Windle Trust International (WTI), an Oxford based charity that was recently highlighted in parliament for its work in Sudan by Oxford MP Anneleise Dodd, has made the shortlist for this year’s Charity Awards, the longest-running and most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector.
WTI has been shortlisted in the International Aid and Development category for its Accelerated Secondary Education Programme in South Sudan, which delivers the country’s secondary education curriculum to unqualified, adult primary school teachers in two years rather than four, thereby improving both the teachers’ capacities, as well as the education of their students.
The Charity Awards, which recently announced its shortlist, is the sector’s most highly regarded excellence recognition scheme and is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary.
All 30 shortlisted charities this year have been judged by an independent panel of sector leaders as having demonstrated best practice in leadership and management, from which other organisations can learn.
WTI’s Accelerated Secondary Education Programme (ASEP) in South Sudan is focused on addressing the nation’s shortage of trained and supported teachers. One of the newest countries in the world, South Sudan, achieved independence in 2011, but ongoing conflict has left its education system in tatters.
School buildings have been destroyed, damaged or taken over by armed groups, while teachers have fled and pupils have been press-ganged into fighting.
WTI’s Chief Executive, Dr. David Masua, who pioneered the Accelerated Secondary Education Programme, the first of its kind in the country, said: “WTI is honoured to have been recognised by the Charity Awards for our commitment to improving the quality of education in South Sudan.
“Nearly half of South Sudan’s primary school teachers have no qualifications, and as a result, remain poorly equipped or trained for their work.
On the other hand, there are very few women who are trained as teachers, so accelerated secondary education not only equips teachers with the skills they need to improve learning outcomes but also addresses the gender imbalance in the classroom. It further gives opportunity for teachers to drop back into education as accelerated secondary education opens further education opportunities.
“This is a win-win for South Sudan, because better-qualified teachers lead to better-quality teaching and learning. Good quality education is paramount not just to the development of South Sudan’s economy, but to the nurturing of a sense of nationhood, and bring hope to those who lost it either due to war, poverty and cultural barriers.”
The Charity Awards’ 10 category winners, plus the recipients of the Overall Award for Excellence and the Daniel Phelan Award for Outstanding Achievement, will be announced at a black-tie dinner on Thursday 03 July, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
The evening will be hosted by BBC news presenter Asad Ahmad, who will be joined on the night by a host of celebrities, representatives of the shortlisted charities, as well as leaders from Britain’s best-known and best-loved charities.
Matthew Nolan, Chief Executive of Civil Society Media, which organises the Charity Awards, congratulated WTI on making the highly coveted shortlist. He said: “For a quarter of a century now, the Charity Awards has been showcasing and celebrating the terrific work of UK charities large and small.
“At a time when the sector is struggling with higher costs, shrinking donations and ever-increasing demand for its work, it is reassuring and inspiring to see the extent and quality of charitable activity that is still going on across the country.
“We offer our heartfelt congratulations to all the charities on this year’s shortlist; we know that times are tough and you should all be very proud of getting this far. We wish WTI the best of luck on the night.”
Peter Hugh Smith, chief executive at CCLA, Overall Partner of the Charity Awards, said: “Every year the Charity Awards serve as a moment for the sector to reflect and acknowledge the transformative power of compassion, determination and resilience. The awards amplify the voices of those making a difference, inspiring others to join in creating positive change.
“We’re honoured to renew our role as the Charity Awards’ Overall Partner, championing the remarkable efforts of charities, large and small, right across the UK.”
Charity Awards judge Shane Ryan, senior adviser to the National Lottery Community Fund, said that the ASEP programme tackles multiple interconnected issues: the severe shortage of qualified teachers, limited access to secondary education, and significant gender disparities.
“This represents an outstanding example of thoughtful, contextually-appropriate international development that builds local capacity and addresses root causes rather than symptoms.”
The Shortlist 2025:
- Animals and the Environment
- The Mayhew Home
- StreetVet
- Trees for Cities
- Arts, Culture and Heritage
- Kilmartin Museum
- Scene and Heard
- Services For Education
- Campaigning and Advocacy
- Ashden Climate Solutions
- The Donkey Sanctuary
- National AIDS Trust
- Children and Youth
- Delight Charity
- MYTIME Young Carers
- Spark Inside
- Disability
- The Brain Charity
- icandance
- National Autistic Society
- Education and Training
- Get Further
- Holocaust Education Trust
- St John’s Hospice North Lancashire and South Lakes
- Grantmaking and Funding
- Cumbria Community Foundation
- Project Giving Back
- Steve Morgan Foundation
- Healthcare and Medical Research
- 4Louis
- Friends of Moorfields Eye Hospital
- Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA)
- International Aid and Development
- Alfanar Venture Philanthropy
- Oxfam
- Windle Trust International
- Social Care, Advice and Support
- Advance Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education
- Street Talk
- Turning Tides Homelessness
The panel of judges for 2025 includes:
- Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive, Nspcc (Chair)
- André Clarke, Director Of Charity Development, Lloyds Bank Foundation For
- England And Wales
- Martin Edwards, Chief Executive, Julia’s House
- Katie Ghose, Chief Executive, Kids
- Gemma Gooch, Head Of Charities Distribution, Rathbones
- Richard Hawkes Obe, Chief Executive, British Asian Trust
- Jehangir Malik Obe, Consultant And Adviser To Unicef South Asia
- Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive, Women’s Aid
- Cathy Phelan-Watkins, Owner And Chair, Civil Society Media
- Shane Ryan, Senior Adviser To The National Lottery Community Fund
- Sharika Sharma, Head Of Business Development, Ccla
- Dr Priya Singh, Chair, Ncvo And Executive Director, The Society For
- Assistance Of Medical Families
- Julie Wilson-Dodd, Transformation Consultant
- Karin Woodley Cbe, Chief Executive, Cambridge House
