Frank Field Education Trust Expands Global Reach Through 2026 Partnership with PRATYeK India

Frank Field Education Trust Expands Global Reach Through 2026 Partnership with PRATYeK India

Staff from schools across the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) embarked on an incredible trip to New Delhi, India, marking the beginning of a new international partnership with PRATYeK - a charity dedicated to supporting and educating street-connected children.

As part of this inspiring collaboration, a group of teachers from across the Trust travelled to New Delhi in November for a week-long visit.

During their stay, they explored PRATYeK’s community projects, worked alongside local educators, and gained first-hand insight into The National Inclusive Children’s Parliament and the charity’s approaches to children’s rights and education.

From Handforth to the South Pole: Pupils Meet Polar Explorer Live!

From Handforth to the South Pole: Pupils Meet Polar Explorer Live!

As part of its Handforth Experience theme, ‘Earth Conscious’, Handforth Primary School proudly participated in the first-ever live assembly broadcast from Antarctica.

The assembly featured Robert Swan OBE, the first person in history to walk to both the North and South Poles, who engaged with students about environmental stewardship and polar exploration. Jenny Cooke from the 2041 Schools charity also joined the session to launch their new education program, encouraging children worldwide to become Antarctica Champions.

FFET partners with schools in Sweden

FFET partners with schools in Sweden

Staff from across the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) recently travelled to Sweden to partner with two schools within the Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES) Trust — in Kista (Stockholm) and Eskilstuna.

The partnership aimed to explore how schools in socially vulnerable areas have achieved remarkable success. The visit centred on the theme:

From Special Measures to Success in a Socially Vulnerable Area – The Swedish Free School Context.

Over three days, staff from the Trust, Ellesmere Port C of E College, Birches Head Academy and Handforth Grange Primary School

Frank Field Education Trust Hosts Inspirational Poetry Festival at Manchester Central Library

Frank Field Education Trust Hosts Inspirational Poetry Festival at Manchester Central Library

In November 2025, pupils from across the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) gathered at Manchester Central Library for the second annual Trust-wide Poetry Festival—a celebration of creativity, talent, and core values. This year’s festival showcased an impressive collection of poems, all reflecting the FFET Core Value of Justice.

The event brought together talented young poets from Birches Head Academy, Ellesmere Port C of E College, and Handforth Grange Primary School. Pupils not only performed their original poetry but were also featured in the 2025 Poetry Anthology.

Frank Field’s Art Challenge & Competition held at Chester Town Hall

Frank Field’s Art Challenge & Competition held at Chester Town Hall

The Frank Field Education Trust proudly held its 2025 Art Challenge & Exhibition at Chester Town Hall this November, showcasing the incredible creativity and talent of young artists across the Trust.

This year’s theme was “Compassion”, encouraging participants to explore and express this important value through their artwork. Students were invited to submit entries across a variety of mediums, including photography, drawing, sculpture, digital art, and mixed media.

FFET Hosts First-Ever Spelling Bee Tournament for Years 6 and 7

The Frank Field Education Trust proudly hosted its first-ever FFET Spelling Bee Tournament on 4th November 2025, bringing together talented pupils from across its family of schools for a celebration of literacy, confidence and academic challenge.

The event forms part of the Trust’s Be More Curriculum, which is designed to broaden pupils’ horizons, and encourage academic excellence beyond the classroom.

Pupils from Ellesmere Port C of E College, Handforth Grange Primary School, and Birches Head Academy competed in the Trust-wide event, which saw participants from Years 6 and 7 put their spelling skills to the test in a knockout-style competition. Held at Handforth Grange Primary School, the tournament invited pupils to tackle a broad and diverse selection of words read aloud by the judging panel.

Each pupil was required to spell their assigned word correctly to remain in the competition, with any error resulting in elimination. The rounds grew progressively more challenging, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation as pupils demonstrated exceptional focus, resilience, and determination.

The event concluded in a tense final round, with one pupil ultimately emerging as the FFET Spelling Bee Champion. One teacher commented: “It was wonderful to see pupils supporting one another throughout the competition. It was a brilliant opportunity to showcase the talent of pupils from across the Trust.”

Lord Frank Field’s legacy honoured through prestigious education awards

Lord Frank Field’s legacy honoured through prestigious education awards

15th November saw the 2025 Educate Awards host a spectacular evening, celebrating outstanding achievements in education and community impact.

In collaboration with the Educate Awards — the largest education awards in the North West — the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) commemorated its founder, the Rt. Hon. Lord Frank Field, who served as Member of Parliament for Birkenhead for over 40 years, by sponsoring an award in his honour.

Handforth Grange Primary School unveils brand-New Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)

Handforth Grange Primary School unveils brand-New Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)

Handforth Grange Primary School is delighted to announce the completion and official opening of its brand-new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).

The facility has been supplied and installed by ESP PLAY on behalf of the Frank Field Education Trust who funded the project. This state-of-the-art MUGA is designed to support high-quality physical education, promote health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities for daily physical activity for all students. The new space will host a wide range of sports, games, and activities, helping to foster teamwork, confidence, and an active lifestyle among pupils.

From Classrooms to Curtain Calls: Pupils shine at the 2025 Be More Music Fest

From Classrooms to Curtain Calls: Pupils shine at the 2025 Be More Music Fest

The 2025 Frank Field Music Fest marked a truly special occasion as the three schools came together for the first time to perform as one. The collaborative concert, held as part of the Trust’s Be More Events, was more than a showcase of musical talent — it was a celebration of courage, one of the Trust’s core values.

Each school’s performance was beautifully prepared and delivered with such passion. The two songs from each school showcased not only musical talent but also the spirit of courage in creative and thoughtful ways.

FFET's Young Geographer of the Year Grand Final at Chester Town Hall

FFET's Young Geographer of the Year Grand Final at Chester Town Hall

the impressive Chester Town Hall, as part of our Be More Co-Curriculum.

Pupils from Handforth Grange Primary School, Birches Head Academy, and Ellesmere Port C of E College came together to showcase their creativity and geographical understanding.

This year’s challenge invited pupils to design an A3 poster or physical model exploring their local area and what it means to them. The standard of entries was exceptional, making the judges’ task of selecting winners incredibly difficult!

Train to Teach with us

Train to Teach with us

FFET is working with leading education charity Teach First, to provide School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), allowing the teachers of the future to train within the local community.

The SCITT programme is a one-year teacher-training course for people eager to learn on the job, enabling those who want to train at one of the Frank Field Education Trust schools, making a difference in the community from day one.

FFET's Annual Conference explores our shared purpose, culture and approach

FFET's Annual Conference explores our shared purpose, culture and approach

In September 2025, the Trust held its annual conference, bringing together staff from across all schools within the Trust to celebrate and explore our shared purpose, culture, and approach.

The event provided an invaluable opportunity for collaboration, reflection, and professional growth.

Staff took part in a series of workshops exploring this year’s theme, focusing on how our shared values and consistent practice can continue to drive improvement and success across the Trust.

Frank Field's Poetry Festival is back for 2025 - Enter Now!

Frank Field's Poetry Festival is back for 2025 - Enter Now!

Frank Field's Poetry Festival is back for 2025 - Enter Now!

Theme: Justice
Deadline for Entries: 23 October 2025
Finals: 19 November 2025

Finals will be held at Manchester Central Library

What to Do

  • Write an original poem exploring the theme of Justice and what it means to you.

  • Enter one of the age categories: Year 2 & 3, Year 4 & 5, Year 6 & 7, Year 8 & 9, Year 10.

  • Submit your poem using the form below.

EPC pupils meet UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer

EPC pupils meet UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer

Pupils from Ellesmere Port C of E College (EPC) had an incredible opportunity to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer this September, ahead of the Labour Party Conference, taking place in Liverpool.

Our students were invited to take part in the event, where the Prime Minister answered questions on the landmark Hillsborough Law, which the government laid before Parliament in September.

During the meeting, pupils ad the opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful conversation with the Prime Minister on a range of important topics, including their local community, student finance, and education.

Nominations now open for the Lord Field Social Justice Awards

Nominations now open for the Lord Field Social Justice Awards

Nominations now open for the Lord Field Social Justice Awards. To commemorate the life and service of our founder, the Frank Field Education Trust has created the Lord Frank Field Community and Social Justice Awards. Lord Field spent his adult life fighting against poverty and social injustice and served his community with distinction for over 40 years.

The purpose of the annual awards is to celebrate the pupils in our community who have gone above and beyond, during the last 12 months, to make a difference in school or in their communities by helping and supporting others.

FFET schools compete in first-ever Trust-wide Chess Competition

FFET schools compete in first-ever Trust-wide Chess Competition

The Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) proudly hosted its first-ever Chess Competition, bringing together students from schools across the Trust, including Birches Head Academy, Ellesmere Port C of E College and Handforth Grange Primary School.

The competition also welcomed external challengers, with students from Ormiston Horizon Academy, Excel Academy, Clayton Hall Academy Our lady and St Werburgs Primary School and Heron Cross Primary School also joining in the tournament.

Frank Field Education Trust launches Community and Social Justice Awards in honour of its founder

Frank Field Education Trust launches Community and Social Justice Awards in honour of its founder

The Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) is proud to announce the launch of the Lord Frank Field Community and Social Justice Awards, created to honour the life, legacy, and values of the Trust’s late founder, Lord Frank Field.

Lord Field devoted more than four decades of his life to public service, tirelessly championing the fight against poverty and social injustice. His work touched countless lives and inspired a generation to believe in the power of compassion, fairness and community action.

Lord Frank Field’s legacy honoured through prestigious education awards

Lord Frank Field’s legacy honoured through prestigious education awards

To honour the memory of the late Lord Frank Field, an award will be named after him to mark his legacy and remarkable contribution to education and social justice.

Through a collaboration with the Educate Awards – the largest education awards in the North West – the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) will commemorate its founder, the Rt. Hon. Lord Frank Field, who served as the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead for over 40 years.

The esteemed ‘Community Partnership Award’ will now be known as the ‘Lord Frank Field Community Partnership Award’.