The White Horse Federation (TWHF), a multi-academy trust based in Wiltshire with schools across the South of England, has been shortlisted for two awards at the TES Schools Awards, widely regarded as the Oscars of the education sector.
The trust has been nominated for the ‘Trust of the Year’ Award for trusts with 10 schools or more.
Zouch Academy in Tidworth, part of TWHF, has been nominated for ‘Early Years Setting of the Year’. The primary school was also recently recognised as a ‘Rise Best Start in Life School’, having been chosen by the Department for Education as one of only five schools in the South West of England to lead a new national programme aimed at improving the quality of reception year education.
The TES Schools Awards shortlist is compiled by a panel of expert judges, including school leaders and sector specialists, and recognises the very best from state and independent schools across the UK.
Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on Friday 19 June 2026 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
The double shortlisting is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the trust’s growing reputation for excellence, inclusion, and community leadership.
Dr Dan Nicholls, CEO of The White Horse Federation, said:
“The trust of the year nomination is a reflection of the work of all colleagues across the organisation, and testament to their unswerving desire to inspire lives with greater opportunity and choice. Thank you to all 1500 colleagues who deserve this recognition - you all make a difference.
“I am often humbled by the quality of provision, expertise and intelligence that colleagues bring to their work every day. Our Professional Services Platform creates the opportunity for our schools to focus on school improvement - great schools held in a strong trust.
“I also want to congratulate Nina and her amazing team at Zouch Academy for being shortlisted for the Early Years Foundation Stage setting of the year. The team at Zouch are outstanding and we are very proud of what is being achieved at Zouch.”
The trust has grown in recent years while maintaining a distinctive culture of togetherness and belonging.
Its nomination for Trust of the Year recognises both the scale of its ambition and the quality of outcomes it achieves for the children and communities it serves.
TWHF won the ‘Inclusive Trust of the Year Award’ at the Tes Awards last year.
Nina Johnson, Executive Headteacher at Zouch Academy, said:
"We are very proud to be shortlisted as EYFS Setting of the year. It is extremely important that we ensure our children are school ready, settle well, build outstanding relationships and truly have the very best start possible, especially in a school where many pupils join us in different year groups due to their parents serving in the military.
“We are very lucky with the level of expertise in our Early Years and the commitment the staff have towards the children's learning experiences and opportunities. We endeavour to ensure that each day, and each session, our youngest children have an invitation to learn so that learning opportunities become irresistible to our children.
“We are also very proud of our consistent end of year outcomes. We know that high expectations along with the right environment and quality-first teaching have the most impact on the beginning of our children's learning journey. Our children are safe, happy, well cared for. They learn exceptionally well and make fantastic progress from their starting points. It is always a pleasure and privilege to spend time in the Early Years classroom observing the children thriving and the children talking to me about their learning".