1. Cavendish Learning Trust
Information for schools looking to join a multi academy trust (MAT)
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2. Who are we? The Trust formed in September 2016 and we are;
Netherthorpe School - Ofsted Good secondary school of students
Barrow Hill Primary School – Ofsted Good which has rapidly improved from Special Measures
Poolsbrook Primary School - Ofsted Good
Whitecotes Primary School - Ofsted Category working collaboratively to improve
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3. Why did we begin this journey ?
Derbyshire is high on the Government’s agenda for academisation
The percentage of schools below Good and Outstanding in Derbyshire is far higher than nationally
We believe that this area has the expertise to help its neighbours and will not benefit from large, remote National Academy chains taking over
We are passionate that through effective support ,challenge and collaborative working that any school can reach at least Good
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4. What is our vision ?
A family of schools working together to provide an excellent education at the heart of our community
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5. What is our Mission Statement?
Deliver the highest quality of education, at the heart of our communities, for the benefit of the children and young people of North Derbyshire and surrounding area
Every child to feel safe, respected, known and fully supported
Every child to become a successful and confident learner, motivated to acquire the skills and knowledge ready to become responsible and employable citizens in the future
Develop a family of schools that work closely together, helping and challenging each other to continually improve through collaboration and mutual support
Provide a range of memorable learning experiences for students, both in and out of the classroom, in order to raise aspirations, broaden horizons, nurture talent and develop the whole person
Drive professional development opportunities for all staff at every stage of their development, with recognised systems of accreditation, in order to grow our own exceptional support staff, teachers and leaders
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6. Everything we do is measured against these three criteria
What is our Trust motto?
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Everything we do is measured against these three criteria
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7. How does our MAT work ?
The Trust is strategically led by a Board of Directors – chosen for their skills set
Our Board has 12 appointed Directors/Trustees
Each school maintains its Local Governing Body (LGB) and that must consist of at least 2 parent representatives
The scope of the authority of the Board and the LGBs is set out in two documents that can be found on the Cavendish Learning Trust website
Terms of reference
Schemes of Delegation – Annex 3
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8. How does our MAT work?
Member schools manage their own budgets, but the Board is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance and the prudent management of all finances
They will monitor performance against budget for each school
A single set of accounts for the Trust is reported annually to the Education Funding Agency (EFA)
In order to drive consistency and quality across the Trust some services will be centralised eg Finance, HR, Facilities management etc.
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9. The Central Support Team
Alan Senior – Former Headteacher of Netherthorpe and now providing support for the new Executive Headteacher, David Williams
David Plummer – Finance Director
Neil Hemmingway – HR manager
Jacqui Ottewell Cole – Administration Officer
Duncan Carlile – Site Facilities Manager
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10. Executive Leadership Team
David Williams
Executive Headteacher of the Cavendish Learning Trust
Head teacher of Netherthorpe
Previously the Principal of an academy which was part of a large Trust
Karen Porteous
Executive Primary Lead
Headteacher of Barrow Hill Primary Academy
Karen is a National Leader of Education and is leading the support of Whitecotes Primary Academy and the implementation of collaborative working between the three primary schools
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11. What will it cost a school to join?
The Local Authority ‘top slices’ money owed to a school to maintain central services, once an academy it keeps all money owed from the EFA
Funding is available from the Regional School’s Commissioner (RSC) to cover conversion and other transformational costs
When a school joins the Trust a percentage of the school’s budget will be paid to the Trust in return for central services and support
In 2016/17 the schools are paying 2.5% each from their EFA funding
For schools who are already Single Academy Trusts and will not benefit from redeeming the Local Authority ‘top slice’ a special rate can be negotiated for the first year of joining
This would be covered by transformational funding received from the RSC in the first year
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12. Planning for Success The Cavendish Learning Trust will
expand sustainably, never having more than one secondary and one primary school in the Trust that is Ofsted 4 at any one time
build capacity so that no Good or Outstanding school is put at risk because of its support of another school
continue to work in partnership alongside the Department for Education
ensure every academy in the Trust is proudly non –selective
value our excellent working relationships with Trade Unions
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13. Growth Plan 2016/17 Primary Sector
We would welcome other Good or Outstanding schools to add capacity to our support network
We would welcome one other school which currently Requires Improvement and would like to work with us collaboratively
Secondary Sector
We would welcome another Good or Outstanding secondary school to build capacity ready for supporting a school in difficulty in 2017/18
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14. Where can we find out more?
More information can be found on our website at: If you wish to arrange a meeting to ask further questions or to arrange a meeting with your leadership team or Governors please contact Jacqui Ottewell Cole: Tel:
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