THEY'VE done it again!

Bournemouth's Ambitions Academies Trust has added to its accolades with two of its directors being appointed National Leaders of Education.

Not content with turning around failing schools, the Trust has now seen Alex Prout and Nicki Morton recognised by the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

While Ambitions Academies Trust advisor Brian Hooper received an OBE for services to education in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Director of Primary Education Alex Prout started teaching in September 1999 at Turlin Moor community school and as Principal of Queen’s Park Academy in Bournemouth, led the school from special measures to outstanding in Ofsted judgements.

Her subsequent leadership of King’s Park Academy and Manorside Academy has also led to both making rapid progress;

King’s Park school was judged by the local authority as requiring rapid improvement in July 2014 and together with poor results had the highest exclusion rate in Bournemouth.

Exclusion rates at King’s Park Academy are now at 0 per cent with the school achieving some of the best progress rates in KS2 across Bournemouth.

Manorside School was also a failing school but has just achieved one of the highest early years development scores in Poole.

Alex is currently seconded to the role of interim Executive Head Teacher at Bournemouth’s only free school, Parkfield.

Director of Special EducationNicki Morton provides professional leadership and management for the special needs academies within the Ambitions Trust, Tregonwell Academy in Bournemouth and Longspee Academy in Poole. Her support has contributed to both receiving outstanding Ofsted inspections.

She has more than 15 years of leadership experience within special school settings and has worked extensively with children who have a range of learning difficulties and behavioural issues.

Mr Hooper, the Trust's former Chief Executive, said: "I feel deeply humbled and honoured to receive an OBE and incredibly proud that Ambitions is being recognised for raising education standards across Poole and Bournemouth."