We are excited to share that Sutton House Academy and Victory Park Academy are formally consulting on the proposed transfer from Parallel Learning Trust (PLT) to Fortis Trust.
The trust has been in discussions with PLT since May 2025 regarding the transfer, following a period of due diligence in which both parties undertook a range of activities to ensure this would be a strong partnership and would bring benefits to both the academy and Fortis Trust. We believe this partnership would create a strong partnership that would benefit pupils, families, and staff.
As part of the Trust ethos and values, each academy and provision will retain its unique identity and connection to its community, strengthened by its membership of a collaborative and supportive Trust.
Trust Growth with Sutton House and Victory Park in Consultation to Transfer
Continuing our strategic growth, with proposed new academies strengthening the Trust’s reach and impact across the region.
Fortis Trust is excited to share that Sutton House Academy and Victory Park Academy are formally consulting on the proposed transfer from Parallel Learning Trust (PLT) to Fortis Trust.
The trust has been in discussions with PLT since May 2025 to consider the transfer, following a period of due diligence in which both parties undertook a range of activities to ensure that this would be a strong partnership and bring benefits to both the academy and Fortis Trust. We believe this partnership would create a strong partnership that would benefit pupils, families, and staff.
As part of the Trust ethos and values, each academy and provision will retain its unique identity and connection to its community, strengthened by its membership of a collaborative and supportive Trust.
External Governance Review with National Governance Association
Strengthening governance through external review, ensuring clarity, accountability and excellence across our Trust.
We commissioned and worked with the National Governance Association (NGA) for Schools & Trusts to carry out an external review of our governance and progress. The review was designed to support our development as we move from a single academy trust, with partner provisions, towards becoming a growing multi-academy trust.
The Reason for the Review
As part of our ambition to grow the trust, it was important to ensure that our governance was not only effective now, but also had the capacity, expertise, and ambition needed to support this next stage of growth.
Forward2Employment is a partner provision within Fortis, and we maintain strategic oversight to support collaboration across current and future provisions, share best practice, and create the best possible opportunities for young people. It was therefore important that the review also considered how governance can best support Forward2Employment.
“We commissioned the review at a point where our governance was evolving. We had introduced a local governing committee and were starting to embed our scheme of delegation, so it felt the right time to step back and sense-check what we were building.
“We commissioned the review at a point where our governance was evolving. We had introduced a local governing committee and were starting to embed our scheme of delegation, so it felt the right time to step back and sense-check what we were building.
We wanted to be confident it was working in practice, not just on paper, and the review gave us that reassurance while also helping us further sharpen and strengthen our approach across the trust”
Having Solid Foundations
The review confirmed that our governance is built on solid foundations, giving us confidence to strengthen what we already have and prepare for future growth.
Whilst these foundations are strong, we welcomed constructive feedback, recognising that improvement depends on honest reflection. One key area identified was the further development of a clear accountability framework across the Trust. This work is already underway, alongside continued clarification of trustee and governor roles and the development of the Trust Central Team.
Developments Already Made
The review happened over a period of 6 months, providing ample time to review and implement the suggested improvements during the review period.
As we grow from a single academy trust to a multi-academy trust, effective risk management becomes even more important. The review highlighted this as an area for further development, and the continued development of our Audit and Risk Committee was recognised as a strong step in ensuring both ongoing and future projects are overseen effectively.
The Next Steps
With the support of the NGA review, we are building on strong governance foundations as we take the next steps in our journey towards becoming a multi-academy trust. This review has been an important milestone, but our commitment to improvement does not stop here. Our value of ‘Innovation for Improvement’ runs through the trust, and we will continue to strengthen our practice so that we are ready for the opportunities ahead. Striving for Excellence in all that we do.
Read the full review
We would like to thank the National Governance Association for their time and support in ensuring our governance is the best it can be. If you would like to read NGA’s full case study, please click on the link below:
Celebrating our amazing young people and staff at our annual Trust Awards Evening
Recognising excellence, achievement and contribution across all provisions within the Fortis community.
On Thursday 13th November 2025, Fortis Trust hosted its annual Certificate Presentation Event, at the Royal Dockyard Church, Historic Dockyard, Chatham
Staff, students and Supported Interns across the trust joined together to celebrate their fantastic achievements!
We also welcomed members of our Trustee Board, as well as members of the Bradfields Academy Governing Body.
The evening started with a celebration of the Bradfields Academy Primary Community, who received awards for English, Maths, Creativity, and Community.
Examination certificates were presented by the Bradfields Academy Principal, Mr Waters, and the Forward2Employment Principal, Mrs Halton.
Subject Leaders, Engagement Support Leads, and F2E Job Coaches presented a range of special awards for individual students and Interns.
As part of tradition, we also presented Staff Service Awards for staff members who reached 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service within Fortis Trust.
Throughout the evening, there were speeches, one from the former Head Student of 2024-2025, where she spoke with great passion about her time at Bradfields and the staff who helped her through her journey. The second speech was from Charlie, a former Forward2Employment intern, who spoke about how Forward2Employment changed his life, and led him to getting paid employment at the end of his time with them. There was also an unplanned speech from a student, where he thanked a range of staff and students for their support during his time at Bradfields Academy.
As said on the night, we are so proud of every single one of our students and young people for everything they have achieved across the trust.
Launch of a dedicated website for our Outreach Service
Supporting the expansion of our offer to schools across Medway and Kent, sharing expertise and best practice.
Due to the expansion of services on offer across Medway & Kent, and to provide an accessible and easy-to-navigate experience for both education professionals, parents and carers.
You can visit our dedicated Outreach website here: https://outreach.fortistrust.co.uk/
Holocaust Memorial Day Commemorations
A powerful opportunity for reflection, learning and developing students’ understanding of history, identity and responsibility.
School Rebuild Programme Moving Forward
Progressing plans to further enhance learning environments and facilities for our students and staff.
In February 2024, Bradfields Academy announced that they are on the Department for Education’s Schools Rebuilding Programme, based on the urgent and severe issues the academy is experiencing.
Since then, there have been a large number of meetings between the senior members of Bradfields staff, the Department for Education, and the eventual winning contractors, Bam. These meetings have been to create a modern, fully accessible two-storey school building designed specifically for SEND education.
This new build will support 444 pupils and will enable us to continue delivering high-quality teaching, therapy and life skills programmes within a safe and inspiring environment.
Whilst the consultation has now closed, you can still view the plans for the new build via the following link:
https://www.bradfieldsacademyschoolpublicconsultation.co.uk/
Teaching Assistant Award
Recognising the exceptional contribution of support staff in transforming outcomes for young people.
This year, Bradfields Academy resubmitted their application for the Best Practice with Teaching Assistants Award, and we are pleased to announce that they have been successful in retaining the award for another 3 years.
As part of the reassessment, the award verifier collected evidence from across the academy, including a presentation of key changes, survey results from teachers and support staff, written feedback, the academy’s induction processes, as well as the training plans and an audit of the skills and qualifications on offer from our teaching assistants.
As part of the review, Bradfields’ Teaching Assistants had the opportunity to speak to the verifier, and we are so proud of the positive messages which came through these interactions. There were references to the roles and staff development opportunities, which have led some teaching assistants to become teachers or move into more specialist roles. The support staff team felt appreciated by leadership and that their voices were heard.
The best statement was “We’re proud to be a part of the school”.
It was found that the roles of our Teaching Assistants were clearly defined, and there is a wide range of specialist roles for them to undertake. The communication and teamwork were at a good level, and it was highlighted that staff will actively cover and support each other to ensure the best outcomes for the students. It was clear from the report that Bradfields’ individual approach to student learning and striving to support independence is strong, and their work across the academy is having a real impact on students.
“This continues to be a school where a highly motivated and proactive team of TAs are at the heart of the school and integrated into all aspects of its work on a daily basis. Their work and dedication continue to be recognised and valued by their colleagues, leaders and governors.”
We want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff team and Optimus Education for their support in helping Bradfields Academy achieve this award.
Medway Supported Internship Graduation and Conference
Celebrating the achievements of interns as they transition into employment and greater independence.
On Thursday 29th January 2026, Forward2Employment had the honour of showcasing Supported Internships and everything they can do for young people across Medway and Kent, at the Medway Supported Internship Conference 2026!
It was a further honour to be asked to photograph and film the event, on behalf of Medway Council.
The event was held at the Corn Exchange in Rochester, and we were thrilled to see education, employment and support service professionals come together to gain further understanding of the opportunities for young people with SEND / an EHPC. There was a range of networking opportunities, discussing ideas, and table discussions to deepen their understanding of what they had heard and learned on the day.
It was an honour to have Joanna Mahadoo, Strategic Head of Education – Quality and Inclusion from Medway Council, open and close the day, as well as share her insights with the professionals in attendance.
Throughout the morning, there were a range of talks, including those by current and former interns, parents of successful interns, employers, and practitioners (Bemix, Forward2Employment, & MidKent College). The talks were inspirational and highlighted how much they change lives. Paul Spice, a parent of one of our successful interns, showcased how much the Forward2Employment pathway helped their son. He had worked at a cinema without support, and it became a difficult situation for the young person. However, once they learned about Supported Internships, they were able to thrive and are now in permanent employment.
David Degernie from DHL (one of our partner businesses) and Leon, a Supported Intern, currently in placement at DHL. They spoke in great detail about their experiences and how Supported Internships have impacted their respective communities.
Supported Internships change lives, not just for the young person, but for the business, their colleagues, their families and the wider community!
Thank you to Melanie Phelps and Medway Council for organising this wonderful event. It was a truly inspirational day to be a part of.
Former Olympian Helps Us Raise Money for Ellenor Hospice
Bringing the community together in support of an important local cause.
Interns from Forward2Employment spend the academic year raising money for the charity Ellenor Hospice Care, which provides hospice care for adults and children. To help them with their challenge, Dartford-born Olympic Sprinter, Adam Gemili, joined them.
This was a part of ‘Dartford We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ initiative, and the interns have the challenge of trying to raise £750 by the summer of this year.
The first of their fundraising efforts was a sponsored 5km walk around Central Park in Dartford. In the rain and mud, the Olympic athlete, the interns and the Job Coaches walked the full course; with Adam speaking to the interns about why they were fundraising, learnt about Supported Internships, as well as his top tips for exercise. Most importantly, he got updates on the latest football scores and news.
On the day, Adam spoke about the importance of exercise, and how being outside, in the fresh air, such as the charity walk helps to boost “serotonin levels” and by doing exercise, “the healthier you are the better mental state you are in”.
The Park Run team kindly provided their Park Run route, so that the interns could complete an accurate 5km walk.
If you would like to donate to the efforts of the Forward2Employment interns, for this wonderful charity, then please visit their Just Giving Page: https://justgiving.com/page/forward2employment
MPCF Award Winners
Recognition for excellence in post-16 SEND provision through Forward2Employment.
Afternoon Gala for Ellenor Hospice
A community-focused event raising funds and awareness while celebrating the work of our Trust.
On Sunday 13th July, Forward2Employment welcomed the local community to an Afternoon Gala to raise money for Ellenor Hospice care as part of their ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ campaign. This was in collaboration with Bradfields Academy, who agreed to host the event on their field.
It was a fun-filled day, with classic cars on show, stalls and food outlets, and a range of activities for all the family (including bumper cars, axe throwing and bouncy castles).
We had a visit from the Town Crier, who opened the event, as well as a Stormtrooper and Boba Fett, for all our Star Wars enthusiasts!
The aim of the day was to surpass our £750 total for Ellenor Hospice Care, and the event has exceeded that target significantly. The final total will be announced soon.
None of this would have been possible without everyone who generously donated, and our interns for their ideas and innovation.
However, a special thank you and well done go to our Job Coach, Sam Hill, who has been at the forefront of our fundraising and organised the Afternoon Gala, making it such a memorable day!