Our History

Our History

Zenith Multi Academy Trust was the vision of Dr Margaret Wilson. Motivated by a strong desire to improve the life chances of young people and to work collaboratively together, Dr Wilson and the newly formed Board of Trustees first welcomed The James Hornsby School in Basildon to join The King John School as part of the newly formed Zenith Trust in 2017. Laindon Park Primary School and Nursery, also in Basildon, then joined in 2018, with Castle View School in Canvey Island joining in September 2019. Most recently, Castledon Special School in Wickford has joined our family of schools from September 2023.

Supported by a highly experienced central team, and governed with exceptionally strong financial expertise, Zenith has been able to develop innovative ways to build capacity, working alongside its dedicated team of Headteachers. For example, Zenith Minds was set up in 2019 to provide mental health and well-being support for our more vulnerable students, and a team of Trust Deputy Headteachers was appointed as a specialist resource for schools to access.

Dr Wilson was awarded a CBE in 2019 for her services to education and her visionary leadership. She retired as CEO in August 2021 after many years of distinguished service. The current CEO is Andy Hodgkinson. Having been a Headteacher for 13 years, Andy was commissioned by the Trust as a National Leader of Education to support school improvement at both the King John and James Hornsby schools from April 2019, and latterly Castle View school.

To find out more about our refreshed vision, mission, and values, as well as our current strategic priorities, please visit the relevant sections of our website.

Andy Hodgkinson

September 2023