Behaviour Hubs

In 2021 Worthing High School, our founding trust school, was awarded Lead School status in the Behaviour Hub programme.

The Behaviour Hubs programme offers tailored support aimed at improving behaviour in schools across England. Lead schools who have an exemplary track record in behaviour management work closely with partner schools, who have applied to receive support. They work together to identify opportunities to improve behaviour culture and develop new behaviour policies that will lead to improved pupil outcomes.

The programme is fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE). For more information click here.

In 2021, Pan’s commitment to fostering positive behaviour led to Worthing High School being designated as a Department for Education (DfE) Lead Behaviour Hub School. As one of only 18 secondary schools in the UK selected for this role, the school has supported over 12 schools and multi-academy trusts across the South East to implement and improve behaviour, culture, and ethos in their settings as part of a DfE initiative.

He regularly supports other Headteachers as part of being a School Improvement Partner, and has been deployed by DfE as part of Trust School Improvement Offer with schools on the south coast and beyond.

Schools we have worked with recently include:

• Bitterne Park School, Southampton 
• Cox Green School, Maidenhead
• Cowplain School, Waterlooville
• Highdown School and Sixth Form, Reading
• Kings International College, Camberley 
• The Beacon School, Banstead 
• The Eastbourne Academy, Eastbourne
• The Forest School, Horsham 
• The Ursuline College, Westgate-on-Sea
• Warlingham School, Warlingham 

Department for Education Trust Establishment and Growth (TEG) Fund

South Downs Education Trust were awarded the TEG grant in 2024-25 to set up a project working with Worthing High School, Cowplain School, Bourne Community College and Felpham Community College, collaborating in a number of key areas, such as: Behaviour, T&L, Attendance, SEND and Raising Standard.

The collaboration has been incredibly beneficial in allowing schools to work together and create a hub in West Sussex and Hampshire, providing invaluable support in terms of CPD and school improvement. All schools involved have highlighted how valuable the project has been. This collaboration continues with strong relationships forged.

RISE (Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence)

Pan Panayiotou, CEO of the South Downs Education Trust (SDET) has been appointed by the Department of Education as a RISE advisor in the south east. RISE is a national school improvement role that recognises exceptional leadership in education.

The RISE initiative that brings together high-impact leaders from across the country to support school improvement in their region. As a RISE advisor, Pan Panayiotou will collaborate with fellow education leaders to raise standards, share best practices and support schools facing challenges.