At Trent College and The Elms, we have a dynamic and well-rounded approach to supporting state school partnerships that enrich their pupils’ school experience. With opportunities for engagement from Early Years through to Sixth Form, we maximise the impact and benefit for all pupils and staff involved.
How to get involved
If you would like to attend an event or find out more, please email our External School Liaison Manager, Mrs Jacqui Rhodes on jacqui.rhodes@trentcollege.net.
Some of our recent initiatives:
STEM Pathways
We believe education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is crucial for all children, from Early Years primary school to Sixth Form. To equip them with new knowledge and skills as well as the mindset required to thrive in a rapidly evolving world, we deliver a range of STEM focussed events.
The Elms STEM Hub led by our Head of DT, Miss Patel, consists of a network of STEM Leaders from local primary schools that meet termly to raise the profile of STEM subjects for primary aged pupils. Combining CPD for teachers, interactive workshops for children and whole-school competitions, the Hub ignites pupils’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and encourages children to pursue studies and careers in STEM.
STEM Hub
Ongoing
Over 400 pupils from Years 1 to 6 participated in our inter-school STEAM competition which challenged pupils to build a bridge linked into the theme of ‘connections’ which integrated elements from the five STEAM subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Prizes were awarded for winners and runners-up from each year group and finalists invited to Trent College for a Celebration STEAM event.
Inter-School STEAM Competition
February 2024
Finalists from our bridge building STEAM competition from three local primary schools joined us to compete against each other in the final judging round. Head of DT at Trent College, Mr Prince, awarded an overall KS1 and KS2 winner and runner-up awards. Parents and siblings joined us to share their success.
Celebration STEAM Event
May 2024
Enriching academic experiences
Through access to wider facilities, workshops with external experts and immersive learning experiences, pupils enjoy interactive activities that reinforces what they have learnt in their own classrooms, often introducing new dimensions and perspectives that furthers their knowledge.
High attaining Year 5 pupils stretched their critical thinking in maths and developed new problem solving skills with exciting challenges. Pupils focussed on reasoning and problem-solving skills, combining an element of friendly competition whilst developing essential collaborative teamwork.
Marvellous Maths
June 2024
Designed to challenge and inspire the literary journeys of children from five primary schools, we invited children’s authors, Billy Bob Buttons and Alex Foulkes along with Mr Beal, Head of English at Trent College to engage sixty pupils with an interactive presentation and workshops.
Celebration Reader Day
June 2024
Trent College hosts an author visit every year in September/October to combine external Year 6 children with Year 7 pupils at Trent College. This year, Lisa Williamson provided an exciting experience as she discussed her own journey to become a writer and shared extracts and details from her Bigg School series of books.
Author Visit: Lisa Williamson
October 2024
Inspiring creative minds
Unique events and activities provide visiting children with opportunities to express themselves as they explore and experiment in new learning environments. These experiences develop a lifelong love for learning whilst supporting key educational objectives.
In this years event, children from four local primary schools enjoyed readings from the famous books, followed by activities such as Quidditch, wand-making and lantern making. The event concluded with a hotly contested quiz and on-theme refreshments including Butter Beer and Magical Muffins.
Harry Potter Night
February 2024
In its 5th year, the Great Trent Bake Off has enhanced the curriculum of visiting Year 5 children by using our state-of-the-art food and nutrition classroom to design, bake and decorate their own summer themed cupcakes. Our specialist teachers supported them learning about food and nutrition and basic baking skills.
Great Trent Bake Off
June 2024
Led by Trent College’s Director of Music, Mr Parrans-Smith, over 100 pupils from four primary schools joined us for a festival of singing. They completed a whole day workshop before coming together alongside the Trent College Choristers and Trent Chamber Choir for a sensational celebration concert for the enjoyment of their family members.
The Bing Sing!
November 2024
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Vast sporting opportunities
Visiting pupils love to experience the first-class sporting provision that Trent College is renowned for. We facilitate sporting opportunities that may not be possible within a primary school setting through our large team of specialist coaches and extensive resources.
Over 100 Year 5 children from ten primary schools experienced a nationally-affiliated sporting event featuring a group coaching session with Alice Harvey, England and Loughborough Lightning super league netball player, before taking part in a series of short matches against other primary schools.
U10 Bee Netball
April 2024
Read moreAhead of the 7th annual festival, 480 Year 5 children received one hour of free cricket coaching in their own primary school. 80 children from these 10 schools then joined us for a fun and competitive morning of cricket where they enhanced their batting, bowling and fielding skills and love of the game.
U10 Cricket Festival
July 2024
Read moreOur 3rd annual Tag Rugby Festival saw 60 pupils from local schools attend Trent College for a bespoke coaching session led by our Trent College Sixth Form students, followed by the opportunity to play a series of short matches and try out their new skills.
U11 Tag Rugby Festival
October 2024
A focus on the Early Years
The Elms EYFS Learning Hub was established in November 2021, with the aim of creating a network of practitioners from different schools and settings who meet regularly for relevant and insightful CPD to enhance the teaching and learning of EYFS children in the local community.
The Elms EYFS Learning Hub is now in its 3rd year and continues to be an active and interactive network of teachers and professionals from schools and childcare settings in the local area. We meet termly to share ideas, learn best practice and hear from external speakers on specialist subjects.
EYFS Learning Hub
Ongoing
60 delegates attended our full-day EYFS Learning Conference focussed on the role of communication, language and physical development in the Early Years provision. Guest speakers and EYFS experts led interactive workshops and presentations to delegates who found the event thought-provoking, immersive and invigorating.
EYFS Conference
March 2024
Our Head of Dance and Drama at The Elms, Miss Colgan, visits local pre-schools to run seasonal themed dance and drama workshops for children aged 3-4 years. Combining her enthusiasm and knowledge of the EYFS curriculum to engage and excite the children in creative and fun activities.
Pre-School Dance and Drama Workshops
Ongoing
Sixth form engagement
By utilising the most relevant experts within our staff body and complemented by industry professionals, we provide engaging events and activities to inspire and support Sixth Form students to achieve their future ambitions.
In partnership with Wilsthorpe School, we work collaboratively to raise the profile of Psychology and increase the opportunities available to KS5 students studying this at A Level. We hope to raise academic attainment and create an enrichment experience that will benefit and support everyone involved.
Long Eaton Secondary Partnership Hub
Ongoing
Read moreOver 500 pupils from three local secondary schools attended our Careers Fair to explore potential pathways. By speaking with industry experts, universities, apprenticeship providers and employers, the students were inspired and gained insights into job market trends, in-demand skills and required qualifications.
Annual Careers Fair
March 2024
Our industry professional Careers team have supported local students applying for Engineering, Maths, Veterinary Science and Medicine by hosting sessions to improve their familiarity and interview techniques, ahead of providing realistic practice scenarios.
University Interview Practice
December 2023