Shires MAT formed in September 2020 with three schools and currently consists of eleven schools.
Ten of our schools are based in Worcestershire with Studley High School sitting just across the border in South Warwickshire.
Astwood Bank Primary School
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Astwood Bank Primary is an oversubscribed two form entry primary school with 420 pupils on roll. Many pupils from the school go on to either Ridgeway Secondary or Studley High as they transition from year 6 to year 7.
Beoley First School
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Is a First school with 100 pupils from Rec – Yr 4. It is located just North of Redditch.
Crabbs Cross Academy First School
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Is a First school with 150 pupils from Rec – Yr 4. It is located in Southcrest, Redditch.
Feckenham CE Primary School
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Feckenham CE Primary School is situated in Worcestershire and has 100 pupils on roll. The rural school serves many families within the village as well as a significant proportion of children from Redditch.
North Bromsgrove High School
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North Bromsgrove is an oversubscribed 13-18 High school serving Bromsgrove families. The school has grown significantly in recent years to almost 1100 pupils.
Ridgeway Secondary School
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Ridgeway Secondary is an 11-16 secondary school in Astwood bank, Redditch, with almost 500 pupils on roll.
Studley High School
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Studley High is an oversubscribed 11-16 secondary school in Warwickshire with 850 pupils on roll.
St George’s C of E First School
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Is a First school with 150 pupils from Rec – Yr 4. It is located in Redditch.
St Luke’s C of E First School
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Is a First school with 150 pupils from Rec – Yr 4. It is located in Southcrest, Redditch.
Vaynor First School
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Is a First school with 450 pupils from Rec – Yr 4. It is located in Headless Cross, Redditch.
Webheath Academy Primary School
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Webheath is an oversubscribed two form entry primary school in Redditch with 420 pupils on roll. Many pupils from the school go on to either Studley high or Ridgeway Secondary as they transition from year 6 to year 7.
The MAT operates through a collaborative approach that gives schools significant autonomy, allowing leaders to focus on improving outcomes for pupils, staff and the wider community. This is supported by shared systems and processes across safeguarding, finance, IT, HR, health and safety, SEND, school improvement, quality assurance, CPD and curriculum development.
This approach also underpins a broad personal development and enrichment programme, including opportunities in sport, arts, music and wider competitions.
Collaboration is at the heart of our Trust, creating benefits for all schools. Our central model is supported by a dedicated team that provides high-quality services, supports future growth and delivers excellent value for money.
Trust Central Offer
Lee Gray
CEO/Principal Shires MAT
The CEO/Principal provides strategic development of the Trust working closely with stakeholders and partners (Trustees/Governors, local authorities, Teaching School Hubs, the Regional Schools Commissioner/DfE and the Trust Leadership Team) to maintain a high quality provision, whilst also promoting growth and stability within the MAT.
The Trust leadership team (Central leadership and Headteachers) meet regularly and there is a clear focus on school development and improving outcomes and experiences for all our pupils. The CEO is also a National Leader of Education and is actively involved in supporting schools regionally.
Growing curriculum links between schools. This includes opportunities for moderation and sharing curriculum expertise. Some staff work across sites to help provide specialist teaching for pupils and pupils have regular opportunities to experience different school settings (for example, KS2 pupils experiencing learning in secondary school practical subjects). This work is driven by a collaborative approach as all schools retain autonomy of curriculum offer, but where it makes sense to align or share practice, we do so.
The CEO/Principal leads the strategic development of the Trust, working closely with key stakeholders and partners, including Trustees, Governors, local authorities, Teaching School Hubs, the DfE and the Trust Leadership Team, to maintain high-quality provision while supporting growth and stability across the MAT.
The Trust Leadership Team, comprising central leaders and Headteachers, meets regularly with a clear focus on school improvement and enhancing outcomes and experiences for all pupils.
The Trust also promotes curriculum collaboration between schools through moderation, shared expertise and specialist teaching across sites. Pupils benefit from opportunities to experience different educational settings, such as KS2 learning in secondary school practical subjects. While each school retains autonomy over its curriculum, we work together where it adds value and improves practice.
Jack Worton
RSS Headteacher & Safeguarding Lead
Our Trust safeguarding and attendance lead supports delivery of effective safeguarding across the Trust. This is supported through a safeguarding audit and action plan, comprehensive training for staff and governors and dedicated support and development. There are also regular DSL collaborative meetings linked to both development and training. Similarly, attendance leads meet regularly and collaborate in maintaining and further improving on already excellent attendance across the Trust.
Our Trust Safeguarding and Attendance Lead oversees the effective delivery of safeguarding across all schools. This is supported through regular safeguarding audits, targeted action planning, comprehensive training for staff and governors, and ongoing professional support. Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) meet regularly to share best practice, drive improvement and access further training.
Attendance leads also work collaboratively across the Trust, meeting regularly to share effective strategies and sustain the high levels of attendance achieved by our schools.
Hollie Heffernan
Primary Inclusion Lead
Hollie has worked in schools across the Trust, supporting a range of projects and contributing to the development of strong, collaborative practice. With experience in specialist provision and as a NASENCO-qualified leader, she is deeply committed to supporting the most vulnerable learners. She is also passionate about creating a curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, ensuring every child feels seen, supported, and valued.
Hollie has led a wide range of areas across school settings, alongside key work in personal development, safeguarding, and attendance. Passionate about creating a positive, inclusive school culture of belonging, she brings both expertise and heart to her coaching practice.
Laura Monfardini
Secondary SEND
Trust SEND lead supports delivery and development of SEND practices across the Trust. This includes annual audits/training and development, as well as collaborative meetings and planning for SENDCos.
Our schools are supported by a strong central team and trusted external partners, providing expertise across finance, HR, IT, estates, health and safety, legal services, procurement, marketing and communications.
This shared approach enables school leaders to focus on delivering excellent education while benefiting from high-quality operational support, effective governance, robust compliance processes and excellent value for money.
The Trust also provides extensive support for school improvement, curriculum development, pedagogy, SEND, safeguarding, attendance and leadership development. Staff benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities, including Trust-wide training, online learning, apprenticeships and nationally recognised qualifications.
We are committed to creating opportunities for pupils and staff to flourish through collaborative working, enrichment programmes, wellbeing initiatives and a growing range of employee benefits. By sharing expertise, resources and best practice across our schools, we strengthen provision and improve outcomes for the communities we serve.