Doncaster schools chief recognised for prestigious national award

A Doncaster schools chief has been recognised for a prestigious nationwide education award.

Astrea Academy Trust Chief Executive Officer Rowena Hackwood has been nominated for the Multi-Academy Trust Leader award, recognising six years of transformational leadership at a MAT.

With Rowena as CEO, Astrea has improved across all its schools, combining rising academic standards with financial stability, sector influence and a commitment to long-term educational excellence.

The trust oversees schools in South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire.

Rowena became CEO of Astrea Academy Trust in 2020 and since then has led a period of sustained improvement, with all schools under her leadership rated ‘Good’ or better by Ofsted under the old framework and continuing with excellent improvement in the new framework.

Under her leadership, the trust’s GCSE English and Maths grade 4+ outcomes have risen substantially over the last two years, and primary SATs results have nearly doubled since 2022, meaning more children are achieving well.

The trust has invested approximately £3million annually into school buildings, infrastructure, Sixth Forms and sports facilities.

Astrea Academy Woodfields in Doncaster has benefitted from a £200,000 investment to refurbish classrooms, performing arts, IT and practice rooms.

Castle Academy in Conisburgh has also had a £100,000 investment from Astrea to contribute towards building a new early years unit.

Rowena said: “I am very pleased to have been recognised by the EducationInvestor Power List.

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“At Astrea, we believe that every child deserves an excellent education, regardless of their background.

“Our success is the result of the brilliance and dedication of our staff, leaders and governors across all 26 schools, who have worked together around a shared vision of excellence.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far and excited about what comes next for Astrea.”

The trust’s achievements have also received national recognition.

In 2026, Astrea Academy Trust was named both Large Trust of the Year and Most Improved Trust of the Year at the nEdEx Awards, while schools across the trust have continued to receive positive Ofsted judgments and recognition for their work.

Beyond her role at Astrea, Rowena is a respected voice across the education sector.

She serves on the Confederation of School Trusts' Policy Advisory Council, is a Non-Executive Director on Pearson's Education and Qualifications Committee, and is Vice Chair and Chair Elect of the Queen Street Group.

She also chairs Volleyball England and East Midlands Netball, bringing leadership experience from both education and sport.

The EducationInvestor Awards will be held on Wednesday 2 December.