Our Offer
The benefits of working as a Multi Academy Trust are now well documented in terms of sharing expertise, economies of scale and shared services. As an established Multi Academy Trust with 8 schools supporting 5,000 pupils and over 800 staff our systems directly influence the classroom experience, ensuring our resources are used for the benefit of all pupils ensuring a fair and equitable education for all. In Inspire Education Trust we operate to a simple principle “we are all responsible for one another’s children”.
Membership of Inspire Education Trust give academies access to a range of school improvement, support and services and importantly the opportunity to shape these going forward as we build capacity at Trust level ahead of need.
Our approach relies heavily on shared accountability for raising achievement by commitment to our Vision and Values. Academies are expected to commit to pro-active membership, which will ensure that the Trust continually improves the offering for staff, children and young people in all of the partner academies.
Our strategy of growth with care ensures the Trust has the capacity to meet the needs of each Academy in terms of support, challenge and leadership without compromising the core purpose of any academy within the Trust.
Contribution to Trust Services
We ask for a contribution to all services offered by the Trust @ 5% of an Academies GAG funding each year which allows us to deliver the following services:
Human Resources
Under the leadership of the Director of People and Culture for the Trust, the HR team has a clear purpose which is to foster a supportive, inclusive environment where staff feel valued and engaged. We strive to raise aspirations and enhance working lives through fair, structured, and peoplefocused practices. The team are a key enabler for the Trust’s people strategy and are responsible for the implementation of HR policies and procedures and managing all aspects of the employee journey at the Trust from recruitment to retirement.
Payroll
The payroll provision is provided in-house under the direction of the Director of People and Culture for the Trust
Insurance
Inspire Education Trust buys the RPA insurance which has been specifically set up by the EFA to facilitate and deliver insurance cover for academies. This ensures value for money.
Data Management and GDPR compliance
We have our own Data Protection Officer (DPO) within the Trust who provides expert advice on data reporting and data management. The trust subscribes to the Warwickshire County Council Data Protection Officer service schooldpo@warwickshire.gov.uk or 01926 412859.
Governance Development
We currently offer a blended service for our Governors Clerking Advice, utilising Warwickshire Clerking Service and internal support to provide an efficient and professional governance service led by the Head of Governance. We also offer a comprehensive training and development package for Directors and Governors utilising leading governance institutes such as the Confederation of School Trusts and Ambition Institute. For its legal support, the Trust utilises external support from Browne Jacobson LLP.
Academy Conversion
We understand from our own experience that the conversion process can be a distraction away from core purpose for school leaders. Within the Trust team, we have built up strong knowledge and working experience of the conversion process and as such will support and manage the process. We have access to legal expertise through our external partnerships which means partner academies can be assured of receiving sound advice at every stage.
Finance
The finance team undertakes the Management and Financial reporting function. This includes; Internal and external statutory audits; the production of annual accounts; presenting financial positions to the Finance and Audit Committee, Board of Directors and attending Local Governing Body meetings at the request of the CEO.
Estates
The Trust operates an Estates team led by the Head of Estates, who provides strategic oversight, advice, guidance and support across all academies. The Estates Manager oversees the day to day coordination of estates activity, working closely with Senior Premises Managers and Site Services Officers based at each academy.
The Estates team also coordinates premises procurement and estates related services to ensure consistency, economies of scale and value for money across the Trust.
Health & Safety
Each school has a H&S Committee which meets on a termly basis chaired by the Headteacher and is supported by the Head of Estates.
ICT
The Trust has a central ICT team led by an experienced Head of ICT who together with his team manage the curriculum network and give support to each academy within the Trust for both current and future needs, including reliability and resilience.
Under the direction of the Deputy CEO, the ICT team leads in the development of the use of Information Technology across our schools and provides a technician service to staff and students engaged in the use of ICT.
Communications and Marketing
The Communications and Brand Manager provides strategic leadership for communications and marketing across Inspire Education Trust. They oversee high quality digital and written content, ensure consistent Trust branding and support internal engagement, recruitment and external communications that strengthen reputation and visibility across the education community.
As more schools join the MAT we will be in a position to secure more efficient and effective procurement through stronger bargaining power and economies of scale. Costs of additional staff can be spread across schools such as the provision of Sports Coaches, Educational Psychologists and Educational Consultants that could not be sustainable by a standalone school. Any funding received by staff who work outside their school such as SLE’s will be retained by that school.