Archive for category: News

We are pleased to welcome Alice Ward as Interim CEO of Mulberry Schools Trust. Alice brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as Executive Director of Secondary and worked across the Trust for many years. With a strong track record in school improvement and over 16 years working alongside Dr Vanessa Ogden CBE, she brings both continuity and a deep understanding of Mulberry’s values and communities.

“Alice Ward brings deep experience, strong leadership and a clear commitment to Mulberry’s values. Having worked across the Trust for many years, she is exceptionally well placed to lead the next chapter, building on our strong foundations and continuing to deliver outstanding achievement for all.”

Jane Farrell, Chair of Mulberry Schools Trust Board

Alice’s leadership will build on the Trust’s strong foundations, continuing our shared commitment to outstanding achievement for all and to delivering high-quality education rooted in inclusion, ambition and partnership. We look forward to the next chapter for Mulberry Schools Trust under Alice’s leadership.

After 20 years of dedicated service, Dr Vanessa Ogden CBE will step down as CEO of Mulberry Schools Trust at the end of this term.

Vanessa’s leadership has been defined by a deep commitment to young people, to inclusive excellence, and to the communities our schools serve. Under her guidance, the Trust has grown in strength and purpose, always rooted in the belief in outstanding achievement for all. Her work has created lasting opportunities for students and strengthened a values-driven culture across the Trust.

Jane Farrell, Chair of Mulberry Schools Trust Board said:

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr Vanessa Ogden for her outstanding leadership and dedication over the past 20 years. Under her vision and commitment, the Mulberry Schools Trust has grown from strength to strength – building new schools, pioneering innovative programmes and partnerships and establishing a reputation nationally for excellence, inclusion, and social justice. Her contribution has been transformational, shaping the lives of countless young people and ensuring that Mulberry’s values of aspiration, equality and community are at the heart of everything we do. The Trust is in an exceptionally strong position, with a talented senior team and a clear moral purpose. We look forward with confidence to the next chapter of Mulberry’s development, building on the remarkable legacy she leaves behind.”

Vanessa will take up a new role as Regional Director for London at the Department for Education, continuing her contribution to education at a national level. While we are sad to see her go, we are immensely proud of her achievements and wish her every success as she takes on her new role.

From 1st April, Alice Ward will take on the role of Interim CEO. Having worked alongside Vanessa for over 16 years, and currently serving as Executive Director of Secondary Education, Alice brings deep experience, a strong track record in school improvement, and a shared commitment to Mulberry’s values.

We are deeply grateful to Vanessa for her vision, transformational leadership and for her lasting impact across Mulberry Schools Trust in changing the lives of thousands of students.

On Wednesday 4 March 2026, Mulberry Schools Trust students concluded the Goldsmiths University Certificate Programme.

The two-day programme, introduced for the first time this year, was hosted at Goldsmiths, University of London and introduced Key Stage 5 students to higher education study.

Students completed two sessions, “Using AI and VR to Change the Way We Work” and “The Psychology of Business”, learning from Goldsmiths lecturers including Professor James Ohene-Djan, a Trustee of Mulberry Schools Trust.

The programme introduced students to real-world applications and cultures within computer science, inviting them to think critically about their approach to the subject and to begin software development projects.

Students were asked to submit their work for consideration and, if successful, a select few will be given an unconditional offer to attend Goldsmiths, University of London to study their undergraduate degree.

Mulberry Schools Trust is pleased to share its Celebration Report 2024/2025, marking a year of achievement, growth and collaboration across our family of schools.

From strong Sixth Form destinations and professional development initiatives to the expansion of our Mulberry Changemaker Programmes and the official opening of Mulberry Academy London Dock by Her Majesty The Queen, the report reflects the breadth of opportunity within the Trust.

In this edition, the report takes a refreshed approach, featuring personal reflections from Headteachers who share what made 2024/2025 special in their schools.

Alongside our recently published Annual Report and Accounts, the Celebration Report offers a rich insight into the impact of our work and our continued commitment to providing high-quality education rooted in community.

Access the full Celebration Report 2024/2025 below.

On Thursday 20 November 2025, Mulberry UTC welcomed The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State (Minister for Skills) and Minister for Women and Equalities in the Department for Education, for a visit celebrating the UTC’s role as a national model of high-quality technical education. The visit highlighted Mulberry UTC’s success in widening access for girls into health, digital media, the creative industries and STEM.

Hosted by Dr Vanessa Ogden CBE, CEO of the Mulberry Schools Trust, and Principal Daniel Seed, the Minister toured the professional-standard theatre, TV studio, hospital-grade Health Suite and the recently constructed engineering lab made possible through the partnership between the Trust and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. The Minister met students, staff, alumni and industry partners including Barts Health NHS Trust, the National Theatre and Creative Media Skills Institute based at Pinewood Studios. Uma Kumaran, MP for Stratford and Bow, also attended the visit.

A roundtable discussion with female students from Mulberry UTC and London Design and Engineering UTC explored the importance of technical skills and career pathways for young women across the UK.

The visit received positive coverage on local news websites, including the Evening Standard.

For more information about the visit, download the Baker Dearing Educational Trust press release below.

Read BDET Press Release here