Nene Education Trust Shortlisted for National Wellbeing Award

Following news earlier in the year about Nene Education Trust’s nomination for a prestigious, national award, the Trust were delighted to learn that they had actually been shortlisted in the category of Wellbeing Trust of the Year at the MAT Excellence Awards. The recognition reflects years of dedicated work across the Trust to embed mental health and wellbeing at the heart of school life.

Central to this achievement is the Trust’s carefully developed mental health and wellbeing strategy, led by Trust Mental Health & Wellbeing Lead Amy Bradshaw and Deputy CEO Matt Coleman. Their collaborative work has helped to create a culture where care, inclusion and mental health awareness underpin the learning environment.

The Trust’s approach is both structured and inclusive, offering a graduated system of support that ranges from early preventative education to therapeutic intervention in partnership with charities and health services. Staff have received comprehensive training - including bespoke and unique suicide prevention and emotional wellbeing - and students are encouraged to speak openly and seek support.  

Commenting on the shortlisting, Matt Coleman said:
"This recognition is testament to the commitment of our staff, our partners, and our community. By working together, we’re not only supporting the wellbeing of our students - we're helping to shape confident, compassionate young people who are better equipped to face the future."

Sherry Adams, CEO of Kelly’s Heroes charity that have worked closely with the Trust said: “It’s a real credit to Nene Education Trust to have been shortlisted for Wellbeing Trust of the Year – and thoroughly deserved. The collaborative work we’ve done together has always been rooted in genuine care and a shared belief that wellbeing should be at the heart of education.

Matt is a forthright and courageous leader when it comes to championing the wellbeing of both children and staff across the Trust. Under his leadership, Nene Education Trust has consistently led the way in mental health initiatives, particularly in raising awareness and driving action around suicide prevention. Their commitment is both visionary and heartfelt, and we are incredibly proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with them.”

Recent surveys across trust schools show significant improvements in student wellbeing - highlighting increases in young people feeling they have a trusted adult to speak to, and reductions in stress and loneliness. The schools work closely with Bounce Forward charity in collaboration with the Harry Kane Foundation that teaches teenagers the lifelong skills to enable them to become psychologically fit. The charity recently awarded Manor School, the only secondary school in the trust, the Bounce Forward Healthy Minds Kitemark and were the first Harry Kane Lead school to receive the award.

The Trust is proud to be recognised for its ongoing commitment to student and staff wellbeing.

For more information about Nene Education Trust or this article, please contact Victoria Brennan, Strategic Business Partner on 01933 400549 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.