The Valley Leadership Academy, a secondary school in Rossendale, has been honoured with the 'Supportive School of the Year' award at the annual Pride of Rossendale Awards, recognising its exceptional support for pupils and families.
Award-Winning Community Initiatives
The award highlights the school's thriving community hub, which provides inclusive programmes and opportunities for local families. Judges specifically praised initiatives such as a family cooking club and environmental projects at Stacksteads Countryside Park. The family cook club, run in partnership with a local GP and a physician associate, helps families prepare healthy, affordable meals. Pupils also engage in litter-picking and environmental projects to care for local green spaces.
Principal Honoured Ahead of Retirement
The award comes at a poignant time as the school prepares to bid farewell to its retiring principal, Colette Roberts. Roberts expressed her delight: "We were absolutely delighted and incredibly proud to receive this award. It is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils and the strength of the partnerships we have built across Rossendale. We firmly believe that schools should sit at the heart of their communities, and this recognition celebrates the collective efforts of everyone who works alongside us to support young people and their families."
Emma Atkinson, senior vice principal, added: "Colette’s passion and commitment to community engagement helped to establish many of the initiatives now at the heart of the school's Community Hub. Her vision and dedication have enabled countless families to access support, build connections and improve their wellbeing, leaving a lasting legacy within both the school and the wider Rossendale community."
School Background and Impact
The Valley Leadership Academy is a secondary sponsored school for pupils aged 11 to 16, which joined the Star Academies trust in July 2019. The trust operates a diverse network of primary and secondary schools across the country, aiming to improve life chances for young people. The school's community hub has become a cornerstone of local support, offering programmes that address wellbeing, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
Several individuals connected to the school were also nominated for individual awards at the ceremony, hosted by Rossendale Hospice. The school's success reflects a broader commitment to community engagement, with initiatives that have strengthened ties between the school and the wider Rossendale area.
