GROUP INDUCTION BOOKLET

2018-19 Contents : An Introduction Page 4 Our Schools Page 5 Framework for Excellence Page 6 Governance Page 8 Central Support Page 9 Our People Page 10 Professional Development and Networking Page 14 Dear Colleague, Welcome to United Learning. We are a group of schools which aims to provide excellent education to children and young people across the country. We seek to improve the life chances of all the children and young people we serve and make it our mission to bring out ‘the best in everyone’ – students, staff, parents and the wider community. Uniquely, our Group includes significant numbers of schools in both the public and the private sectors, working together for mutual benefit. We provide a broad education, which prepares young people to progress in learning and to make a success of their lives. We focus sharply on the evidence of what makes it more likely that young people will progress and succeed, apply that to our practice and continue to learn and develop our schools. We make it a priority to provide teachers with excellent professional support and development, so that every child receives an excellent experience. Through being a group, we can offer more to both staff and young people than any single school could offer alone. The growing range of outstanding group-wide activities that we can provide will mean that more young people will have truly exceptional and inspiring experiences. Already, we believe that our Group contains the most developed relationships and practical interaction between independent and state schools in the country, creating benefits for all the schools involved. From Cumbria to Kent, we welcome children of all backgrounds, all faiths and none, all abilities and giving over 40,000 children an inspiring education. With very best wishes, Jon Coles

United Learning: An Introduction Page 4 United Learning Institute Page 16 Our Schools Page 5 Employee Rewards and Benefits Page 17 Framework for Excellence Page 6 Partnerships and Enrichment Page 18 Governance Page 8 United Learning Hub Page 20 Central Support Page 9 United Teaching Page 21 Our People Page 10 Professional Development and Networking Page 14 United Learning: An Introduction Who are we? We are uniquely united across both the state and the Our Ethos independent sectors; we make learning and improvement our focus. Together, we are one of the country’s largest education We are committed to providing excellent education through providers, currently educating over 40,000 pupils and employing which all pupils are able to progress, achieve and go on to over 7,000 members of staff including over 3,500 teachers. succeed in life. Our approach is underpinned by a sense of moral purpose and commitment to doing what is right for At United Learning, we believe we can achieve more together children and young people, supporting colleagues to achieve than we can alone: we call this ‘Better Shared’. Our schools excellence and acting with integrity in all our dealings within work as a team to achieve more by sharing than any single and beyond the organisation, in the interests of young people school could. Our subject specialists, our Group-wide intranet everywhere. We summarise this ethos as ‘the best in everyone’. United Hub, our own curriculum and our online learning portal, As a single organisation, we seek to bring together the best the United Learning Institute, all allow us to share knowledge of independent and state sectors, respecting both traditions and resources, helping to simplify work processes and manage and learning from each. We believe that each of our schools is workloads for an improved work-life balance. and should be distinctive – each is committed to developing Furthermore, through being a Group, we can reward our staff its own strengths and identity while sharing our core values as better: with good career opportunities, better pay, benefits, and institutions, which promote service, compassion and generosity. ultimately, the satisfaction of helping children to succeed. We invest in our staff wellbeing. Our academies each have at least Our Values eight INSET days per year (with three of those solely dedicated Ambition to achieve the best for ourselves and others; to planning), and an ongoing group-wide wellbeing programme. Confidence to have the courage of our convictions and to take risks in the right cause; Group Vision Creativity to imagine possibilities and make them real; To provide an extraordinary education for our pupils, influencing Respect of ourselves and others in all that we do; educational practice and policy for more. Enthusiasm to seek opportunity, find what is good and Strategic Objectives: pursue talents and interests; Framework for Excellence: Implementing the Framework for Determination to overcome obstacles and reach success. Excellence in all our schools. Outstanding People: Attracting and developing outstanding people, becoming an employer of choice. Sharing Knowledge: Enabling the sharing of knowledge and practice across the Group, including between state and independent schools and in local clusters. Financially Successful: Implementing an educationally led model of successful financial management through all our schools.

Page 4 Our Schools Our size, scale and reach enables us to offer a wider range of Primary Academies exciting and innovative experiences to schools, staff and pupils. Abbey Hey Primary Secondary and All Through Academies Beacon View Primary Academy Corngreaves Academy Cravenwood Primary Academy Academy Grange Primary Academy Bacon’s College Hanwell Fields Community School High Hazels Academy Hill View Glenmoor & Winton Academies Hunningley Primary School Langford Primary Orchard Meadow Primary School Kettering Buccleuch Academy Pegasus Primary School Silverdale Primary Academy Manchester Academy Southway Primary School The Victory Primary School Timbertree Academy North Oxfordshire Academy Primary Academy Wilberforce Primary Windale Primary School Worsborough Bank End Primary School Richard Rose Central Academy Richard Rose Morton Academy Independent Schools AKS (in partnership with United Learning) Banstead Preparatory School Bournemouth Collegiate School Sheffield Springs Academy Coworth Flexlands School Academy Hampshire Collegiate School The Hyndburn Academy Rowan Preparatory School St Ives School Haslemere William Hulme’s Grammar School High School

Page 5 Framework for Excellence What is the Framework for Excellence? The Framework for Excellence sets out the principles that all ‘Powerful knowledge’ our schools work to. These represent our agreed view of the distinctive approach to education of our group of schools and Our most important purpose is to teach young people things they the characteristics, which lead to excellence when exemplified would not learn outside school, which free them to think and act in the right way. The Framework is the way we set standards for more powerfully in their lives. Words and numbers are our most ourselves and assess our progress. As well as this, we are using powerful ways of representing the world. Mastery of language the Framework for Excellence to create a supportive tool, which and fluent mathematical skills are therefore our top priority. We can be used to drive school improvement. It contains examples aim to prepare young people to make a success of their lives: of the very highest quality practice drawn from schools across the a core entitlement to subject-based learning; the development Group. Each of these includes resources, such as lesson ideas and of talents; an understanding of work and society. Worthwhile materials, which schools can use to improve their practice. learning is often hard. Inspiring teaching is what gives access to difficult concepts and the thrill of intellectual discovery. Powerful knowledge is not static or backward looking. It includes the The Five Principles ability to critique, challenge the status quo, think and learn. The Framework for Excellence consists of five principles: ‘Education with character’ ‘The best from everyone’ Academic success is very important. Exam passes are an important Our aim is to bring out the best in everyone. So we must expect aspect of that. However, there is more to a good education. Our the best from everyone, all the time. Every child is a special schools also aim to develop character, compassion and service. individual, capable of extraordinary things. Who can know the Young people are expected to contribute to their school and limits of any child’s potential? Therefore, we expect unreasonably to society; to try things, which they think they cannot do; to – we constantly challenge children to do what they think they persist in the face of difficulty; to become resilient in overcoming cannot, to persist, to work hard and to be at their best. From obstacles; to manage themselves; to work independently on every adult we expect the same: that they are at their best, expect things, which challenge them; to work with others and in teams; unreasonably of themselves, are determined and resilient and to be courageous and caring; to lead. We want young people pass those expectations on to the children in all they do. We act to look back on a joyful schooling, which has inspired and with the utmost love, care and good faith – the highest standards challenged them, given them wide opportunity and prepared come with the greatest attention to the wellbeing of all. them for the ups and downs of life.

Page 6 ‘Leadership in every role’ Our children are leaders of the future. We expect them to start today – taking advantage of structured opportunities to lead and taking responsibility for themselves and others. Every adult in the school is a leader. In every word, tone and gesture, they set direction and expectation. We expect every adult to take responsibility and the initiative to do what is right for the children. All those in formal leadership positions create the climate in which others work. They demand the highest standards, build a performance culture, develop their teams and create the space for others to lead. All leaders listen, grow relationships, act with integrity and care and expect the best from themselves and others in building a happy, confident school. ‘Continuous improvement’ However good we are, we can be better. We constantly look for improvements, and implement them with pace. We look for ideas for improvement inside the organisation and out; we observe one another; we steal good ideas with pride and look to make them better; we work together to improve. We always look at the evidence, and are rigorous in evaluating impact. We stop or change things, which are not working; we improve things, which are. We aim for high leverage: high impact for low effort and low cost. We constantly look to have more impact for less cost and effort and to spend every pound wisely.

Page 7 Governance Background Committees United Learning is the trading name for two charities in the The ULT and UCST Boards delegate various functions to three Group; United Church Schools Trust (UCST) and United Learning committees: Finance (which sits jointly with the UCSF Board); Trust (ULT). The academies in the Group are governed by United Risk & Audit; Nominations & Salaries and Education Performance Learning Trust and the independent schools are governed by & Standards. Each committee carries out its duties in accordance United Church Schools Trust. United Church Schools Foundation with terms of reference set by the Trustees. Limited (UCSF) is the ultimate parent company. Local Governing Bodies Group Board At the local level, ULT and UCST trustees delegate governance UCST and ULT Trustees sit together as the Group Board which functions to a Local Governing Body (LGB) at each school. The has responsibility for protecting the interests and assets of each scheme of delegation for LGBs is set out in appendix 4 of the charity and its schools as well as safeguarding its charitable United Learning LGB handbook. objects and ensuring the ethos and values of United Learning are maintained. The Group Board is responsible for the Group strategy, Education Boards management and governance of the Group together with the The Chairs of the LGB also represent the schools and contribute financial and educational performance of the independent schools to governance within United Learning through attendance at and academies. Education Board meetings (3 times per year). They report to The Charity Boards, sitting together as the Group Board, are the the LGB on the work of the Education Board, United Learning legal governors of the schools, and are accountable for all statutory Central Office and any developments in the management of functions. Many of these functions are discharged on behalf of the governance within United Learning. The below diagram shows Charity Boards by the United Learning Senior Executive team, led the United Learning governance structure. by the Chief Executive. Key among these delegated functions is that United Learning Education Directors represent Trustees at Ofsted and ISI inspections.

Page 8 Central Support Based in Peterborough, with offices in and Salford, the Finance Central Office function exists to support schools educationally The Finance department consists of regionally based Business and to provide services effectively and efficiently, primarily Partners who work closely with schools in their cluster, supported through our Team Around the School model. by a team of Management Accountants and Finance Specialists. Each school within United Learning has a dedicated team of Other functions include payroll, fee billing for independent schools, professionals from different disciplines working together to help credit control, purchase ledger, systems support and treasury. you achieve your aims. Your relevant Education Director has overall responsibility for supporting the school, and the Head Estates Teacher directly leads the team. They will agree the 5 year or United Learning has built up a wealth of knowledge and medium term strategic plan and help set the school’s annual expertise in what makes a good school building. The Group’s priorities. They will be accountable for ensuring the team around understanding of the elements required to create excellent the school is operating effectively and in the best interests of the modern schools has been refined, re-evaluated and perfected individual school. with each project. Each school will have a Project Lead, responsible for pulling Health and Safety together the work plan for the team to ensure a coordinated approach, monitor progress, act as a key contact for the school The Trusts set the overarching health and safety policies for the and pick up issues that cut across Central Office departments. Group with the Head Teacher having day-to-day responsibility Each school has a dedicated Business Partner from the Finance, for the application and management of the various policy HR, and Technology departments. These individuals work closely requirements. with the Head Teacher and school’s senior leadership team to support and advise them. Strategy and Performance The Education Director will also be able to call on the support of The Strategy and Performance team is responsible for supporting a number of specialist departments, including Marketing, People development and implementation of Group strategy, for large Development and Estates, to give the school bespoke support cross-cutting projects and for bringing new schools into the Group. and advice as and when required. Data In addition to the work of the Teams Around the School, Central The Data team collates a range of data, including pupil and Office departments work on Group-level strategic projects to employment level data, which allows your school to measure support every school across the Group. key performance indicators, create benchmarks and inform People strategic decision making and planning. Human Resources Improvement Each school has a dedicated HR Business Partner to work with The Improvement team works closely with our Education them on key HR issues. The HR team also provides significant Directors, Education Advisers/Partners and the team around the support for recruitment, systems, policy, rewards & wellbeing school to deliver United Learning’s school improvement strategy. and best practice, which aims to support our people. Technology Learning & Development The Technology department investigates, implements, promotes The Learning & Development team provide access to a wide and supports the use of digital technologies to enhance the range of development activities, with a focus on leadership delivery of an outstanding education to all students, in all United development, talent management and providing CPD support to Learning schools. our schools. The team supports the work of our CPD strategy, with the ambition to empower every employee to contribute to External Relations delivering an excellent education, as articulated in our Framework The External Relations team at 8hwe play a key role in supporting for Excellence. the consultation aspects of the transition from the school’s Marketing & Communications current status to joining United Learning. The Marketing & Communications team has a broad remit with responsibility covering marketing to recruit pupils and staff, digital marketing, staff engagement and employer brand marketing.

Page 9 Our People Jon Coles Chief Executive Since January 2012, Jon Coles has been Group Chief Executive of United Learning. Nigel Robson Prior to this, he spent much of his career in Academies - Chair the , including four Nigel’s involvement in Academies stretches years on the Board as Director General for back to 2002, when as Chair of the Schools and then Director General for Education Standards. Chamber of Commerce in the North East Previously, as Director of 14-19 Reform, he led work to raise he was determined to address the issue of participation post-16 and attainment at 19 and reduce NEET historic underperformance of many of the numbers. As Director of London Challenge, Jon was responsible regions LEA secondary schools. He was a developing and implementing the strategy to improve secondary lawyer in an international law firm and his positions included education in London, which also led to similar approaches in other International Head of Engineering and Construction, Global parts of the country. In his career, Jon has been responsible for Head of Energy, and Managing Partner. He was an accredited various Green and White Papers and for taking the 2002 Education Mediator, and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He Act through Parliament. A qualified secondary teacher, his previous is a trustee of the theological training college, St John’s and jobs included implementing the infant class size pledge and, on Cranmer Hall, Durham University. Nigel joined the Board of secondment to the Cabinet Office, developing a strategy for United Learning Trust in 2011, and was elected Chair in 2014. e-government. He is Lead Trustee for the Northern Secondary Academies. Like other ULT Trustees, he firmly believes that his knowledge and Richard Greenhalgh understanding of educational improvement is enhanced by Group Board - Chair chairing a Local Governing Body of the Trust’s Academies. He is married with five children, many grandchildren, living in Cumbria, Independent Schools - Chair and his interests are fell walking, mountain biking, (watching) Richard is a former Chairman of Unilever rugby, most things Italian, and supporting the Diocese, including U.K. and now has a portfolio of interests. In its educational responsibilities. Business, he is on the Advisory Boards of Liaison Financial Services Ltd. and JustAccounts Ltd. In the Public Sector he is Chairman of Surrey and Borders Partnership- a Foundation Trust for Mental Health. In the Not for Profit sector he is Chairman of Royal Voluntary Service. He is Chairman of British Youth Opera, and an Emeritus Fellow of Green Templeton College Oxford. Independently he is a trained Executive Coach and has a particular focus in working with Leaders who are transitioning to portfolio careers. He is a fellow of the R.S.A. and the I.O.D.

Page 10 Mandy Coalter LLB FCIPD Dame Sally Coates Director of People Director of Secondary Education Mandy joined United Learning in November Sally Coates joined United Learning in 2012 having previously worked in local September 2014. Her previous role was as government, health, the voluntary sector Principal of Burlington Danes Academy an and with schools. Prior to joining the Group, 11 – 18 Ark Academy in Hammersmith & Mandy was Director of HR & OD at Heart of . The school has 67% pupil premium NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest FT’s in the and mostly serves the very deprived White country that ran three hospitals and community services in City Estate. The school results in the last two years have almost Birmingham employing 11,000 staff. In her six years there, Mandy doubled and this year the GCSE results including English and transformed the HR function, creating an efficient Shared Services Maths were 80% 5A* - C. She was acting as Executive Principal function and strong HR Business Partnering. She and her team at Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton until July 2012 and Executive established the ‘Faculty of Education’ a unique Corporate Principal of Ark Putney and until July University that has won national accolades for its innovative work 2014. Prior to that, Sally was Head of Sacred Heart School an on people development. Mandy previously worked in local Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ VA school in Camberwell, London Borough government, including spending two years managing the HR of Southwark. She has always worked in inner city schools in Services to schools at York LEA. She also works in a voluntary London and has been in teaching since 1976. Sally started work capacity with the National Trust, advising the Midlands Chair and as an English Teacher in Peckham Girls, now The Academy at Director on Board appointments. Peckham. Sally chaired The Review of the Teaching Standards and most recently chaired the Skills Test Review. She also served as a member of the Key Stage 2 Test Review Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Bew. Sally was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2013 New Years Honours List.

Page 11 Darran Ellison-Lee Louise Johnston Primary Director Chief Financial Officer Darran has a wide range of achievements Louise joined United Learning in June 2014 in education, including leadership in both having previously worked at Travelex, the primary and secondary phases as well leading global foreign exchange provider, as in Special Education. Darran was a most recently leading their Shared Service National Leader of Education, leading one Finance centre in Peterborough, managing the of the first national teaching schools and UK and European finance, operational and facilities teams. Louise a federation of primary schools in the North of England. The qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1998 training at PwC, teaching school under his leadership provided a wide range managing the audits of both private and public sector clients. of school improvement work and was one of the first schools Louise is now responsible for the financial management of the providing training for Schools Direct. Darran has overseen United Learning group together with company secretarial and growth of our primary schools, which now includes over 20 legal governance, group procurement and freedom of information academies and 13 independent prep schools. Darran’s leadership compliance. She is also a governor at her local primary school. of improvement work has secured enhanced quality of teaching, resulting in schools moving from Special Measures to Good, Dominic Norrish at times requiring him to step in as executive headteacher or acting principal to support. Under Darran’s leadership, 10 United Group Director of Technology Learning primary schools have maintained or secured a ‘Good’ Dominic is an experienced teacher, school Ofsted rating for overall effectiveness. In addition, Darran is leader and educational researcher with a Director with responsibility for the Trust’s support, challenge and career spanning the private and public accountability on safeguarding, ensuring that United Learning sectors, having taught a range of subjects meets statutory requirements and that safeguarding processes from Key Stages 2 to 5. He joined United across the Group are robust and effective. Learning having led the development of technology-enhanced cultures across two new-build academies as their Director of ICT, implementing Learning Platforms and a one-to-one tablet strategy. Prior to this, Dominic spent five years working as an ICT Consultant for Becta and various Academy and BSF projects nationally, supporting schools from Cumbria to the Isles of Scilly in the development and realisation of their visions for technology. This was preceded by ten years teaching in schools, with the last four as a Deputy Headteacher. His Master’s degree in Education focused on School Leadership, with a research-based thesis examining the impact of ICT on pupil motivation.

Page 12 Anna Paige Regional Directors Director of Strategy & Performance Our Regional Directors have a wealth of in-depth experience leading improvement across our schools, working closely with Anna joined United Learning permanently Headteachers to support each school on its journey of continuous in February 2017, having previously spent a improvement. Regional Directors ensure that all schools benefit year on secondment to the organisation as from collaboration, particularly through local clustering. Head of Strategy and Performance. Prior to joining United Learning, Anna was a senior Primary civil servant, most recently in the Home Office, where she led on drugs, alcohol and firearms policy. For 14 years, Anna worked in Tanya Hughes - Northern Primary Team the Department for Education. She led the recent reforms to Matthew Wynne - Midlands Primary Team GCSE and A level qualifications, and held responsibility for Mark Cole - Southern Primary Team aspects of curriculum and assessment policy. Her other roles as a senior civil servant included leading policy for financial support Richard Yeates - Independent Primary Schools and careers education and guidance, and taking legislation to raise the participation age through its consideration in the Secondary House of Commons. She also led on aspects of the London Derek Davies - Northern Secondary Team Challenge programme, including coordinating bespoke support Christine Raeside - Southern Secondary Team for the ‘keys to success’ schools. Jan Shadick - Southern Secondary Team Dr Ian Young Oli Tomlinson - Midlands Secondary Team Head of Independent Schools Ian previously worked as Deputy Head at The King’s School Ely, a co-educational day and boarding school for 1,000 pupils. He has a wealth of teaching experience having worked in five HMC schools since graduating from Queen’s University, Belfast where he studied applied mathematics and physics as well as obtaining a doctorate in theoretical atomic physics. More recently, Ian was awarded his MBA in Education from Keele University and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Page 13 Professional Development and Networking Learning and development is an integral part of United Learning United Teaching: life, and we are continuously working to ensure we offer the United Teaching is United Learning’s groundbreaking Initial highest quality. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Teacher Training Scheme. The UK’s first of its kind. Delivered to all staff. We believe that every student in a United Learning in partnership with Goldsmiths, University of London, our classroom deserves an outstanding learning experience every programme is designed to help trainees flourish. Here, teacher lesson, every day. In order to achieve this we need to ensure that training is a path to senior leadership roles across the country. all employees, teachers and support staff, receive high-quality Every trainee works to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), professional development and feedback. and can also work towards a PGCE with 60 Master’s level Performance and Development Reviews credits. Find out more at: www.unitedteaching.org.uk The core purpose of our Performance and Development United Learning Institute: Review (PDR) process encourages meaningful and open Research tells us the best quality, most impactful CPD, is local discussions regarding an individual’s growth, development and bespoke. Our School CPD Leads work together within and CPD. It is designed is to improve performance by setting regional clusters on the analysis, development and execution of and measuring SMART objectives around outcomes for pupils. teacher CPD. Our national CPD offer focuses on Group induction, Furthermore, the process informs the CPD needed to enable leadership, talent, coaching, support staff and bespoke school employees to be excellent within their role and provide support; aiming to add value to what individual schools offer. the very best education for our students. An annual review The United Learning Institute is a CPD portal, through which meeting will take place between employees and their line colleagues are able to access their career pathway and a wide manager with an interim 6-month review to check progress. range of professional development opportunities. Integrated as part of United Hub (our Group intranet), the portal acts as a ‘one-stop shop’ for Group-wide and regional CPD activity. Succession Planning and Talent Management: We have a planned approach to sustaining the leadership of our schools. Aspiring leaders who demonstrate strong potential are encouraged to participate in our talent and leadership development programmes, through which they receive structured training to help them grow and develop within our Group. In addition, we offer a successful Leadership Development Residential for middle and senior leaders, run by a selection of United Learning Heads. We also have well established partnerships with Future Leaders, Teaching Leaders, the Institute of Leadership & Management, and the Teacher Development Trust. Check out United Leadership via United Hub for more information on the programmes we offer for leaders. United Learning Teaching School Alliance Support Networks: The United Learning Teaching School Alliance (TSA) brings As a single organisation, we seek to bring together the best together our schools to work on projects that support school of independent and state sectors, respecting both traditions improvement. The Teaching Schools in our Group are Guildford and learning from each. To achieve this ambition we must take High School, Ashford School and Corngreaves Academy. advantage of and learn from the best of what is happening across the group; a particularly powerful mechanism for achieving this is through sharing subject experience and expertise. Our

Page 14 networking opportunities explore the relationship between Leadership Conference and robust subject knowledge and effective pedagogy. Participants learn from each other and can undertake short subject-based Group Education Forums research projects to improve their practice in a specific area, in Our Group Education Forums take place throughout the year collaboration with teachers from other schools. as an opportunity for Heads from all United Learning Schools to meet regularly to discuss and consult on priorities, common Specialist Leaders of Educations (SLEs): issues; share ideas and best practice, and attend joint CPD. SLES are outstanding middle and senior leaders who will support Our annual leadership conference brings together all Heads individuals or teams in other schools. SLEs build leadership and Local Governing Board Chairs from across our schools, capacity in order to improve outcomes for students. We currently both independent and academy. Joined by our Trustees and the have SLEs in a broad range of subjects who are available to Executive Leadership team, they collaborate and take part in support you. a diverse range of high quality discussions aimed at enabling continuous improvement across all parts of the organisation. It is Subject-specific CPD a two-day event with a blend of external, internal and peer input Subject-specific network meetings give teachers the opportunity to develop and inspire the organisation’s leaders. to reflect on their own practice and examine the relationship between robust subject knowledge and effective pedagogy. Over BiE Induction Conference the last year, particular attention has been given to changes in Every August, we invite new starters from across the Group to the curriculum and assessment framework, and helping schools attend our Best in Everyone Induction Conference, giving them prepare for forthcoming changes in GCSE examinations and the the opportunity to work together from their very first day with implications on practice of mastery teaching. United Learning. We design the event to meet the diverse needs of all new teaching staff; to facilitate sharing, and embed the Coaching and Mentoring knowledge that they are not alone. Our aim is for attendees to Over the past two years, we have started to build a network enter the new academic year fired up by the challenge of teaching of coaches and coaching programmes to improve performance, in our schools and sharing our vision of becoming a world-class support and engagement in our Schools. Coaching is an educational provider. essential component of any effective professional development programme. Coaching can build skills, knowledge and Collaboration engagement because it speaks to our behaviours, practices, Our schools, people, leadership and pupils power Group-wide values, beliefs and feelings. Coaching creates an environment collaboration: we can achieve more as a Group than we could where staff feel cared for, listened to and empowered to make alone. United Learning is effectively a large support network, positive changes. Group opportunities include coaching for pooling our resources to bring out the best in everyone. We leaders, ILM qualifications, lead teacher training, plus incentives want to ensure that our people have the tools they need to help and coaching research in partnership with the Education develop themselves, improve school outcomes, learn from one Endowment Foundation. another and offer the best opportunities for our pupils. Through Group collaboration, we are supporting each other to do our jobs Excellence Visits and learning from each other. This empowers our pledge to make Excellence Visits provide an opportunity for schools to demonstrate sure every student receives an outstanding learning experience excellent practice to other schools in the Group, and for staff to every lesson, every day. share and take back practical tips to use in their schools.

Page 15 UNITED LEARNING INSTITUTE

The United Learning Institute is our Group-wide career Our People Development Pathways form the curriculum for development portal. Accessed through United Hub, every the Institute; divided into career stages. Each career stage employee is able to access their career pathway and a wide then has training opportunities assigned, which have been range of professional development opportunities. categorised into levels of personal development. These Effective CPD is central to United Learning’s vision for elements are not sequential and ‘step up’ and ‘extend’ excellence, as set out in the Framework for Excellence. opportunities may be undertaken concurrently. We are We all have a responsibility to our pupils, our colleagues currently developing a separate pathway for business and ourselves to take CPD seriously. The Institute is an support staff based on the new apprenticeship standards, important driver for us in terms of achieving this; providing named ‘Lifelong Learning’. a ‘one-stop shop’ for Group-wide CPD activity and tools to Through Group collaboration, we are supporting each other help you track your personal development. to do our jobs, learning from each other and empowering our pledge to make sure every student receives an outstanding learning experience, every lesson, every day.

View and interact with your personal development pathway; Build your CPD profile – including skills and expertise; Track past, present and future CPD in your personal learning plan; See what’s coming up in our Learning Catalogue and Events Calendar.

Log on now at United Hub. Find us in the ‘Career & Development’ section.

Page 16 Employee Rewards and Benefits As a Group, we want our staff to feel supported and valued: We are working with Robertson Cooper to integrate quite simply, we believe in leading market trends with better staff wellbeing into every school’s day to day work. Ten remuneration packages, and the best wellbeing programmes – schools started the programme this year, with another nine more than any school could offer on its own - so that we can commencing this work in September; ensure the best talent joins, and stays, with us. Every academy has at least eight INSET days per academic Whether you are a teacher or member of a support team, we year, with three dedicated to planning. It is this additional time want your work to have a positive impact on your health and to prepare will be good for you, your health and wellbeing, and wellbeing. that giving you more preparation time before the pressures of the term begin will be beneficial for your teaching and Core Benefits therefore for the education children receive; Our dedicated Wellbeing Portal on United Hub offers a In additional to basic pay – which is generally above that in the wealth of resources to support staff across the Group; maintained sector - we offer a package of core benefits which includes: We have dedicated benefits, such as Cycle2Work and GymFlex, as well as several policies, including flexible working A contributory pension scheme, meaning we’ll save together for opportunities, to further support staff and their wellbeing; your retirement; We also offer access to confidential 24 hour counselling service. At least eight INSET days per year in all our academies, with three dedicated to planning; Perkbox As a group, we can reward you better than any school could Occupational sick pay, protecting you and your family; alone, and this includes your employee benefits. Reduced fees at a number of United Learning independent We are now working with Perkbox to offer you over 250 exclusive schools for your children; benefits, all through their easy-to-access platform and app. Continuous Professional Development options that will be Featuring a huge range of perks, from discounted cinema tickets tailored to your needs; and holidays, to money off meals out at restaurants nationwide, and savings on food, technology and clothes shopping, the BUPA Cover (senior appointments only); unique website and app have been designed to add value to every lifestyle. Leading maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave benefits; It’s all free for you to use – all you need to do is activate your account and get exploring! Additionally, go ahead and The scope for flexible working; download the Perkbox app, ‘Perkbox V2’, through either the iOS or Android store! Simply log in through the company domain Group career and development opportunities. “united-learning” and log in with your school account! Our Wellbeing Programme Refer a Friend Scheme At United Learning, we are committed to providing a working At United Learning, we think teaching is better shared. Together, environment that promotes the good health and well-being we can achieve more than any teacher, department or school can of all employees. Wellbeing can be influenced by many things: achieve on its own. But, to do this, we need excellent teachers. a satisfactory balance of work and home life, as well as your mental and physical health. Whether you are a teacher or We know teachers know teachers, and we need your help to member of a support team, we want to ensure that our work reach them. In the 2017 Staff Survey, across the Group, 67% of has a positive impact on your health and wellbeing, encouraging our staff said they would recommend their school as an employer, everyone to have ‘Good Days at Work’. and now, with our Teacher Referral Scheme, you can earn £500 to do just that! Simply ask the applicant to fill in the relevant details We have several initiatives running across the Group to underpin on their application form, and subject to their appointment, you this work: will receive your payment within your paycheque.

You can find out more about our wellbeing, rewards and benefits on United Hub, or speak to your school’s HRA.

Page 17 Partnerships and Enrichment One of the principles of our philosophy at United Learning is Group Enrichment Programmes that we deliver an Education with Character. We seek to offer We run a number of programmes each year to offer opportunities that our pupils an education that incorporates participation in sport, would not usually be possible as a single school and to give pupils music and drama to the highest standards, that challenges pupils the opportunity to meet pupils from other schools. They include: to try out new and difficult things, that provides opportunities to lead, work in teams, develop social awareness and prepare for Primary: further study and the world of work. We believe that this wider educational experience enables young people to develop the Student Leadership Programme – A five-month programme character attributes that will equip them for success in later life. in which students develop leadership skills and lead their own social action project; To support you to deliver this vision, United Learning has a UnitedIDEAS – An enterprise programme in which students small Partnerships team with expertise in enrichment provision, develop, build and present a world changing invention; music and performing arts, PE and sport, university access and fundraising. Our team is available to offer you one to one StorySlam – A national story writing and storytelling support with your plans and connect you with others in the competition for Year 5 and 6 pupils; Group and beyond who could help you. We also design and The Best in Everyone Awards – An annual award ceremony deliver exceptional opportunities for pupils that are open to all that celebrates pupil and staff achievements. United Learning schools and events that celebrate schools’ and Secondary pupils’ achievements. UnitedApp – An enterprise programme where pupils The Pupil Charter develop and present an educational app idea. Our Pupil Charter sets out the enrichment entitlement that we International High School Arts Festival – An art competition expect all our pupils to have access to during their career in where the winner wins a trip to see their work exhibited at the a United Learning school. We can support you to deliver the renowned National Art Center, Tokyo; charter in a number of ways, including: The Best in Everyone Awards – An annual award ceremony that celebrates pupil and staff achievements. Providing 1-to-1 support and advice on: developing and implementing your Pupil Charter, your enrichment offer, ad United Sport hoc advice and support; As part of our response to the London 2012 Olympic legacy Forming partnerships with organisations to offer unique we have created the United Sport initiative, led by our Head activities at a reduced cost. We have an enrichment partner of Sport, Shaun Dowling. Shaun worked in schools for twenty directory which can help you source free and low costs years before taking a national role at the Youth Sport Trust (YST) activities in a variety of areas such as sport and PE, music prior to joining United Learning. The aim of the United Sport and performing arts, higher education and employability, network is to bring about ‘The Best in Everyone’ through PE career and university preparation programmes, enterprise, and school sport. Our PE/sport subject leaders work together to social action, creative arts and fundraising; ensure that every pupil in a United Learning school has access Providing tools and resources to support with planning and to an exceptional, inclusive PE curriculum and school sport tracking such as an Enrichment Passport which pupils can experience. Our PE and Health curriculum has three strands: Fit use to track their participation. to Perform; Fit to Lead; and Fit for Life. Through their PE and

Page 18 Health curriculum, every young person in a United Learning Catherine and our music and performing arts SLEs. In November school has the opportunity to gain a bronze, silver or gold 2017, pupils from across the Group gathered together at the leadership award, validated by Sports Leaders UK. As well as Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and Southwark the support for teachers on offer from our Head of Sport and Cathedral in London to perform Wassail, a newly commissioned Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs), schools can apply for a piece. This initiative was so successful that it won the Classic visit from one of our team of inspirational Sport Ambassadors to FM Best Classical Music Education Initiative at the 2018 Music lead assemblies or masterclasses for students. Our PE and sport Teachers Awards. network is divided into seven regional clusters, with CPD and competitions organised according to the needs of each cluster. University Access In addition, we hold an annual conference in June for PE/sport We run a number of programmes to support schools to tackle subject leaders. the university access gap. These currently include Scholars Club, a Group-wide afternoon club aimed at nurturing broad academic United Music interests; and United Access, a unique multi-year programme At United Learning, we believe in the power of the arts to have in conjunction with the Accelerate and Access Foundation and a transformative effect in schools, and understand the benefits aiming to support students from low-income of taking part in high quality music and drama for young people. backgrounds to access the UK’s top universities. We also run a Led by our Head of Music and Performing Arts, Catherine number of residential opportunities for pupils. Barker, we endeavour to continuously develop and enrich the provision of Music and Performing Arts across our Group. To find out more about this work, please Our commitment to Music and Performing Arts in schools is threefold: strengthening the curriculum in Music and Performing visit United Hub, where you will find more Arts; supporting the enrichment that takes place outside the information and our contact details. classroom; and organising large-scale events that can unite our schools. Music and Performing Arts staff can access support from

Page 19 United Hub

COMMUNICATION COLLABORATION COMMUNITY

United Hub is United Learning’s Group-wide intranet. The How do I use it? platform has been designed to make it easy for you to find what United Hub is designed to be straightforward and easy to use. you need and to help you to collaborate with other colleagues Content is arranged by function rather than role (e.g. ‘Finance’ across the country. You can find and share useful resources to rather than ‘Accountants’), as it is recognised that many people help you plan your lessons, ask for support and advice, and hold multiple responsibilities within schools. The Search function access all Group-wide initiatives, such as the United Rewards, provides quick access to your queries, and personalised features the United Learning Institute and our Enrichment programme, will push relevant content straight to your homepage and inbox. all through a single platform. We have also created a series of guides to help you get started with United Hub. These are available by clicking on the question How do I access it? mark in the top right hand corner of the Hub homepage. United Hub is installed as a homepage on computers in schools . You can also type hub.unitedlearning.org.uk into your browser. Your login is the same as your school login (you will be provided with this when you start). Key Features Who’s who - connect with colleagues from across the Group; Specialist Hubs - subject and support pages, led by specialists; Search Function - quickly locate what you are looking for; Discussion Forums - share resources or ask a question. Log on now to discover more!

Page 20 TRAIN WHILE YOU TEACH LAUNCH YOUR CAREER MAKE A DIFFERENCE

United Teaching is the initial teacher training programme for United Learning. With us, you can train while you teach, getting classroom experience and excellent tuition at the same time. You’ll be part of a network of over 3,500 teachers across the country, sharing resources and expertise, and you’ll be on a path to a long-term career with plenty of options and the potential for rapid promotion to leadership positions. Benefits of training with United Teaching include: Professional qualifications – every trainee works to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and you can also work towards a PGCE with 60 Master’s level credits; World-class training led by great schools, with sessions delivered by nationally renowned educationalists; Individual support and mentoring from our excellent teachers; A wide range of experience gained with your choice of primary, secondary, state and independent schools; Competitive trainee salary or tax-free bursaries up to £32,000 available; Salary of up to 5% more than a maintained school for NQTs who join one of our academies. How to apply Applications for September 2019 open in October. In the meantime, visit the United Teaching website to register for the latest news and updates from the team, including application information.

Find out more at www.unitedteaching.org.uk

Page 21 Page 22 Page 23