We are incredibly proud that Lee Rushforth, our Director of Estates, has been honoured in the National School Awards for Estates Management of the Year.
The ceremony took place last night at the House of Lords in London, where he and other inspiring education leaders celebrated excellence and innovation across the sector.
Lee received the award in recognition of his exceptional leadership and transformational impact across our Trust’s 13 schools and integrated resources – many of which serve communities in some of the most deprived areas of the country.
Since joining WPT several years ago, Lee has delivered an ambitious programme of estates improvements that have strengthened sustainability, enhanced learning environments and ensured safer, more efficient day-to-day operations for staff and students.
These include:
Trust-Wide Solar PV Installations
He has overseen the rollout of solar PV systems across multiple school sites, generating clean, renewable energy that reduces our Trust’s reliance on grid electricity. Although the project isn’t fully complete, it has already cut tens of thousands of pounds in annual energy costs and substantially reduced carbon emissions by an estimated 52.96 tonnes of CO2e in the past year alone – the equivalent of nearly eight trips around the world in a standard petrol car.
Transformation of Disused Estate Spaces into Additional Resource Provisions
Under Lee’s leadership, previously unused or outdated buildings – like the old caretaker’s bungalow at Brinsworth Whitehill Primary School – have been reimagined and converted into fully equipped SEND and SEMH provisions. These new spaces now deliver specialist support within school communities.
Major Refurbishments and Expansion Projects
His work also includes significant refurbishment of Foljambe Primary School – modernising classrooms, improving accessibility and upgrading core facilities. He has also led the strategic expansion of Rawmarsh Community School to accommodate rising student numbers, ensuring that spaces remain fit for purpose and aligned with modern teaching requirements.
Ongoing plans also include EV charger rollouts and major decarbonisation projects to support greener commutes and help move us closer to our long-term Net Zero goals.
Lee Rushforth, Director of Estates at Wickersley Partnership Trust, said: “It’s an honour to be recognised at national level. I’m incredibly proud to help create safe, efficient and sustainable environments for our students and staff. This award is a reflection of our entire Estates Team, the support we receive across our Trust, and the encouragement of my family, who have supported me throughout my career.
“Thank you to the National School Awards for hosting a fantastic event and for shining a much-deserved spotlight on the vital role of estates management in education.”
Helen O’Brien, CEO at Wickersley Partnership Trust, added: “Lee’s recognition at this year’s National School Awards is incredibly well-deserved, and we are immensely proud of the impact he continues to make across our Trust. His leadership in driving forward our Strategic Energy Management Plan (SEMP) has delivered safer and more efficient learning and working environments for our communities.
“We are excited to see how Lee’s continued development of the SEMP will further enhance our sustainability goals and help shape a greener, more resilient future for Wickersley Partnership Trust.”
Congratulations to Lee on this remarkable achievement!
We’re also celebrating Shaun Flynn, Chair of Governors at The Gainsborough Academy, who was shortlisted in the Governor of the Year category for his contributions to improving the attendance, behaviour and public perception of the school. Well done, Shaun!
