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The People’s Learning Trust Named TES Trust of the Year 2026

A national award for a Trust built on community, opportunity and ambition

The People’s Learning Trust is proud to have been named TES Trust of the Year 2026 – 9 Schools or Fewer at the TES Schools Awards, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Friday 19 June.

This national award recognises the work taking place across our family of schools and colleges: the commitment of staff, pupils, students, governors, trustees, families and partners who work together to help children and young people succeed.

For a Trust established only in April 2024, this is a particularly special moment.

The People’s Learning Trust has grown from the success and values of Everton Free School and Everton Football College into a family of schools serving communities across Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton and Cheshire West and Chester. Today, the Trust brings together mainstream primary education, alternative provision, secondary education and post-16 opportunities.

The TES judges recognised the Trust’s track record of transforming schools and improving outcomes for pupils in some of the most challenging circumstances. They highlighted its inclusive culture, its Trust-wide SEND network and its commitment to supporting the wider educational community.

This award recognises not simply growth, but the shared purpose behind it: a belief that education should open doors, strengthen communities and give every child and young person the opportunity to thrive.

From One Outstanding School to a Nationally Recognised Trust

The People’s Learning Trust was created with a clear ambition: to protect and promote the values that had made Everton Free School and Everton Football College such a powerful force for young people, while extending that impact to more children, families and communities.

Born from Everton Free School and Everton Football College, the Trust has a distinctive relationship with Everton Football Club. The People’s Learning Trust is believed to be the only multi-academy trust directly founded and supported by a Premier League football club.

However, this is not simply a football story.

It is a story about education, community and public service. The Trust is built around values long associated with Everton: opportunity, inclusion, ambition, service and a deep connection to the communities it serves.

A family of schools with a shared purpose

The Trust currently includes:

• Everton Free School and Everton Football College
• Bidston Avenue Primary School
• Waterside Academy
• Meadow Community Primary School
• Oldfield Primary School

Each school has its own identity, community and strengths. Together, they share a commitment to high expectations, inclusion, personal development and helping every child and young person prepare for a positive future.

Everton Free School and Everton Football College

Everton Free School and Everton Football College remain at the heart of the Trust’s story.

Opened in 2012 as the UK’s first alternative provision free school linked to a professional football club, Everton Free School has become nationally recognised for supporting young people who have experienced barriers to success in education.

In April 2024, the school was judged Outstanding by Ofsted in all areas. This recognised the exceptional work of staff in providing a high-quality education, strong personal development and meaningful pathways for young people.

Everton Football College continues to offer students the opportunity to combine academic and vocational study with football and sport. Its provision includes progression routes from Level 2 study through to honours degree programmes in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University.

Bidston Avenue Primary School

Bidston Avenue Primary School represents the Trust’s commitment to ambitious and inclusive mainstream primary education.

The school has developed a strong reputation for personal development, aspiration and curriculum enrichment. Its careers programme has received national recognition through the Primary Futures Gold Award, giving pupils meaningful opportunities to engage with employers, universities, entrepreneurs and visitors from a range of professions.

Bidston Avenue has also developed international links, including educational partnerships with schools and organisations in China, helping pupils develop curiosity and an understanding of the world beyond their immediate community.

The school is one of three Trust primary schools contributing to mathematics development through the North West Maths Hub network. Alongside this, its work is guided by three core drivers: reading, critical thinking and resilience.

These drivers help ensure that pupils are not only prepared for the next stage of their education, but are developing the confidence, knowledge and character needed for life beyond school.

Waterside Academy

Waterside Academy strengthens the Trust’s commitment to inclusion and second chances.

The academy supports pupils who have experienced difficulties within mainstream education, offering personalised learning, strong pastoral care and meaningful opportunities for reintegration and success.

Its work reflects a central Trust belief: that a child’s potential should never be defined by their circumstances, previous experiences or the challenges they face.

Meadow Community Primary School

Meadow Community Primary School joined the Trust in January 2025 and has quickly become an important part of the TPLT family.

Serving a large community in Ellesmere Port, Meadow combines high expectations with strong pastoral care and a clear sense of belonging. Its work reflects the Trust’s belief that children flourish when they feel safe, supported and challenged.

The school has strengthened the Trust’s reach across Cheshire West and Chester, while also contributing to wider collaboration between Trust primary schools.

Oldfield Primary School

Oldfield Primary School brings a strong sense of community, creativity and aspiration to the Trust.

Its focus on confidence, curiosity and lifelong learning complements the wider Trust vision and creates further opportunities for collaboration across schools.

Alongside Bidston Avenue and Meadow, Oldfield is helping to build the Trust’s growing reputation for primary school improvement, curriculum development and strong community engagement.

Impact beyond our schools

The People’s Learning Trust has never viewed success as something that should sit only within individual school gates.

Our leaders and staff contribute to educational improvement across the North West through school-to-school support, curriculum development, mathematics leadership, SEND collaboration and professional learning.

The Trust benefits from the opportunity to share expertise across primary, secondary, alternative provision and post-16 settings. This enables colleagues to learn from one another, strengthen practice and create more joined-up pathways for children and young people.

The TES judges noted that, for a small Trust, its reach and ambition are substantial and that it has earned the respect of schools well beyond its own portfolio.

A school leader in Jersey, working entirely outside the Trust, said:

“The support offered has always come from a genuine desire to help children and strengthen schools. That commitment has been evident in the way they have engaged with leaders here, without any expectation of return.”

Judge James Bowen added:

“What really stands out though is the trust’s commitment to supporting the wider educational community.”

This reflects an important part of the Trust’s purpose: sharing expertise, supporting colleagues and contributing positively to stronger education for children and young people wherever that support can make a difference.

What this award really recognises

The TES Trust of the Year award recognises much more than growth or strong outcomes within individual schools.

It recognises a Trust that has grown from one outstanding provision into a family of schools and colleges serving children and young people from their earliest education through to university, employment and wider life.

It recognises a Trust that brings together mainstream primary education, alternative provision, secondary education and post-16 pathways.

It recognises staff who work every day to help pupils and students feel known, valued and able to succeed.

It recognises a Trust that looks beyond its own boundaries: sharing expertise, supporting other schools and contributing to the wider educational community.

Above all, it recognises a shared belief that education can change lives.

For The People’s Learning Trust, this award is a proud moment. It is also a reminder of the responsibility we hold to continue serving our communities with ambition, care and purpose.

The People’s Learning Trust
Rooted in Everton. Transforming lives.

TPLT CEO Speaks at Steve Morgan Foundation 25th Anniversary Conference

The People’s Learning Trust was proud to be represented at the Steve Morgan Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Conference, celebrating a quarter of a century of charitable impact across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

Our CEO, Steve Baker OBE, was invited to speak as part of the conference programme, sharing reflections on the power of collaboration, relationships and long-term community partnerships in improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

The event brought together leaders from education, health, local government, charities, youth services and community organisations to reflect on the impact of the Foundation’s work and the future of place-based change across the region.

Over the last 25 years, the Steve Morgan Foundation has invested hundreds of millions of pounds into communities, projects and partnerships that support children, young people and families across the Liverpool City Region, North Wales and Cheshire.

This year’s anniversary conference focused strongly on the theme of “place-based change” — recognising that long-term improvements in social mobility, wellbeing and life chances are only possible when organisations work together around communities rather than in isolation.

Steve Baker OBE, CEO of The People’s Learning Trust, spoke at one of the workshops, alongside Anna Kirk from the Education Endowment Fund, about the importance of relationships, trust and shared purpose within education and wider community systems. Drawing on the Trust’s experiences across its schools and partnerships, he reflected on the role schools can play as anchor institutions within their communities.

The conference explored a number of significant themes including literacy, inclusion, employability, mental health, youth support and the growing “Cradle to Career” movement across the Liverpool City Region. Delegates heard how collaborative approaches between schools, charities, local authorities and community organisations are helping to create stronger long-term support systems for children and families.

The People’s Learning Trust has been involved in aspects of this work through its schools and wider partnerships, particularly within communities facing significant disadvantage. Trust representatives attending the conference reflected positively on the emphasis placed upon early intervention, trusted relationships and collaboration across sectors.

Speaking after the event, Steve Baker OBE said:

“Real and lasting change happens when organisations come together around a shared moral purpose for children and communities. The work showcased at the conference demonstrated the importance of long-term partnership, trust and collective responsibility in improving life chances.”

The conference also provided opportunities for networking and future collaboration between organisations across the region, reinforcing the growing importance of partnership working in addressing the complex challenges facing communities today.

The People’s Learning Trust would like to thank the Steve Morgan Foundation for hosting such an important event and for its continued commitment to supporting children, young people and families across the region.

Waterside Academy Paddle Sports Hub continues to grow

Waterside Academy is developing an exciting Paddle Sports Hub that will create new opportunities for pupils, partner schools and the wider community to learn, grow and connect with the outdoors. Built around the benefits of blue and green spaces, the hub brings together outdoor education, pupil well-being, environmental responsibility and community access in a practical and meaningful way. Through strong partnerships, staff training and investment in facilities, Waterside Academy is building something that will have a lasting impact — not only for its own pupils, but for schools across The People’s Learning Trust and local community groups too.

Waterside Academy Paddle Sports Hub continues to grow

Waterside Academy is making exciting progress with the development of its Paddle Sports Hub, creating new opportunities for pupils, partner schools and the local community.

The project reflects Waterside Academy’s strong commitment to outdoor learning, pupil well-being and community engagement. Through paddle sports, pupils are being given the chance to learn new skills, build confidence, develop teamwork and connect with the natural environment around them.

A key part of the project has been the school’s partnership with the University of Liverpool, the Canal & River Trust and GroundsWell through the “Let’s Paddle for Positive Change” initiative. This work focuses on the positive impact of green and blue spaces on health, well-being and learning. The University of Liverpool is currently gathering feedback and data from pupils and staff at Waterside Academy to better understand the benefits of this approach.

Waterside Academy has also officially adopted a stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. This will give pupils practical opportunities to learn about environmental responsibility, take pride in their local area and help care for an important community space.

To make the project sustainable, six members of Waterside Academy staff have now successfully trained and qualified as paddle sports instructors. This means the school can safely deliver sessions in-house and continue to build paddle sports into school life over the longer term.

Paddle sports are now part of the school’s PE curriculum and wider enrichment offer. Pupils can work towards nationally recognised paddle sports awards, with future opportunities for some pupils to train as paddle sport instructors themselves. This gives young people a clear route to develop leadership skills, confidence and a real sense of achievement.

Further investment is also helping the hub to grow. A new outdoor education classroom and changing area is planned, alongside secure storage for paddle sports equipment close to the canal. Improvements are also being made to site access, including repositioned fencing and new double gates near the canal. This will allow visiting schools and community groups to access the water safely without needing to enter the main school building.

Waterside Academy is also working towards affiliation with Paddle UK, which will help the hub become available to local community groups outside of school hours. This is an important step in developing Waterside Academy’s role as a centre for outdoor education and positive community activity.

The wider impact of the Paddle Sports Hub will be significant. Schools across The People’s Learning Trust, as well as local primary schools, will be able to benefit from activities delivered by Waterside Academy staff. This will open up new experiences for children and young people who may not otherwise have access to paddle sports.

The development of the Waterside Academy Paddle Sports Hub is a fantastic example of inclusive, practical and ambitious education in action. It brings together learning, well-being, environmental awareness and community use in a way that will make a real difference for pupils and families.

Waterside Academy looks forward to sharing further updates as the project continues to develop.

Find out more at: Paddle UK and Waterside Academy

TPLT launches new Employee Assistance Programme with TELUS Health

The People’s Learning Trust is pleased to confirm the launch of its new Employee Assistance Programme, provided through TELUS Health.

This service gives TPLT employees access to free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is designed to help staff with a wide range of personal, family, financial, legal, work-related and wellbeing matters.

The People’s Learning Trust is pleased to confirm the launch of its new Employee Assistance Programme, provided through TELUS Health.

This service gives TPLT employees access to free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is designed to help staff with a wide range of personal, family, financial, legal, work-related and wellbeing matters.

Through TELUS Health, employees can access support in different ways, including online resources, live chat, telephone support, video counselling and in-person counselling. The programme also includes access to digital wellbeing content, articles, toolkits, podcasts and online programmes.

Support is available for areas such as anxiety, stress, low mood, sleep, relationships, family life, childcare, elder care, personal finance, legal guidance and workplace challenges. The service is also available to members of an employee’s household.

At TPLT, we know that working in schools and education settings is rewarding, but it can also be demanding. We want colleagues to know that support is available when they need it, whether the issue is linked to work or something happening outside of work.

Employees have been sent their company invitation code by email. Staff should check their employee email account and follow the instructions to sign up.

This new service forms part of the Trust’s wider commitment to supporting staff wellbeing across all TPLT schools and settings.

You are not alone. Support is here when you need it.

Everton College Enjoy Dallas Cup Delight

Everton Football College is celebrating another successful trip to the Dallas Cup.

The College took four squads Stateside to the international youth soccer tournament, which is regarded one of the most prestigious in the world. Following on from previous years’ success stories, the Under-19 boys brought home silverware after being crowned Dallas Cup champions, beating the Dallas Texans Academy in the final at Toyota Stadium.

Everton Football College’s other squads were also close to honours, with the Under-18 boys losing on penalties to Solar SC U18 ECNL in the semi-final at the neighbouring Toyota Soccer Center, while the Under-19 girls also cruelly lost out in a semi-final to eventual winner Montverde Soccer Club MIFC 2007 Girls at the Dallas Soccer Park.

Everton Football College’s other squads were also close to honours, with the Under-18 boys losing on penalties to Solar SC U18 ECNL in the semi-final at the neighbouring Toyota Soccer Center, while the Under-19 girls also cruelly lost out in a semi-final to eventual winner Montverde Soccer Club MIFC 2007 Girls at the Dallas Soccer Park.

Under-19s Head Coach, Phil Oliver, said: “I’m incredibly proud of this group of players, to perform to such a high level with six games in eight days is a testament to their mentality and commitment to winning. 

“After falling just short last year with losing the final, the objective was always to go to Dallas and try to go one step further, and that was evident in our planning and physical preparation the lads went through.

“To be only the fourth team from England to win the trophy in the past 40 years demonstrates just how difficult the tournament is to win, the level of competition seems to raise every year, but the boys found a way and all credit goes to them. 

“It’s a special feeling to see the boys lift a trophy representing Everton, a lot of our lads including myself are big Blues. I hope this is a platform to bring more international trophies back to Goodison Park for the Football College.”

Each year, more than 100,000 spectators watch teams from across the globe play in the invitation-only Dallas Cup, held in Texas.

More than 900 international players – consisting of age groups from Under-10s to Under-19s, in both boys and girls categories – take part each year, with teams from 48 U.S. states and morethan 100 countries, across six continents, participating throughout the tournament’s history.

The tournament, which dates back to 1980, is potentially life-changing for some of the students, with scouts from US universities and football clubs watching the games.

Following huge investment by the Club, and as a result of playing in previous tournaments, a number of former Everton Football College and Everton Academy students have earned football scholarships to study for degrees at US universities in subjects, including Business and Management and Engineering.

Others have gone on to play for US clubs, or secure coaching roles stateside.

The two-campus Everton Football College is now in its eighth year of offering traditional education pathways and enrichment opportunities to all secondary school leavers wishing to continue their studies, helping them prepare for future work, UK or USA university scholarships. 

And having grown from an initial cohort of 40 students to more than 250 students, the Everton Football College continues to grow in stature.

A girls’ programme now forms an integral part of the schedule, with the huge explosion in women’s football offering new opportunities in a positive learning environment that marries sport and further education. 

Everton Football College’s Head of Football, John Keegan, said: “Once again we are extremely proud that our teams’ hard work and dedication earned them rewards at the Dallas Cup. 

“Success equals a great achievement for the Football College, and it was another incredibly proud moment to have four or our teams present in Texas again this Easter.”

John added: “All of the successes are down to the students, their positive attitudes, and the way they conduct themselves, but also down to the amazing staff here at the Football College.

“Aside from High Schools, which have Sixth Forms, we are probably the biggest college in the city and, from a football point of view, the most successful in the country over the past six years. 

“These amazing people go above and beyond for all of our students, and our aim is always to get the boys and girls the best opportunities we can, and give them the tools to succeed in life, in whatever path they choose.

"Since we began as a Football College in 2018, winning the Dallas Cup has always been a dream for us as a College, too have now achieved this honour has been amazing for everyone involved with the college.” 

If you are interested in finding out more about Everton Football College, visit evertonfc.ac.uk.

The Football College also holds regular open evenings for prospective students throughout the year, and you can also get the latest information by following them on X (@EvertonCollege) and Instagram (@EvertonFootballCollege). 

The college also now has international student/players who study degree course while playing for the College. Members of the international programme were a part of the successful squads at this year's tournament.

From Birkenhead to China - A school trip like no other

From Birkenhead to China: The ‘People’s Club’ Spirit Goes Global

Everton has always been about more than football. It’s about people, place, and opportunity. That spirit now stretches far beyond Merseyside and is reaching classrooms and communities nearly 6,000 miles away in China.

The People’s Learning Trust (TPLT) - a multi-academy trust closely linked to Everton Football Club - is carrying those values into education. As a proud and founding part of that family, Bidston Avenue Primary School in North Birkenhead is currently representing the Club on an international visit to Taicang, near Shanghai.

For Evertonians, this is what ‘The People’s Club’ looks like in action.

A Life-Changing Experience

For many of the pupils involved, the trip marks a series of firsts — their first time on a plane, their first experience of a new culture, and their first glimpse of life beyond the UK, this is no ordinary school trip.

But the visit is about more than travel. Pupils are representing their school, their community, and Everton itself, embodying the club’s long-standing identity as “The People’s Club.”

The partnership with Taicang Experimental School has developed into a meaningful cultural and educational exchange, where students collaborate, share experiences and build friendships that transcend language and geography.

Pride and Representation

Headteacher Stuart Brady, who is leading the visit, highlighted the significance of the opportunity:

“This is about giving our children something they may never have imagined possible. To see them step into a school in China with confidence and pride is incredible. They know they are representing North Birkenhead and Everton Football Club, and they are doing that brilliantly. It’s an experience that will stay with them for life.”

That sense of responsibility and pride has been evident throughout the visit, as pupils take part in lessons, cultural activities and shared experiences with their Chinese counterparts.

Everton Values Beyond Football

Steven Baker OBE, CEO of the People’s Learning Trust, who joined the visit, said the impact on the children was immediate:

“Watching our children here in China, you see the very best of what this opportunity offers. They grow in confidence almost immediately. They ask questions, build friendships and represent their community with real pride. For children from North Birkenhead to have this chance, and to do it as part of Everton’s wider family, is something very special.”

The visit highlights how Everton’s influence stretches beyond the pitch — from Goodison Park to classrooms across the globe — through its commitment to education and community development.

It’s a powerful reminder that Everton’s influence isn’t confined to The Hill Dickinson Stadium or Goodison Park. Through education and community work, it continues to change lives in ways that go far beyond football.

A Global ‘People’s Club’

For supporters, the story is a powerful reminder of what sets Everton apart.

While the badge is worn by players on matchdays, its meaning continues to resonate far beyond football — in schools, in communities, and now in international partnerships.

From Birkenhead to Taicang, one message remains clear: Everton is, and always will be, The People’s Club.

TPLT Headteachers come together for two days of reflection, planning and future thinking

Headteachers from across The People’s Learning Trust recently came together with CEO Steven Baker and our Director of School Improvement, Andrew Poole, for two days of reflection, discussion and future thinking. 

The conference provided valuable time to consider current school priorities, share learning from recent Ofsted experiences and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges facing education over the next decade.

TPLT Headteachers come together for two days of reflection, planning and future thinking

Earlier this term, headteachers from across The People’s Learning Trust came together with CEO, Steven Baker, in Leeds for two valuable days of shared thinking, discussion and planning.

The first day focused on what is coming next for schools and what this means for the Trust. Andrew Poole, Director of School Improvement, shared key updates from Director of Education groups, including the latest thinking around the developing Ofsted framework. This provided a useful starting point for honest and practical discussions about each school’s current position.

Headteachers shared reflections from their own School Evaluation Forms and discussed recent Ofsted experiences from across the Trust. These conversations helped colleagues to check their thinking, sharpen priorities and consider where further support or challenge may be needed. It was also clear that many schools are facing similar challenges and opportunities, giving the Trust a strong platform for closer collaboration and shared improvement work.

The second day was spent at the Next Decade conference in Leeds. This provided an inspiring opportunity to look beyond the immediate priorities of school leadership and consider where education may be heading over the next ten years. A key theme of the day was the role of artificial intelligence, particularly following a thought-provoking keynote from Sugata Mitra. His session prompted important discussion about the pace of change, the future world our pupils will grow into, and how schools can prepare children for a future that is still taking shape.

Across the two days, there was a strong sense of shared purpose and openness. The conference gave headteachers time to step back, reflect together and begin shaping clear next steps for the Trust. It also reinforced the importance of bringing leaders together regularly, not only to respond to current challenges, but to think carefully about the future we are helping to build for our children.

Andrew Poole, Director of School Improvement, said:

“I can only describe the conference as genuinely energising. It was a pleasure to bring together the headteachers of all six of our schools alongside our CEO for open, collaborative and forward-thinking discussion. The time together was so valuable that we have committed to making this a regular feature, meeting at least termly, as we continue to strengthen collaboration across the Trust.”

The People’s Learning Trust is committed to building a culture where leaders learn from each other, share practice openly and work together in the interests of all pupils. This conference marked an important step in that journey.