The chief executive officer of South Lincolnshire Academies Trust (SLAT), which oversees Spalding Academy and Cowley Academy in Donington, is to retire.
Lucy Conley will officially step down from the role in December but will remain in an advisory role until the end of the 25/26 academic year.
Jemma Curson, currently a deputy CEO based at Bourne Academy, will take on the role in January 2026.
A spokesman for SLAT said: “Mrs Conley has grown the trust in size and reputation by providing exceptional non-selective education to young people in Lincolnshire, with all schools now being significantly over-subscribed.
“The trust’s first two schools, Bourne Academy and Spalding Academy, are consistently the top two performing non-selective secondary schools in Lincolnshire, with the other two schools making rapid progress to reach a similar position.
“This demonstrates her dedication to wanting to improve the life opportunities for young people and throughout the trust’s success journey all her decisions have always focused on what is best and right for students, thus significantly improving the outcomes and opportunities for over 4,500 students’ year-on-year.”
Mrs Conley said: “I feel privileged to have enjoyed an amazing career in education over the past 35 years and I have loved every single minute of every day.
“In this time, I’ve seen thousands of students and staff flourish, which fills me with immense pride and it has been the most rewarding job imaginable.
“The success stories of others will always be the legacy I am most proud of, in being able to help shape a better future for everyone.
“Each of the schools in the trust are in their best ever position, with all of them being high performing and now over-subscribed due to our strong reputation for high quality education and outstanding pastoral care.
“The success of the trust can be attributed to amazing young people, that I feel hugely proud of and to the wider team of experienced leaders, teachers and support staff who are truly exceptional.
“It is down to knowing how incredible Mrs Curson and the staff in the trust are, that I can be 100 per cent positive about the future of the schools.
“My decision to retire has been an extremely difficult one and although I will miss immensely being immersed in the demanding role of leading the trust, I am fortunate that retirement will provide me with opportunities to make the most of family life and charitable work outside of education.”
