A WIRRAL multi academy Trust (MAT) with nine schools in its network headed to London to accept two prestigious awards.

Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust (OTMAT) won the best medium sized MAT and the highly sought-after best overall MAT, out of more than 50 Trusts and 400 schools to enter the nine categories on offer, at the 2nd National MAT Awards, which is run by the Multi Academy Trust Association (MATA).

There are 1,170 multi academy Trust’s in the UK and MATA celebrates the successes and achievements of this inspiring and forward-thinking educational system by rewarding and recognising the outstanding work of MATs and their schools around the county.

A team of staff members along with the Trust’s CEO Tony Lacey, attended the event and brought home the awards. In 2023, OTMAT won most improved MAT at the same awards with seven schools in its network and has since increased its offering with a further two Wirral primary schools.

OTMAT was formed in 2017 and has experienced steady growth since then. In 2023, Heswall, and Thingwall primaries joined the Trust, taking the number of staff to 380, around 3,000 pupils and 60 governors. Other primary schools in the Trust include Brackenwood Juniors, Church Drive Primary, Egremont, Greasby, Great Meols, Poulton Lancelyn, and Stanton Road.

Mr Lacey said: "We’re incredibly proud of these two new award wins. This recognition is testament to the continuous hard work of the staff across our growing family of schools.

"The Trust is growing rapidly and we continue to make changes and improvements as we bring new schools into our fold. Our model and reputation is proving highly successful and additional schools are looking to join us, which is a position we are very honoured to be in.

"All our OFSTED inspections have been positive and our results are improving year on year. Our staff work tirelessly to ensure children have the best learning opportunities and outcomes in the communities that we operate.

"To win two awards is very positive and we thank everyone involved in our schools for the hard work and dedication which is improving the lives and education of all our pupils.’

Multi-academy trusts (MATs) are groups of academies that have joined together to form a charitable company, with a single group of ‘members’ who have an overview of the governance arrangements and a single board of trustees, accountable directly to the Secretary of State through the regional schools’ commissioners.