Uphill Village Academy, formerly Uphill Primary School, joined the CLF in October 2020. Principal Sam Hodder said:
“We decided to join a Multi Academy Trust because we wanted to continue our journey from securely good to excellent and we needed a partner who would support and challenge us to do that. Local authority resources were stretched and it was clear we wanted more than they could offer us. We researched and met with a number of local Multi Academy Trusts to see what each had to offer.
“As one of the most established trusts offering continuous education from 3-19 years, CLF were used to embracing individual and like-minded schools, such as ours. It was
clear from the outset that they not only aligned to our values but were educationally at the forefront of current research and practice. We particularly liked the way their academies were central in the curation of the curriculum; creating documents that would be shared and used by all while still encouraging each academy to pursue and retain its own individual identity. Autonomy was very important to us and something that was evidenced when we visited many of the academies across the trust.
“One year on and I can honestly say it has been the best move we could have made. Best for our children and families, our staff and our local community. The central services team provide expert and timely support meaning that as a Principal I have more time to concentrate and focus on what really matters; delivering a first-class education and building a cohesive school community.
“Looking to the future, we are jointly planning the path ahead and it is evident after just a year, that the support and collaboration remains strong and we are on our way to achieving excellence.”
Broadoak Academy in Weston super Mare joined our Trust in 2019. Principal Kathleen McGillycuddy said:
“Broadoak was a Single Academy Trust that was actively seeking to join a Multi Academy Trust in order to supercharge our school improvement journey and the Cabot Learning Federation chimed completely with our values and our vision for the education of the children of this community, now and into the future.
“A key part of our journey from a SAT to a MAT was the deep and deliberate commitment to ensuring all our stakeholders were invested in our direction of travel, from our Trustees to our governors, our senior team and the wider school team. We undertook extensive research prior to reaching out, had panel presentations to our working group from a broad range of MATs and then interviews with a shortlisted few. These interviews were robust, with a touch of awkwardness thrown in, so that we could ensure we would be entering a true partnership with very few unknowns. This took time, energy and commitment – and was worth every moment.
“Once our partnership with the Cabot Learning Federation began, well before any formal announcements, our school benefited hugely from immediate input for me as a Headteacher, as I joined the Federation’s Leadership Forum network of Principals and senior leaders, and had a dedicated member of the Executive Team to offer support and challenge. My colleagues joined different communities of practice and our young people got the immediate benefit of this investment in school improvement.
“Having now been in the Trust for a number of years, the benefits of centrally provided expertise in finance, safeguarding, Health & Safety, HR and IT has meant we are able to ensure good practice in all these areas in our academy, thereby providing good value for public money as well as release the educationalists on our senior team back into education and school improvement. The support provided during the pandemic has been peerless and the whole Trust has operated in concord to help each other. This has been at all levels and in all roles and has been a real testament to how MATs can operate.
“All colleagues have benefited from being connected to wider networks of professional development, which has supported them in their areas of expertise – this has applied to all roles and areas of the academy and has been on a scale and to a depth that a MAT is able to bring. Colleagues have also been contributors to the evolution of strategic work across the MAT that has resulted in more young people and families benefiting. Our young people have also connected to something beyond their own academy walls, from careers conventions, Eco groups, student parliaments, sports events and cookery competitions to celebrations of the Arts that see them take their place alongside other young people in the region – it has helped them make connections, be inspired and understand they are part of a bigger community.
“My advice to anyone considering the Cabot Learning Federation is to get in touch, visit and ask all and every question you have. It is a significant decision to join a MAT and a decision that is deserving of time and attention.”
Heron’s Moor Academy in Weston super Mare joined our Trust in 2019. Julie Fox, Principal, said:
“We were part of a Multi Academy Trust that had made the decision to wind up. A working party consisting of staff and Governors from HMA was set up to investigate our options and a criteria was drawn up, stating what we were looking for in a different MAT.
“We met with six local MATs and our priority was to find a MAT where our values fitted. We also wanted to be part of a MAT that recognised schools are all different and respected those differences. Cabot Learning Federation was the right fit for us – the DFE and CLF also agreed!
“As soon as we were committed to joining the CLF, we were made very welcome and felt part of the family of Cabot academies. For example, I started to attend the Federation’s Leadership Forum meetings immediately.
“We had incredible support from the CLF central team through the transfer process, which enabled it to go though as stress free and as smoothly as possible.
“A key benefit we have experiences since joining the CLF has been being part of a collegiate team – the Academy is the MAT and the MAT is the Academy. We all have a responsibility for all of the children and young people in the Federation. Even though we are part of the CLF team, we have been able to maintain and develop what is unique to HMA.
“There are very efficient back-office services (especially the Health and Safety team during the pandemic), enabling our CLF and academy SLTs to focus on what is crucial: curriculum development, teaching and learning.
“The 3-to-19 joy-filled curriculum has been a stand-out benefit for HMA since joining the CLF and it has been a pleasure to adopt it at HMA and seeing many of our staff have the opportunity to be curriculum curators.”
