Bringing communities together through a little Christmas creativity

At Smile Education, we believe our role in education goes beyond helping schools find the right people. It's also about understanding the communities we work within and finding opportunities to make a positive difference.

That's why we're delighted to be sponsoring a Christmas card competition with Leigh Trust, giving pupils across the Trust the opportunity to get creative, share their festive ideas and bring a little extra Christmas cheer to their school communities.

It's a relatively simple initiative, but one that reflects something much bigger: our commitment to being integrated into the communities we serve.

A relationship built over 11 years

Our relationship with Leigh Trust spans more than 11 years, with strong connections that have grown and developed over time.

Kash, who manages Smile Education's relationship with the Trust, has been part of that journey from the beginning. He remembers first meeting Julie Greenwood, now CEO of Leigh Trust, at Leigh Primary School, when the Trust was still in its early stages.

Since then, the relationship has continued to grow, built on trust, shared values and a genuine understanding of the schools and communities involved.

For Kash, it's these personal connections that make the partnership so special.

"It's important to understand the history behind the relationship. We've always had really lovely links with Leigh Trust, and it's something that's incredibly important to us at Smile."

It's this long-standing connection that has helped us develop a deeper understanding of the Trust, its schools and the communities they serve.

Why a Christmas card competition?

While a Christmas card competition might seem like a small gesture, initiatives like this can offer children much more than just a chance to design a festive picture.

Leigh Trust works with schools serving a diverse range of communities, many of which face socioeconomic challenges. For some children, opportunities to take part in creative activities and enjoy extracurricular experiences aren't always readily available.

Kash believes it's important to recognise these differences and understand how even seemingly small initiatives can make a positive contribution.

"It's creative, it's fun, and it provides children with an escape. It's enriching for children, particularly from a creativity perspective."

The competition gives pupils the freedom to use their imagination, express themselves and get involved in something that brings their school community together.

It also offers an opportunity to celebrate the festive season collectively, creating a shared experience that children can enjoy regardless of their individual backgrounds.

Ultimately, it's about making space for a little fun, creativity and seasonal excitement.

Giving back is about the little things

Being Integrated into Communities is one of Smile Education's core pillars. It's something that influences how we approach our relationships with schools, candidates and the wider communities we work within.

For Kash, the importance of giving back is also something that has been instilled in him from a young age.

Growing up, his family taught him about seva, a Punjabi word that means selfless service or giving back to others. It's a principle that has stayed with him throughout his life.

As he explains:

"Giving back can happen in various different ways. It can be as simple as being kind to someone or reminding yourself to be kind in an interaction. It doesn't have to be complicated."

It's a sentiment that sits closely with Smile's approach to community engagement. Making a difference doesn't always require a huge gesture or an elaborate initiative. Sometimes, it's about recognising an opportunity to do something positive for the people around you.

For Kash, sponsoring the competition isn't about commercial gain. It's about creating a positive experience for the children and hopefully putting a smile on their faces.

"We're going to be inspiring and hopefully engaging with so many little minds and people. It's about festive cheer, so if we can help create that, it would be really wonderful."

Creating festive memories

Part of the inspiration behind the competition comes from the memories and experiences that make Christmas so special during childhood.

When reflecting on his own primary school Christmases, Kash remembers whole-school gatherings to watch festive television programmes, singing carols and trips to the local church.

He also recalls performing in an annual carol concert at Lichfield Cathedral as a saxophonist, as well as the excitement of seeing a giant Father Christmas make his way through his local village each year.

These are the kinds of experiences that stay with us long after childhood, and it's a reminder of how important shared moments and traditions can be.

We hope the competition gives pupils the opportunity to create some of their own.

More than recruitment

At Smile Education, we're proud to work alongside schools and trusts like Leigh Trust, not just as a recruitment partner, but as part of the wider communities they support.

Our Integrated into Communities pillar is about understanding the people behind the schools and recognising that we all have a part to play in creating positive experiences for others.

Through initiatives like the Leigh Trust Christmas card competition, we're proud to put those values into action.

We can't wait to see the creativity and imagination of the pupils taking part, and we're looking forward to celebrating their designs and helping to make this Christmas a little more special.