We are delighted to announce that the Great Schools Trust has been officially shortlisted for the ‘Trust of the Year – Tes Awards 2025, the 'Oscars of Education' which shine a national spotlight on innovation, impact and excellence across the education sector. This recognition is a tribute to the collective spirit and remarkable achievements of our students, staff and wider Great Schools Trust community. It reflects not only what we do but who we are.
Why We Were Shortlisted
In a year defined by progress, innovation and people-centred transformation, Great Schools Trust has delivered on its mission to transform life chances through leadership, character and academic excellence with measurable impact:
• EdTech & Innovation: From our in-house CredimusAI platform (reducing teacher workload by 100+ hours a year per teacher) to national AI leadership forums and SEND innovation pilots, we are shaping the future of education.
• National Behaviour Hub Lead: Recognised for sector-leading culture and behaviour transformation, including partnerships with schools and trusts across the North West that have cut exclusions & persistent absence by significant levels.
• King’s Adventure Programme: Our pioneering character curriculum gives every child from ages 4-16 a ‘skills rucksack’ filled with leadership traits, resilience and real-world experiences, 18 pledges from sleeping under the start to DofE to Cadets to university trips, King’s Adventure embodies what we stand for as an organisation.
• People-Centred Leadership: Ranked top 10 nationally for staff alignment, wellbeing and values (Edurio 2024), with retention rates that buck the national trend and 2+ hours of personalised weekly CPD for every staff member with their link mentor.
• A Growing Federation: Through our Federation of Great Schools model, Great Schools Trust is enabling other schools to thrive, without losing identity, pioneering sustainable trust growth built on values, impacting children and not volume.
• Most Improved MAT in the North West for Progress 8 (and 2nd nationally): A record-breaking +0.33 uplift in Progress 8 across the whole trust, despite 45% of students being eligible for Free School Meals and the curriculum remaining extremely ambitious, with strong Ebacc entry rate of 76%.
A Time of Recognition
“This shortlisting honours the values we live by every day. Success isn’t a straight line. It’s the courage to keep going when the road bends, breaks or disappears. At Great Schools Trust, we don’t follow the path. We build it. For every child. Every day, we want them to become successful leaders of tomorrow". Shane Ierston, CEO of Great Schools Trust"'.
Jon Severs, Editor of Tes Magazine, praised the calibre of this year’s nominees:
“The Tes Schools Awards are a highlight of the year. It’s important that we properly recognise the fantastic work that's being done in education across the country.”
What’s Next?
The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony on 20th June at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London. Whatever the result, being shortlisted among the very best is an affirmation of everything our community has achieved—and a springboard for even greater impact.