The Flying High Partnership, a primary only multi-academy trust with schools across Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire has achieved top tier results in performance tables, consistently achieving a ranking in the top‑five positions when measured against comparable multi-academy trusts (MATs) countrywide.

This achievement marks the second year running that the Flying High Partnership has ranked amongst the top five performing multi-academy trusts consisting of 20 or more schools in the country.

It also shows that children across the partnership are now achieving results above pre‑pandemic levels, demonstrating the strong support they have received in catching up after the disruption caused by the global pandemic.

Of particular note are the outstanding results for pupils in receipt of the pupil premium. At the end of Key Stage 2, outcomes for pupils in this group across the partnership achieved the same as all pupils nationally, showing that the partnership is successfully closing the gap and raising the achievement of its most vulnerable learners.

Claire Stirland is Director of Education at the Flying High Partnership and she said, “These results show how incredibly hard children and staff across our schools have worked to make learning the best it can be for every single child. We are extremely proud to be ranked as the 2nd highest primary‑only trust in the country for the number of children achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, as well as for the progress they make year on year.

“Ensuring all children have the skills, knowledge and characteristics to achieve their future aspirations is a key driver for our partnership. As a result, we are especially delighted with the achievements of our children recognised as disadvantaged, whose outcomes place our Partnership as one of the highest‑performing trusts nationally.

“This success is the result of dedication, teamwork and the strong support of our families. Our school’s benefit from working closely together, sharing great ideas and being united in their shared belief that every child deserves an exceptional education and a school they can truly thrive in.”

Chris Wheatley OBE is Chief Executive Officer and founder of the Flying High Partnership, which began its journey at Cotgrave Candleby Lane School in 2012.

Chris said, “Since the formation of the Flying High Partnership, we have remained committed to the same core aims of raising aspirations, nurturing fantastic character, and ensuring academic excellence for every child.

“Our schools’ achievements stem from the tireless efforts of our staff teams, who make those shared aims a reality. They work in partnership with parents and carers, whose support provides the foundation for every child to flourish.

“Our partnership’s latest MAT performance measures clearly demonstrate that our children’s achievements are among the very best in the country. That is a fantastic accomplishment for both our children and our staff.”