More than 600 teachers, support staff and wider community members came together at Theatre Severn on Monday for The 3-18 Education Trust’s annual staff conference.
This year’s conference marked ten years of The 3-18 Education Trust, celebrating a decade of collaboration, growth and shared ambition across its community of fourteen schools and wider networks.
The day opened with an inspiring keynote from Professor Paul McGee, The SUMO Guy, who spoke passionately about navigating change and uncertainty, and the power we all have to make a difference through our roles and in our lives.
Expert-led sessions on opportunities and challenges for schools and young people
A packed programme of expert-led sessions followed, exploring some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing schools and young people today.
Speakers included Alex Zarifeh on AI Discernment, Chloe Combi on Understanding Gen A, KCA Training on Weaving Belonging and Mattering through our Schools, and Courtney Orange (pictured right), who led an interactive session on Creating Connected School Cultures.
Celebrating our staff community – our second Trust People Awards
The conference also provided an opportunity to celebrate the people making a difference across our Trust, with the announcement of the winners of the Trust People Awards. Now in their second year, the peer-nominated awards attracted more than 100 nominations across categories reflecting Trust values and priorities, recognising the contribution of colleagues across its schools and wider team.
The Accomplished Award winner Charlie Bayley, Thomas Adams School and Sixth Form
The Belonging Award winner Sally Wynn, St Martins School
The Compassionate Award winner George Hughes, Coleham School
The Resilience Award winner Alison Pope, St Martins School
The Rising Star Award winner Mark Jones, William Brookes School
Winner of The Resilience Award, Alison Pope from St Martins School, said: “It was a very unexpected and special moment. Thank you for the Resilience Award and to everyone who has supported me along the way.”
"A day to be proud of"
Reflecting on the day, David O’Toole, CEO at The 3-18 Education Trust, said:
“Our 10th Anniversary Conference was a day to be proud of. We reflected on our journey, looked ahead with ambition, and left better prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the future, not least AI.
“Ending with our Trust People Awards, celebrating colleagues recognised by their peers, was a fitting reminder that our people are at the heart of everything we do.”
September 2026 marks ten years of The 3-18 Education Trust, from the founding schools of Priory and St Martins in 2016 to our growing Shropshire-wide community of schools today.
This year we celebrate Our Trust at 10 recognising ten years of collaboration, growth and shared ambition across our Trust and community of schools.
Notes for editors
The 3‑18 Education Trust is a Shropshire‑based Multi‑Academy Trust providing a high quality, aspirational education from early years through to post‑16.
Our Trust comprises fourteen schools bringing together a vibrant and diverse community of over 6,200 students, 900 teaching and support staff and 84 local committee members.
September 2026 marks ten years of The 3-18 Education Trust, from the founding schools of Priory and St Martins in 2016 to our growing Shropshire-wide community of schools today.
This year we celebrate Our Trust at 10 recognising ten years of collaboration, growth and shared ambition across our Trust and community of schools.
For press enquiries, contact media@318education.co.uk.
