Windsor Academy Trust Honored with Prestigious National Wellbeing Award
The Windsor Academy Trust, headquartered in Halesowen, has been recognized with a significant national accolade for its exceptional commitment to student wellbeing. The trust proudly secured the Outstanding Approach to Wellbeing Award at the Youth Sport Trust Awards ceremony held at the Telford International Centre.
Integrating Sports and Wellbeing into Education
This family of schools across the West Midlands has been celebrated for placing physical education, sport, and physical activity at the core of its educational vision. By embedding the Youth Sport Trust's Well School framework, the trust ensures that wellbeing is prioritized alongside academic success. All primary schools within the Windsor Academy Trust implement structured active breaks, and the curriculum time dedicated to physical education exceeds national recommendations across the entire trust network.
Notably, over seventy-five percent of pupils attend at least one physical activity club each week, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering healthy lifestyles. Chief executive Dawn Haywood expressed immense pride and humility upon receiving the award, emphasizing the trust's daily efforts to enhance the wellbeing and health of children not only within their schools but also in the broader communities they serve.
Key Figures and Celebrations at the Awards Ceremony
The 2026 Youth Sport Trust Conference Awards highlighted dedicated and innovative approaches from various schools, trusts, and individuals who have leveraged the power of sport to positively impact children's health and wellbeing throughout the year. The event was hosted by television personality Radzi Chinyanganya and featured insightful discussions and inspiring stories that underscored the transformative role of sport and play in promoting inclusivity and positive change in educational settings.
The awards ceremony was attended by prominent figures from the sporting world, including former England women's rugby captain Sarah Hunter and Abbie Ward, one of the Red Roses' Rugby World Cup winners from the previous year. Ward, who presented the award to the Windsor Academy Trust, highlighted the crucial role of grassroots and school-level contributions in the sports ecosystem.
She emphasized that without these foundational efforts, there would be no pathway to international or professional levels in sports. Ward stressed the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the often-overlooked contributions of individuals working behind the scenes to make a real difference in young people's lives.
Sponsorship and Broader Impact
The Youth Sport Trust Annual Conference Awards, sponsored by Sports Directory and Outdoor Play and Learning, celebrate schools, settings, trusts, and individuals who have collaborated with the Youth Sport Trust to create meaningful and impactful changes in the lives of young people. This recognition underscores the trust's successful integration of health and educational qualities, aiming to eradicate both health and educational inequalities to help children achieve and thrive.
By focusing on physical education and sport as powerful vehicles for development, the Windsor Academy Trust continues to unlock the academic and personal potential of its pupils, setting a commendable example for educational institutions nationwide.
