Our Trust

Stephenson (MK) Trust was founded in April 2012 to take responsibility for The Gatehouse School in Milton Keynes, which closed at the end of March 2012 and reopened in April 2012 as Stephenson Academy.

Stephenson Academy, a social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) academy in Milton Keynes, was the first sponsored special school academy in the country. The sponsors are the Governing Body of St. Paul's Catholic School in Milton Keynes. SERCO PLC was also an original sponsor upon the opening of the school until January 2025. The sponsors worked closely and productively with officers from Milton Keynes Council and the DfE to launch the academy successfully.

Our mission at Stephenson (MK) Trust is to support the most vulnerable and challenging children in Milton Keynes and local schools, ensuring every child has the opportunity to strive for success. We endeavour to create personalised, ambitious opportunities for all members of our Trust family, fostering a forward-thinking and aspirational community that contributes positively to the Milton Keynes area in which we live.

Stephenson (MK) Trust became a multi-academy trust when it took responsibility for Bridge Academy in October 2013. Bridge Academy is an alternative provision provider for secondary-age pupils in Milton Keynes and is central to the development of the Milton Keynes Secondary Inclusion Partnership, comprising all mainstream secondary schools and the local authority.

In September 2019, the Trust opened a joint Post-16 provision for Bridge Academy and Stephenson Academy students.

On 1 November 2022, Milton Keynes Primary Pupil Referral Unit (MKPPRU) joined the Trust as a separate academy, supporting up to 40 primary-aged pupils. The Trust had supported MKPPRU for a number of years and also facilitated the development of the Primary Inclusion Partnership, which mirrors the developments in the mainstream secondary sector that Bridge Academy supports.

Kathie Hughes became the CEO in September 2023 and serves as the partnership officer for both the secondary and primary inclusion partnerships.

In September 2025, Bridge Academy and MKPPRU amalgamated to create an all-through alternative provision academy, strengthening the Trust's capacity to support pupils across all key stages with a seamless approach to inclusion and intervention.

Since the academies became part of the Trust, their foundations and outcomes are now secure. The academies have been judged to be Good in their most recent Ofsted inspections and are at the forefront of developments in areas such as therapeutic care,  and working with parents for the good of the children.

Stephenson (MK) Trust aims to continue to work closely with Milton Keynes Local Authority, other neighbouring local authorities, special schools in Milton Keynes, mainstream secondary schools and all those interested in the good of the Trust and its work for the benefit of those that the Trust serves.

Jo-Anne Hoarty, Chair of Trustees
Stephenson (MK) Trust
chair.trust@stephensonacademy.org.uk

Stephenson (MK) Trust
Registered Number: 07919427 (England and Wales)
Crosslands | Stantonbury | Milton Keynes | MK14 6AX