New leadership team marks exciting new chapter for LET Education Trust

LET Education Trust is beginning the new academic year with a strengthened leadership team as it welcomes a new Chief Executive Officer, Chief Finance and Operations Officer and two new Headteachers across its schools.

The East Lancashire multi-academy trust, which brings together two primary and two secondary schools, has appointed Jeniffer Sing as Chief Executive Officer and Michelle Williams as Chief Finance and Operations Officer, alongside new Headteachers David Swarbrick at Rhyddings and Michael Bird at The Hollins.

The appointments mark the beginning of the next stage in the Trust’s development, building on the work and foundations already established across LET.

“I am incredibly proud to be joining LET Education Trust and excited about what we can achieve together. My priority will be to listen, learn and build on the strengths already within our schools. By working together and remaining ambitious for every child, we can make an even greater difference for our communities.”
Jeniffer Sing, Chief Executive Officer

 

New Chief Finance and Operations Officer Michelle Williams will have strategic responsibility for the Trust’s finance and operational services.

“Great education needs great foundations behind it. My role is to make sure our schools and people have the resources, systems, environments and support they need to focus on what matters most: our children. I am looking forward to working with Jeniffer, our Headteachers, staff and Trustees to build a strong, sustainable Trust for the future.”
Michelle Williams, Chief Finance and Operations Officer

 

Together, the new leaders will build on what already works well, strengthen collaboration across the four schools and develop further opportunities for children, staff and local communities.

At the heart of the Trust’s next chapter will remain its values of being Ambitious, Inclusive and Resilient, alongside a commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Leading the Change for a Safer, Focused Future

At LET Education Trust, we are incredibly proud of James McBride, Headteacher at West End Primary School and Chair of the Church and Oswaldtwistle Cluster, for his leadership in the “Smartphone Free Childhood” movement.

James recently spearheaded a vital event at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium, bringing together educators, health professionals, and policymakers—including MP Sarah Smith and Esther Ghey (founder of the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project).

The goal is clear: to protect our children from digital harm, improve mental health, and ensure our classrooms remain places of focus and connection. By encouraging a delay in smartphone use until at least age 13 or 14, we can help our students thrive both emotionally and academically.

We are honored to have leaders like James driving this conversation forward for our schools and our community. Together, we are working toward a brighter, safer future for every child in our Trust.

Charging Up for a Greener Future! The Hollins’s New Commitment to Sustainability

Charging up for a greener future! 🌍🔌

We’re proud to unveil our new Electric Vehicle charging points at The Hollins. This installation not only supports staff and community members driving electric but also serves as a fantastic educational tool for our pupils, reinforcing the importance of renewable energy and sustainable technology.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this happen!

An Afternoon of Pure Magic and Connection

The Let’s Be Volunteers from both Rhyddings & The Hollins arrived at The Dunkehnalgh hotel to host their annual Intergenerational Tea Party. A total of 120 guests from across East Lancashire were welcomed to an afternoon of live entertainment, beautiful conversation, and afternoon tea – sprinkled with kindness, connection and a deep sense of community.
Organised and delivered entirely by our incredible young volunteers, the afternoon was an amazing example of what happens when generations come together with open hearts. The pupils were unbelievably EPIC!!
A huge thank you to staff who came to support the event!

WOW! Recognition from The Educate Awards

We are proud and excited to announce that The Hollins have been shortlisted at the prestigious Educate Awards in the Wow! Recognition Award category. The shortlist recognises the game-changing creative arts and young women’s empowerment project – ‘Belonging’.
Being shortlisted and recognised on this platform is a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of the amazing young women involved in the project. We are grateful for the opportunity to shine a spotlight on such an important initiative.
 
The Educate Awards will take place on Friday 14th November 2025 at Liverpool Cathedral.
 
Click link to listen to the Belonging Podcast:
Learn more about the Educate Awards by clicking on this link:

Celebrating 47 Years of Service

An incredible 47 years of dedicated service has come to an end as the beloved, Mrs Warren, retires from her welfare assistant role at West End primary school. Since 1945 she has been the steadfast heart of the school, nurturing generations of children and supporting countless staff members through decades of change. Her constant presence, wisdom, and tireless dedication are truly irreplaceable. We wish her a wonderfully peaceful and happy retirement!

Mrs Warren received her good luck cards from the school’s oldest pupil, standing alongside the youngest.

The Hollins Pupils Kick Off New Programme with Champions League Experience

The Extended Services programme has officially kicked off with an unforgettable trip to the Etihad Stadium for a Champions League match.  They attended the Manchester City vs. Napoli game, marking a wonderful start to the initiative.

Before the highly anticipated football match, the pupils enjoyed a pre-match meal at Cheetham Star Restaurant. The evening was described as a massive success, setting a high bar for the new programme which aims to provide pupils with unique and enriching experiences beyond the classroom.

Rhyddings Year 7s welcomed with guard of honour

Guarding Their Future!

In a heartwarming tradition designed to welcome the newest members of our community, Rhyddings staff and older pupils formed a special guard of honour for the incoming Year 7 pupils. As the nervous but excited pupils made their way through the school gates for the first time, they were met with a corridor of cheers and high-fives, creating a memorable moment that symbolised the beginning of their exciting five-year journey. The gesture, which has been captured on video, aimed to ease the transition from primary school and make every new pupil feel special and valued from their very first day.

Headteacher, Dave Lancaster, said,

“This was such a lovely way to give our newest learners a welcome they will never forget.

“Everyone was full of smiles and cheers, and I hope this sets the tone for the fantastic journey they will have at our school over the next five years.”

To watch the full video click here.

 

Superstar results for top pupils at The Hollins

The Hollins, part of the LET Education Trust, is celebrating another successful year of GCSE exam results, with pupils once again securing outcomes that reflect their talents, determination and ambition.  To find out more about our pupil’s amazing achievements, click here to read the full article in the local newspaper.

 

Impressive GCSE results mark the end of a “milestone year” at Rhyddings

Cheers of celebration could be heard throughout the corridors at Rhyddings, part of the LET Education Trust, as students celebrated fantastic GCSE results that saw significant improvements on previous years.

To find out more about our Rhyddings’s fantastic GCSE results, click here to read the full article in the local newspaper.