Our Vision: Transforming Lives
At Tall Oaks Academy Trust, our vision is simple — Transforming Lives.
We believe education has the power to change a child’s future. Every day, we inspire ambition, nurture confidence, and create opportunities that help every learner reach their full potential.
Join Our Trust
Founded in 2013 through the partnership of White’s Wood Academy and Mercer’s Wood Academy, our Trust later welcomed the brand-new Castle Wood Academy. Through challenges such as Ofsted inspections and the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve grown stronger together — and today, all our schools are rated “Good” by Ofsted.
Our Schools
Castle Wood Academy
- Two-form entry primary in a modern, purpose-built building
- Excellent outdoor spaces for play and learning
- Rated Good by Ofsted — March 2024
Mercer’s Wood Academy
- One-form entry primary serving a diverse community
- Strong inclusive ethos and tailored support for every child
- Rated Good by Ofsted — September 2022
White’s Wood Academy
- Two-form entry junior with a focus on health and well-being
- Close links with its local infant school
- Rated Good by Ofsted — July 2022
What Matters to Us?
Our Values
Our shared values — resilience, aspiration, well-being, and engagement — guide everything we do.
They shape our curriculum, reward systems, and daily interactions across our schools.
Inclusion
We’re proud to be inclusive and supportive of every learner.
We offer:
- Nurture provision
- Speech and language support
- Emotional literacy programmes
- Parent and family support
Staff Well-being
Our people are our greatest strength. Through our Well-being Charter, we make workload reduction and happiness a priority.
We provide:
- A paid well-being day for every staff member
- No-meeting weeks
- Shared planning across schools
- A mapped-out Learning Journey curriculum
- Free counselling and eye tests
Our Community
We’re proud of our roots in Gainsborough and West Lindsey.
Our curriculum connects children with their community and local heritage, while our schools actively give back — visiting care homes, supporting local projects, and taking part in community clean-ups.
Personal Development
Learning goes beyond the classroom through:
- Trips and visits
- Guest speakers and workshops
- Clubs and extra-curricular activities
These experiences help our children grow in curiosity, confidence, and character.
Trust-wide Events
We love bringing our schools together for:
- Sports tournaments
- Poetry showcases
- Art exhibitions
Our staff also collaborate across the Trust for shared training in safeguarding, health and safety, and curriculum development.
Support for Our Schools
We provide comprehensive, hands-on support so our leaders can focus on teaching, learning, and pupil outcomes.
Our central team offers expertise in:
- SEND and Safeguarding
- Finance, HR, and Payroll
- Premises Management
- School Improvement and Leadership Development
By surrounding each school with the right professional guidance, we ensure every team is informed, empowered, and equipped to deliver the best for their pupils.
For further information about joining our Trust, please call 01427 613097.
