Growth strategy

The First Federation Trust has enjoyed a steady rate of growth since its inception. Each school has brought a richness to the Trust. In turn, the Trust has brought security and sustainable school improvement to our members.

Over the years, we have created a series of structures and systems that work. Our schools are working well; they collaborate with one another, ensuring we achieve our collective aims. Now is the time to consider our next stages of growth.

We have a range of successful strategies that we believe could benefit many other schools. As a Trust, we have a shared responsibility for the pupils within our Trust, but also for those around us. If we know schools need support; we are in a position to offer that support. We have recognised strengths in our leadership support at all levels. All of our schools have and continue to improve.

Our growth has been beneficial to our staff generally, including at joiner schools. We feel that we have a lot to share with others and want to grow further to continue to enhance the opportunities for our pupils, as well as those from outside the Trust.

Future growth

There will continue to be growth over future years coming from several avenues:

Sponsorship of inadequate schools Schools seeking to convert Single academy trusts (SATs) looking to join a MAT Merger of smaller trusts with larger MATs Rebrokerage of SATs/MATs As the Trust has grown, systems have grown and evolved. These have been created to support a variety of schools.

Our revised school improvement model means that a bespoke package of support is available for all schools, whatever needs they have. The Trust is a successful sponsor with all sponsored schools that have been inspected improving a grade at their next inspection.

The growth of the Trust has resulted in a clear understanding of what schools would be suitable to join us in the future. We must continue to do what we do well and maintain high standards. We would welcome continued growth from the following schools:

Inadequate schools seeking sponsorship Church schools Existing MATs seeking to dissolve and join a larger MAT Convertor primary schools including federations

As we continue to grow, Trustees are very clear that we remain a primary school only Trust and therefore, we are not seeking to add any secondary schools to the Trust.