Community Schools Trust CEO Simon Elliott Awarded OBE in King’s New Year Honours List

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Simon Elliott, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Schools Trust (CST), has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s New Year Honours List.

This prestigious national honour recognizes Simon’s transformative services to education, specifically his unwavering dedication to improving the life chances of young people across East London.

A Legacy of High Expectations

Under Simon’s visionary leadership, the Community Schools Trust has grown from a single outstanding institution into a thriving family of schools across Newham and Hackney. His radical focus on high expectations, flawless behavior tracking, and expert teacher coaching has completely shifted the narrative of what students from disadvantaged backgrounds can achieve.

Through his blueprint, CST schools have consistently ranked among the highest performing in the country for academic progress, proving that a child's postcode should never limit their potential.

"An Honour for the Entire Community"

Reflecting on the announcement, Simon Elliott stated:

"Receiving an OBE is an incredible privilege, but it is truly a reflection of the collective effort of the entire Community Schools Trust family. This honour belongs just as much to our exceptional leadership teams, our dedicated teachers, our brilliant students, and the families who trust us every day. Our mission has always been simple: to provide a world-class education that breaks down systemic barriers. This recognition only strengthens our resolve to keep pushing boundaries for our communities."