'I could not be prouder'- Endeavour Learning Trust celebrates multiple award wins in June

A multi academy trust with various schools across Lancashire is celebrating multiple award wins this month.

Endeavour Learning Trust, which runs 11 schools across Lancashire and Merseyside, has secured a whole host of prestigious educational award wins in June.

Which awards have they won?

First up Endeavour was named Community Trust of the Year at the MAT Excellence Awards.

The MAT Excellence Awards celebrate best practice across the education sector.

Endeavour was recognised for its community impact, with judges saying: “Through coordinated physical activity, wellbeing, SEND, leadership, and safeguarding programmes, the trust fills gaps left by reduced local services.”

Jinnie Payne, the Head at one of Endeavour’s schools, Churchtown Primary School, has also been recognised, winning ‘Headteacher of the Year’ at the Tes Awards in London.

The Tes awards are considered one of the most prestigious awards in the education sector.

Churchtown Primary School, who tragically lost two of its pupils in the July 2024 Southport attack, also picked up a bronze award for Primary School of the Year in the Pearson Education Awards.

Jinnie was further recognised with a silver Pearson award for Primary Headteacher of the Year.

The Pearson Awards aim to recognise the ‘unsung heroes’ of the education sector, particularly individual teachers, school staff and small groups.

Finally, the Trust also won Trust Leadership Team of the Year at the 2026 Trust and School Leadership Awards, run by the Network for Education Excellence (nEdEx).

The nEdEx awards also named Churchtown Primary as their ‘Primary School of the Year’.

What has been said about the award wins?

David Clayton, CEO of Endeavour Learning Trust, said: "To win this many awards in succession is a remarkable achievement, and I could not be prouder of everyone across the trust who made it possible.

“To win Community Trust of the Year is our dream as a trust. Endeavour is all about serving our communities across Lancashire, Merseyside and the wider North West. When there is a gap to fill for local children, we’re proud to step in to fill that gap.

“These awards are recognition of that philosophy in action, as well as the tireless work of all our staff from every school. I hope they feel as proud as I do today.”

Jinnie Payne, Headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, said: “These awards belong to every member of staff, every child and every family who is part of the Churchtown community.

“We work hard every single day to create a school where pupils feel safe, valued and inspired to learn, and to have that recognised on a national stage is incredibly humbling. I am so proud of what this team has achieved.”

What is Endeavour Learning Trust?

Endeavour Learning Trust is a growing multi academy trust that currently encompasses four secondary schools and seven primary schools across Lancashire and Sefton.

Those in Lancashire are Woodlea Junior School, Strike Lane Primary School, Burscough Priory Academy, Wellfield Academy, Tarleton Academy, Ormsirk School, Northbrook Primary Academy, Brindle Gregson Lane and Hawes Side Academy.