The 3-18 Education Trust has welcomed three new Church of England primary schools – Clive, Prees and Whixall, as part of a merger with The Fields Multi-Academy Trust, taking the Trust community to fourteen schools across Shropshire.
Clive, Prees and Whixall join eleven Shropshire schools as part of The 3-18 Education Trust, driven by our vision to ‘ensure every individual is in a great school’. United by shared values, our community of fourteen Trust schools provide a high‑quality, aspirational education journey from early years to post‑16, supporting children to thrive from nursery and primary school through to secondary, sixth form and boarding.
Welcoming Church of England schools to our Trust
Following a change of articles, The 3-18 Education Trust is now able to welcome Church of England schools to join for the first time. This is a significant and positive development that adds a further dimension to the rich and diverse cultures already present across our community of schools.
As Church of England schools, Christian values are an important part of each school’s identity, supporting opportunities for children to reflect, explore faith and develop their own beliefs and understanding of the world around them.
David O’Toole, The 3-18 Education Trust’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Clive, Prees and Whixall into our Trust community, building on the strong collaborative foundations that we have already established. We are excited to continue that work together, bringing shared expertise, resources and ambition to support every child across our wonderfully diverse communities. Together we are stronger, and together we will thrive.”
About our new schools
Clive, Prees and Whixall schools are deeply rooted in their local communities, sharing a commitment to providing an ambitious, high-quality education for every child.
Clive CE Primary School and Nursery is known locally as ‘the school on the hill’ and has been at the heart of village life for 150 years. The school enjoys deep connections with the local community, drawing strength from the people, history and traditions that make Clive such a unique place.
Prees CE Primary School and Nursery plays an important role within the local community. The school enjoys strong partnerships with St Chad’s Church, local faith organisations, and community groups, providing enriching experiences for its children and strengthening the connection between school, home and community.
Whixall CE Primary School and Nursery is a vibrant and nurturing school set within beautiful, inspiring grounds. The outside environment provides rich opportunities for exploration, discovery, and learning, helping children to develop a deep appreciation of the natural world while supporting their academic, personal, and spiritual growth.
This is a positive start to an already celebratory new school year as 2026 marks ten years of The 3-18 Education Trust, from two founding schools in 2016 to a growing Shropshire-wide community of schools today. Throughout the year, the Trust will be recognising ten years of collaboration, growth and shared ambition.
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.
