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Leathersellers’ Review 2024–2025
Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools
Kate Ward Chair of Trustees
Our commitment to high quality state education is driven by a belief in the power of education to promote equality of opportunity, social mobility and life chances. Our schools are proudly non-selective and reflect our local communities. This commitment to removing barriers to success was recognised by Ofsted when Prendergast School was inspected in March. I am delighted that the school and Sixth Form were judged to be outstanding in all areas, with the curriculum described as ‘exceptionally ambitious’. Inspectors also praised the high-quality pastoral care, which they acknowledged underpins all aspects of school life. Prendergast School is the highest-performing state secondary in Lewisham, whilst our Sixth Form is the highest performing state Sixth Form in the Borough.
I have been involved in the leadership of state school governing boards in Lewisham for nearly 20 years. I have always been driven by a desire to support local school improvement, because I know how utterly transformative a high quality education can be to young people. Improving their opportunities in life not only helps to promote fairness and cohesion in society, but it also releases their potential, which ultimately benefits us all.
Social mobility in the UK remains stubbornly low, with income mobility barely changing for decades. We are making better progress with educational mobility. Key to this is the widening of opportunity, so that everyone has the chance to succeed regardless of their background. Our schools are inclusive and ambitious for all. I am so proud to be a part of the Federation, and I am so proud of the difference our schools make.
The Federation’s success has also been evident in the progress and personal development of the students in Prendergast Vale and Prendergast Ladywell schools. Prendergast Vale’s longstanding commitment to exceptional pastoral provision has just been recognised by its inclusion as a finalist in the 2025 Social Mobility Awards. Meanwhile, Prendergast Ladywell, which includes Prendergast Primary, has been awarded Inclusion Quality Mark flagship status, having held Centre of Excellence status for the last three years. The school will now play a leadership role in further developing inclusion best practice across the Federation. Prendergast Ladywell is also expecting an impressive rise in GCSE outcomes this year, following an upwards shift last year and success in narrowing the disadvantaged gap. Prendergast Primary is currently celebrating excellent phonics results, received just before the end of the summer term, which place the school in the top 10% of schools nationally.
We were also thrilled to have been chosen as the recipients of the Leathersellers’ Personal Giving Appeal this year. These funds will provide books and essential online literacy resources, as well as targeted projects, to improve the literacy and life chances of our children and young people. Thank you so much to everyone who kindly supported this appeal, either by donating or by ‘Chasing the Moon’ around Battersea Park. Thank you to the Company for generously match funding every donation made. Thanks, too, to those Leathersellers who have volunteered for a governance role in our schools, whether on our Board of Trustees or on one of our three Local Governing Boards. We have a team of around 40 governance volunteers across the Federation, with more joining us in September. Currently both the Chair and Vice Chair of Trustees are members of the Leathersellers. The Federation’s conversion to a Multi-Academy Trust in 2024 necessitated a complete overhaul of our governance structures, which were scrutinised by Ofsted for the first time this year. Governance was described as ‘well-informed, supportive and challenging’ as well as ‘diligent and professional’. Much work has gone into ensuring that our trustees and governors work well together, and that they are properly inducted and trained. My thanks go to our excellent governance professionals, who have been so instrumental in developing and supporting our practice. Lastly, on behalf of all trustees and governors, I must pay tribute to our talented and hardworking staff. Thank you so much for all that you continue to do for our schools, children and young people.
The Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools educates and cares for over 3,000 children and young people in three state schools in Lewisham.
Prendergast Ladywell trip to Iceland
Federation music event
One of the Federation’s other notable successes has been the
Leathersellers’ Scholarship Programme, designed by our Executive Headteacher Paula Ledger and funded by the Leathersellers, which is about to enter its fourth year. This ambitious Federation-wide initiative attracted much interest during our recent Ofsted inspection, as it continues to have a significantly positive impact on the attendance, behaviour, academic achievement and well-being of some of our most vulnerable young people. Its holistic approach – integrating mentoring, extracurricular activities, and academic support – is a powerful catalyst in transforming the lives of the students involved.
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