Chair of Trustees wins Innovation in Citizenship Award
At the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) Awards on 3rd June 2025, Simon Haseltine, Chair of Veritas MAT Trust Board, was awarded the Innovation in Citizenship Award at The House of Commons! Congratulations Simon!
The ACT Citizenship Teaching Awards recognise and celebrate schools, leaders and organisations who have shown commitment to citizenship education and represents its core values.
Simon Haseltine, Chair of the Trust Board for Veritas Multi Academy Trust, was nominated for going the extra mile to support students within Citizenship education.
Simon, in his demanding role as Chair of Trust Board, set out a pledge to ensure all our young people take their citizenship role of stewardship of our planet seriously.
Since stepping into this role as Chair of the Trust Board, he has met with each School Council across our primary schools and supported them in their determination to make a difference. Simon has been an ardent and driven eco-warrior and has worked strategically to further the goals.
Later this week, Simon will be leading on the Trust's first Eco Conference which will include Veritas' three primary schools as well as participation from 4 other primary schools in Kent, all coming together to present their sustainable initiatives and to learn from, and with each other. The conference is set to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental leaders.
Embedding active citizenship for sustainability is a priority for Simon and the Eco Conference is just one example of this.
Simon has also written the Trust's Sustainability Policy and Climate Action Plan - with the ambitious goal of "let's go zero by 2030".
Simon has led on the Trust's commitment to the Department for Education mission that all Schools will have a nominated sustainability lead and a Climate Action Plan. Simon knows that the imperative to getting this implemented is harnessing the energy of our young people. They have been empowered as active citizens to take a lead in delivering on our mission.
Veritas MAT would like to congratulate Simon for his award and his constant drive and determination to support the citizenship education of our young people.
Simon commented "I am really proud to represent Veritas MAT at the ACT Awards and even more delighted to have won. This achievement recognises how important sustainability is and for it to be enshrined across our schools and Trust, from our pupils to our leaders, so collectively we can make a difference. I am looking forward to our Eco Conference later this week (6 June) to bring our school councils together and empower our young people in their own sustainability journey".
Well done Simon!
