PolyMAT
We are delighted to welcome you to PolyMAT, our Academy Trust, our vocation and our ‘family’. We are very proud of the special look and feel of our trust and we are excited about the next phase of our development where we seek to work with others, grow and provide something truly special for our students and staff.
PolyMAT was established in 2014 when our only school was Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys, a long-successful 11-18 Comprehensive school serving the people of Thamesmead. In September 2019, we opened our brand new ‘sister’ school – Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls - and we now offer secondary provision for over 2800 students. In November 2023, we welcomed our first Primary School to the Trust with the addition of Bannockburn Primary in Plumstead, a large feeder school to our two secondary schools. We currently provide education to around 3600 students in our local area and look forward to expanding further to create truly special educational opportunities for our local community. By being a cross-phase Trust, we believe that we can design the learning journey “through the eyes of the child” and minimise any disruption of transitioning between phases.
Our Vision is “Success for Everyone” and this places inclusion and well-being at the heart of everything we do. More than anything else, PolyMAT is an organisation that puts people first as we know that they are our greatest asset. We pride ourselves on the quality of our relationships and the shared desire to give our students the best possible opportunities to become the people that they want to be. We hope that you share our passion for putting people first and creating the most positive environment possible for success to thrive; we always know that we get the best from ourselves when we help others get the best from themselves.
Education is a highly rewarding vocation and we all feel privileged to be in a position to give young people amazing opportunities. We feel that we are on an exciting journey, one where we feel challenged every day and proud that we are always looking for ways to give our students better life chances and our staff a better quality of life. We are a happy community and place great emphasis on creating a workplace that is fulfilling and puts people on a journey of development, both professionally and personally. We feel truly blessed with the amazing staff that we work with and their never-ending drive to do special things to help our students. We are ambitious and dedicated and will always place the quality of education before any other desires. If you are interested in working with us, please contact one of our schools directly, and we will be very happy to discuss opportunities with you.
We are an ambitious Trust and we understand that growth comes as a result of showing that we are making a difference and being open and honest about how we want to work with others. We value all schools within our MAT as equal partners and we work together towards “harmonisation” where possible. Diversity of schools is a strength and a reflection of their place within their own communities. We do not believe that “one size fits all” and we encourage creativity and the development of new ideas within our schools. We know that by collaborating with others we create benefits for us all. We would love to hear from you if you would like to either become part of our family or would be interested in working with us, sharing ideas and creating exciting educational opportunities for each other.
Tim Plumb
CEO PolyMAT
Investing in Diversity
We are excited to announce that we have been awarded provisional Investors in Diversity accreditation by the National Centre for Diversity. At PolyMAT, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equality for all members of our community. Pursuing this prestigious accreditation reflects our dedication to continuous improvement in embracing diverse perspectives, implementing inclusive practices, and fostering a culture of equity and belonging within all our schools. As we work diligently through this process, we aim to further strengthen our commitment to providing an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
The Investors in Diversity framework by the National Centre for Diversity is a UK-based standard designed to support organisations in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace. It helps businesses and institutions assess, improve, and recognise their commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive environments through various policies, practices, and strategies. This framework involves audits, training, and ongoing development to achieve and maintain diverse and inclusive workplaces.
At PolyMAT, we proudly embrace our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the FREDIE principles - Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement. Our educational community values and celebrates the unique qualities and perspectives that each student and staff member brings to our schools. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive learning environment that upholds these principles in every aspect of our organisation. Through equitable policies, diverse curriculum, and active engagement, we strive to ensure that everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to contribute their authentic selves. Together, we foster a culture where the principles of FREDIE are woven into the fabric of our schools, promoting a sense of belonging and success for everyone.
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys - Investing in Diversity
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls - Investing in Diversity
Disability Confident Employer Scheme 
PolyMAT is dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for both students and staff with disabilities. To ensure that our core values of inclusiveness and respect for community members with disabilities are upheld, we have joined the Disability Confident scheme.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
- ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
- communicating and promoting vacancies
- offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria
- for the job
- anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
- supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term
- health condition, enabling them to stay in work
- at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people
