LEAD
In every aspect of life, the ability to lead is essential. Strong leadership is the key to the success of our academies. We will aim to develop leadership skills in all staff and pupils.
In every aspect of life, the ability to lead is essential. Strong leadership is the key to the success of our academies. We will aim to develop leadership skills in all staff and pupils.
In our Trust, staff and pupils are empowered to have high aspirations for their futures. We nurture and challenge everyone to take responsibility, make decisions, and work together so they grow in confidence and resilience.
We believe in achievement in its broadest sense and that enjoyment of learning is crucial to success. We look for and reward achievement. We also know that a strong command of professional skills and curricular content are vital foundations to enable success.
We will provide the very best education and training for every individual in our academies and will ensure that this is delivered. We value excellent teaching, underpinned by high-quality professional development and will constantly move forwards, using and instigating the best ideas and practice.
Our vision is that through outstanding leadership we will provide the highest quality education to enable every pupil to realise their full potential.
Of course, every good school aspires to this aim, so what makes us different?
We passionately believe in the power of partnership working as a catalyst for ensuring more children receive an exceptional education. Our academies have experienced the transformational impact this can have.
At the same time, we recognise the importance of autonomy. Every school has its own context and challenges. This is why we encourage our academies to lead and manage in a way that preserves their individual identity and responds to the specific needs of their pupils and community. The combination of autonomy and collaboration across key areas of leadership and management, underpinned by shared vision, values and best practice, is what makes the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust unique.
We are also strengthened by the support, guidance and wide-ranging skills of our experienced board of trustees and local governors. The acronym L.E.A.D. embodies the four core principles at the heart of the Trust: strong leadership at every level; empowering everyone to aim high; providing the opportunity for all to achieve, and constantly driving for improvement.
We are committed to growing further and increasing our positive impact on more children and young people.
Within our Trust, all academies strive to achieve:
We are committed to supporting our academies in providing the highest quality education to enable every pupil to realise their full potential.
We are proud of what we have achieved over the years and look forward to continuing our journey with an increasing network of partners and academies.
Please get in touch to find out more about how we could support your school, academy or trust.
Another week of brilliant activity across our academies, with pupils supporting good causes, engaging with their communities and celebrating a love of reading. 🌟
💛 Bishop Alexander Academy raised £134.57 for Children in Need, with pupils and staff wearing yellow and coming together …to support the charity.
💪 At Da Vinci Academy, the Children in Need challenge brought pupils and staff together in a fantastic display of determination, encouragement and community spirit.
🗣️ Millfield LEAD Academy welcomed local MP Peter Bedford, who toured the academy, visited lessons and took part in a Q&A with the School Council and Debate Club. Pupils asked thoughtful questions about the role of an MP, the impact of his work locally and issues affecting their generation.
📚 And at Birley Primary Academy, Children's Book Week was marked with a visit from Patron of Reading Gareth Baker, who spent time sharing stories, answering questions and encouraging curiosity across the academy.
👏 Another week full of opportunities for pupils to contribute, explore new ideas and get involved in the communities around them.
We’re incredibly proud to share that LEAD I.T Services has been shortlisted for the IT Support Service category at the Bett Awards 2027. 🏆
The Bett Awards recognise excellence across the education technology sector, and this is the second time L.E.A.D. IT Services has reached the …final, following its previous shortlisting in 2024.
Founded by Lee Jepson 16 years ago within L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, the service has grown significantly and now supports more than 250 schools and academy trusts across the country.
Lee Jepson, Founder and Director of IT at L.E.A.D. IT Services, said:
“I’m so proud of our team. IT support was never meant to stop at the helpdesk, and this recognition belongs to the people who prove that every day.”
“Great support in schools isn’t about clever technology. It’s about people who know your school, understand how a classroom works and care about getting it right.”
👏 A fantastic recognition for Lee and the whole L.E.A.D. IT Services team, and a reflection of the consistently high standards they continue to deliver for schools across the country.
👉 Find out more: https://www.leaditservices.co.uk/news/bett-awards-2027/
#BettAwards #EdTech #EducationTechnology #LEADITServices #LEADAcademyTrust
Today, across L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, pupils and staff have come together to mark Remembrance Day. 🌺
Across our academy communities, pupils have taken time to pause, reflect and learn about the courage, service and sacrifice of those who served, and continue to serve.
From …observing the two-minute silence to attending local remembrance services, laying wreaths and sharing poetry, pupils have marked the day with great respect and maturity.
Lest we forget. 🌺
#RemembranceDay #LestWeForget #WeRemember #LEADAcademyTrust
Year 9 pupils at Da Vinci Academy in Derby have been putting their skills to the test in a professional kitchen through a four-week programme with the School of Artisan Food. 👩🍳🍽️
As part of Best Food Forward, pupils learned everything from knife skills and using professional… equipment to creating balanced meals, reducing food waste and cooking on a budget.
Across the four weeks, they prepared a wide range of dishes, tried new ingredients and gained a valuable insight into careers within the food industry. Some pupils have even taken the recipes home to recreate with their families. 🌱
Jayne Scattergood, Headteacher at Da Vinci Academy, said:
“It has been wonderful to see our students grow in confidence over the four weeks. Many of them had never set foot in a professional kitchen before, and they rose to the challenge brilliantly.
“Opportunities like this show our young people what is possible beyond the classroom.”
👏 A fantastic example of how experiences beyond the classroom can help pupils develop new skills, confidence and a greater understanding of the opportunities available to them.
📖 Read the full story: https://www.davinciacademy.co.uk/news/best-food-forward/
Another busy week across our academies, with pupils getting involved in leadership, sustainability and hands-on learning. 🌟
🚶 Charnock Hall Academy is celebrating after last year’s Pupil Council received the Modeshift STARS Good Accreditation Award for their work to promote active …travel. A new banner now sits proudly outside the academy, helping to encourage even more pupils and families to choose healthier ways of travelling to school.
🗳️ At Glapton Academy, Key Stage 1 pupils have been putting democracy into practice by voting for their Pupil Leadership Groups. After exploring the campaign posters and ideas created by pupils across the academy, everyone had the chance to make their choice and have their voice heard.
✨ And at Radford Academy, Reception pupils marked Bonfire Night with a hands-on experience, enjoying sparklers and exploring the sights and sounds of the occasion.
We’re proud to see Emily Smithurst and Zoe Jepson share their experiences of progressing into headship within L.E.A.D. Academy Trust in a new article for School Leadership Today.
The piece explores how long-term investment in staff development, mentoring, professional networks and …opportunities to take on greater responsibility helped prepare them for leadership.
It also reflects a wider approach across the Trust. In 2024/25, more than 70% of our headteacher appointments were internal, demonstrating the value of identifying leadership potential early and supporting people to grow over time.
Emily and Zoe also highlight the wider benefits of internal progression, from strengthening academy culture and continuity to helping staff see clear pathways into leadership.
As they put it, “The strongest leadership pipeline may already be within our schools.”
👏 A brilliant reflection on the importance of investing in people and creating opportunities for talented staff to take their next step.
📖 Read the full article in School Leadership Today: https://school-leadership.co.uk/private/6accf73fc901a
#SchoolLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Education #ProfessionalDevelopment #leadacademytrust
📢 Leadership opportunity at Manor Farm Academy!
Manor Farm Academy is looking for an ambitious and inspirational Deputy Headteacher to join its senior leadership team on a fixed-term maternity cover contract, starting February 2027.
This is an exciting opportunity for an …experienced primary leader who is passionate about inclusion, high-quality teaching and ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Working closely with the Headteacher, the successful candidate will play a key role in the academy's continued development, leading SEND provision and inclusive practice alongside a 0.5 teaching commitment in Year 5.
✨ Help shape the strategic direction of the academy
📚 Lead and develop high-quality SEND provision
🤝 Work alongside a knowledgeable and supportive leadership team
🌱 Access professional development and leadership opportunities through L.E.A.D. Academy Trust
💼 Salary: £59,137–£65,278 (L5–L9)
📅 Closing date: 6 November 2026 at 9:00am
🗓️ Interview date: 17 November 2026
📌 Start date: February 2027
If you're ready to take the next step in your leadership career and make a meaningful difference to pupils' learning and development, take a look at the full opportunity and apply today.
https://recruit.sampeople.co.uk/Jobboard/Vacancy/Search?PreviouslySearchedLocation=&Longitude=&Latitude=&SearchTerm=&SortBy=closing&Distance=100&TrustId=57
#DeputyHeadteacher #SchoolLeadership #LeadershipJobs #SENDCo #TeachingJobs #EducationJobs
We’re proud to share a very special story from Huntingdon LEAD Academy, where pupils recently welcomed Darren Coates back to the academy after he raised an incredible £9,000 in memory of his father, Ian Coates.
Darren completed the Robin Hood Half Marathon in Ian’s memory, raising …funds that will help the academy continue to develop its outdoor learning spaces and create even more opportunities for pupils to explore, build, grow and learn outside 🌿
Ian was Huntingdon Academy’s much loved site manager and took great pride in the school grounds. His passion for outdoor learning left a lasting impact on pupils, staff and the wider community, and his memory continues to live on through the academy’s outdoor spaces.
Becky Riley, Head of School, said: “We are so grateful to Darren for taking on this challenge in Ian’s memory, and our pupils were incredibly proud to show him the outdoor spaces they enjoy every day.
“Outdoor learning has become a real part of who we are at Huntingdon Academy. Through OPAL and our Nature School curriculum, children are growing in confidence, taking the lead in play and developing a real connection with nature. This fundraising will help us create even more of those opportunities, and I am sure Ian would have been very proud.”
A heartfelt thank you to Darren for such an incredible achievement and for helping to continue Ian’s legacy at Huntingdon Academy 💙
Read the full story below ⬇️
https://huntingdonacademy.co.uk/news/huntingdon-academy-pupils-celebrate-9000-boost-for-outdoor-learning/
#HuntingdonAcademy #OutdoorLearning #Community #Fundraising
What a way to round off the half term across our academies! 🎃✨
👻 Birley Primary Academy ended the term with its annual Haunted Halloween Hike, with pupils dressing up, getting involved and helping to raise money for new equipment for the academy.
🎃 Over at The Birley …Academy, Halloween had well and truly taken over, with plenty of spooky surprises appearing around the academy ahead of the break.
🏹 Pupils at Witham St. Hughs Academy have been making the most of their residential, taking on everything from abseiling and archery to raft building, orienteering and survival skills. A brilliant few days packed with new experiences, teamwork and plenty of adventure. 🚣♂️
🎨 And at Noel-Baker Academy, the Art and 3D Exhibition celebrated the creativity and talent of former Year 11 students, showcasing an impressive collection of work and the effort that went into creating it. 🖼️👏
A brilliant end to a busy half term. We hope pupils and staff across our academies enjoy a well-earned break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for the new term. 💙
