Last Wednesday, Tove Learning Trust celebrated its 10th anniversary with the Pride of Tove Awards, an important event honouring a decade of collective achievement across its 16 schools in Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and the West Midlands. This celebration marked the culmination of the Trust’s year-long TOVE10 programme, built around four core strands: Challenge, Give Back, Reward, and Awards. Each strand is designed to unite and celebrate our school communities through meaningful actions, a shared purpose, and celebration.

The Challenge initiative saw all students, staff, and volunteers participating in activities that strengthened teamwork, creativity, and school spirit. Throughout the year, our schools delivered 150 social action projects, including DIY SOS support for two families living in poverty, well-being hampers for vulnerable adults, afternoon tea for elderly residents, and the creation of ten outdoor green spaces.

A standout moment of the program was the Torch Relay, conceived by a student tutor group at Sponne School. This relay marked the beginning of the Trust’s time capsule journey at the founding school; a team of staff travelled to each of the 16 Trust schools. Each school contributed an artefact and a soil sample, symbolising its unique identity and heritage. The time capsule journey has now been completed at the Trust’s central offices in Roade, Northampton, where it will be buried alongside a commemorative tree grown using the combined soil samples. This serves as a powerful symbol of unity and shared roots.

Through the Give Back initiative, the schools raised funds, dedicated time, and made a positive difference beyond the classroom. The Reward strand recognised participation, resilience, and the joy of being involved, celebrating the collective effort that defined this anniversary year.

Finally, the Awards segment brought the program to its pinnacle. The Pride of Tove Awards honoured sixteen exceptional individuals whose dedication, compassion, and commitment embody the Trust’s values and have positively impacted students’ lives.

Among the awards presented were:

• The Frances Craven ‘Heart of Tove’ Award – Named in memory of Frances Craven, a remarkable presence within the Trust who served as a Trustee and governor from 2019 to 2024. This award was presented to an individual whose calm consistency, tireless support for vulnerable learners, and lifelong dedication to helping others reflect the values Frances championed and embodied the true spirit of Tove.  
• The Chris Watt ‘Legacy of Care’ Award – Named in honour of Chris Watt, one of the Trust’s founding members and former Chair of Trustees, who retired last year. This award recognised an individual with over three decades of exceptional service, whose steady presence, kindness, and pride in their work have made them a cornerstone of their school community. As they approach retirement, their unwavering reliability and lifelong commitment to supporting others stand as a powerful testament to the legacy of care that defines the Trust.  

Award Winners 2026

• Tracey Millinchip – Compassion in Action
• Louise Moore – Unsung Hero
• Nigel Pym – Master of Possibilities
• Helene Huchet – Champion of Inclusion
• Carol Leckie – Pastoral Excellence
• Stuart Hoggard – Legacy for a Lifetime
• Catherine Underwood – Orchestrator of Excellence
• Susan Young – Foundation for Futures
• Holly Blackwell – Inspirational Practitioner
• Carol Cleaver – Legacy of Care
• Angela Hood – Dedication to Joyful Learning
• Graham Alsop – Guardian of the Grounds
• Lou Dunn – Boundless Dedication
• Jude Humphries – Heart of Tove
• Ashley Frost – The North Star
• Julie Marks – The Voice of the Community

The evening celebrated the extraordinary staff across the Trust who go above and beyond every day for their pupils to change the world. Their dedication forms the foundation of Tove Learning Trust’s success and drives its vision to inspire education that leads to outstanding outcomes.

Jamie Clarke OBE, CEO commented: 

“When I look back at where Tove Learning Trust started, it is hard to believe that we are standing here celebrating a ten-year milestone. A decade ago, we began with a clear vision: to build a trust where schools could thrive together while maintaining their unique identities. We started small. But over the last ten years, our growth has been nothing short of remarkable.”

“I am incredibly proud of the amazing commitment from all our schools to celebrate and give back to their local communities in honour of commemorating the 10th anniversary of Tove Learning Trust. It has been wonderful to welcome representatives from our 16 schools to our gala dinner tonight and showcase the incredible dedication from all our staff.”

“The awards night has been about shining a spotlight on that dedication. The Pride of Tove Awards were created precisely to say: we see you, we value you, and we thank you. The evening will be remembered as a moment where we recognised staff for pouring their hearts, energy, and talent into our schools. Your dedication is excellence in action, and your kindness is what makes it lasting. You represent the absolute best of us. Congratulations once again to all our award winners.” 

We would like to thank McLaren Construction for sponsoring our awards and event, and Cucina for sponsoring the award prizes, and Michael Jones Jewellers for sponsoring the trophies. We are also grateful to all our sponsors for their support throughout the year, particularly in helping us deliver our social impact projects across our communities.

If you are interested in getting involved with any of our schools, please email marketing@tovelearning.org.uk. We would love to hear from you.