The CRST Arts Award has been a new and exciting Trust-wide initiative, designed to celebrate creativity and provide a platform for students to showcase their artistic achievements beyond the classroom. This year’s theme, ‘Our World, Our Future,’ invited students to reflect on the environment, sustainability, and the world around them through a range of creative disciplines including art, photography, design, and food art.

We were thrilled to receive over 150 entries from our middle and secondary schools, reflecting the imagination, commitment, and talent of our young people across the Trust. The incredible range of work submitted demonstrates the importance of the Arts in developing our students’ voices and their ability to engage with the world creatively.

We are excited to roll this award out to our other schools next year with a new theme, allowing even more students to take part. The CRST Arts Award is getting bigger and better each year, and we look forward to seeing this celebration of creativity continue to grow across our Trust.

The CRST Athletics Games were held at the Abbey Stadium in Redditch for the second time in its history on June 20th 2025.

Over 250 Y7, Y8, Y9 & Y10 students from Arrow Vale, Church Hill, Gospel Oak, Holyhead, Ipsley and Waseley Hills took part in various track and field events.

The day was fantastic and saw multiple communities come together in showing unity, gamesmanship and sportsmanship for one other. From the first race to the last jump or throw there was a healthy feeling of competitive spirit and excellence from all competitors, looking to gain one of the coveted Gold, Silver or Bronze medals which were on offer.

During the day, each school proudly waved their flags and banners that had been created to cheer on their teammates.

Once all the accumulated points that had been won during the day had been added up, the winners were as follows:

Y7 Winners - Waseley Hills
Y8 Winners - Ipsley
Y9 Winners - Holyhead School
Y10 Winners - Gospel Oak

All schools now get their names etched into history on the shields and can be the face of the Trust for Athletics until next year.

The event hosted a return for our VIP Guest (Dom Tripp - England Touch Rugby Captain) who gave an inspiring speech to all of the student athletes on perseverance, excellence and wanting to always be better. We were also excited to meet Jess Duncton (U20 British record holder for 60m hurdles). Both Dom and Jess presented the medals and celebrated everyone's success during the day.

Thank you to everyone who took part, be that the Athletes, Staff or Sixth Form Students, all played an integral role during the day making it a fantastic event and one to remember and build up excitement for what next year could bring.

Alongside this, we thank all PE staff and students who have been involved in the Inter-Trust competitions across the year. Our winners were as follows:

Football - AV Boys - CH Girls
Handball - HH Boys - HH Girls
Rounders - HH

This year, pupils across Central Region Schools Trust have enjoyed a range of exciting opportunities through our growing partnership with the Ogden Trust. As part of our commitment to enriching science education, selected students took on the role of Science Ambassadors, engaging in hands-on learning and inspiring events designed to bring science to life.

A highlight of the year was a memorable trip to the Science Museum in London, where ambassadors explored interactive exhibits and deepened their understanding of scientific innovation. The experience sparked curiosity and enthusiasm, reinforcing the importance of science in everyday life.

Further enriching the programme, pupils attended the Big Bang event at the NEC—an inspiring showcase of STEM careers and cutting-edge technology. These events not only broadened horizons but also helped upskill our ambassadors, preparing them to mentor and lead next year’s cohort.

Our relationship with the Ogden Trust has continued to flourish, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead. With more events and training planned, we look forward to expanding the ambassador programme and continuing to make science engaging, inclusive, and accessible for all. Through these experiences, CRST is proud to nurture the next generation of scientists, innovators, and leaders.

Central Region Schools Trust (CRST) is working with Year 4 and Year 8 pupils in partnership with the RSA and Birmingham Newman University to explore social justice through education. This innovative project empowers young learners to understand and challenge inequality, using creative, inclusive, and age-appropriate approaches.

Pupils act as co-creators of knowledge, developing confidence, empathy, and a strong sense of agency. Teachers are supported to embed socially just practices in the classroom, while schools reflect on inclusive leadership.

The initiative aims to inspire wider educational change by demonstrating how young people can shape fairer communities and a more just society.

Awaiting content

Awaiting content

Awaiting content