OA-Nene Valley expands collaborative support for pupils with funding from The Evelyn Trust
Olive Academies is extending its approach to early intervention and wellbeing through a new collaborative programme supporting children and young people across Cambridgeshire, funded by The Evelyn Trust.
The initiative builds on learning from the existing successful Olive Outreach programmes and reflects Olive Academies’ commitment to developing scalable, joined-up solutions that support schools facing increasing pressures around behaviour, attendance and mental health. While led at trust level, colleagues at OA-Nene Valley and OA-Cambridge have played a key role in translating the model for local contexts, ensuring it responds to the needs of schools serving dispersed and often hard-to-reach communities.
Through the programme, more children and young people are gaining improved access to therapeutic interventions and schools are receiving practical support to help identify needs earlier. By strengthening collaboration between education, wellbeing and community partners, the work is helping schools act sooner and more confidently, reducing reliance on crisis-led responses.
A Healthcare and Wellbeing Steering Group, made up of NHS clinicians, researchers and education leaders, supports the programme by shaping impact measures, reviewing provision and strengthening professional networks across the region.
David Saunders, Executive Headteacher at OA-Nene Valley, said:
“Since the programme launched, it has shown how powerful collaboration can be for schools in the area. Colleagues at OA-Nene Valley and OA-Cambridge have worked closely with trust leaders and local services to strengthen systems around participating schools, resulting in clearer pathways, stronger partnerships and earlier support for pupils who need it most.”
Running until July 2027, the initiative aims to support over 350 children and young people by contributing to a sustainable model of integrated education and wellbeing support that can be adapted across different communities.