The journey of Arden Multi Academy Trust began with Arden, an 'outstanding school' in Knowle, Solihull, recognised as one of the top-performing non-selective schools in the country. Central to Arden's success is outstanding leadership at all levels, which has fostered a commitment to best practices in school leadership, teaching, and learning. By blending traditional educational methods with innovative techniques tailored to the needs of students and teachers, Arden has established a strong foundation for growth.

Establishment of Arden Multi Academy Trust

In April 2015, Arden Multi Academy Trust was formed, with Arden Academy as the lead school. The Trust initially supported Park Hall Academy, located in the northern part of the borough. Under the guidance of Arden, Park Hall Academy experienced a remarkable turnaround, improving from an "Inadequate" rating in all areas to a "Good" rating by Ofsted in November 2017. This transformation led to the school becoming oversubscribed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Trust's support.

Expansion and Impact

Following the success with Park Hall, the Trust expanded further by welcoming Lode Heath School in January 2018. The positive impact of the Trust on Lode Heath was highlighted in its Ofsted report, which confirmed the school retained its "Good" judgement in June 2018.

In April 2019, the Trust proudly welcomed Henley in Arden School, a smaller secondary school in rural Warwickshire, just seven miles from the Trust's central offices. This partnership marked another exciting chapter in the Trust’s journey.

Growing into Primary Education

In September 2023, the Trust took a significant step by establishing a new Primary Division, welcoming Dorridge Primary School and Coppice Junior School (now Coppice Academy) into the fold. This expansion reflects the Trust's commitment to representing primary, secondary, and post-16 education.