Schools which have or have not converted to an academy are invited to join us as a partner academy.  A partner academy will become part of the legal entity of The Stour Federation, ceding it's governance to the Academy Trust whilst retaining a local governing body (called a Local Academy Council), as outlined under the Trust's Scheme of Delegation.

Key Benefits

Working in partnership, as part of The Stour Federation has a number of key benefits:

• Sharing of systems, structures and policies that have a proven track record of success.
• Strong supportive team approach, with professionals in similar roles across academies sharing best practice, developing new approaches and promoting innovation.
• Excellent career professional development opportunities through various career pathways, supporting the recruitment and retention of staff.
• Sharing of teachers' expertise and best practice.
• Access to high quality, shared services.
• Training days in common, facilitating high quality CPD tailored to the future needs of staff.
• Economies of scale in terms of financial cost and time.
• Shared pupil events providing children with wider opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Vivup Staff Benefits.

Why Grow?

Children, families and communities deserve access to high quality schools that hold the highest ambitions for its children, families and communities.  There is a sense of civic responsibility to grow and build a network of schools able to support, inspire and enable our children and families to hold aspirations for themselves and believe they can achieve.

Questions Schools May Wish To Consider

• Does our vision align the Academy Trust and the current strategic development goals?
• What does the Trust care about and how do the values match up with ours?
• Do we understand the scheme of delegation?
• How much autonomy will we retain?
• Are there any geographical challenges?
• Who is responsible for standards?
• How will the Trust improve our school?
• What opportunities will there be for us to support other schools in the trust?
• What role does the local governing body (Local Academy Council) play?
• How will our school retain its identity in the Academy Trust?
• What back office support does the Academy Trust provide?
• How will budgets work?

Examples of Support

• SEF template based on PIE - provision, impact, evidence.
• SIP template based on the EEF Planning Guide for Schools.
• Joint INSET and staff meetings.
• Fortnightly leadership Google Meets.
• Collaborative moderation.
• Termly Assess and Refine meetings for SIP review.
• Termly DSL Network meetings.
• Working Genius assessments for all senior leaders.
• Policy templates collaboratively written by Heads and the CEO.
• BASIC Coaching certification. 

Trust Membership and Top Slice Services and Support

• CEO Support
• Trust SENDCO Support
• CFO Support
• Trust Improvement Leaders Support
• GDPR Data Protection Officer
• DBE Annual Subscription
• HR and Payroll
• Accountants and External Audit
• CPOMS
• Teacher Absence Insurance
• Teacher Maternity Insurance
• School Surveys
• Facilities Management
• Legal Service Quickcall
• Free School Meals Service
• Professional Development Courses and Trust-wide INSET
• Supervision
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occasional Business Use Motor Insurance
• Confederation of School Trusts Membership
• Flourishing Trust Network Membership