Three of the 63-school trust\u2019s staff will work on the island, which sits over 1,200 miles from Africa, its nearest continent and 4,500 miles from England, for a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delta CEO Andy Barnett said: \u201cI am excited about the opportunities it will bring. Firstly, to the children in St Helena and, secondly, to the staff selected to experience a different way of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to develop colleagues and another benefit of being part of a large trust which is prepared to offer these experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Unusual\u2019 approach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe English, maths and science specialists will fly to the island \u2013 which has a population of 4,500 \u2013 in September. They will take up \u201cadvisory teacher\u201d roles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phil Toal, St Helena Secondary\u2019s head, said the trio will help to strengthen teaching, support curriculum development and build \u201csustainable capacity within our school\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His school \u201cwould face challenges in meeting curriculum demands across its core subjects\u201d without the support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Phil-Toal-Delta-island-feat.jpg\")
Phil Toal at St Helena Secondary School<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDelta executive principal Chris McCall noted that the trust works with \u201cmany\u201d schools across the country \u2013 but the \u201capproach from Saint Helena was certainly unusual\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added: \u201cWe are extremely focused on developing our staff through our workload policies, our staff benefits platform and our leadership pathways initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe St Helena partnership allows us to give our staff a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while simultaneously developing their leadership skills and boosting the life chances of young people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More trips planned<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe school \u201cbroadly follows the UK national curriculum\u201d, according to the St Helena government\u2019s website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At GCSE and A-level, it follows exam board specifications \u201cwhere we are able to choose the subjects most suited to our needs\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The curriculum is also \u201cintegrated with some online learning in specific areas which cannot be taught on-island\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McCall confirmed that \u201call costs\u201d are being met by the island school. The trust has \u201chas simply facilitated a secondment\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another trip is planned for next year. Delta expects there to be \u201cat least four places\u201d available to staff, but this depends on the school\u2019s needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It expects this to be the start of a \u201clong-term relationship\u201d, with trust staff \u201csharing resources and facilitating access to CPD\u201d in the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trusts look overseas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Delta executive principal Chris McCall noted that the trust works with \u201cmany\u201d schools across the country \u2013 but the \u201capproach from Saint Helena was certainly unusual\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added: \u201cWe are extremely focused on developing our staff through our workload policies, our staff benefits platform and our leadership pathways initiatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe St Helena partnership allows us to give our staff a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while simultaneously developing their leadership skills and boosting the life chances of young people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n