David’s authentic, compassionate leadership has transformed Endeavour Learning Trust. Rooted in the community, he inspires belonging, openness and resilience, sharing his own lived challenges to empower others. Under his stewardship, outcomes, attendance, and wellbeing have risen, trauma-informed practice has strengthened and the trust has grown significantly. Colleagues praise his empathy, integrity and unwavering commitment to ensuring every child and staff member thrives.
Susan is a visionary CEO whose leadership transforms specialist education. She champions pupils with complex needs, influences national SEND policy, and embeds inclusion across the trust. Her strategic actions, opening two new schools, developing staff and family engagement, and setting high standards, have improved outcomes, strengthened culture, and positioned the trust as a national leader in excellence, innovation, and advocacy.
King’s Group Academies is a rapidly growing values-led trust where the CEO’s visible, principled and future-focused leadership has transformed culture, strengthened cohesion, and improved outcomes. Deeply passionate about standards, because he is driven by securing the best life chances for every learner, he leads with clarity and innovation, creating a thriving trust delivering excellence across all 15 academies.
Simon, the founding CEO of Learning Academies Trust, has transformed education in Plymouth, growing the trust from 3 to 18 schools. Guided by values of collaboration, kindness, inclusivity, excellence, and aspiration, his legacy ensures every child is empowered to achieve their best. ‘Believe you can. Together we will.’
For more than a decade, Simon has transformed education across the South-East with calm conviction and moral purpose. As CEO of Leigh Academies Trust, he has led sustained improvement from 6 to 33 academies, built national leadership in technical and inclusive education, and ensured thousands more young people have the confidence, qualifications and character to shape a better world.
Michael has grown Trinity MAT from a single academy in 2010 into an 11-academy trust educating 8,183 children, with every academy now Good or Outstanding. He has opened two free schools judged Outstanding at first inspection, created an Outstanding sixth-form college in Halifax, and founded White Rose Education, a global multi-million-pound business - a King’s Award winner - extending Trinity’s reach.
Stuart is an exceptional CFO and COO, expertly managing complex finances and the broader operations of Education South West. His leadership ensures clean audits year-on-year, and drives innovation from financial strategy to in-house data and HR systems, making a significant impact across the trust.
Philip stands out as he combines financial discipline with transformational leadership. He has strengthened systems, empowered teams, and embedded evidence-led decision-making across the trust. His strategic foresight delivers sustained surpluses, improved services, and greater organisational resilience. Philip’s people-centred approach, objective leadership, and data-driven impact make him an exceptional CFO whose influence extends far beyond finance.
David has transformed the Lion Academy Trust’s financial strategy, data capability, and operational excellence. Through industry-leading financial stewardship, advanced data analytics and dashboarding, and a pioneering Strategic Investment Plan directly aligned to risk, David has delivered exceptional value, sustainability, and insight. His work has elevated the trust’s ability to adapt to its environment, while strengthening outcomes for pupils, staff, and the wider community.
Louise has optimised the finance function into a high-performing, forward thinking team driven by excellence and collaboration. Through strategic leadership and a focus on continuous improvement, she has delivered c.£800k in cost savings, strengthened reserves management, generated £200k in interest, and further embedded accountability across the trust. Her vision, innovation, and people focused approach make her a standout CFO.
Ritchie has enhanced Matrix Academy Trust’s finances, securing long-term stability, major capital investment, and targeted support for vulnerable pupils. He has driven efficiency through shared services and procurement, introduced KPIs for smarter decision-making, invested in staff wellbeing, and created a fleet of minibuses to expand pupil opportunities. His leadership ensures sustainable growth, improved outcomes, and stronger schools across the trust.
Sarah has elevated OAK Multi Academy Trust’s financial strategy, strengthening sustainability, transparency, and long-term resilience. Her leadership in GAG pooling, rigorous financial systems, exemplary audit performance, and delivery of major capital projects has placed the trust in its strongest financial position to date. Sarah’s integrity, skill, and collaborative approach make her an outstanding CFO.
Stop the Bleed is an essential trauma intervention and lifesaving initiative for immediate first responder bystanders in incidents like stabbings, shootings, traffic accidents, terrorist attacks, general accidents and other injuries. It trains the public to respond immediately to life-threatening loss of blood, delivered via an extensive civic partnership including the voluntary and community sector, statutory agencies, national organisations and businesses.
The Advance Learning Partnership's civic forums bring together public services, charities, employers and community partners across South-West Durham, East Durham and Teesdale to tackle local challenges and improve outcomes for children and families. By aligning multi-agency priorities and designing collaborative, place-based projects, the forums strengthen civic engagement, widen opportunities for pupils, and deliver meaningful, measurable impact across ALP communities.
EdCity is a non-profit partnership between Ark and Hammersmith & Fulham Council, which acts as a gateway to extend the benefits of recent local investment in new biotech, digital, and creative businesses to the White City community. The EdCity campus provides education, youth support, skills development, and workspace, as well as affordable homes in an historically underserved part of London.
This nomination recognises the partnership between Robert Bell, director of inclusion at Consilium Academies, and the NHS in delivering the Foundations for Learning Project. Using innovative visual/audio and movement assessments with targeted interventions, the initiative addresses neurodevelopmental barriers, improving reading, behaviour, and engagement. Early success at Consilium Evolve is enabling expansion across Sunderland primary schools, with a long-term aim for nationwide rollout within the NHS interventions pathway, to support SEND inclusion and learning outcomes.
Embark Federation’s partnership with the University of Derby enriches learning, aspiration, and wellbeing for nearly 9,000 pupils across 25 schools. Through STEM workshops, higher education mentoring, teacher CPD, and public engagement, the collaboration increases opportunities for disadvantaged pupils, strengthens teaching, and fosters civic identity. Strategic oversight and continuous evaluation ensure the partnership delivers lasting public benefit across schools, families, and the wider community.
Windsor Academy Trust established a civic partnership with the NHS to address health and education inequalities. This collaboration led to the Co-creating Healthy Futures Framework, a national blueprint for system-level change. It focuses on opening gateways to collaboration, youth health prevention, establishing school-based community health hubs, and nurturing the future NHS workforce.
Co-op Academies Trust works with 38 communities across the North of England to help children and families thrive. Their dedicated Community Team and strong partnerships put people first, focusing on empowerment, readiness to learn, quality of life, and personal growth. By removing barriers and listening to local voices, they create fairer opportunities and stronger, more confident communities.
Every week, the Elliot Foundation Academies Trust deliver an average of 830 boxes of food, personal hygiene items, and cleaning products to the families most in need (more than 30,000 boxes per year, with a value in excess of £1 million). They have opened community hubs nationally in the last year to serve their wider communities which are often some of the most deprived in the country.
Embark Federation is a community-first trust, transforming the lives of 9,000 children across Derbyshire. Through powerful partnerships, innovative enrichment, and targeted support, Embark removes barriers, strengthens community cohesion, and ensures every child ‘Loves Learning, Loves Life.’ Its work places schools at the heart of their communities, delivering exceptional impact, equity, and opportunities for all.
Endeavour Learning Trust has become the area’s anchor institution, transforming its four secondary schools into year-round community hubs which support more than 140 groups and thousands of families. Through coordinated physical activity, wellbeing, SEND, leadership, and safeguarding programmes, the trust fills gaps left by reduced local services. Its civic leadership, partnerships, and inclusive provision strengthen resilience, belonging, and opportunity across the wider community.
Focus-Trust is a values-driven family of 15 schools across the North-West and West Yorkshire, serving 5,800 children in diverse communities. Guided by their mission ‘Learning together, making the difference’ and their vision ‘Great schools at the heart of our communities,’ partnerships like Vision Screening Checks with universities and the Women’s CHAI Project highlight their commitment to overcoming challenges and helping every child and community thrive.
Learning in Harmony Trust’s longstanding commitment to collective social responsibility delivers real impact for children and the community. Its CSR Champions programme drives initiatives that strengthen local support and has been especially successful at JFK Special School in improving opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Working with families, services, and partners, the trust is building inclusive communities where every child thrives.
Rivermead Inclusive Trust is a cornerstone of community support, delivering pioneering SEND outreach, respite care, and holistic family services. From food poverty initiatives to adult education and therapeutic hubs, they tackle health inequalities and empower families. Their partnerships, training programs, and innovative provisions transform lives across Medway and Kent – making them a true community champion.
Wise Owl Trust’s Building Forward Together project transforms communities by closing school readiness gaps, reducing isolation, and empowering families. Serving areas of high deprivation in Manchester, where more than 60% of pupils are eligible for Pupil Premium, they delivered 923 events and 5,870 attendances to improve early years development, build community connections, and create lasting support networks for families.
allmanhall support school trusts with expert food procurement, supplier management, nutrition, and dietetic consultancy. They deliver cost savings, bring admin efficiencies, and boost sustainability, all while supporting student wellbeing. Gold-rated by EcoVadis, they help in-house teams serve nutritious, responsible meals — proving that good food shouldn’t cost the Earth.
CPOMS is the trusted safeguarding, wellbeing, and pastoral platform, used by more than 20,000 settings worldwide. From nurseries to secondary schools, charities and sports clubs, it helps protect pupils and staff, while enabling secure information-sharing with local authorities. As part of Raptor Technologies, CPOMS continues to expand its capabilities and partnerships.
HFL Education works in collaboration with MATs nationwide to provide award-winning resources, services that save trusts time and money, and top-level strategic support that ensures every student gets the best education. HFL’s extensive and innovative offer is moving the needle for trusts with transformative changes that help teachers teach, learners learn, and leaders to run their operations effectively.
Judicium Education is the expert partner for multi-academy trusts seeking excellent, dependable support across health and safety and fire, employment law and HR, data protection, governance, safeguarding, and SEND. Their comprehensive services strengthen compliance, streamline operations, and enable trusts to focus on delivering outstanding outcomes. Trusted by hundreds of MATs, they provide solutions designed to align with trusts’ distinct priorities.
Leadership Edge is driven by their first-hand experiences of school leadership, motivating them to support trusts to act with empathy and urgency. They know that thriving students need supported, empowered staff. By investing in the personal wellbeing and professional development of colleagues through the power of PURE coaching, they empower trusts to ‘Lift up the education system from within’.
Magma Maths transforms teaching and learning across school trusts by analysing pupils’ handwritten reasoning, giving teachers real-time insight into how children think. Independent evaluations show significant gains in attainment and major reductions in workload. Fully accessible and multilingual, Magma supports inclusive, high-quality maths pedagogy at scale – empowering trusts to deliver consistent, confident, and equitable maths education.
SAMpeople is the UK’s fastest-growing education HR system, increasing their customer base by 53% to more than 2,250 schools and trusts in 2025. Designed by education specialists, the software helps schools centralise data, streamline HR processes, and reduce admin, saving staff more than two hours per week. Recent innovations include joining the Arbor School Management Suite.
Step Into Teaching offers an experience programme to inspire graduates to choose teaching as their first career choice. They offer a pre-ITT pathway that supports a seamless transition from placement, through to QTS, and the Early Career Framework - building a long-term pipeline of future teaching talent.
stylus, twice recipient of a DfE Contract for Innovation and BESA Start-up of the Year 2025, is a paper-first, service-based model that delivers better-than-human consistency in marking, deep curriculum insight, and MAT-level intelligence – without extra workload, without new tech barriers, and without compromising privacy or professional autonomy. Customer CEOs have been ‘blown away’, reporting ‘no gimmicks, no snake oil, stylus just works.’
Supporting Education Group works in partnership with multi academy trust leaders to strengthen workforce, inclusion, and operational resilience. In the last year, they supported upwards of 17,000 schools and trusts, delivered millions of lessons through their 25,000 plus educators, trained more than 8,000 apprentices, and helped improve outcomes for pupils across the country. Their evidence-led, mission-driven services help address the greatest challenges facing the sector.
King’s Group Academies has transformed digital learning through a trust-wide Digital and AI strategy, 1:1 Chromebooks, and innovative partnerships such as with IBM and Google. Their approach enhances teaching, reduces workload, and expands access for all learners. From personalised learning tools to industry-linked opportunities, they are building a future-ready digital ecosystem that delivers ‘Opportunity and Success on a Global Stage.’
Lionheart Educational Trust have revolutionised pupil assessment with BigTeach – a smart app that turns data into actionable insights for pupil attainment. By streamlining evaluation and cutting teacher workload, BigTeach delivers time savings of more than 75% compared to traditional methods, freeing educators to focus on teaching and learning.
Rainbow Education Multi Academy Trust stands out for its digital innovation. They use technology to ensure every pupil, including those with SEND, EAL and disadvantaged backgrounds, is supported through clear and defined pedagogical approaches. They focus on innovative approaches to AI, alongside the use of technology, to enhance pedagogy, assessment, leadership, and admin efficiencies.
United Analytics is transforming how the trust uses data for impact and at scale. Built on a single source of truth, it delivers real-time insights across nearly 100 academies and 70,000 pupils, reducing workload and enabling evidence-based decisions. With stakeholder-led embedding and sector-wide sharing of the data model, it sets a new standard for data-driven leadership and future-ready education.
Serving communities with deprivation significantly above the national average, Windsor’s EmpowerED strategy is the engine of social mobility. By embedding digital accessibility as a non-negotiable student entitlement, they are closing the gap for their most vulnerable learners – proven by their 100% Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings and recognition as a global Apple case study.
Woodland Academy Trust has transformed teaching and learning through a unified approach to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and responsible AI adoption. Over the past year, they have embedded evidence-informed digital practices, improved accessibility for all pupils, reduced teacher workload, and strengthened curriculum quality. This nomination showcases how innovation, inclusion, and impact now work hand-in-hand across all five schools.
The CLF stands as a transformative force, championing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at every level. Through strategic vision, culturally responsive teaching, and deep-rooted partnerships with communities and changemakers, they create authentic, bespoke spaces that truly reflect and celebrate their pupils, staff and communities. Their commitment is not just to education, but to fostering environments where every individual feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.
Chiltern Learning Trust is a national leader in educational excellence, a champion for equity and inclusion, and a pioneer of initiatives that transform lives. They take immense pride in delivering exceptional education within their own schools, while sharing their expertise and resources generously with the wider system. Their work benefits not only their pupils and staff, but also wider society.
At a time when community cohesion is vital, Compass Partnership have strengthened inclusion, rather than retreating from it. In 20 months, they have developed and implemented a trust-wide model for racial inclusion with Hemisphere. Racist incidents have reduced by almost two-thirds and 97% of parents report feeling welcomed and respected by their child’s school. This model has since been replicated by other trusts.
Aligned with their EDI report and national priorities, Inspire Education Trust are committed to being beacons of best practice in education. Their impactful initiatives include collaborating with exam boards to diversify the curriculum, championing an anti-racism culture, and developing cultural competency across stakeholders. They strive to lead the sector with strategic advancements, setting a national benchmark for EDI excellence.
STEP’s drive to being an anti-racist organisation is driven by their moral purpose of improving the life chances of their children, staff and communities. They believe they both need, and deserve, role models who reflect the diverse world and communities we live and work in. Empowering pupils will enable them to make informed decisions and challenge injustices that exist in society.
Crofty prioritises sustainability across education and operations, empowering children as climate-conscious changemakers, and guiding eco-council action through UN principles. Sustainable procurement, estates planning, and environmental data analysis inform decisions. Their proactive culture ensures adoption of practices and technologies that support long-term environmental responsibility. They are set apart by their actions, driven by their children who are true agents of change.
David Ross Education Trust (DRET) has transformed sustainability from isolated projects into a trust-wide strategy. In 12 months, they’ve launched live Climate Action Plans in every school, upgraded estates with major low carbon works, reduced energy use, embedded governance oversight, and grown pupil-led action and forest school experiences.
At E-ACT, they believe that pupils are tomorrow’s leaders, equipped to help create a sustainable, healthy future. By driving environmental action, behaviour change, and climate education across the trust, they empower pupils to make a meaningful difference through cutting carbon emissions, improving biodiversity, reducing waste and water use, strengthening climate resilience, and holding the trust and wider society accountable for a more sustainable future.
The Elliot Foundation Academies Trust has developed a green curriculum that has been implemented across 36 schools nationwide. It’s been described as ‘the gold standard’ by a politician in Parliament, has been the focus of international research, and has directly inspired sustainability projects in schools outside the trust. Pupil voice is at the heart of all they do.
Futura Learning Partnership exemplifies environmental stewardship, achieving notable reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions across their schools. Over the past few years, they have launched impactful biodiversity projects, implemented sustainable resource management practices, and engaged students, staff and the community in environmental education, positioning Futura as a leader in sustainable practices within education in the South West.
Northern Star Academies Trust doesn’t just teach sustainability – it lives it. By embedding climate education across curricula, transforming school environments, empowering student voice, and advocating nationally, NSAT is shaping a generation of children who will inherit and protect our fragile planet.
Oasis strengthened its sustainability foundations this year — reducing their Scope 1 & 2 carbon footprint by 10% and increasing recycling rates. Student-led initiatives drove behavioural change; thirteen academies earned Green Flags, and one academy topped the Energy Sparks national leaderboard. They continued their involvement in the Net Zero Accelerator/GSESP programme and raising awareness across the wider sector on driving sustainability.
The Sea View Trust has placed sustainability at the heart of its mission, delivering a trust-wide decarbonisation programme, installing heat pumps, solar PV, and insulation upgrades across all five schools in one coordinated project. Saving 311.61 tCO₂ annually, the trust is driving measurable progress towards Net Zero while empowering pupils to become the sustainability leaders of tomorrow.
Mikhaela is the most effective, accurate, and knowledgeable governance professional you could meet. Her commitment to getting the details right puts governance at the heart of the trust, ensuring that trustees and local governors contribute to quality and are rewarded by seeing the impact of their work. She acts like her role is to enable excellence, and she does.
Jennifer's goal has been to make governance a source of strength, rooted in collaboration, aligned with understanding of trust-wide priorities, and responsive to local needs. Seeing the trust operate with confidence, clarity, and shared purpose, and knowing governance plays a central role in that is a great achievement. Governance is now collaborative, child-centred, and insight-driven.
Maria exemplifies governance excellence through her expertise, unwavering commitment to high standards, and her calm and empathetic leadership. She has successfully embedded clear and effective governance structures across the trust, ensuring that every layer – both executive and non-executive – is well-supported, confident in its role, and aligned with a shared understanding of responsibilities.
Laura is a transformative governance leader whose expertise, strategic clarity, and unwavering commitment have strengthened every layer of governance across Embark. She has embedded high-quality frameworks, empowered trustees and LGT members, and aligned governance with the growing trust’s vision and values. Laura’s impact ensures governance is lived, understood and celebrated across all 25 schools.
Charlotte has transformed governance at The Priestley Academy Trust, building a professional service from scratch. From increasing board occupancy from 41% to 93%, to creating a governance portal and handbook, her leadership has been praised in Ofsted inspections and recognised by other trusts. Charlotte’s dedication, innovation and impact make her a standout governance professional.
Kerry is dynamic and a force behind strategic mastery at Rainbow Education MAT. Through fearless implementation of structural innovation, she has completely redefined oversight, striving for unparalleled compliance and coherence across the trust. Her leadership has unleashed a powerful cycle of accountability, collaboration, and development, decisively elevating the performance of all leaders.
Kelly has ensured TSAT’s governance provision is future fit. She completed a full governance structure change over 24/25 which has seen a huge improvement in governance, as recognised by Ofsted. She has further strengthened how governance works across the trust to make it more effective and more connected. Her work has been highlighted as ‘leading practice’ in the industry.
Abbey Multi Academy Trust transforms lives through excellence, equity, and empowerment. With all schools rated Good, pioneering oracy, carbon net zero operations, and a people-first culture, AMAT creates inclusive, future-ready education for all. Their commitment to sustainability, wellbeing, and innovation ensures every learner and colleague flourishes, making them a shining example of what a modern MAT can achieve.
‘One Community, Many Ideas, Everyone’s Future’. With their MAT vision, Arbib transforms student outcomes. They provide exceptional, inclusive education with no limits on social mobility or success. Collaboration and agile sponsorship help them nurture students' resilience and aspiration. Their unique cultural capital approach, centred on museum learning, is the heart of their MAT, innovating for curriculum excellence.
Carlton Academy Trust, formed from the remarkable transformation of Carlton Bolling, serves nine schools across Bradford and Leeds, supporting more than 3,700 students and 980 staff. Named a World Class Trust, all schools are rated Good or Outstanding. Through strategic leadership, sustainable investments, and a focus on staff wellbeing, its Excellence for All approach drives outstanding academic achievement, personal growth, and community impact.
The Charter Trust is dedicated to creating better futures for children and young people, particularly those facing social and educational disadvantage. They have grown since 2015 to nine schools and a teaching school hub, building a strong reputation for teacher development and school improvement. Guided by collaboration, inclusion, and evidence-informed practice, they work together to deliver exceptional education and lasting impact.
HEARTS Academy Trust is redefining possibilities through innovation, inclusion and ambition. From sector-leading SEMH strategies, to their HEARTS Promise, and nationally recognised Pupil Parliament, they put pupils and families first. With exceptional outcomes, pioneering leadership, and a strong culture of collaboration and belonging, HEARTS is a beacon of excellence for primary education.
Matrix Academy Trust transforms lives through Education Without Exception. They deliver rising outcomes, sector-leading inclusion, and powerful community impact. Every school is now Good or better, with national influence on school improvement, safeguarding, and teacher development. They broaden horizons through exceptional enrichment, international experiences, and civic leadership, ensuring every learner and staff member thrives and belongs.
OAK Multi Academy Trust is a values-driven, research-informed organisation delivering exceptional improvements in teaching, inclusion, digital innovation, and operational excellence. Guided by the vision, ‘Together we grow great schools’, OAK has transformed outcomes, culture, and community impact across all five schools, providing equity, opportunity, and excellence for every learner, along with superb outcomes across all schools.
Rivermead Inclusive Trust transforms lives through pioneering inclusion, SEND excellence, and community engagement. With 100% Good or better Ofsted ratings, innovative therapeutic services, and sector-leading staff development, they empower every child to thrive. Their holistic approach tackles health inequalities, enriches learning, and builds resilient communities – making them a model of outstanding practice.
Bohunt Education Trust supports more than 12,000 children across the South East, with an ethos of ‘enjoy respect achieve’ and a collaborative ‘Green Chicken’ culture. BET champions innovation, inclusion, and opportunity, with Attainment 8 and disadvantaged outcomes above national averages – white British disadvantaged learners outperform national average figures by almost a GCSE grade. 97% of their schools’ Ofsted judgements are Good or Outstanding.
The CLPT’s mission is to create transformational educational opportunities, promote social justice, and unlock individual freedom. Since 2016, it has grown to 11 Staffordshire schools, with another converting, serving 2,700 children and employing 460 staff. Through local partnerships, specialist provisions, and professional development via its training arm, the trust works to ensure every child flourishes and every school community thrives.
Endeavour is committed to creating safe, inclusive schools where everyone belongs. Following the tragic July 2024 Southport incident at Churchtown Primary, staff, trustees, and specialists united to support the community. Through initiatives like sports partnerships and lettings, the trust generates more than £1 million annually for extracurricular and pastoral care. Financially, Endeavour has moved from an £800k deficit in 2022/23 to balanced budgets by 2024/25.
Exceed Learning Partnership is driving outstanding academic outcomes and systemic stability for more than 5,000 pupils aged 2 to 18 in Doncaster. Through system leadership, closing the achievement gap, and ongoing investment, their 91% staff retention, exceptional pupil attendance rates, high performance across all phases, and nationally recognised community regenerative programmes evidence that they exceed expectations for every child, colleague, and family.
Focus-Trust is a values-driven MAT, transforming lives through innovation and collaboration. As trailblazers in Vision Screening Checks with Manchester and Bradford Universities, they remove hidden barriers to learning. From Farms for City Children to their Responsive Professional Learning, inclusion, wellbeing, and collective efficacy define Focus-Trust’s culture and lasting impact.
The Learning Academies Trust is transforming education across Plymouth through an ambitious, values-driven vision, focused on inclusion, collaboration and improving life chances for every child. With exceptional outcomes, sector-leading innovation, and a deep commitment to staff wellbeing and community support, LAT delivers high-quality education where it is needed most; creating confident learners, empowered staff, and thriving school communities.
TMET serves some of the most deprived communities in the UK, yet their outcomes show what is possible when inclusion shapes every decision. By building their systems around children who face the greatest barriers, they create the conditions for all pupils to succeed.
Waterton Academy Trust delivers a joined-up education system linking primary schools, specialist settings, pre-schools, and an apprenticeship provider. Guided by the belief that ‘Success is a shared experience’, they create provision where it is needed most. Their collective model drives excellence, inclusion, and wellbeing, delivering strong outcomes for pupils, families, and staff across Wakefield and Barnsley.
CLF is a 2–19 trust serving some of the South West’s most disadvantaged communities. Through their One Plan and the Lens of Disadvantage, they have secured all schools Good or better, closed key attainment gaps, and built sector-leading people, partnerships, and practice – demonstrating Inclusive Excellence with High Expectations at real scale and with deep, sustained impact.
E-ACT is transforming children’s lives across nurseries, schools and sixth forms in seven DfE regions. Their attendance and behaviour hubs lead national improvements, particularly for disadvantaged and SEND pupils. They are the only MAT with all schools accredited for inclusion through IQM and ELKLAN. Their sector-leading reading fluency work, and pioneering state–independent partnerships, are raising standards in England’s most disadvantaged communities.
Leigh Academies Trust delivers high performance at scale and rapid improvement in the most demanding contexts. With over half of academies judged Outstanding, and a consistent record of transforming schools like Leigh Academy Minster and Leigh Academy Halley, the trust provides stability, ambition, and lasting improvement for learners, staff, and communities.
Meridian Trust is a successful, values-led multi-academy trust founded on a commitment to people and communities. Their aims are that: every child and employee are known, equally valued and supported to achieve their potential; every community benefits from the facilities and services provided; every school retains and develops their distinct identity, while contributing to and shaping their values and practices.
The White Horse Federation has transformed education through innovative assessment, a bespoke curriculum, and strategic collaboration. With 100% of schools rated Good or Outstanding, a 12% rise in pupil outcomes, and £6 million reinvested into education, TWHF exemplifies excellence. Its outward-facing culture, sector leadership, and commitment to equity set it apart as a leading multi-academy trust.
BeReady’s Becoming the CEO programme is redefining executive leadership in the trust sector. Built with an unprecedented national learning faculty, it offers current and aspiring CEOs a rare, trusted space to think, challenge, collaborate, and grow. Hundreds of trusts now engage, benefitting from stronger leadership judgement, richer professional networks, and more confident, resilient executives driving improvement for pupils and communities.
IMP Planner is the sector-leading budgeting, forecasting, and reporting solution, built specifically for multi-academy trusts. Trusted by more than 550 trusts and 6,000 schools, it provides real-time financial visibility, accurate multi-year modelling, and streamlined workflows. Its MAT-first design improves governance, strengthens strategic planning, and reduces workload, helping trusts operate sustainably and deliver the best outcomes for pupils.
Addressing attendance is complex. There are so many factors influencing whether a child attends every day. How they slept, their morning routine, and their relationships with friends and teachers all make a difference. ImpactEd believe that it is by understanding these wider factors that school leaders can most effectively target support to meet their pupils’ needs. Through the project, schools and trusts can explore actionable data, benefit from contextual benchmarking, and get the most out of the data. Their national diagnostic aims to provide targeted school, trust, and national insights into factors affecting attendance.
ION is redefining MAT financial management with their sector-built solution, Sage Intacct for Education. Trusted by leading MATs and recognised as Sage’s two-time Partner of the Year, ION helps trusts save time, reduce costs, and stretch every pound further. Their innovations, from advanced automation to PunchOut procurement, empower sustainable growth and stronger financial stewardship across multi-academy trusts.
Magma Maths is an inclusive, curriculum-aligned platform that transforms primary maths learning through real-time feedback, handwritten reasoning analysis, and AI support in more than 140 languages. It raises attainment, boosts confidence, and reduces teacher workload. Fully WCAG-compliant and browser-based, Magma empowers teachers to deliver high-quality, responsive lessons and provides trusts with consistent assessment insight across all schools.
Neo People Management deliver specialist payroll, pensions, and HRIS services, designed by education experts, exclusively for MATs. Neo’s team genuinely understand the pressures trusts face and provide accurate, flexible support that alleviates operational burdens from overstretched HR teams. Neo’s end-to-end service removes barriers and ensures that staff are paid correctly and on time, giving trusts a dependable partnership experience.
SBS Financial Planner sets The MAT Standard for budgeting and forecasting. Built with trust CFOs, it gives leaders trust-wide visibility, powerful modelling, and accurate, real-time financial insight. With seamless system integrations and wrap-around support from sector specialists, more than 250 trusts rely on SBS Financial Planner to improve efficiency, strengthen governance, and make confident, strategic financial decisions.
MATs face rising staff pressures, recruitment challenges, and tightening budgets, all of which directly impact consistency and culture. Trust in SAS provides the UK’s first absence, wellbeing, and leadership support solution designed specifically for MATs. By combining financial protection with preventative wellbeing support and strategic leadership guidance, they reduce staff absences, strengthen retention, and build trust-wide cultures where people thrive.
A paper-first, service-based model that delivers better-than-human consistency in marking, deep curriculum insight, and MAT-level intelligence – without extra workload, without new tech barriers, and without compromising privacy or professional autonomy. From the outset, the service has been built for multi-academy trusts, with a MAT dashboard that aggregates live data by school, cohort, and criterion and supports trust-wide 'north star' metrics.
SupplyBank is a workforce solution for MATs that centralises all temporary and permanent recruitment through a single, framework-compliant partner. It combines a powerful tech platform, expert account management, and a managed supply chain to cut supply spend by up to 15%, improve fulfilment to 95 - 100%, and give trusts full visibility, control, and compliance over workforce spend.
Empower supports inclusion by making SEND a priority in every school. They focus on early identification, strong funding, and staff development to remove barriers and help all pupils succeed. Their provision-led approach and pupil-centred strategies foster adaptable environments that value diversity. Families, staff and learners feel supported, showing their commitment to excellence, and equity for the whole community.
At Invictus, inclusion is their foundation. They blend mainstream excellence with specialist expertise – from primary ‘Total Communication’ to secondary SEMH bases – ensuring no child is left behind. By empowering SEND students as leaders and embedding adaptive practice, they have created a culture where difference is celebrated and ‘every teacher is a teacher of SEND’. They don't just include – they empower.
Championing inclusive excellence, LEO Academy Trust fosters high expectations for all learners, particularly those with SEND, by embedding a culture of adaptation for equitable access. They empower SEND learners to reach their full potential through targeted support, significant investment in specialist training, and by pioneering the way for assistive technology and pedtech, underscoring their unwavering commitment.
Driven by their vision to Collaborate, Excel, Belong, Nurture and Aspire, Rivermead Inclusive Trust transforms lives through pioneering SEND practice. Inclusion is at the heart of everything they do. Through strategic partnerships, therapy integration, outreach reintegration, high-quality professional development, and innovative solutions like their RIT Hub, they deliver outstanding outcomes, fostering independence and belonging, ensuring every child can be their best.
Severn Bridges is deeply committed to inclusion, placing SEND at the heart of all they do. Through pupil voice, family partnerships, tailored environments, and evidence-based teaching, they create nurturing, accessible settings where every child can thrive. Their inclusive culture empowers pupils, supports staff, and celebrates difference, ensuring all learners are seen, heard, and supported to reach their full potential.
Synergy Education Trust is a six-school multi-academy trust with two special schools, mainstream primaries with SEND units, and a Pupil Referral Unit. Serving disadvantaged communities, they prioritise equity and inclusion. Their mission is to dismantle barriers and reduce stigma so SEND pupils are included, empowered and able to lead, achieve and flourish.
Wave MAT's SEND practice demonstrates academic ambition and deep pastoral commitment for all pupils, through research informed and evidence-based practice of inclusive education, multi-agency collaborations, and personalised curriculum pathways. Dedicated teams at all academies use individual learning plans, pupil voice, and encourage family involvement, with the ambition for all pupils to be able to re-engage, progress, and experience success.
Inclusion is not a policy – it is Woodbridge’s identity. Through specialist expertise and an unwavering commitment to valuing every individual, they celebrate differences and ensure every learner thrives. Their inclusive strategy’s impact is seen daily in classrooms, families, and communities, where young people with SEND are not just included but inspired toward successful futures for all.
At Academy Transformation Trust, their SEND Core Offer, underpinned by Judith Carter’s 7Cs and adaptive practice, transforms inclusion and their commitment to helping every child succeed. They have raised universal provision higher to meet more needs early, maximise resources, and empower SENDCOs. In its second year, the impact is clear: improved outcomes, stronger culture, and provision that benefits every child.
Co-op Academies Trust is strengthening inclusive education through a clear trust-wide approach that removes barriers, reduces stigma, and makes sure every SEND learner feels they belong and can thrive. With a dedicated social inclusion team, strong leadership commitment, consistent high-quality provision, and measurable impact across 38 academies, they are creating real lasting change for children, families, and colleagues.
E-ACT's pioneering speech and language strategy is empowering teachers across seven of the nine DfE regions, in some of England's most disadvantaged communities. The genius of this being that it is helping staff help children. It is sustainable – training becomes part of the inclusive curriculum and, in upskilling staff, they are building SEND confidence and providing specialist provision in mainstream settings.
Maritime Academy Trust places inclusion at its core, guided by its mission to positively disrupt education and prepare every child for the next chapter of their education. The Maritime Outreach Support Service (MOSS), led by Danecourt (the trust’s special school), strengthens practice across all schools. Through collaborative support and targeted training, staff feel confident in delivering and ensuring that all children with SEND access meaningful learning and reach their full potential.
Through SENDing Students Soaring, Shaw Education Trust has established a consistent, evidence-informed approach to inclusion across 32 schools. Distributed leadership ensures headteachers, SENDCOs and T&L leads co-lead NUTSHELLS and Inclusion Implementation Plans, improving accuracy, equity, and classroom provision for SEND learners. Ofsted has repeatedly identified SEND as a trust/school strength and the strategy is beginning to attract wider national interest.
St. Bart’s MAT, with 23 academies including Abbey Hill Academy & College, embeds SEND inclusion through research-informed practice, Apple Trust 1:1 iPads, Bsquared tracking, Virtual School collaboration and initiatives such as their SEND & Inclusion Conference at Bet365 Stadium, creating trust-wide belonging, equity, and high aspirations to ensure that all children, including those working significantly below age-related expectations, thrive.
Wickersley Partnership Trust excels in SEND and inclusion, supporting students in high-deprivation areas across 13 schools and five ARPs. Strategies to tailor learning environments, encourage pupil voice, and collaborate with parents have boosted self-regulation, wellbeing, engagement, confidence, and independence. Combined with inclusive teaching, these strategies reduce behavioural incidents, support all learners, and build equity, empathy and attainment – demonstrating system-wide impact.
At 5 Dimensions Trust, professional development is a culture. Through their Leadership and Training Centre, they deliver inclusive, evidence-based programmes such as NPQs, and bespoke staff pathways that empower growth at every career stage. They champion diversity, foster collaboration, and embed development into daily practice, shaping a thriving workforce and driving school improvement locally, nationally and beyond.
Castle Phoenix Trust provide a professional development approach with a lens on culture as the foundation for sustainable school improvement. The trust supports schools to craft their desired culture and a sense of belonging for all, through ensuring bespoke CPD in effective leadership and inclusive classrooms.
HEARTS Academy Trust invests deeply in developing exceptional people. Through a rich, research-informed CPD offer, dedicated coaching, leadership pathways, workload-reduction strategies, and a culture rooted in their HEARTS values, the trust creates an environment where colleagues thrive. Their staff benefit from ambitious professional development that strengthens teaching, accelerates career progression, and transforms life chances for pupils across their communities.
The Inclusive Multi Academy Trust has committed to foster a deep sense of belonging where all staff feel truly valued, able to perform at their best, and empowered to make an outstanding difference to the lives of their pupils and their community. They believe that staff development, wellbeing, engagement, and motivation lead directly to positive pupil outcomes.
LEO Academy Trust's commitment to staff development supports all staff and drives system-wide change, evidenced by 1,000 visitors to their schools last year. Their extensive digital offer, leading SEND practice, and innovative curriculum are all underpinned by a deep passion to support economically disadvantaged (underserved) pupils.
Maiden Erlegh Trust has created a whole-workforce culture of professional learning rooted in home-grown expertise. Its CPD ecosystem spans teaching, NPQs, apprenticeships, Learning Labs, and structured pathways for support staff. Accessible to every role and phase, this approach builds shared practice, strengthens progression routes, and contributes to consistently strong provision and improved outcomes for children and young people.
Staff development at Pontefract Academies Trust has been transformed into a culture where learning, wellbeing and growth are woven into their every day. Through initiatives including their Everyday Development model, three development days, succession planning, and professional learning hub, they have created personalised development, strengthened retention, built leadership pipelines, and achieved high engagement and satisfaction.
Academy Transformation Trust drives continuous improvement through a dynamic, constantly iterated professional development strategy. The ATT Institute empowers leaders via cascaded models, Pedagogical Principles, and Professional Communities, nurturing collaboration and embedding evidence-informed practice. Inclusive frameworks, digital innovation, and sector-wide engagement strengthen teaching, leadership and support roles, embedding a culture of excellence that delivers measurable impact across classrooms and organisational priorities.
Active Learning Trust (ALT) puts staff development at the heart of its culture, offering clear career pathways, leadership programmes, apprenticeships, and routes to teacher training. Their innovative appraisals, coaching opportunities, personality exploration, and regular staff surveys mean they are continuously evolving into an organisation where every staff member, at every level, is empowered to develop and thrive.
E-ACT has built one of the most comprehensive, research-informed staff development systems in the country. Their career-long pathways, inclusive leadership programmes, and whole-workforce curriculum strengthen progression, confidence, and culture across 38 schools. By investing intentionally in every colleague, they create stronger schools, a thriving professional community, and better outcomes for the 25,000 pupils they serve.
Education South West prioritises staff development through inclusive, personalised pathways, bespoke coaching, and vibrant professional networks. Their Grow Your Own leadership programmes, flexible CPD, and wellbeing pledge foster progression and innovation. With 11 of 14 headteachers promoted internally, rising staff satisfaction, and trust-wide pedagogical principles, they deliver exceptional growth, collaboration, and wellbeing for all employees.
REAch2 has developed a thriving, inclusive approach to professional development. From apprenticeships to NPQs, from SEND support to teacher education, their Pathways ensure that all, regardless of role or experience, have access to high-quality CPD and a clear route to career progression. This is how they ‘Always Aim Higher’. For their staff, their school communities, and above all, their children.
The Ted Wragg Trust is committed to growing great people through exceptional, inclusive and ambitious staff development. From TedLearn to tEdFest, instructional coaching, to their Great People Management Programme, they invest in all. Their approach strengthens collaboration, improves practice, and supports progression across all roles. They are proud that 8 in 10 people would recommend them as a place to work.
Windsor Academy Trust creates exceptional leaders through their bespoke ‘What Makes a WAT Leader’ framework. Their approach combines regular and rigorous self-review, coaching, and high-impact programmes like WAT Associates secondments, access to National Professional Qualifications and Educational Leadership Master's degree apprenticeships. They don't just train staff; they build a pipeline of empowered, strategic leaders who drive school improvement and system-wide excellence.
Astrea Academy Trust runs 26 schools in South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire. Since 2016, it has moved from rapid growth to a unified focus on scholarship. All schools are now rated Good or better, with dramatic improvements in previously underperforming settings. A calm, academic culture has boosted attendance, with standout gains at Woodfields, Sheffield and Longsands, positively transforming outcomes for pupils, especially the most disadvantaged.
Exceed Academies Trust transforms lives through inclusive, high-quality education, innovative practice, and strong partnerships. Their relentless focus on raising standards, supporting diverse communities, and investing in staff and estates drives sustained improvement and delivers positive outcomes for learners, staff, and the wider community. They make no excuses for their outcomes – several of their schools rank among the highest performing locally and nationally.
REAch2 has delivered one of the most significant large-scale school transformations in the country. From widespread underperformance to a trust where 97% of schools are Good or Outstanding, from stagnant outcomes to leading national improvements, from communities facing entrenched deprivation to communities filled with opportunity and hope. This is transformation with purpose, humanity, and enduring impact.
By consistently transforming the academies that joins it, STEP Academy Trust significantly improves the life chances of the children who attend them. STEP Academy Trust believes that where they have the capacity to make a difference they are morally bound to do so. They make a difference and shape the future of their academies and those that attend them. Underpinned by a well-developed education strategy, all academies within the trust provide an excellent education to its learners.
The White Horse Federation has transformed education across diverse communities, by embedding a trust-wide curriculum, investing in staff development, and driving inclusive, sustainable change. Through strategic leadership and collaboration, struggling schools have achieved improved outcomes, stronger engagement, and national recognition. This journey reflects a deep commitment to equity, excellence, and lasting impact for learners, staff, and communities.
Windsor Academy Trust (WAT) transformed schools in socio-economically disadvantaged West Midlands areas by systemically embedding a research-informed metacognition and self-regulation (MSR) framework, significantly enhancing student attainment and self-efficacy, and establishing a replicable, high-impact model for sustained, trust-led school improvement, and social mobility across the region and beyond.
BeReady and Manor Hall have built a pioneering partnership that tackles two of the sector’s greatest challenges: SEND capability and teacher supply. Together they have created a fully funded development pathway that grows future SEND-confident teachers from within schools, strengthening inclusion across mainstream and specialist settings, and providing a scalable workforce model now being adopted by hundreds of trusts nationwide.
Best Practice Network and The Gallery Trust have co‑designed a bespoke SEND ITT programme, built from the ground up to meet the needs of specialist schools. Combining national infrastructure with lived expertise, the partnership delivers sector‑ready teachers, strengthens the SEND workforce pipeline, and provides a blueprint for inclusive practice that is already shaping the wider ITT landscape.
Bromcom and Harris have built a successful strategic partnership over nearly a decade, working closely to grow, innovate, and expand opportunities in education. Through AI, live dashboards, and advanced technology, Harris now uses Bromcom MIS at an exceptional level, helping eliminate truancy, enhance decision-making, and achieve consistently UK-leading attendance.
The Careers and Enterprise Trust Community of Improvement (CEC Trust CoI) empowers multi-academy trusts to embed careers leadership as a strategic lever for improvement. Through expert support, peer review, and data-driven tools, it equips trust leaders to deliver sustainable, high-impact careers strategies aligned to national priorities. With more than 100 engaged trusts, the CoI is transforming careers provision into system-wide excellence.
Chartwells Schools and Crofty Education Trust have built an 11-year partnership across 16 primaries that blends great school food with curriculum-linked eco education, local supply chains, and measurable waste reduction. Together they’ve empowered pupils and staff to make greener choices – turning ideas into everyday habits and trust-wide impact.
Judicium Education HR and Griffin Schools Trust partnership delivered a significant improvement in confidence, consistency, and leadership capacity. By aligning HR processes, supporting schools through complex change, and equipping leaders with practical expertise, Judicium helped GST build a stronger, more mature organisation. The result is a trust better able to support staff, develop leaders, and deliver exceptional opportunities for pupils.
GLT's success has been based on the founding value of collaboration. Leadership Edge has partnered with GLT since June 2024, cascading a coaching culture through the Leadership Edge 3-Tier Accreditation, starting with the senior executive team. Together they have built a consistent understanding of PURE coaching, lived experience of its impact, and the skills to model collaboration for continued growth.
Magma’s partnership with Woodland Academy Trust shows the power of collaboration between EdTech partners and MATs. Shaped by ongoing teacher and leader feedback, the platform strengthens confidence, supports diverse learners, and enhances maths learning across all schools. Woodland has already marked improvement in maths outcomes, well above the national average, reinforcing the value of this shared approach and demonstrating meaningful and lasting impact.
Since 2021, Castle Phoenix Trust and Voice 21 have collaborated to strengthen oracy across the trust, improving pupils’ speaking and listening skills, and promoting high-quality practice. Together, they have supported schools and key stakeholders across Coventry, enhancing learning, widening opportunities, and raising aspirations to contribute to greater social mobility and long-term success for children and their communities every day ahead.
CIT’s Executive Leadership Team drives excellence across 18 schools, all Ofsted-rated Good or better. Five schools improved from Measures, four Free Schools opened and the LEARN SEND Hub trains more than 1,700 professionals annually. Achievements include record GCSEs, strong KS2 progress, top attendance, sustainability savings, and a landmark merger that unites all education sectors under one strong inclusive trust.
With a diverse and passionate range of leaders across six schools, Community Schools Trust has demonstrated that hard work and teamwork pay off. With more than 5-11 senior leaders across each school coming together to collaboratively share ideas, and work together, Community Schools Trust has achieved amazing outcomes.
The executive team at Consilium Academies has driven transformative change, improving teaching, learning, behaviour, and outcomes for disadvantaged and SEND students. Through the Consilium Blueprint, ConX initiatives, Kaizen principles, and the Living School Model, they have embedded consistency, strengthened leadership, and enhanced staff wellbeing. Their record-breaking IT modernisation and strategic collaborative approach deliver lasting impact.
The executive team has transformed Endeavour Learning Trust through values-driven, people-centred leadership. They improved outcomes, strengthened attendance, expanded SEND provision, enhanced staff development, and delivered major infrastructure projects. Their compassionate response to the Southport tragedy unified the community and inspired significant fundraising. Financial stability, rising standards, and a culture of belonging have driven growth, system-wide support, and a strengthened trust reputation.
‘Excellence is not an act, but a habit—and at HEARTS, our central team makes excellence habitual’. Through research-led curriculum design, agile school improvement strategies, and streamlined operational support, the team empowers leaders and teachers to focus on pupils. Pupils are encouraged to live life to its fullness through the HEARTS Promise and rich school life, creating thriving schools, and sharing best practice beyond the trust.
The executive team leads a high-performing trust with a strong educational record, supported by a fully centralised and efficient operating model. Finance, people services, infrastructure and professional services teams work as one system, providing consistent strength across all academies. The team’s leadership has delivered sustained improvement, financial stability, and a resilient infrastructure that supports capacity for growth.
Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust’s executive team exemplifies professionalism, dynamism and impactful leadership, having successfully expanded the trust to 13 Wirral schools and serving 4,500 pupils with 750 staff over the past eight years. Their collaborative ethos inspires excellence, driving transformational improvement and consistently exceeding national outcomes. Their team’s strategic agility and unwavering commitment uniquely position them.
Synergy Education Trust, comprising six schools across Blackpool, exemplifies outstanding leadership and collaboration. Despite limited resources, the trust has rapidly achieved success through unity, shared expertise, and bold decisions, prioritising world-class education. Stronger together, each school retains its identity while benefiting from tailored support, empowering leaders and fostering collective impact to deliver exceptional outcomes for pupils and families.
The Cabot Learning Federation is committed to creating and sustaining positive wellbeing for all colleagues and students. That ambition is enshrined in their long-term strategic plan and underpins a wide range of work designed to protect and enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of all within the trust.
At Castle Phoenix Trust, wellbeing is a cultural pillar that shapes every decision. They have invested significantly to create a culture of belonging where staff feel valued, pupils thrive, and families are supported. Through strategic initiatives and school-led innovation, wellbeing is lived daily, making their communities stronger and more connected.
Embark Federation places wellbeing at the heart of its mission to ensure every child and adult can Love Learning and Love Life. Through a trust-wide wellbeing strategy, trained mental health leads, targeted interventions, and strong community partnerships, Embark delivers inclusive, stigma-free support. This proactive approach has strengthened resilience, improved outcomes, and created a culture where pupils, staff, and families feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.
FMAT champions wellbeing through exceptional pastoral care, inclusive environments, and rich personal development for students, staff, and families. United across academies, tailored support nurtures resilience, ambition, and emotional growth. With passionate staff and a wealth of opportunities, FMAT transforms futures and enriches lives—proving that wellbeing isn’t just supported, it’s celebrated. FMAT truly cares, empowering every individual to thrive.
The LEO Trust embeds a whole-trust approach to wellbeing, utilising adapted screeners to identify children’s needs. A tiered intervention strategy – Quality First Teaching, in-house ELSAs/TAs, and external expertise (counselling, drama therapy, therapy dogs) – ensures comprehensive support. Screeners measure impact, showing more than 75% of supported children improve scores over three years. This system earned recognition as a Behaviour Hub lead and resulted in multiple Building Stronger Foundations awards, with families and looked-after children sharing positive impact stories, demonstrating the trust's embedded good practice.
Wickersley Partnership Trust embeds a whole-trust approach to mental health and wellbeing. Guided by their Wellbeing Charter and supported by strong policies, practice and partnerships, they ensure staff, students and families can access robust support when it matters most - boosting staff wellbeing, strengthening student outcomes, and building safe, positive learning environments.
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