Multi academy trust shortlisted for second national Trust of the Year award

Nexus Multi Academy Trust (MAT) has been shortlisted in the ‘Trust of the Year’ category at the nEdEx (Network for Education Excellence) School and Trust Leadership Awards 2026, recognising its commitment to inclusive education, innovation and improving opportunities for children and young people.

The nEdEx School and Trust Leadership Awards celebrate organisations making a significant impact across education through strong leadership, system-wide improvement, inclusivity and community engagement.

Nexus MAT supports pupils and staff across four schools in Nottinghamshire and Notts City and 16 schools in South Yorkshire, including Crags Community School and Bader Academy.

It is the latest ‘Trust of the Year’ award nod for Nexus MAT, with the Trust also having been shortlisted in this category at the Tes Schools Awards for the second year in a row.

The Trust has been recognised by nEdEx for its continued focus on creating inclusive, supportive environments for pupils and staff, alongside innovative approaches to supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to thrive.

This includes programmes such as Enterprise Works and The Bridge - dedicated spaces helping young people develop employability skills and access opportunities in areas including hospitality, construction, health and fitness and e-sports.

Through these initiatives, pupils gain hands-on experience, build relationships with employers and achieve recognised qualifications, helping to prepare them for greater independence and future career opportunities.

The winners of the nEdEx School and Trust Leadership Awards 2026 will be announced at a ceremony in Milton Keynes on June 4.

Reflecting on the shortlisting, Warren Carratt, CEO of Nexus Multi Academy Trust, said:“We are incredibly proud of the inclusive and supportive environments our schools create, where every pupil feels safe, valued and able to thrive.

“To be shortlisted for not one, but two national awards - following our recent recognition in the Tes Awards 2026 for a second successive year - is a fantastic achievement. It reflects the dedication, hard work and commitment of staff across the Trust and our family of schools, who work tirelessly every day to provide the very best opportunities for our pupils.”