Maritime Academy Trust – Shaping the Future of Creative and Inclusive Education in the UK

The Maritime Academy Trust stands as a shining example of how innovation, collaboration, and compassion can redefine education in the United Kingdom. Established in 2016 by Nick Osborne, the Trust’s mission is to empower schools with the means to drive ever greater and more enjoyable outcomes for children. With a belief that every child deserves a phenomenal education, the Trust operates with the philosophy of “consistency of impact without conformity of approach.”

Based in London, England, and operating across Greenwich, Bexley, Kent, and Medway, the Maritime Academy Trust is a charitable education organisation dedicated to advancing learning for the public benefit. Its creative approach to education, strong leadership, and collaborative culture have made it one of the most respected multi-academy trusts in the UK.

History and Founding of Maritime Academy Trust

The Beginning of a Transformative Vision

The Maritime Academy Trust was founded by Nick Osborne in 2016, born from a passion to make education more meaningful, creative, and accessible to all. Osborne, a seasoned educational leader and National Leader of Education, envisioned a Trust that would go beyond academic performance — one that would nurture resilience, creativity, and innovation in every child.

With a background in turning around underperforming schools, Osborne recognised that long-term improvement required collaboration, not competition. Thus, the Maritime Academy Trust was created with a model centred on partnerships and shared expertise, ensuring that each school could learn from the strengths of others while retaining its unique identity.

Headquarters, Structure, and Key Details

Organisational Overview

• Founded: 2016

• Founder & CEO: Nick Osborne

• Headquarters: 50 John Harrison Way, London, SE10 0BG, United Kingdom

• Registered Office: C/O Ebbsfleet Green Primary School, Ackers Drive, Ebbsfleet Valley, Kent, DA10 1AL

• Phone: +44 20 8016 6064

• Website: www.maritimeacademytrust.org

• Industry: Education Administration and Primary Education

The Trust governs 13 schools across the South East of England, with approximately 4,191 pupils and over 680 staff members. Each school operates with a balance of autonomy and centralised support, ensuring that while each community’s needs are met, the quality and standards remain consistently high across the Trust.

Mission, Values, and Educational Philosophy

A Belief in Every Child’s Potential

The Maritime Academy Trust was founded on a simple yet profound belief: education is the best way to fight inequality. The Trust’s vision is to create a culture where every child, regardless of their background or ability, can flourish. Its guiding principles emphasise creativity, collaboration, and innovation — ensuring that learning is both meaningful and enjoyable.

Core Values and Ethos

At the heart of the Trust’s operations are six guiding behaviours that define its culture:

1. Adaptability – Embracing change and finding new ways to deliver success.

2. Collaboration – Sharing knowledge and expertise across schools to achieve common goals.

3. Creativity and Innovation – Encouraging teachers and pupils to think differently.

4. Humility – Recognising that learning is continuous for everyone, including leaders.

5. Humour and Positivity – Building happy and engaging environments for all.

6. Supportiveness and Trust – Empowering individuals and schools with autonomy and confidence.

The Trust’s motto, “Consistency of impact without conformity of approach,” perfectly captures this philosophy. It ensures that all schools deliver high-quality education while allowing flexibility in teaching styles and local initiatives.

The Maritime Model – How the Trust Creates Success

Collaboration as a Catalyst for Growth

The Trust’s success lies in its school improvement model, which promotes partnership over isolation. Schools under the Trust collaborate to share best practices, resources, and leadership expertise. This approach helps accelerate improvement, especially in schools that previously faced challenges.

Innovation in Learning

The Maritime Academy Trust believes that children learn best through creativity and practical application. Classrooms are designed to be dynamic spaces where pupils can experiment, question, and innovate. This approach not only enhances academic performance but also builds confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills — preparing pupils for life beyond school.

Educate, Innovate, Collaborate

The Trust encourages a three-step approach to ensure excellence:

• Collaborate: Share ideas and strategies within and across schools.

• Innovate: Adapt those ideas to local needs, making learning relevant and inspiring.

• Educate: Break barriers to learning, ensuring every child is ready for the future.

Schools Under the Maritime Academy Trust

A Network of Excellence

The Trust currently oversees 13 schools, each serving its community with a creative and inclusive curriculum. These include:

• Barnsole Primary School – Gillingham, Kent

• Bligh Primary School – Strood, Kent

• Brooklands Primary School – Blackheath, London

• Danecourt School – Gillingham, Kent

• Ebbsfleet Green Primary School – Ebbsfleet Valley, Kent

• Featherby Infant and Junior Schools – Gillingham, Kent

• Greenacres Primary School – Eltham, London

• Hook Lane Primary School – Welling, Bexley

• Millennium Primary School – Greenwich

• Nightingale Primary School – Woolwich, London

• Timbercroft Primary School – Plumstead, London

Each of these schools follows the Maritime vision of developing happy, resilient, and confident learners who are encouraged to “give things a go” and thrive in their educational journey.

Leadership and Governance

Nick Osborne – The Visionary Behind the Trust

Nick Osborne, the founder and Chief Executive Officer, has been instrumental in shaping the Trust’s success. His leadership philosophy is rooted in trust, empowerment, and collaboration. Before founding Maritime, Osborne served as an executive headteacher and led school improvement programmes that transformed several institutions across London and the South East.

Under his leadership, Maritime Academy Trust has become a model of excellence and innovation in education, recognised for its focus on both academic achievement and the wellbeing of staff and pupils.

Governance and Accountability

As a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, the Trust is accountable to the UK Department for Education. It is overseen by a Board of Trustees who ensure compliance with governance standards and strategic oversight. Maritime also values transparency, regularly publishing impact reports and school performance updates.

Specialties and Expertise

The Maritime Academy Trust is known for its distinct expertise in:

• Primary Education

• School Improvement and Leadership Development

• Education Management and Administration

• Professional Development for Educators

• School Partnerships and Collaboration

The Trust invests heavily in professional development, ensuring teachers are empowered to deliver exceptional learning experiences. Its partnerships extend beyond its own schools, offering support to other institutions seeking improvement.

Achievements and Impact

Since its inception, the Maritime Academy Trust has turned several schools around from requiring improvement to achieving strong inspection results. The Trust’s schools consistently report rising attainment levels, enhanced pupil engagement, and improved staff satisfaction.

Beyond numbers, the greatest achievement of the Trust lies in its ability to nurture creative, independent, and happy learners — children who are not only academically capable but also emotionally intelligent and socially responsible.

The Future of Maritime Academy Trust

Looking ahead, the Maritime Academy Trust continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact. It remains committed to its founding mission of delivering a phenomenal education for every child. Through continuous innovation, collaboration, and leadership, the Trust aims to set new standards for primary education across the UK.

Conclusion

The Maritime Academy Trust is more than just an educational institution — it is a movement to reimagine learning in the modern age. Founded by Nick Osborne in 2016, it continues to thrive under his visionary leadership, inspiring teachers, empowering students, and transforming communities.

With its creative curriculum, strong ethical foundation, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential, the Trust stands as a beacon of excellence in British education — truly delivering consistency of impact without conformity of approach.

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