THE education it provides is already said to be first class, and now a Bolton-based academy trust has officially been recognised as one of the best places in the UK to work.

Vantage Academies Trust, which governs SS Simon and Jude’s CE Primary School in Great Lever, received a glowing report in the influential Best Companies to Work for 2021 ­— achieving he highest three star rating, making it a ‘world class’ organisation to work for.

The trust was named the 51st best large company to work for in the UK; the seventh best education and training company to Work for in the UK; and the 37th best company of any size to work for in the North West.

The trust grew out of SS Simon and Jude Church of England Primary School in Bolton, which converted to academy status back in 2012, and now has a total of nine schools across the North West.

The awards are based on a employee feedback about their experiences at work.

Best Companies’ annual survey gives employees an opportunity to have their say about the organisation and help employers understand what the organisation is doing well and what it might be able to do to be better.

This year’s 'Best Companies to Work For' were announced in a virtual event hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker.

CEO of Vantage Academies Trust Simon Bramwell said: “We are very proud to have been featured on regional and national lists of the Best Companies to Work for which include such exceptional organisations.

“Our staff have been working through the pandemic as a key workers and this recognition demonstrates the trust they have in us as employers to support them and protect them through this challenging time.

“Schools and academy trusts have comparators, such as Ofsted, but there is very little out there to compare us as employers and how we measure up in ensuring we are doing a good job for our staff.

“We are so proud to be within the top ten best Education and Training Companies in the UK, as well as in the top 40 firms to work for in the North West."