Spectacular setting for Thomas Adams School founder visit

The New Year started in style with a visit to the inspiring surroundings of Drapers’ Hall in London for David O’Toole, CEO at The 3-18 Education Trust and Mark Cooper, Headteacher at The Thomas Adams School in Wem. 

Seven staff members from Thomas Adams School, The 3-18 Education Trust and The Drapers' Company stand in front of a painting of King Charles in a grand room.

The Thomas Adams School has a longstanding affiliation with The Drapers’ Company. Sir Thomas Adams, Master of the Drapers in 1640, founded the school in his hometown of Wem.

Drapers’ Hall is home to The Drapers’ Company, a grant-making body. The Company, through The Drapers’ Charitable Fund, awards annual leaving prizes and provides for a student hardship fund to enable Thomas Adams School pupils to participate in extracurricular activities. The Company also provides one governor. 

At last week’s meeting, David and Mark met with a number of The Drapers’ Company staff including Professor Morag Shiach, Master Draper 2024-25 and Patrick Beddows TD, Master Warden (pictured above). 

As part of their ongoing support to Thomas Adams School, The Drapers’ Company recently donated £25,000 towards furnishings for a new state-of the-art student support building which opens this year.

A male student and female student pose with their textiles creations - a set of canvases, a dress on a mannequin - and a certificate.
Students Raf Borges and Ellie Bright with their work and Drapers’ awards

At the end of last year, three Thomas Adams School students won gold, silver and bronze awards at the Shrewsbury Drapers Company Textile Design Competition 2024 and exhibited their work at Shrewsbury Library.

Additionally each year, The Drapers’ Company award one sixth form student with the prestigious Drapers’ Scholarship. This provides the student with financial support for the duration of their university course, as well as a mentor and access to wider opportunities within the Company.  

The Thomas Adams School and The 3-18 Education Trust would like to thank The Drapers’ Company for their continued support of our school and students. We look forward to another positive year of collaboration. 

The 3-18 Education Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) of primary and secondary schools across Shropshire, with a community of over 5,000 students.

For press enquiries, contact media@318education.co.uk.

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