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SHINE Trust

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SHINE Trust

North of England education charity helping disadvantaged children to fulfil their true potential.

01/06/2026

This Global Day Of Parents, we’re celebrating how teachers and families achieve more together. According to the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), strong parental engagement helps children to make an average of 4 months' additional academic progress.

To date, SHINE has supported over 26,000 parents by funding brilliant teacher-led innovations that remove barriers to learning. These include:

🧸 Boromi play libraries, developed by Evie Keough, this early years initiatives helps parents nurture their child’s development through purposeful play at home,

🌱 Building Emotional Resilience, led by Marie Beale at Whitfield Primary school, aims to enhance children’s emotional well-being while also providing support to parents and caregivers,

📚 Story Time Maths, created by Helen Clarke, helps early years children better understand the subject, and includes workshops for parents in how to talk about maths at home.

Discover more about our work and how we support teachers, parents and children in the North of England 👉 https://shinetrust.org.uk/

21/05/2026

SHINE are proud to invest over £670,000 in FutureReady Sunderland, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world.

Led by St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, this five-year project connects students aged 11-18 with local employers in high-growth sectors such as manufacturing and technologies.

“Sunderland is undergoing an ambitious regeneration programme that we really want our young people to be part of by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in their own city and beyond.” Emma Osmialowski, project lead at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy.

Find out more about the initiative here: 👉 https://shinetrust.org.uk/2026/02/18/671000-investment-to-prepare-sunderland-students-for-the-world-of-work/

20/05/2026

The next edition of SHINE’s newsletter is your must-read! Discover the projects supporting pupils' wellbeing through the exam and transition season:

🌱 Read inspiring stories of initiatives that build emotional resilience, wellbeing, and mindfulness,
🌈 Explore projects helping primary pupils make a smoother transition to secondary school,
🚀 Discover how an innovative social media project boosted student success by offering FREE revision resources!

🔔 Sign up for SHINE’s newsletter and join our community dedicated to closing the attainment gap for children in the North: https://mailchi.mp/b2a8a8c5ef10/shine-newsletter

15/05/2026

When children have the emotional skills to manage stress, they’re better able to navigate the challenges of the classroom and beyond.

That’s why SHINE Sunderland has invested £251k into schools across Washington, Barmston, and Oxclose to fund 'The In-School Mentoring, Social Skills and Resilience Training' programme.

A coaching programme with a difference, sessions will be led by ex-forces mentors 'Commando Joe’s' using their specially developed RESPECT framework to build teamwork and leadership skills with pupils from Year 6 to Year 9 through ‘mission based’ activities.

So far the programme not only boosted students’ ability to face challenges, but improved their attendance as well:

“What we found very quickly is that the children would engage with Commando Joe’s; they would come into school on the day they knew that the mentors were working with them.” - Amanda Parkes, Headteacher at Oxclose Community Academy.

Discover the full story 👉 https://shinetrust.org.uk/2026/03/23/three-washington-schools-secure-250k-for-mentoring-programme-to-boost-pupil-resilience/

14/05/2026

Last Sunday was National Children’s Day, a moment to remember that all children have the right to thrive.

At SHINE we believe every child deserves the best start in life, no matter their background. That’s why we invest in teacher-led projects that boost skills, confidence, and wellbeing for disadvantaged young people across the North of England.

Join our community of change-makers and help us level the playing field for children in the North. Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates on the innovative teaching projects we support and stay informed about upcoming funding opportunities 👉 https://mailchi.mp/b2a8a8c5ef10/shine-newsletter

13/05/2026

This , we're SHINE-ing a light on inspiring projects taking action to equip students with the tools they need to handle life’s challenges.

Here are just a few of the wellbeing initiatives we’re proud to support:

🌱 The Story Project, Bradford, uses story books to help pupils talk about ‘big feelings’ such as anxiety or sadness, giving children the distance and safety needed to discuss their own mental health.

🌱 True Self, Sunderland, is training a network of mindfulness practitioners to help students self- regulate and manage stress, helping them to stay focused and engaged.

🌱 The In-School Mentoring, Social Skills and Resilience Training programme, Washington, has been awarded £250k to run Commando Joe’s ex-forces mentoring. Using their RESPECT framework they run mission-based activities with pupils, boosting resilience and teamwork skills.

🌱 Thrive, Christ’s College, uses neuroscience, child development, and attachment theory to help pupils re-engage with school, improving their attendance through emotional support.

Discover more SHINE-backed projects supporting children’s wellbeing through big transitions, revision season, and beyond 🌿 Sign up to our Newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/b2a8a8c5ef10/shine-newsletter

08/05/2026

SHINE Sunderland is investing almost £450,000 in a major new city-wide initiative led by the Northern Education Trust (NET) to create literacy hubs in schools 📚

'This programme will strengthen students’ literacy and confidence - not only here at Hetton, but across other schools in Sunderland - helping to improve outcomes and life chances for young people right across the city,' said Vicky Pinkney, Principal at Hetton Academy.

The project aims to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has access to the high-quality reading support they need to succeed both in school and in life.

Learn more about the SHINE-supported Literacy Hubs at: https://shinetrust.org.uk/2026/01/22/literacy-hubs-to-be-created-across-city-after-450k-investment-from-shine-sunderland/

05/05/2026

SHINE Sunderland is investing £351,115 in the Pennywell Fellowship - a pioneering, school-led partnership designed to tackle long-standing inequalities through close collaboration across Pennywell and the wider city.

“SHINE’s funding will enable us to build something robust, that is sustainable for the long term – not just for Pennywell, but something that could ultimately benefit other communities too,” explains Project lead Sarah Hammond, School Improvement Partner at Laidlaw Schools Trust.

The Pennywell Fellowship aims to improve education, health and career opportunities for the local community. The project is powered by a partnership between six schools in the area - Academy 360, Christ’s College, South Hylton Primary Academy, Highfield Primary School, St Anne’s Primary Academy and North View Academy.

Read the full story and learn more about how Pennywell is leading the way for community-led change: https://shinetrust.org.uk/2026/04/15/350000-investment-to-build-a-blueprint-for-change-in-pennywell/

24/04/2026

Real stories, real impact. Discover the teacher-led projects making a difference in the North!

Whether it’s mindfulness, transition support, or innovative classroom resources, at SHINE we’re committed to supporting teacher-led ideas that make a real impact.

🔔 Sign up for SHINE’s newsletter and join our community dedicated to closing the attainment gap for children in the North: https://mailchi.mp/b2a8a8c5ef10/shine-newsletter

22/04/2026

Christine Smith was an inspirational teacher who dedicated her career to Special Educational Needs and youth work.

Passionate about supporting young people, Christine even found time to serve as a school governor, and later took on the significant responsibility of being a foster carer.

Since her passing, her husband Norman has raised funds for SHINE to honour her lifelong work, adding that the ‘donation is a fitting tribute to her lifelong contribution and one she would have heartily approved of.’

SHINE provides a way for individuals and families to gift a legacy that specifically supports education. By remembering SHINE in your Will, you help fund projects that give children in the North a fair chance to thrive.

Discover how to leave a lasting impact or honour a loved one’s memory at:shinetrust.org.uk/philanthropy/legacy-giving/

Address

The Leeming Building, Ludgate Hill, Leeds
Kent
LS27HZ

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441132805872

Website

http://www.shinetrust.org.uk/

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