Carr Infant School to join Excel Learning Trust as its eighth school
Acomb school welcomed into the Trust family after a year of rapid progress and close partnership
YORK, UK: Carr Infant School in Acomb is joining Excel Learning Trust, becoming the eighth school in the Trust’s family of schools across York. The move also brings the two Carr schools together, as neighbouring Carr Junior School on Ostman Road is already part of the Trust.
Carr Infant School is an infant and nursery school providing education for around 200 pupils aged 3 to 7, from Nursery through to Year 2. It sits at the heart of its Acomb community, and its pupils, families and staff are now set to benefit from being part of a wider group of schools that share expertise, training and best practice.
Excel Learning Trust began working with the school at the start of January 2026, after its governors sought the Trust’s support during a period of significant change. An Ofsted inspection later that month placed the school in special measures. Inspectors also recognised the renewed energy and drive of its leaders, the strong pastoral care pupils receive, and a staff team that felt well supported and committed to improvement. Safeguarding standards were met.
“From the moment we began working with Carr Infant School at the start of the year, it was clear that this is a school with real potential and a team determined to realise it. That progress owes a great deal to the exceptional leadership of Charlotte Crabtree, Chair of Governors, Matt Oxley, Headteacher, and James McGann, our Executive Director of Education, who have worked tirelessly together for the benefit of every child. Just as importantly, the staff at Carr Infants are fully on board with joining the Trust, and their commitment has been a joy to see. We are delighted, and genuinely excited, to welcome Carr Infant School into the Excel Learning Trust family.”
Mark Hassack, CEO, Excel Learning Trust
“Joining Excel Learning Trust is a really positive step for Carr Infant School. We have already felt the benefit of working alongside colleagues across the Trust, and our staff have been fantastic throughout. Being part of a family of schools that shares our ambition for every child is something we are all genuinely proud of, and we cannot wait to see what we achieve together.”
Matt Oxley, Head of School, Carr Infant School
The partnership has already made a visible difference. A recent Ofsted monitoring visit described the improvements at the school as “rapid and necessary”. Inspectors found that pupils’ behaviour has improved significantly, that leaders have acted swiftly to strengthen support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and that the curriculum and quality of teaching have improved, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics. The school continues to receive regular Ofsted monitoring as its improvement work goes on.
As part of Excel Learning Trust, Carr Infant School will keep its own character and its place in the Acomb community, while gaining the support of a Trust whose aim is for every child to experience education excellence every day.