Our Story

Aquila (‘The Trust’) is the Diocese of Canterbury’s Multi-Academy Trust  Limited (MAT), and was incorporated as a charitable company limited by guarantee in May 2014 (Company number 09035788).

The trust has been imagined and planned to enable flexibility and responsiveness to local context and needs. We are reflective and forward thinking so our organisational structures will evolve as appropriate, influenced by geography, existing collaborative networks and the pace of academy conversions.

Our Articles support a model which unleashes potential, enabling us to;

  • deliver positive, immediate support and interventions through our own expertise and capacity, as well as wider regional connections
  • enhance learning and teaching by engaging in collaborative pedagogical projects, action research and professional development with Christ Church University
  • encourage and nurture the dissemination of good practice and promote mutual accountability
  • enable focused, effective local governance and secure options for centralised functions and economies of scale
  • incorporate community as well as church schools

Aquila Articles


Initially starting with just one Academy, the trust grew rapidly and we now have 16 academies across Kent. Schools have joined for a variety of reasons; some as a result of difficult Ofsted inspections while others have elected to convert as a result of the impact of our work and our school improvement offer. Each school within the trust embodies our values and collaborates: sharing practice and using the expertise from across the trust to develop, refine and improve teaching and learning.

Our approach to all aspects of school improvement has continued to evolve. Everyone working in our academies strives to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children in our care and that goes beyond the classroom. The trust model of collaborative working to find solutions to problems covers all areas including leadership, site and business management and governance. 

To find out more about each of our schools please click here:

Academy Stories

Our mission from the beginning has been to support develop and improve. We now have the majority of our schools that have undertaken Ofsted inspections while being members of Aquila. Many of these had been graded as inadequate or requiring improvement prior to the trust taking over their management are now graded good and two are outstanding. Some of these schools had never received a good or better judgement prior to them joining the trust so our record of achievement speaks for itself.


English Hub

Kingsnorth CE Primary School is one of 34 schools nationally to be awarded the status as a result of sustained high standards in phonics and early reading. The aim of the English Hubs is to promote a love of reading and Kingsnorth English Hub are supporting schools and academies across the South East to deliver and provide excellent phonics and early language teaching.

Literacy specialists within each hub provide tailored support to schools. This includes:

  • running events to showcase excellent practice in teaching phonics and reading
  • bespoke, focused support to local schools to develop their practice 

For more information, please click here:

English Hub

Latest News

By School News
Posted: 26/03/2024

Schools Minister praises two schools in our Trust for exceptional results

Schools Minister praises two schools in our trust for exceptional results The Schools Minister Damian Hinds has praised two Kent primaries in Aquila, Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust for being in the country’s top 1% for reading, writing and maths. Hinds sent letters of congratulations to Charing Church of England Primary School, which is near Ashford, and Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School, in Brookside, for their “very high standards of achievement”. Both schools are part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust. Some 16 primary schools across Kent are part of the trust. At Charing, 100% of pupils in Year 6 have reached - or exceeded - expected standards in reading, writing and maths, while 94% have at Temple Ewell. In his letter, Hinds said: “The government wants to ensure that every child has the fluency in reading, writing and mathematics necessary to prepare them for a successful secondary education and beyond, which is why I was delighted to see your results. “Thank you for your work in continuing the drive towards higher academic standards, and congratulations again to you and your staff for your commitment and success.” Annie Wiles, CEO of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said: “Our schools provide exceptional learning experiences and we are so proud of Charing and Temple Ewell for this achievement. “Our schools design their coverage of the curriculum to provide challenging and exciting learning experiences in a caring and nurturing environment which is based on our strong Christian values.” Angela Matthews, Headteacher of Temple Ewell, said: “These results have been achieved through a tireless and unwavering focus on ensuring that each and every child receives an outstanding education, and by providing a rich and varied curriculum that enables pupils to progress and achieve their very best, whilst still retaining a thirst for knowledge and an enjoyment and love of learning.” Tom Bird, Charing’s Headteacher, said: “This is testament to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful pupils and our caring and committed staff. “Every child in our school is valued and we have a supportive, nurturing team to make sure that each one of them feels supported and happy at our school.”
By School News
Posted: 21/03/2024

Inspectors praise Kent school where 'pupils greet everyone with a smile'

Ofsted inspectors have heaped praise on a Kent primary school for being a “caring and kind community” where “pupils greet everyone with a smile”. Inspectors visited St Georges Church of England Primary in Sheerness last month. The school has retained its overall ‘Good’ rating in its latest Ofsted inspection, but it has been upgraded to ‘Outstanding’ for the behaviour and attitudes of its pupils and its leadership and management. Inspectors said the school, which is part of Aquila, the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, was “welcoming and inclusive”. “Pupils are proud ambassadors … and show impeccable manners, politely welcoming all, as they open doors and greet everyone with a smile,” the inspectors said. “They speak with delight and enthusiasm about how much leaders and staff care about them. If they have any worries, help is never far away.” Ofsted praised the curriculum, which they said had been “designed with precise knowledge from early years to Year 6”. “Pupils become confident mathematicians, writers, and scientists as they move through the school,” the inspectors said. They added that the school had taken “robust action” to improve achievements in maths and writing after results were weaker than the national average last year. The inspectors also said the school’s leaders were “inspirational, compassionate and successful, always leading by example”. “They embody the school values every day, showing deep care for pupils, families and staff.” Howard Fisher, St Georges’ Headteacher, said: “We pride ourselves on providing a caring, happy and positive atmosphere for all our children to fulfil their potential and grow in self-confidence and respect for the people and environment around them. “We agree with Ofsted that our pupils greet everyone with a smile - it’s part of what makes working at the school so rewarding.” Annie Wiles, Chief Executive Officer of Aquila, the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said: “Ofsted has rightly acknowledged that St Georges is a highly successful school and that is down to the hard work, commitment and excellent leadership of the school’s community.” Click here for the OFSTED report.
By School News
Posted: 5/03/2024

Schools Minister Praises Temple Ewell Primary School on Exceptional Results

Schools Minister congratulates Dover primary school on exceptional results   The Schools Minister Damian Hinds has praised a Dover primary school for being in the country’s top 1% for reading, writing and maths. Hinds sent a letter of congratulations to Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School in Brookside for its “very high standard of achievement”. Some 94% of pupils at the primary school, which is part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, have reached - or exceeded - expected standards in reading, writing and maths in Year 6. In his letter, Hinds said: “The government wants to ensure that every child has the fluency in reading, writing and mathematics necessary to prepare them for a successful secondary education and beyond, which is why I was delighted to see your results. “Thank you for your work in continuing the drive towards higher academic standards, and congratulations again to you and your staff for your commitment and success.” Angela Matthews, Headteacher of Temple Ewell, said: “We are delighted with these results and pleased that the hard work and dedication of both our wonderful pupils and our caring and committed staff have been recognised in this way. “These results have been achieved through a tireless and unwavering focus on ensuring that each and every child receives an outstanding education, and by providing a rich and varied curriculum that enables pupils to progress and achieve their very best, whilst still retaining a thirst for knowledge and an enjoyment and love of learning.” Annie Wiles, CEO of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said Temple Ewell’s results were further proof that the school supported pupils to “become happy, successful, well-rounded individuals who develop into lifelong learners”.
By School News
Posted: 15/12/2023

St Nicholas CE Primary Academy praised by Church of England inspectors

New Romney primary school praised by Church of England inspectors   Church of England inspectors have heaped praise on St Nicholas CE Primary Academy in New Romney, describing it as having “life-changing impact across the community” and “inspirational leadership”. A quarter of all primary schools are Church of England establishments and St Nicholas is one of 16 academies that are part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust. All Anglican and Methodist schools are inspected by the Church of England; this is separate to Ofsted inspections. A Church of England inspection focuses on the impact of the school’s Christian vision and is called a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools Report (SIAMS). There are no gradings - inspectors simply state whether the school is living up to its foundation as a Church school. Inspectors, who visited St Nicholas in November, said the school was more than achieving this aim. They said the school had “exceptionally strong partnerships” which “impact positively on people’s lives producing lasting change”. “The school values of ambition, community, friendship, perseverance, respect and trust are intrinsically woven through the vision,” inspectors said. “Pupils rightly explain how these values support all to thrive. Everyone in the school aspires to ‘be a Barnabas’, creating a culture of kindness and support.” The inspectors particularly praised how the school’s more than 400 pupils look for opportunities to make a positive difference to the world. “Writing to the prime minister, older pupils show a mature understanding of the plight of child refugees arriving on boats,” the inspectors said, while other pupils have requested a ban on laminating in school after learning about climate change. “Pupils have also worked together to set up a permanent community food cupboard within the school … after recognising that food poverty was an ongoing concern not limited to the season of harvest.” The inspectors praised the school’s curriculum as “exciting, fun, imaginative” and linked to local history and issues. “Leaders ensure that the wide and varying needs of the pupils are met through the broad and rich learning on offer,” the inspectors said. Christopher Dale, St Nicholas’s Headteacher, said: “We are proud to be a welcoming, inclusive and aspirational learning environment with our community at our heart. “We are delighted that the inspectors recognised our many strengths. We will continue to do our very best for our pupils and our wider community.” Annie Wiles, CEO of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said: “This is testament to the hard work and committed and excellent team at St Nicholas’s who put the needs of pupils at the centre of everything they do.”   Notes to editors:   The SIAMS report can be found here: file:///C:/Users/jessi/Downloads/SIAMS%20report%20St%20Nicholas%20Church%20of%20England%20Primary%20Academy,%20New%20Romney%20142814%20301123.pdf   Please find attached an image of the school attached.   For any further information, please contact Jessica Shepherd on jessica@sparrowhawkcommunications.com or 07957147308    
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