Canonium News

Between December 2025 and January 2026, three Canonium academies welcomed inspectors for their Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). We are delighted that all three schools were recognised as living up to their foundation as Church schools and enabling pupils and adults to flourish. In just eight weeks, inspections took place at: Ardleigh St Mary’s Primary Academy – 4 December 2025 St Peter’s Church of England Primary Academy , West Hanningfield – 5 December 2025 Stisted Church of England Primary Academy – 27 January 2026 Living Out Vision with Integrity Across all three inspections, a consistent theme emerged: Christian vision is not a statement on a wall, but a lived reality shaping daily decisions, relationships and curriculum design. At Ardleigh St Mary’s, inspectors recognised that the vision provides “a strong and unifying foundation for school life”, consistently modelled and understood by pupils and adults. During a period of leadership transition, ...

  We are delighted to share that Canonium Learning Trust has been featured in the Summer 2025 edition of Direction – a digital publication of the Montessori Society AMI (UK) . The latest issue, themed “Transitions” , highlights inspiring practice across the Montessori community. We are proud that a full feature article has been dedicated to Canonium’s pioneering Pink Tower Approach , our Trust-wide strategy to support vulnerable pupils through Montessori-informed environments within mainstream state schools. At the heart of this work is Lisa Reynolds , a highly experienced Montessori-trained educator, who first introduced the approach at Stisted CofE Primary Academy . Drawing on her expertise and deep commitment to child-centred education, Lisa established the Trust’s first Pink Tower Room - a carefully prepared space designed to nurture regulation, independence, and learning through the use of Montessori materials and principles. Since then, Lisa has gone on to lead the develop...

Canonium Learning Trust is proud to announce that it has been awarded Trust of the Year (9 Schools or Fewer) at the prestigious Tes Schools Awards 2025 , a national recognition celebrating the very best in UK education. The awards, now in their 17th year, are widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of Education’ and honour the extraordinary dedication, innovation, and leadership demonstrated by schools, educators, and school trusts across the country. The announcement was made at a glamorous gala evening on Friday, 20th June 2025 , at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Hosted by comedian Tom Allen , Canonium Learning Trust was celebrated for its “visionary and collaborative approach” and “exceptional leadership of small schools.” The awards ceremony brought together sector leaders, educators, and experts, with Canonium’s win standing out among the evening’s distinguished winners. A Family of Schools with a Big Impact Canonium Learning Trust’s journey began with Kelvedon St Mary’s CofE Pri...

Canonium Learning Trust is excited to announce that it has been shortlisted for Trust of the Year at the Tes Schools Awards 2025, in the category of Trusts with fewer than 9 schools in the 2023-24 academic year! The Tes Schools Awards, widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of education,’ celebrate the best of education across the UK. Canonium Learning Trust has been recognised for its exceptional efforts in supporting students to reach excellent outcomes, driving financial efficiencies, and ensuring that its schools are deeply embedded in the communities they serve. The hard work and commitment of Canonium’s staff and leadership teams at both school and trust levels have played a key role in this success, as reflected in positive testimonials from both staff and the communities served by the Trust’s schools. An expert panel of judges, comprising leaders in education, selected the shortlist for 22 categories, including the new addition this year: ‘Inclusive Trust of the Year’. The final catego...

Welcoming Four New Schools to Canonium Learning Trust We are delighted to formally welcome East Hanningfield CofE Primary School, St Peter’s CofE Primary School West Hanningfield, and Langham Primary School into Canonium Learning Trust on 1st April 2025. We will also be joined by Woodham Walter CofE Primary School later in the Summer Term. These four schools bring with them rich histories, strong community ties, and a commitment to excellence - values that align perfectly with our vision. A Stronger Future Together Academy transition is more than just a change in status - it is a commitment to collaboration, shared expertise, and continuous school improvement. As part of Canonium Learning Trust, these schools gain access to tailored support, professional development and strategic leadership, all whilst retaining their unique identities. We have worked closely with each school to ensure a smooth and well-supported transition, focusing on key areas such as school development, finance, g...

Canonium’s Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO), Kevin Panrucker, attended BETT 2025 in London today to explore the latest advancements in educational technology and how they could benefit the Trust. BETT is the UK’s leading event for education technology, showcasing cutting-edge tools designed to enhance teaching, learning, and operational systems. Kevin focused on identifying solutions to streamline school and Trust operations, while also exploring technologies to enrich classroom experiences and improve outcomes for pupils. “Technology has the power to transform both how we operate and how we deliver education,” Kevin remarked. “BETT provides an excellent opportunity to discover innovations that can help Canonium better support its schools and communities.” In addition to evaluating operational tools, Kevin gathered valuable insights to share with the Trust’s executive leadership team, ensuring decisions about future technology are informed by the latest advancements in the ...

Canonium Learning Trust is thrilled to announce new partnerships as we prepare to expand to 12 schools next year. We are proud to be welcoming Woodham Walter, East Hanningfield, St Peters West Hanningfield, and Langham schools to the Trust. These four schools have already received their academy orders and are in the process of joining the Trust, with an expected academy conversion in the Spring Term 2025. This expansion represents an important milestone for Canonium Learning Trust, and we are committed to providing these schools with the same high level of support and opportunities that have helped our current schools flourish. As part of our growing family of primary schools, in geographical clusters across Mid and North-East Essex, each new school will benefit from our collaborative approach, ensuring they can thrive and continue to deliver an exceptional education to their students. At Canonium, we believe in the power of collaboration, integrity, and nurturing every s...

We are delighted to announce the opening of two brand-new schools under the Canonium Learning Trust: Stourview Church of England Primary Academy and St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy .  Stourview Church of England Primary Academy Stourview Church of England Primary Academy is currently housed in modern modular classrooms, offering an inviting environment for learning as we embark on an exciting journey of building a permanent new facility. This new state-of-the-art building is planned to be ready within the next three years and will be based on the former site of Mistley Norman Primary School. The creation of Stourview Primary Academy is a unique opportunity for the community to help shape the future of education in the area. Together, we aim to build a school that reflects the needs and aspirations of local families, creating a nurturing environment where children can thrive. The school is committed to delivering a rich and exciting curriculum tailored to support ch...

We are thrilled to share the impressive performance data of our established schools within Canonium Learning Trust. Our commitment to excellence and the dedication of our staff has once again resulted in outstanding achievements by our pupils. Academic Achievements Year 6 Pupils' Performance: On average, 75% of our Year 6 pupils achieve Expected Standard or above in reading, writing, and maths combined. This is notably higher than the national average of 61%. Greater Depth Standard: An average of 18% of our pupils reach the Greater Depth standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, which is significantly above the national average of 7%. Early Reading Excellence: Our emphasis on early reading has secured impressive results - on average 96% of our Year 1 pupils pass the Phonics Screening Check. This is above the national average of 80%. Our Commitment These remarkable outcomes are a testament to the hard work and expertise of our team. At Canonium Learning Trust, we believe in...

Canonium Learning Trust is pleased to announce that the Department for Education's Advisory Board has officially approved the transfer of Mistley Norman CofE Primary School (Mistley) and Two Village CofE Primary School (Ramsey, Harwich) from The Diocese of Chelmsford Vine Schools Trust to the Canonium Learning Trust. This transition will take effect in the Autumn term of the upcoming academic year, bringing new opportunities and resources to both schools. Building a Brighter Future Together Following the advisory board’s decision on 23 May 2024, Mistley Norman and Two Village schools will become part of the Canonium Learning Trust family. With our extensive experience and commitment to educational excellence, we are excited to support these schools and their communities. In preparation for this transfer, Canonium Learning Trust is actively collaborating with the Department for Education (DfE) to develop exciting future plans for both schools. Notably, Mistley Norman CofE Primary Sc...