The Laidlaw Foundation

Laidlaw Schools Trust is generously supported by the Laidlaw Foundation, which invests in the education of the underprivileged and underrepresented in order to break the cycle of poverty, reduce inequality and develop a new generation of leaders.

The Laidlaw Foundation currently supports four programmes:

• Sponsoring the Laidlaw Schools Trust to provide extraordinary education to transform lives

• Developing a new generation of diverse leaders who embrace research-based decision making and ethical leadership, through the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research programme

• Ensuring more women reach senior executive level by providing MBA scholarships at London Business School and Oxford University’s Saïd Business School

• Empowering women in business through higher education by supporting the most disadvantaged and excluded women access degree courses at Trinity College Dublin.

To learn more, follow the Laidlaw Foundation on LinkedIn.

Support for Laidlaw Schools Trust

The Laidlaw Foundation plays a vital role in enabling the Laidlaw Schools Trust to deliver its mission of transforming lives through extraordinary education. Its investment allows our Academies to focus more of their resources directly on teaching, learning and pupil support.

In addition, the Foundation provides enhanced per‑pupil funding to deliver Laidlaw + — our Trust‑wide strategy for character development, welfare support and extraordinary experiences that help every child grow into a confident, compassionate and resilient young person.

Alongside this core support, the Foundation invests in strategic initiatives that directly advance the Trust’s long‑term priorities.

How the Laidlaw Foundation Supports Our Strategic Priorities

Expanding 30 hour nursery provision

The Foundation supports our ambition to give children the best possible start in life by expanding access to high‑quality early years education. Increasing 30‑hour nursery places helps raise early attainment, strengthens school readiness and supports families by enabling parents to work or train.

PedTech: Leading digital innovation across the Trust

The Foundation funds our pioneering PedTech strategy, including providing 1:1 iPads for every LST pupil. This investment enables us to:

• Bridge the digital divide

• Promote asynchronous learning

• Leverage AI to enhance learning experiences

• Reduce teacher workload

• Drive creativity, accessibility and innovation in every classroom

This work positions LST as a leader in digital pedagogy and supports our role as an Apple Regional Training Centre for the North East.

Expanding enhanced mainstream provision (Skylight Centre)

Foundation support enables us to develop a Skylight Centre to provide enhanced mainstream provision for learners at risk of exclusion. This ensures that pupils with additional needs can access specialist support while remaining connected to their school community.

Strengthening Alternative Provision for pupils with complex SEMH needs

The Foundation supports the expansion of high quality Alternative Provision across the Trust. This ensures that pupils with significant social, emotional and mental health needs receive tailored support in a safe, ambitious and nurturing environment.

Establishing the North East Academy of Excellence (Sixth Form)

The Foundation is supporting the creation of the North East Academy of Excellence, a new sixth form dedicated to academic stretch, aspiration and progression to top universities and high‑value pathways. This forms a key part of our strategy to raise attainment and expand opportunities for young people across the region.