The Doncaster Schools Worker Trust (DSWT) was established in 1995 and has been working with schools throughout Doncaster ever since.
Representing a number of different churches in partnership with Scripture Union, we help schools fulfil the Education Act requiring the provision of mainly ‘Christian’ assemblies by supporting primary schools’ RE curriculum to gain an understanding of the Bible, biblical feasts and Christian celebrations.
As a Christian organisation, we are perfectly placed to tackle many of the social challenges that young people and children face and present them with opportunities to explore faith in relevant and engaging ways. Since we started, thousands of pupils have had their aspirations raised and have explored the topic of faith in unique ways. In secondary schools OFSTED have placed an increasing importance on SMSC, and DSWT offers schools the opportunity to develop this part of the curriculum in an exciting and relevant way.
About Us
Linda Gardner
Linda works in primary schools and has been with the Trust since its inception. From a non-Christian background, she came to faith as a result of the seed sown by a Gideon’s New Testament given to her at secondary school. A graduate of Moorlands Bible College, Linda’s heart for working with schoolchildren grew through outreach in Northern Ireland and South Wales. She also has a passion for working with local church teams in Open the Book and other special projects.
Ellie O'Leary
Ellie joined the trust to work with primary schools in April 2024. She has a degree from the University of Sheffield in Social Policy and Sociology. She decided to be a ministry trainee at St Mary’s Wheatley from 2020 up to 2022, where she learnt about how a church works and more about Christianity through Bible Training Yorkshire. She has also worked in primary schools in Sheffield and Doncaster, working as a teaching assistant. She spent time in classes with a wide variety of children, including SEN children.
Ellie is also from a non Christian background but she loves teaching children about Christianity and making it exciting for them. She loves a cup of tea however it comes and she likes to put a smile on people’s faces.
Helen Acton
Helen joined the Trust in October 2024. Until then, she worked as a
principal in a Doncaster primary school for 15 years, where one of her
favourite parts of the job was taking assemblies. She has also been a
children’s worker and active member of St Peter and Paul’s, Barnby Dun
for the last 30 years, particularly enjoying the family atmosphere of
leading Messy Church. Helen first came to faith, many years ago, through
assemblies in her own primary school experience and similarly hopes to
inspire and excite children today to learn more about Christianity.
Daniel Budhi
Dan has worked for the Trust in secondary schools since 2013. A Mattersey Bible College graduate, he is passionate about seeing young people reach their full potential. He only drinks good coffee and when he’s not in schools he is often found with a camera in hand recording all of our videos.
