Ellesmere Port - Early Life enjoyed an incredible summer – trips to the zoo, library, farm, lots of stay and plays and a fantastic graduation party! We also attended a VERY busy Community Fun Day at Whitby Park attended by lots of local agencies. Since returning to groups in September, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming 22 new families (and counting!) into our Early Life groups – alongside our wonderful returning second year families. Looking forward, we have exciting plans for festive events for all the family including Halloween parties at our Ellesmere Port C of E College base, and Christmas Keepsake workshops.
FFET Poetry Festival is here for 2024
Join Us for the Poetry Festival!
Are you ready to share your original poetry that embodies our FFET values? This is your chance to listen to inspiring guest speakers and be featured in our anthology! Our festival will take place in November 2024 at Staffordshire University.
We invite the top entries from each of our schools to showcase their talent at this exciting event. All poetry styles are welcome!
HGPS shortlisted for two prestigious categories at the 2024 Educate Awards
October 2024 –Handforth Grange Primary School is proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for not one, but two categories at this year’s esteemed Educate Awards:
Most Inspirational Primary School
SEND Provision Award – Mainstream School
These nominations are a testament to the unwavering commitment and dedication demonstrated by our exceptional staff and pupils. Their hard work continues to inspire and make a lasting impact within our school community, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Year 10 victory in local derby for Birches Head Academy against Excel Academy
October 2024 – On Monday, the Year 10 team from BHA faced off against Excel Academy in an eagerly awaited local derby match. The game started with an explosive pace as Vinnie put BHA ahead just 2 minutes in, followed by a second goal from Gael at the 6-minute mark. Excel Academy managed to pull one back after 15 minutes, but BHA responded quickly, with Blake scoring just a minute later to restore the two-goal lead.
Celebrating national teaching assistants day!
27 September 2024 – For National Teaching Assistants Day, we honour and express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our wonderful Teaching Assistants (TAs) across the Trust.
Teaching Assistants play an integral role, providing essential support to both students and teachers alike. We recognise that “Being able to help someone learn something is a talent,” and our TAs exemplify this talent every day. Your dedication and passion for education make an enormous difference and we couldn’t do it without you.
Join our Board of Trustees (Voluntary Role)
Make a difference in our communities, develop your professional skills and support children and young people by volunteering as a trustee for the Frank Field Education Trust.
Our trustees work together to carry out their core functions:
ensuring there is clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils and the performance management of staff
overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard (as recognised by the National Governance Association (NGA)
Handforth Grange Primary School has been shortlisted for the Tes Awards 2024
Mrs Andrea Booth, Head Teacher of Handforth Grange Primary School, expressed her pride and joy in the school’s recent outstanding achievement: “Receiving an outstanding rating from Ofsted is a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of our exceptional staff, parents, pupils and the entire school community.
She added: “We are delighted to announce we have been shortlisted for the 2024 TES Primary School of the Year award and we are looking forward to attending the ceremony event in London.
Jon Severs, Editor of Tes Magazine said, “Congratulations to all the shortlisted entries – the standard was so high this year despite the challenges schools face. It is critical we celebrate excellence and share it widely so we can ensure that the fantastic work happening in education is properly recognised.”
Winners will be announced on 21st June at a glittering gala awards night at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, in London.
Early Life Group at Frank Field Education Trust has been shortlisted for the Tes Awards 2024
The best schools and teachers across the country have been shortlisted in this year’s Tes Schools Awards. The Tes Schools Awards, which have been dubbed the ‘Oscars of education’, is a prestigious awards programme which celebrates the best of education across the UK. It has now been revealed that Frank Field Education Trust and The Ellesmere Port C of E College has been shortlisted in the category of The Tim Brighouse Community Engagement Initiative of the Year award.
The Rt Hon. The Lord Field of Birkenhead: 1942 – 2024
It is with huge sadness that we heard about Frank’s passing.
Throughout his impressive career, Frank gave his life to improving the lives of those around him. His unwavering commitment to social justice not only defined his decades of public service, but is also the foundation stone for so many causes and organisations he was involved in.
That is why, as the founder of Frank Field Education Trust, our mentor and, above all, our friend, he had such a profound impact on our multi-academy trust and all those who are connected to our schools. Frank’s focus on ensuring that all young people have access to the same educational opportunities is at the heart of everything we do. Chris Hampshire Chair of The Frank Field Education Trust, stated that he will do all he can to ensure Frank’s vision and legacy lives on.
Handforth Grange achieves United Against Bullying GOLD School status
Handforth Grange has been awarded the United Against Bullying GOLD School status by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, marking a significant achievement in their commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all pupils. The United Against Bullying programme aims to support schools in their efforts to combat bullying and enhance the overall well-being of all pupils.
Handforth Grange’s attainment of the United Against Bullying GOLD School status underscores their dedication to creating a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and protected. Achieving this recognition is no small feat, as it requires a concerted effort and commitment from the entire school community.
Handforth Grange Primary School celebrates as it receives Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating
Handforth Grange Primary School (HGPS) was recently inspected by Ofsted and has been graded OUTSTANDING after its first Ofsted inspection since joining the Frank Field Education Trust.
The school was rated as ‘outstanding’ in all five key judgement areas, which include: The Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership & Management and Early Years provision.
Vacancies to sit on the Birches Head Academy Governing Body
At Birches Head Academy, we have provision for two parent governors and there is currently a vacancy as one of our parent governors will sadly reach the end of his term this summer.
No special qualifications are needed, and the most important thing is to have a keen interest in the school and be prepared to play an active part in the local governing board’s work. Training is available for all local governors and the Trust has an expectation that those new to being a local governing board member undertake induction and safeguarding training.
Birches Head Academy recognised with International School Award for Global Education initiatives
Birches Head Academy (BHA) has been awarded the International School Award by the British Council in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote global education within its curriculum and school culture.
The school's commitment to international work, formation of global relationships, educational trips, student exchanges and initiatives promoting international awareness and understanding has recognised BHA in fostering cross-cultural experiences for its students.
Handforth Grange launches Wonka ‘golden ticket’ giveaway chocolate bars
The creative minds behind the Friends of Handforth Grange Primary School (FoHG) devised an inventive approach to generate funds for a new trim trail installation at the school. Inspired by the release of the latest Wonka film, they introduced a thrilling challenge—selling chocolate bars with hidden ‘golden tickets.’
Already making waves, FoHG have raised an astonishing £11,000, steering them closer to their £13,000 target for acquiring new equipment for the school field. Anwyl Homes has generously contributed £500 towards prizes for the giveaway.
EPC elves bring seasonal cheer to support Hadlow Road Station Santa’s Grotto event
The EPC Elves, known for spreading seasonal cheer, have once again lent their magic to support the success of this much-anticipated event by Friends of Hadlow Road Station!
Pupils from The Ellesmere Port C of E College looked fantastic and did an incredible job escorting everyone to Santa’s signal box grotto. #CommunitySupportingCommunity
Generous donation from Friends of Hadlow Road Station supports Ellesmere Port C of E College's Duke of Edinburgh Programme
The Ellesmere Port Church of England College extends a heartfelt thank the ‘Friends of Hadlow Road Station’ for their generous donation of £400 toward our Duke of Edinburgh programme.
This donation will be instrumental in providing essential equipment for our pupils' participation in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
EPC: Published Admission Number (PAN) Consultation from September 2025
EPC Shortlisted for two prestigious Education Awards
We are delighted to announce we have been shortlisted in the 2023 Educate Awards for:
Most Inspirational Secondary School of the Year
Kate Watt for Support Star of the Year
The Educate Awards, founded by Kim O’Brien in 2012, have grown into the largest education awards in the North-West. This glittering ceremony is the talk of the region, where the finest schools, colleges, teachers and support staff across Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester come together to celebrate their achievements in a truly unique fashion.
State-of-the-art 3G pitch at Birches Head Academy officially opened by football legend Lou Macari
A new flood-lit third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch was officially opened at Birches Head Academy on Thursday 28 September 2023 and is set to support pupils, the local and wider community.
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on the new 3G pitch, where special guests and VIPs were invited to celebrate to mark the event.
The grand opening commenced with a football tournament between pupils on the new pitch. Guests were greeted with a ‘hand-pan’ musical performance as they arrived to mark the start of the ceremony. The ceremony opened with a welcome from Principal, Ms Katie Dixon who was joined by pupils from the Leadership Team.
EPC Pupils were in high spirits this year as they collected their GCSE results
Most pupils will continue their studies at EPC’s Sixth Form where they will embark on a range of A-level qualifications. Our Trust motto of ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’ has truly been exemplified by our pupils.
Mrs Green, Principal at EPC said: “Following our wonderful Ofsted and SIAMS reports, I am delighted that our pupils continue to flourish and, as stated by our SIAMS Inspector, ‘pupils continue to be ignited by our powerful sense of ambition for all.
I wish each and every student the best and it was wonderful to celebrate the success of our outstanding pupils, many of whom are coming back to continue their journey with us at Sixth Form.