As a trust, we strive to support our schools in every way possible and our central team and headteachers are always there for each other, never more than a phone call or an email away.

The key services provided by our central team are:

• School Improvement
• Safeguarding
• Finance
• Estates Management
• HR and Legal
• Governance

Our vision is to be creative schools learning together in inclusive, inspiring and nurturing Christian communities where all children and adults are loved and achieve their best.

‘Learning together, with minds that think and hearts that care’

Our Offer

School Improvement - Our School Improvement Offer meets the individual needs of schools within out Trust.  We have a wide range of expertise and experience in supporting schools at different stages in their school improvement journeys.  We provide the architecture for sustained and effective school improvement.

• Continuous support and access to experienced school leaders within the Central Team
• High quality CPLD
• Annual reviews of Teaching and Learning
• Trust wide support for pupil premium / disadvantages strategy, including annual review
• Support to develop well budgeted SEND strategies including support for Trust Inclusion lead and an annual review of SEND
• Pupil Premium Champion to support the progress of disadvantaged pupils
• Trust subject leader networks
• Trust moderation networks
• Curriculum Development Support
• Support for annual monitoring and assessment plans
• Trust Professional Development Offer
• Academy Heads network meeting fortnightly
• Deputy Heads network
• Trust wide tracking and assessment system
• Coaching for school leaders
• Reflective supervision providing pastoral support to senior leaders
• Support with OSFTED and SIAMS preparation; including on-site support on the day of inspection
• Headteacher Performance management lead by CEO and support by external professionals
• Provision of statutory policies 
• Access to a wide range of documents and resources to support leaders in all aspects of their role
• Opportunities for pupils to collaborate across Trust schools, including joint residentials
• Pupil tracking software (INSIGHT 2023/24)
• Subscription to the Key and The Confederation of School Trusts

Safeguarding

• Support in completing annual Safeguarding Assurance Declaration
• Support for all safeguarding questions from a team of experienced Trust DSLs
• Central monitoring and support with Single Central Record
• HR and recruitment support
• Support with dealing with allegations against staff
• Safeguarding policies updated in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Guidance in accessing mandatory training for school staff and governors
• Reflective supervision for DSLs.
• Safeguarding induction training for all new Governors.

Finance

• A central finance team
• Statutory ESFA returns completed for each school including:  Budget return (BFR, combined budget and 3-year forecast return); Land and buildings return;  Annual rates reclaim; Annual accounts return
• Completion and submission of all financial reports required by the DfE
• Maintenance of the capital asset register
• Administration of payroll services
• VAT returns to HMRC
• Bespoke finance package, including all annual finance software licences and budget setting software
• Ongoing training and support on all financial software, procedures and reporting
• Regular school business manager and finance staff forum
• Practical support with budget preparation and management, including monthly or bimonthly budget meetings with the Headteacher
• Regular updates and briefings on all financial and business-related matters, including, for example, changes to national pay scales and National Insurance rates
• Management of all month end procedures and submissions including VAT returns
• Administration of the Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers’ Pension Scheme, including completing annual certificates and audit administration
• Management of procurement, best value and contract negotiations
• Applications for additional grants and funding, as opportunities arise
• Preparation and filing of annual Statutory Accounts for the Trust
• Regularity audits including liaising with internal and external auditors
• Preparation and submission of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 
• Administration for all actuarial valuations −
• Compliance checks on all financial and business functions
• Setting up and maintaining all bank accounts
• Supplier credential checks
• Membership to the Gloucestershire Association of School Business Managers if required
• Provision of a central finance function
• Administration and payment of the apprenticeship levy

Estates and Buildings

• Audit of the estate and prioritisation of actions
• Support in developing a strategic response to estate management and premises development
• Negotiation, set-up and liaison for all insurance arrangements, including land and buildings
• Tendering, procurement and management of all capital projects
• Support with health and safety compliance checks
• Support with emergency planning and implementation
• Efficiencies through the economies of scale of central procurement of premises compliance servicing
• Trust wide deals brokered for school supplies and services
• Centrally arranged and managed contracts.
• Carbon reduction and energy efficiency audit and strategic heat carbonisation plan
• Annual GDPR audit and training.
• Maintenance of a corporate risk register
• Oversight of all leases and contracts
• Oversight of insurance (RPA) and management of claims
• Support in the event of an emergency on site

Human Resources and Legal

• Conversion support, including TUPE consultation, the preparation of the Commercial Transfer Agreement, Land Transfer Agreements and Funding Agreement 
• Provision of Trust-wide HR policies and procedures
• Union liaison
• Employee Assistance Programme for all staff
• HR support
• Occupational Health 
• Recruitment support
• Negotiations with the Local Authority, DfE, ESFA and Regional Director, as required  Data Protection Officer provision-including support with Subject Access and Freedom of Information requests

Governance

• The oversight of the Trust Board, who take on the legal and statutory responsibilities of the Trust and its schools
• Governance Professional who leads on all aspects of governance 
• Training and support to transition from maintained governance to academy governance 
• Support for conduct and capability hearings and appeals
• Processing of appointments for governors (including foundation appointments)
• Membership to The Key and The Confederation of School Trusts
• Chairs of Governors’ Group meetings three times a year 
• Link Trustee to ensure clear communication between levels of governance
• Advice and support regarding admissions
• Training opportunities for governors including annual update training for safeguarding, SEND and pupil premium governors 
• Central staff attendance at governor meetings
• Policy co-ordination and development
• Support with handling complaints