Nottinghamshire-founded Flying High multi-academy trust shortlisted for two national education awards
A multi-academy trust of primary schools has gained national recognition in education.
The Flying High Partnership has been nominated for two awards in the national MAT Excellence Awards 2025, in recognition of its impact within the education sector.
Founded in Cotgrave in 2012, the trust currently has 34 schools across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire — including Lovers’ Lane Primary School in Newark, and Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy.
It is nominated for the MAT Excellence Award, and Staff Development Award, having earned the Transformation and Impact Award last year.
Paul Goodman, deputy chief executive of The Flying High Partnership, said: “At Flying High, we are committed to noticing and nurturing the talent of every staff member across our partnership.
“We are incredibly proud of the work we do in training teachers, delivering high quality continuous professional learning within and beyond our partnership in growing future leaders. We are delighted that this work has been recognised at a national level through our nomination for the MAT Excellence Award for Staff Development.”
The results will be shared at a gala event, at Leonardo Tower Bridge hotel, in London, on June 19.
Trust chief executive, Chris Wheatley, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for both the Staff Development and MAT Excellence Award this year.
“These categories reflect our commitment to promoting schools which hold the same high aspirations for every child, and where highly trained staff can provide the optimum environment for every child to flourish.
“We are all looking forward to attending the event in June and learning about the work being carried out by our fellow nominees and multi-academy trusts from around the country; all striving to enhance the lives and opportunities of children. Our schools and their hardworking staff teams should feel proud of the impact their work is having on the lives of all the children in our care.”
