This paper presents the annual activities of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) during 2008-2009. SSAT's activities this year have reflected its commitment to the priorities of the Government's Children's Plan. Its active and expert support of specialist schools, academies and trust schools continued to develop and enrich the education system. By the end of the year, 92% of all mainstream secondary schools held specialist school, academy or trust status. It championed the use of specialism to encourage excellence in teaching and learning, and the needs of increasing numbers of young people were met through its pioneering work on personalising learning with such initiatives as "student voice" and "assessment for learning." Its determination to develop inspired and inspiring leaders, equipped to meet the challenges of leadership in the 21st century, was realised through leadership programmes involving 2,299 teachers from 1,041 schools. A glossary is included.