Welcome to OWN Trust, a small multi-academy trust made up of three primary schools in the heart of Peterborough. Established in March 2019, the Trust currently provides high-quality education to over 1,200 pupils.

As a former governor of both Nene Valley Primary School and Woodston Primary School, and a trustee of OWN Trust from 2019 to 2024, I am delighted to take on the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer during this exciting time of change.

Following a period of strategic reflection, and in response to evolving Department for Education (DfE) guidance, the OWN Trust Board has taken the decision to enter a formal consultation process to explore a potential merger with a larger multi-academy trust. After careful consideration, Meridian Trust was unanimously agreed as the preferred partner for this next step.

I have served as CEO of Meridian Trust since 2013, leading its growth from two schools to thirty. I now look forward to guiding OWN Trust through its transition into the Meridian family of schools in the months ahead.

All OWN schools are judged GOOD by Ofsted, with outcomes in line with national expectations. The schools work collaboratively, drawing on their strengths and shared expertise to offer the best possible provision for the children they serve.

Children and staff in all OWN Trust schools benefit from high-quality opportunities, both at school level and through the Trust as a whole. A core part of the OWN ethos has been to nurture its community - caring for, encouraging, and supporting every member to reach their full potential.

It is these values and this approach that will ensure that OWN Trust schools continue to play a strong and valuable role within Meridian Trust. As one organisation, school leaders and those responsible for governance will collaborate to set the strategic direction of the schools: driving high achievement and outcomes for pupils, strong financial stewardship, quality resourcing, and excellent professional development and support.

For the children, parents, staff, and the wider community of OWN Trust, my message is clear: Meridian Trust is committed to building on the strong foundations and successes of OWN Trust to ensure that:

• Every child is known, equally valued, and supported to achieve their full potential across all our academies.
• Every community we serve benefits from the facilities and services we provide.
• Every member of staff is part of strong networks, offered excellent career opportunities, and supported in a human and respectful way where they are equally valued.
• Every school retains and continues to develop its unique identity, while actively sharing and contributing to our shared values, approaches to curriculum and practice, and efficient operational systems.

I look forward to embarking on this next stage of OWN Trust’s journey with you.

Mark Woods

Interim CEO

OWN Trust