Scott Cordon, Principal at King’s Leadership Academy Liverpool, has been named Outstanding Headteacher of the Year at the prestigious ENA Awards. Held in Manchester, the recent awards ceremony celebrated innovation and excellence across the education sector in the North of England. With over 500 entries for this category, Scott’s win stands out as an extraordinary achievement that recognises the transformative leadership he has brought to the academy.
Scott was nominated by Andrew Reay, Chief Operating Officer of the Great Schools Trust, in recognition of his exceptional leadership over the past two years. During this time, not only has the academy secured a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating across all areas, but - most importantly - Scott and his team have cultivated a deeply inclusive culture of belonging, purpose, and high expectations for all stakeholders. Andrew praised how this shared vision has not only transformed the school’s performance but also enriched the lives of the young people and families it serves, creating a community beacon now influencing schools and leaders across the region.
Among Scott’s most notable accomplishments is the school’s ranking as the 26th most improved school in the country for Progress 8. Progress 8 is a vital government measure that tracks the progress students make from the end of primary school to the end of secondary school across eight core subjects. This ranking reflects the dedication of the entire staff, and the strong, ambitious ethos now embedded within the academy.
Scott discovered he had won the award when Presenter Jo Lloyd from Smooth Radio -long-time sponsors and partners of the ENAs - arrived at the school with a videography team to surprise him. As staff gathered to share the moment, Scott was clearly taken aback and deeply honoured by the announcement.
Jo Lloyd commented that Scott’s passion is clear to see and that what he has accomplished in such a short time is truly remarkable. She noted the mutual respect between Scott and his team as something genuinely special.
Jamie Griffiths, Content Director at Communicorp UK also attended the school to surprise Scott. Communicorp UK is the home of Smooth Radio and a key partner of the ENA Awards, sponsoring the Outstanding Awards categories. Speaking of Scott’s achievement, Jamie stated: “This year saw a record number of entries for the CCUK Outstanding Award categories, and the Outstanding Head Teacher category was filled with some incredible nominations. Our judging panel felt that Scott Cordon had the edge though, with some impressive results over the past year, and he was nominated by a team that recognised and valued his leadership. They had seen firsthand the impact he's had on the pupils, staff and community and this is something they wanted to rightly celebrate. On our visit we saw what a positive and welcoming school King's Leadership Academy was, and it's a credit to Scott and his team. They should all be very proud.”
Reflecting on the win, Scott expressed pride in being part of the Great Schools Trust, describing it as a united family of schools, each with their own unique identity. He said that he really values and benefits from the collective strength of the Trust whilst at the same time being able to run King’s Liverpool in a way that is tailored to the local community. Scott also emphasised that the school’s success has been a team effort, giving a special mention to Associate Principal Helen Marcroft for her unwavering support and commitment to the school’s journey.
The Great Schools Trust is incredibly proud of Scott and all he has achieved. His leadership at King’s Leadership Academy Liverpool serves as an inspiring example of how passion, collaboration, and a clear sense of purpose can transform a school and the lives of the young people it serves.