The Gateway Trust is delighted to announce that the formal merger process with the University of Portsmouth Academy Trust is now complete! After over a year of really positive and high impact interim partnership and collaboration between the two trusts, sharing the same key central teams members - Gwennan Harrison-Jones, CEO, Haydn Mitton, Primary Director, and Chris Nunn COO, both trusts have formally 'come together'. This is an exciting opportunity for three nurseries, five primary schools and two secondary schools to become even 'stronger together' working as a formal collective trust of schools from Portsmouth to Southampton and beyond. For a list of our settings and more information about The Gateway Trust please click here www.gatewaytrust.org 

 

 

Underpinned by our shared core principles of 'empowering futures, building belonging and stronger together', The Gateway Trust is committed to improving the educational experience, opportunities and provision for all young people within our trust. With people at the heart of everything we do, it is an exciting time to be part of a growing and developing trust at the forefront of educational development across the South Coast. 

 

Joint Chairs of Trustees of The Gateway Trust Judith Houghton and Dai Thomas spoke of their overwhelming joy at the confirmation of the formal merger as of 01 September 2025. Judith said ' I am so pleased that the partnership has been able to be formalised. The work that has already made such a difference to pupils and their families across a wider 'family' of schools and settings can now continue long in to the future.' Dai commented 'I am thrilled to be Co Chair of trustees at such a people centred trust. The potential for it / us to have such a wide ranging impact for pupils and families across the South Coast is so exciting.'

 

CEO Gwennan Harrison-Jones confirmed her excitement at the final 'sign off' and start of the new merged trust. 'It has been just over a year of incredible hard work for myself, Haydn and Chris leading both trusts to ensure that there has been a positive measurable impact on young people and their families in each incredible school. We are so fortunate that we have headteachers and managers in our schools and settings who are unbelievably dedicated to their school and wider communities. We really are 'stronger together.' 

 

If you would like more information about The Gateway Trust please contact admin@gatewaytrust.org or ceo@gatewaytrust.org