success

The school was praised for its ambitious curriculum, which ensures students gain the qualifications they need for future education or employment. The report noted:

“The school places a strong emphasis on ensuring that pupils gain the qualifications they need to access appropriate next steps. Pupils receive well-targeted careers guidance and support to help them achieve their aspirations.”

Positive Behaviour and Personal Development

The school’s approach to behaviour and personal development was also celebrated, with inspectors acknowledging the impact of strong routines and positive role modeling from staff.

“Pupils learn to be respectful towards others and tolerant of difference. The school is a calm and orderly place, where most pupils get on well with each other and engage positively with learning.”

Strong Leadership and Vision

School leadership was another area of praise, with inspectors noting that leaders are committed to continuous improvement. The report highlighted:

“The school has appointed a governing body with the expertise to provide effective support and challenge. Leaders are dedicated to improving the quality of education and ensuring that pupils thrive.”

Headteacher Response

Dympna Woods, headteacher at EdStart Wirral, said:

“We are delighted with this report, which recognises the incredible work our staff do every day to support our students and help them succeed. Many of our pupils come to us with difficult past experiences in education, and we are proud to provide an environment where they can feel safe, valued, and motivated to learn.”

“This result is a testament to the dedication of our whole school community—staff, students, and families alike. We will continue to build on this success and ensure that every student leaves us as a confident, capable, and ‘brilliant 16-year-old’ ready for their next steps in life.”

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A group of enthusiastic students from EdStart School Oldham have taken to the streets to tackle litter in Oldham town centre as part of their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Bronze Award.

The Year 10 and 11 students, who attend EdStart School Oldham—a school for pupils with special educational needs—recently completed their first litter-picking session. Equipped with gloves, litter grabbers, and bin bags, they scoured the streets, collecting everything from discarded coffee cups to plastic wrappers. Their efforts will fulfil the volunteering element of their DofE award.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a youth programme that helps young people develop skills, confidence, and resilience through activities, volunteering, and expedition.

Positive Community Impact

The students’ first session was a clear success, with several bags of rubbish collected. Their work has already drawn praise from passersby and local businesses, who thanked the students for their efforts to improve the community.

Building Skills Through Volunteering

Sam Mellor, English teacher and DofE lead at ���ϳԹ���, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the students getting stuck into their volunteering project. This first session was a great start, and they showed real enthusiasm and teamwork.

This is just the beginning of the students’ volunteering journey, and we’re already impressed by their positive attitude. Volunteering is such a valuable part of the DofE programme, and this project is a great way for them to connect with their community while building important life skills. We’re excited to see how much they’ll achieve over the next few months.”

One Step Closer to the DofE Bronze Award

This litter-picking initiative is just one aspect of the students’ DofE Bronze Award, alongside skills training, physical challenges, and an expedition. With their volunteering project now underway, the students are well on their way to achieving this valued and well-respected award.

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Nine students from EdStart Bolton enjoyed an unforgettable day at Oldham Athletic Football Club, where they got to explore the iconic Boundary Park stadium, meet the team, and learn valuable life lessons from the club’s players and staff.

The students, aged 14–16, were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, walked the pitch and visited key areas such as the players’ changing rooms. The highlight of the day was meeting several of the club’s first-team players — James Norwood, Michael Fondop, and Tom Conlon — along with goalkeeper coach Scott Davis. The students shared lunch with the players, playing pool and darts before a lively Q&A session.

Lessons in Resilience and Ambition

During the session, the players shared advice about resilience and ambition, urging the students to make the most of their school years. James Norwood encouraged the students to “not just exist at school” but to fully engage with every opportunity, explaining how the lessons learned in school can have a lasting impact.

The visit was organised with the support of Micky Mellon, Oldham Athletic FC Manager and ���ϳԹ���’ Director of Leadership and Culture. Mellon, who is committed to developing leadership and ambition in young people, coordinated the event to inspire students and allow them to see firsthand the links between passion, effort and success.

“This experience was about broadening horizons,” said Micky Mellon. “By meeting the players, seeing how hard they work, and hearing their stories, our students gained insight into what it takes to succeed — not just in football, but in life. The team and I were proud to host them and hope they left feeling inspired.”

A Day to Remember

For the students, the visit left a lasting impression. One student said:

“Meeting the players was amazing! They were so friendly and shared great advice. We’re really grateful to our teachers for organising this — it was one of the best days we’ve ever had at school.”

James Lowe, CEO of ���ϳԹ���, added:

“This visit was about more than football. It was about showing our students the possibilities that exist when you set goals, work as a team, and stay determined. Thanks to Micky and the staff at Oldham Athletic FC, this has been a day that will stay with our students for years to come.”

About ���ϳԹ���

���ϳԹ��� is a network of SEND schools across the North West which supports children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. They aim to equip students with the confidence and life skills they need to thrive. And experiences like this one play a crucial role in achieving these aims.

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Officers from Greater Manchester Police have been working with EdStart Horwich to teach students about the risks of county lines exploitation. PC David Heald visited to speak to students as part of GMP’s ongoing work to educate young people on how criminal gangs target and recruit children and teenagers to transport drugs and carry out illegal activities across counties.

Understanding the County Lines Threat

During the visit, PC Heald led a session explaining what county lines are, how these networks operate, and how young people are often exploited by criminals. Students were told real-life stories, offered advice on spotting warning signs, and encouraged to reach out to a trusted adult if they feel at risk or know someone who may be.

“We want to equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to avoid these dangerous situations,” said PC Heald. “County lines is a serious issue that affects families and communities, and the best way to tackle it is by ensuring young people understand the risks and know they have support.”

School’s Commitment to Safeguarding

Staff at EdStart Horwich have been trained to recognise signs of exploitation and ensure students are supported and safe. The school’s headteacher, Stuart Howarth, praised the initiative, saying:

“This is an important issue, and we’re grateful for the support from GMP in helping us protect our students. It was fantastic to see our students so engaged in the session and eager to learn, and I have no doubt that it has had a real impact on our young people. We’re now exploring how we can roll this out across our other EdStart schools.”

Advice for Parents and Guardians

Police have also urged parents to keep an eye out for signs of county lines exploitation, including sudden changes in a child’s behaviour, unexplained possessions, or unusual absences. They encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to local police.

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A trio of intrepid students from an EdStart School in Oldham battled the elements to complete a two-day expedition and each secure themselves a highly respected Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award.

The year 11 students attend EdStart School Oldham, part of a network of nine schools for pupils with special educational needs across Greater Manchester and the Wirral. This is the first time that students from an EdStart school have undertaken the challenge of a DofE award, in the trust’s 15 year history.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a youth programme that helps young people develop skills, confidence, and resilience through activities, volunteering, and expedition.

Expedition Across the Moors

On day one of their expedition, the group of EdStart students met with programme leader and English teacher Sam Mellor at Dowry Reservoir in Denshaw before walking to Ogden Reservoir in Milnrow and then on to Shaw in Oldham to camp for the night at Dog Hill Community Scouts Site. They walked a total of nine miles, trekking through boggy marshland and enjoying the incredible views over the moors.

Despite facing torrential rain and strong winds at the campsite, the teenagers battled on and even managed to build a campfire and cook an evening meal.

On day two, with the weather improving and after a hearty cooked breakfast, the group hiked for six miles, through farmland and through the villages of Saddleworth before completing their expedition at Bishops Park.

Ongoing Commitment Over Six Months

To secure their DofE bronze award, the students have also been working on a variety of tasks over the last six months. For the volunteering part of their award, they completed weekly litter picking in Oldham town centre for three months, supporting their local community and improving their surroundings. For skills, they trained in first aid through a St John’s Ambulance 12 week self-teach course. The physical part of the programme was completed in school PE lessons.

Voices from the School

Sam Mellor, DofE lead for ���ϳԹ��� and EdStart Oldham English teacher, said:

“What a brilliant experience the expedition has been. I am so proud of the students for completing the award, and especially for finishing the expedition considering the weather we encountered. They found it tougher than expected but they were resilient, determined and focused. They have a lot to feel proud of.

Our core values at ���ϳԹ��� are Humanity, Progression, Togetherness and Compassion. The boys have demonstrated those values perfectly throughout the last six months of their work on the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. It’s a fantastic achievement that has shown them what they are capable of and it will really help them with securing their next steps after school.”

Liam, a year 11 student who completed the expedition, added:

“That was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Some of it was a bit boring, especially when it was raining, but I’ve had a good time overall and I’m glad I’ve completed it.”

James Lowe, CEO at ���ϳԹ���, said:

“We work hard to raise ambitions and widen the experiences of our students so they can appreciate what they are capable of and what possibilities lie ahead of them. Sam’s efforts in driving forward this DofE programme is a clear example of that.

The boys have been a real credit to the school, their families and themselves. We’re all very impressed with the way they’ve tackled this challenge.”

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