About United Learning 2014-15 The Best fromEveryone 1

The Best From Everyone United Learning 2014-15

Contents Welcome to The Best From Everyone: United Learning 2014/15. Introduction Page 2 I hope, in browsing these pages, you get a picture of the highlights of our year as charities and as a group of schools and academies. About United Learning Page 3 Each year we strive to innovate and outperform our previous best in order to Powerful Knowledge Page 15 provide our students with an excellent education and our colleagues with the Education with Character Page 21 support and development that can only come from working within a unique group such as ours. Oustanding People and Leadership Page 33 The success of any organisation is down to its people and I would like to thank everyone – An Enabling Centre Page 43 students, staff, governors, volunteers, trustees, advisors and our Central Office team – for their hard work and dedication as we celebrate another strong year as a group. Creating and Maintaining Exceptional Working Environments Page 47

Jon Coles Chief Executive

2 About United Learning 3 United Learning About serves ourschools. 13 independentschools, 41statesectoracademies andasmallCentral Officefunction that As of31st August 2015, UnitedLearning–thetrading nameoftheCharitableGroup–comprises our nationalreachandincontinueddeterminationtolearn, improveandachieveexcellence. the day. Ourstrengthliesinouruniquecollaboration betweenstateandindependentschools, in a largenumberof schools, focusing on the mostimportant social and educational challenges of The rootsofourcharitycanbetraced backover130years, andwehavefoundeddeveloped schools whichenableallyoungpeopletomake asuccessoftheirlives. The overall aimoftheCharitableGroupistopromoteexcellenteducation, providingstrong

4 About United Learning United About About United Learning 5

Embedding our Framework for Excellence Our education approach is encapsulated in our Framework for Excellence which has become embedded across the Group over the year. The key principles of the Framework are: ƒƒ The best from everyone – to expect the highest standards from everyone all the time and so we constantly challenge everyone within our Group – students and staff – to do what they think they can’t, to persist, to work hard and to be at their best. ƒƒ Powerful knowledge – to uphold our students’ entitlement to subject-based learning and to place the teaching of literacy and numeracy at the heart of everything we do so that our students are fully prepared to make a success of their lives. ƒƒ Education with character – to provide our students with a vibrant range of enrichment activities in order to develop character, compassion and service. ƒƒ Leadership in every role – to give all our children – even the very youngest – the opportunity to lead and take responsibility for themselves and others. Likewise, we seek to encourage every adult in our schools to take responsibility and the initiative to do what is right for the children. ƒƒ Continuous improvement – to constantly look for improvements and implement them with pace so that we stop or change things that are not working and improve things which are. In doing so, we always look to have more impact for less cost and effort and to spend every pound wisely.

About United Learning 6 About United Learning 7 ƒ ƒ ƒ dip inperformanceatGCSE, ouracademies’average rose4percentagepoints. Over the course ofthe year, academic performance improved across the Group; despite a national Performance Improved Academic are informedbydataandevidence. directors, whosetstargetsandholdsschoolstoaccount throughformal, termlymeetings, which targets are derived for each year. The Head of each school reports to one of the education accordance with theirneeds. Eachschool has anestablished improvement plan fromwhich Over thecourseofyear, ourschoolshavecontinued toreceivechallengeandsupportin Strong SchoolImprovement ƒ In takingforward theFramework wehave: ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ Structured schools’termlyreportsaroundthe Framework. were attendedby161membersofstafffrom44differentschools; UCAS preparation, pupilexperiencesandthecreativecurriculuminprimaryschools; these best practice includingacademicmonitoringandtracking, mobile technology, leadership, Run 16Excellence Visits atfiveprimaryschoolsand11secondarycoveringareasof and videoexemplarsofbestpractice acrosstheGroup; Developed an online tool on the United Learning intranet to host content of the Framework Clearly communicatedthefiveprinciplesof Framework acrosstheGroupby: • • • • Creating 16 filmed case studies and How To Guides, sharing the verybestpractice in our schools; both centrally andinindividualschools; Increasingly placedtheFramework attheheartofourschoolimprovementapproach, with anoverviewdovetailedsessionsrelevant totheirexperienceandseniority; Providing participantsattheannualBestinEveryone Conference fornewemployees Leadership ConferenceinMarcharoundtheirarticulation; Incorporating theseintooursix-yearlyGroupEducationForums andbasingourannual ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ The followingschoolsreceivedISIinspections: ƒ ƒ ƒ At GCSE: ƒ ƒ ƒ There werenotableperformancesat: ƒ ƒ ƒ Level: At A Independent Schools ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ provision was judgedgoodoroutstandingacrossthe board. St IvesSchoolforGirlswas rated goodorexcellentinallcategories; similarly, itsEarly Years meet alltheNationalMinimum StandardsforBoarding; Collegiate School was inspected on its boarding provision and was judged to Surbiton HighSchoolwas rated excellent acrosstheboard; in allcategories; Lincoln MinsterSchoolwas inspectedonits Early Years provisionwhich was rated outstanding provision was judgedoutstandinginallareas; Hampshire Collegiate School was rated good or excellent in all categories; its Early Years 93% ofentriesweregraded A*-C 57% ofentriesweregraded A*/A 89% ofstudentsachievedfiveormore A*-Cgrades includingEnglishandmaths Surbiton HighSchoolwhere49%of A Levelsweregraded at A* or A. secured placesatRussellGroupuniversities; Ashford Schoolwhere50%of A Levelsweregraded at A* or A andtwothirdsofleavers up placesatOxbridge; where 40% of A Levels were awarded at A* and 16% of leavers took The overall passrate was 99.2% 90.1% ofentrieswereawarded A*-C 18.2% ofentrieswereawarded A*

8 About United Learning United About About United Learning 10 Kelsey Mills, Richard Rose Sixth Form College Form Richard Rose Sixth Mills, Kelsey Mills Kelsey , at Richard Rose Central As and 2 Bs at GCSE 4 A*s, 3 After achieving and As 3 achieved She College. Form Rose Sixth Richard at her education to continue decided AS Level and is now applying to university to study Psychology. a B at decisions important make her helped has Form Sixth Rose Richard the how explains Kelsey Here, about her future: in revision Whether it is my teachers at Richard Rose. felt incredibly supported by “I have always my teachers I know that or one-to-one catch-up classes, classes after school or in the holidays United Since the academies joined I need. grades on hand to help me achieve the are always standards and there is so there has been a big difference in the quality of teaching Learning, much more support available. my about decisions important make helping me in supportive equally have been teachers “My but through careers fairs and university talks had an interest in psychology I have always future. most suitable university courses for I have been able to identify the organised by the academy, along with my twin the confidence to apply for university which, My teachers have given me me. me the first in my family to go on would make Rose Sixth Form, sister who is also at the Richard people who academy is also helping me set up work experience with The to higher education. good as it can be.” work in psychology so that my university application can be as rose 10 percentage points to its highest ever results of 52% rose 10 percentage points to its ’s results doubled to 60% (5+ A*-C including English and maths); A*-C including English results doubled to 60% (5+ Academy’s Hreod Nova A*-C including (5+ results improved by 13 percentage points to 53% Academy’s Swindon English and maths); • • 62% of students made at least expected progress in maths made at least expected progress 62% of students 71% of students made at least expected progress in English made at least expected progress 71% of students The overall pass rate was 97.2% was pass rate overall The English and maths including A*-C grades achieved five or more 49.8% of students 68.9% of entries were awarded A*-C awarded entries were 68.9% of Our Swindon academies were two of only three schools in the area that improved their results: their improved that area the in schools three only of two were academies Swindon Our rose 10 percentage points to achieve its best ever results – 69% (5+ A*-C (5+ – 69% best ever results achieve its percentage points to rose 10 Academy Walthamstow it the joint second highest performing school in its borough. including English and maths) making results increased by 11 percentage points to 45% (5+ A*-C including points to 45% (5+ results increased by 11 percentage ’s the most improved school in the area; English and maths) and was Kettering Kettering Buccleuch Academy English and maths); A*-C including (5+ Richard Rose Morton Academies achieved their highest ever Richard Rose Morton and Our Richard Rose Central predecessor schools increasing by 16 and 15 percentage results either as academies or and maths) respectively; A*-C including English points to 45% and 52% (5+

ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ notable improvements and successes: were some There ƒ ƒ At GCSE: ƒ Academies Academies At A Level: ƒ Nine of our academies received full Ofsted inspections during the academic year. Five received full Ofsted inspections during the academic year. Nine of our academies received strong Winton Good outcomes Stockport Academy, , – , . Academy and two were removed from Special Measures during their inspection including Of the remaining four, Academy which joined the Group in September 2014. Richard Rose Central ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ 9 Learning United About About United Learning 11 make importantdecisions. Council Member andStudent Ambassador, Ihave learned howtohandle responsibility and ambitions forthefuture. Through theopportunitiestotake onrolessuchasPrefect, Student Rayma Risquet, WalthamstowRayma Academy results; itisaplacethathashelpedmegrow inconfidenceandrealisemy “For me, ismorethanjustaboutachievingexam Here, Raymaexplainstheimpact Walthamstow Academy hashadonher: in 2015. InJuly, shewontheGroup’s BestinEveryone Award forFrench. A*s atGCSEmakingher Walthamstow Academy’s highest achievingstudent enrolled initsGiftedand Talented Programme. This summersheachieved11 Rayma Risquetjoined Walthamstow Academy in Year 7andwas immediately dream ofstudyingMedicineatuniversity.” the extra mile for methatIachieved these grades andIbelievethat they canhelpme realise my without the support and encouragement of all my teachers. It was because they always went grades, Idecidedtostayattheacademyasrealisedthatcouldn’thaveachieved theseresults “I hadbeenofferedplacesatseveral localcollegesforSixthForm butonceIsawmyGCSE completing mygeography andEnglishlanguagecoursework! Whilst thesedebatesbroadenedmyhorizons, thesubjectmattercameinveryhandywhen encouraged me to find out what was happening around the worldand form a considered view. speaking andgavemetheconfidencetoexpressmyopinions. Italsoexpandedmymindand which isrunbytheGiftedand Talented students, gavemeinvaluable experienceinpublic “I havereallybenefitedfrommyinvolvementintheacademy’s SeniorDebateClub. The Club,

12 About United Learning United About About United Learning 13

Improving Primary School Performance There were significant improvements in Good Level of Development (GLD) achievement, with the Group average increasing from 54% to 62%. Across our independent primary schools, three quarters of pupils achieved Level 5 or higher at Key Stage 2 with seeing a 24 percentage point increase compared to the year before. Four out of the five of our primary academies receiving full Ofsted inspections during the academic The percentage of pupils achieving Level 5 or higher in writing increased by 8 percentage points year were judged to be Good – Abbey Hey Primary Academy, Grange Primary Academy, Hanwell to 64% with attainment at increasing by 17 percentage points. Maths also Fields Community School and The Victory Primary School. saw an improvement with a 3 percentage point increase in the number of pupils gaining Level 5 Closing the Gap or higher. Bournemouth Collegiate School improved their performance by 16 percentage points. We remain committed to ensuring our Free School Meals’ students are given every opportunity The proportion of pupils meeting the phonics standard at the end of Year 1 increased or to succeed and place a strong emphasis on helping them achieve excellent academic results. remained the same in almost all our primary academies – with an average 5 percentage point increase across the Group. Particularly strong improvements in this respect were seen at Abbey Amongst Free School Meals’ pupils at our primary academies, the percentage achieving a Level Hey Primary Academy, Beacon View Primary Academy, Hanwell Fields Community School and 4 in reading, writing and maths at the end of Key Stage 2 was 75% in August 2015. This is an . Corngreaves Primary Academy remained our highest performing primary increase of 11 percentage points compared with 2014. For the primary group as a whole, there academy with a score of 93%. is no longer a difference at Key Stage 2 on attainment and progress measures between those on Free School Meals and those not. There were improvements in Key Stage 2 writing and in spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG). The proportion of pupils achieving Level 4 and above in reading, writing and maths At secondary level, the number of Free School Meals’ students gaining five or more A*-C GCSEs combined increased in around half our primary academies – with significant progress seen at (including English and maths) improved to 40% from 37% in one year. This is in line with the Swindon Academy, Beacon View Primary Academy, The Victory Primary School and Silverdale improvement amongst students generally in the Group. Primary Academy (which made a 27 percentage point increase on its 2013/4 results).

About United Learning 14 Powerful Knowledge 15

During the course of the year we developed and began to implement a United Learning Curriculum in English and maths extending from Year 1 to Year 9. This highly rigorous academic curriculum builds on the new national curriculum to ensure all children in our schools learn the English and maths that they need to be successful at school and in life.

Powerful

Knowledge 16 Powerful Knowledge 18

The Group has also extended its use of 1-to-1 solutions, aiming to give every pupil access to Group has also extended its use of 1-to-1 solutions, The secondary primary and can be seen at both examples of this Good of their own. a computer School t from Guildford Higho Accrington Academy and independent and state, Southway level, is supporting this through ensuring that the educational Office Central The Primary School. implementation technology, high-quality through realised are tools other and iPads of benefits but using it well to for its novelty value, focus is not on using technology The and training. existing learning and teaching practices. deepen and accelerate enhance, Technology for Learning Technology 9 and Year Astronomy to offering GCSE our United Classroom initiative conducted the pilot of We successfully providing them with Academy and , 10 students from Lambeth scheme The that they would not otherwise be able to study. access to a highly academic subject subjects that schools are not at an affordable cost, to provide, harnesses the scale of the Group class sizes and the lack of appropriately qualified often able to deliver due to unsustainable this make for Education to Apps initiative utilises free technologies such as Google The teachers. via Google Hangouts to sharing files through Google Docs. from instituting live classes possible, 17 Knowledge Powerful Powerful Knowledge 20 “Whilst it was challenging to cover the GCSE content in less than a year, in some ways learning ways in some less than a year, to cover the GCSE content in challenging “Whilst it was back go could we so recorded were they live, lessons watched we Although easier. was this like topics research so we could at computers, sat also were We revision. for our through them ‘chat a One of the really useful things was something. immediately if we did not understand group could answer these – not just the teacher – so we anyone from the questions; for box’ each other where we could. to help were really encouraged Before we really valuable. Academy was from Lambeth “Getting the chance to meet students Greenwich Observatory, all spent a day together at the Royal started the astronomy course we face on the a case of seeing everyone’s it was Then another. so that we could get to know one the other students and seeing the I enjoyed working with week. screen during our lessons each a problem. through worked in which each person different ways really and physics, in particular well, studies other my complemented the course found “I GCSE in A* an achieved Having science. on focus to continue to wanted I that me to confirmed A Level and then maths and economics at chemistry, I am planning to study physics, Astronomy, at university.” I hope to go on to study Physics Here Surbiton High School student Julia Hussain describes her experience of Here Surbiton High School student had on her future plans: the project and the impact it has to share scheme is great because it allows teachers United Classroom “The It was be in two places – or more – at once. knowledge across schools and that not many people have the opportunity a new experience for me and one to access. in part because astronomy Astronomy GCSE; “I really enjoyed taking on the

United Classroom, by Julia Hussain United Classroom, The initiative. piloted its United Classroom the Group successfully year, During the academic Astronomy to a selection of to teach GCSE software pilot involved using video conferencing Academy. and Lambeth students at Surbiton High School 7 Years Astronomy Club from member of my school’s interested me (having been a has always and the video lessons were so different to of learning a new way to 9) but also because it was what we were used to. 19 Knowledge Powerful Education with Character

Just as we strive for academic excellence across our schools, we also place great emphasis on offering our pupils a wide range of experiences designed to broaden their horizons and help them develop into compassionate, confident and adventurous individuals. Excellent Pupil Experience United Learning’s Pupil Charter [link to booklet on this] sets out the entitlement we believe that every young person in the Group has for excellent enrichment opportunities. During the year, 12,786 pupils took part in some form of group-wide pupil experience designed to challenge and engage them and introduce them to new experiences, including: ƒƒ An extensive range of group-wide sporting and musical activities; ƒƒ UnitedApp 2015 Competition: This unique competition challenged pupils to come up with a pitch for an educational app. 4,050 Year 9 pupils at every secondary school in the Group participated in an idea generation workshop where they learnt how to design educational apps. Over 800 pupils submitted an idea and ten finalists were pitched to the judges. The winners were a girls’ team from Nova Hreod Academy in Swindon. Their app idea was to help parents of primary school pupils better assist their children with their maths homework. The girls worked Education with the United Learning technology team to build their app [link to app] which is now available in the App Store. Manchester Academy came second and came third. ƒƒ Access to Poetry: More than 800 pupils took part in poetry workshops with our ambassador, with Character Paul Cookson, and 120 attended the festival of poetry held in Surbiton this year. 22 Education with Character 24 Anti-Bullying Showcase receiving Pupil Park and Sheffield to celebrate the achievements of achievements the celebrate to Awards Everyone in Best which were awarded an #Iwillcampaign award an #Iwillcampaign award Regis School which were awarded The which was named Outstanding Access School by the National Education Access School by the National Education named Outstanding which was 20 schools took part in local and global social action activities and 300 students students 300 and activities action global social and in local took part 20 schools

Headmaster of Ashford School who was elected Chairman-Elect of HMC for 2016/17; elected Chairman-Elect School who was Ashford Headmaster of Buchanan, Mike Corngreaves Academy and for their leadership of social action within their schools. receiving Unicef UK’s top school award becoming one of only 13 schools becoming one of only 13 schools top school award Regis School receiving Unicef UK’s The Award; nationally to be given the Level 2 Rights Respecting winning national awards from The Good Schools Guide The from School winning national awards Grammar William Hulme’s AS Level and mathematics at GCSE at an taking biology at for excellent performance by girls English comprehensive school; Manchester Academy for its work in helping its students to enter Higher Education; Opportunities Network (NEON) Principal, Frank McCarron who was recognised as Head Teacher of the Teacher recognised as Head was McCarron who Frank Stockport Academy Principal, Awards; News Schools at the Manchester Evening Year being selected by the Diana Trust to be one of its Trust Stockport Academy being selected by the Diana from Award to receive the Gold the only school in the country Stockport Academy which was in Schools programme; Carers Young Society for their and the Children’s Trust the Carers academies including Paddington Several students at disadvantaged for the strong progress and attainment of their Awards Premium Stage 4; Key Schools of 2015; We Day: We concert. Day We for the stadium Wembley trip to with a awarded were

ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ On an individual level, many of our schools and their staff celebrated impressive achievements including: celebrated staff many of our schools and their level, On an individual ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ our students and staff. Nearly 4,500 nominations were received for awards that celebrate celebrate that awards received for were 4,500 nominations Nearly and staff. our students the classroom. and outside both inside and team achievements individual outstanding Everyone in Best the inaugural held we grow, awards these of significance and the size As to the travelled finalists The by our youngest pupils. achievement which marked Primary Awards tour of the Houses trip on the London Eye and a for the ceremony and enjoyed a House of Lords their first ever visit to London. for many, in what was, of Parliament, ƒ ƒ annual third the held we July, In 23 Character with Education Education with Character 26 Russell Group Entrance Project Russell Group receive independent school pupils that to extend the excellent preparation project looked This and to get pupils Universities to schools across the Partnership for applying to Russell Group life in a meaningful way. of other backgrounds and walks working together with people from Academy Shoreham School, Bournemouth Collegiate 12 pupils from , Year identified were Pupils programme. inaugural the part in took College Rother Midhurst and surrounding issues address to students other with work to desire and potential high their for which during Cambridge, in residential day two a included programme The access. university existing students at Cambridge University and an admissions they heard from top academics, also began projects that will be They development sessions. tutor and participated in leadership to including offering UCAS advice university preparation developed in future years to improve Stage 3 students. skills workshops for Key GCSE students and holding study

First Successes for the Partnership Fund for the Partnership Successes First the a generous initial donation from established in July 2014 with was Fund Partnership The between is to nurture collaboration purpose of the Partnership The Foundation. Alan Howard of exceptional for students and staff through a range schools and deliver access to enrichment development opportunities. experiences and personal sporting and cultural academic, Learning and ten associate independent is made up of schools from across United Partnership The and School London of City (including country the in prestigious most the among from schools Marlborough College). of opportunities across the part in a huge variety thousands of pupils have taken Over the year, to meet able been have schools independent and academies from 40 teachers Likewise country. through shared professional development. their practice and work together to improve projects developed through the Fund this year include: Key 25 Character with Education Education with Character 28

Extending our commitment to sport and wellbeing Extending our commitment Learning United different a representing each people sports (leading Ambassadors Sport Our year we were pleased to welcome This our schools. have continued to work closely with value) with worked Ambassadors Sport The Team. Ambassadors our to Alcott Chemmy skier Olympic their part of As the year. of the course during schools our of 60% over in students 4,100 over The from across the Group. led five X-Elle events attended by 300 girls the ambassadors work, girls into sport. sought to encourage Alex Danson, Alcott and led by Chemmy events, from four schools took part 24 students Ambassadors, Sports In addition to the work by our Holmes in partnership with the Dame Kelly Achieve’ programme to TRACK ‘On in a pilot of the students and teachers reported four months of mentoring from an elite athlete, After Trust. improvement on all 21 measures. Bespoke collaborations Bespoke between schools. one-to-one partnerships the development of smaller Fund has facilitated The and pupil of number a held have College Marlborough and Academy Swindon example, For making a video in Spanish at Marlborough spent a weekend Swindon pupils staff exchanges. have been reading with and Marlborough pupils Sixth Formers. with the help of Marlborough across placements in participated have teachers trainee and Swindon at pupils 6 Year mentoring both schools. 27 Character with Education Education with Character 30 “ joined United Learning in the spring of 2014. At the time, it At the time, spring of 2014. joined United Learning in the “Dunottar School owners who did not think it had a facing imminent closure by its previous was potential as a United Learning believed it had huge viable future as a school. it on. thriving school and so we took on 1st September from being Deputy Head at Teacher I joined as its Head spent the past year thriving on the challenge of Guildford High School and have Over the year we have taken massive steps as a school. We have had an amazing 40% increase in pupil in increase 40% amazing an had have We school. a as steps massive taken have we year the Over third of our pupils are now boys! a has been a huge success; numbers and our move to co-education with others in United Learning. we have enjoyed building our relationships Across the school, from in helping us introduce boys’ have had some excellent assistance We Centre Symposium Biomedical International the Oxford to host sport and we were delighted and activities morning's a us for joined schools of variety a wide from staff and which pupils in from University College London and the University of Oxford workshops delivered by scientists Fund. as part of the United Learning Partnership with for joint CPD the opportunity embraced departments have and geography Our history their involvement in the deep professional Through colleagues from our other schools. Our First United Learning Year by Rowena Cole, Dunottar School Cole, by Rowena Year United Learning Our First completing our transition into the Group, welcoming our first boys to the school and introducing the school and to first boys welcoming our into the Group, our transition completing opportunities that United Learning offers. our pupils and staff to the varied A partnership established with English Pocket Opera Company to deliver a national opera opera national a deliver to Company Opera Pocket English with established partnership A tour in 2016 that will reach over 5,000 students across the Group. An Ambassador programme established for Music and Performing Arts, with individuals to Arts, for Music and Performing established Ambassador programme An Alexander L’Estrange; composer include the celebrated The appointment of a Music and Performing Arts lead as part of the Partnership Fund; as part of the Partnership Arts lead appointment of a Music and Performing The

ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ Staff across the Group also benefited from our sports provision with Team Sky’s Fran Millar Fran Sky’s Team our sports provision with Group also benefited from Staff across the at also the guest presenter She was leaders at the Leadership Conference. speaking to school Belfry. The subject network day in July at the PE and sport visit by the Head of Sport; a Sport Premium quality assurance 66% of primary schools received ten detailing their plans for spending their Sport Premium; 100% have website information Impact Statements detailing the benefit of this funding. to complete schools are on track Arts and Performing A national focus on Music a including audiences, and international national to successfully performed schools have Our from Guildford High School which AKS and productions in July 2015 for York music tour to New to great acclaim. Festival Fringe were performed at the Edinburgh teachers are increasingly there have been a number of developments as schools and Centrally, including: nationally and in regional clusters, working collaboratively, ƒ 29 Character with Education Education with Character 32

development for teachers initiative, we have been able to refresh some of our classroom teaching; our classroom some of to refresh have been able we initiative, for teachers development areas too. in other subject but in sharing best practice not just in humanities it is often When you are a smaller school, events. enjoying the group-wide Our pupils are really them to enter for been wonderful it has so competitions for together teams get enough hard to Awards. Best in Everyone competition and the the UnitedApp things like and to help be involved in the extension of the United Classroom project were fortunate to We doors to us to share in it is opening Once again, physics. A Level prepare for the provision of a a level of expertise that we could never have accessed as activities and opportunities with stand-alone school. it is on its journey and everyone who comes around a school where know when you walk You and positive! But it is also good to get change is both rapid here can tell that the pace of and our add exceptional value our summer exam results were very strong with the evidence; the rate of parents 90% Over encouraging. very been findings have survey parental and staff here as either Good or Excellent. care teaching and the pastoral Learning getting involved, a school that would have closed a year ago without United For are and wrong, of Dunottar the future viability questioned those that we have already proved locally becoming the school to watch. day by day, quickly, I am delighted to say that not “Love Dunottar”. called campaign to save the school was The during that time but it community just as tangible as it was only is the love from the school's As the both boys and girls. of Dunottar pupils, is now being experienced by a new generation its journey as part of the school approaches its 90th year it is safe to say that as it continues rigour and excitement.” family of United Learning schools it does so with new life, 31 Character with Education Outstanding People and Leadership 34

Outstanding People and Leadership People 33 Outstanding People and Leadership 35 the programme. teaching intheGroup’s schools. For the2015/16academicyear, 82trainees wererecruitedfor trainees successfullygraduating thissummer. Approximately 80%ofthesegraduates arenow In the 2014/15 academic year, 101 people commenced their United Teaching training, with 88 Expanding United Teaching asafirstchoicegraduatescheme the rightprogress andwatching theirsuccesses. For instance, Iremember onetrainee atSalford meeting people atcareersfairsand choosingtheirplacement school, toensuring theymake One ofthemostrewarding partsofmyjobiswatching thedevelopmentofourtrainees. From may notgetelsewhere. development (CPD), relocation servicesorcareerenhancementandleadership training thatthey its teachers. BeingpartofsuchaGroupenablesteachers toaccesscontinuousprofessional in schoolsacrossUnitedLearningandothers– as evidenceoftheopportunitiesGroupaffords Graduates I meet really appreciate my background – having worked in London and in the North, trainees areflexiblewiththelocation, Iknowthereisaschoolthatwillsuitthemperfectly. the United Teaching scheme; becausewehavesomanyschoolsacrossthecountry, aslong of whichourschoolswouldsuitthembest. Ithinkthat’s thebeautyofUnitedLearningand Hulme’s GrammarSchool Yassamin Sheel Assistant Principal, United Teaching –North, William potential trainees at careers fairs during the year, I had a deeper knowledge which theyeachoperate. For me, thiswas vital. When Ithenmetgraduates and understand theirspecificneedsandtogetafirst-handsenseofthecontextin As partofthis, Ispenttwomonthstouringournorthernacademiesinorderto the northernUnited Teaching hubbasedat William Hulme’s Grammar School. The 2014/15academicyearsawmemovefromPaddington Academy to lead

36 Outstanding People and Leadership and People Outstanding Outstanding People and Leadership 38 Great CPD Learning Institute has had United The strength of the Group. Developing leaders is a particular such participating in programmes up amongst senior leaders with 100% of Heads significant take Leaders and over a quarter Over half of Senior ILM 7 and the GEF. as Leadership Development, Coaching Skills including Masters degrees, in programmes of Middle Leaders have participated Executive Principal Shadick, During 2014/15 the Group appointed Jan Leaders. Teaching and is working with national Jan offer. ‘United Leadership’ to develop our Academy, at Lambeth development leadership middle in record track reputable a have who Leaders Teaching charity with impact. research on drawing CPD, school great makes what of review dive’ ‘deep a undertook Group The Office is working with a network of Central As a result, Trust. Development Teacher from the schools to secure outstanding CPD in all of our schools. Developing our talented people Developing we have Group, already working within the huge leadership potential of those Recognising the During the year through our Developing Leaders programme. continued to identify future Heads senior people who we had identified as ready for Headship. we supported and developed 34 of within the Group during the academic year – almost 50% Seven of these secured Headships that year. all Headship appointments made

City Academy, Danielle Sanderson, who had previously worked at the school before undertaking at the had previously worked who Danielle Sanderson, Academy, City to and determined she had been I know how resilient (ITT) year. Training Teaching her Initial at the end of it. ‘outstanding’ her achieve to see incredibly gratifying so it was succeed, value our so we really how difficult the ITT year can be for trainees, in mind keep always We you will have formal weekly It is probably the only time in your career when mentoring system. shape and develop excellent teachers as well as supporting feedback and this is vital to help the right had a great experience is when we’ve matched them with have Where trainees them. they have to work well together. mentor for them; of our A number in individual schools. impact of our trainees I also enjoy seeing the positive and so recruiting the right teachers their own transformation academies are in the middle of really with schools our to staff is helping Teaching United success. their to critical job is the for the for 2015/16 applied through trainees Academy’s – all of Stockport high-quality graduates programme. from about the Group is that I can rely on excellent practice What I find is particularly special they Academy, Buccleuch Academies in Carlisle to Kettering the Richard Rose From our schools. not And it’s CPD sessions for our trainees. support by delivering high-quality provide invaluable with fields their in experts real have schools our special; is that practice day-to-day the only outstanding knowledge bases. 37 Leadership and People Outstanding Outstanding People and Leadership 40 and other senior roles and provided them with developmental opportunities, including interim developmental opportunities, roles and provided them with and other senior we have put when particularly pleasing that, It has been promotions to SLT. Principalship and to want We well. they have performed up against external applicants, our internal candidates job. the for candidate best the appoint we ensure to want always likewise but talent encourage a strong start which made programme, Teaching our United of the year was Another highlight to looking are We Group. the across schools in roles secure graduates our of all almost saw and and retain staff through careers fairs and further offer to attract build on this by developing our we need new teachers in; not just about getting know it’s We developing our mentoring scheme. stages of their career. to really support them in the next ‘Back to School’ initiative in which we each spend the team really enjoy All of us in the Central with someone we wouldn’t normally have contact with. a day at one of our schools working an was and Office staff member undertook during the year that every Central something It’s meet staff and students in their own schools, opportunity to go out into individual invaluable elsewhere in the Group. environment and see what is happening going Vicky Corke Attendance Officer Park’s I spent a day with Sheffield During my own visit, extremely was experience The families. with local meeting and community local into the out of my own work into perspective by hearing about the lives enlightening and it helped to put to serve and the challenges some of them face merely to get the individual students our schools school in the morning. But it each day. is something that we all try to live up to “the best in everyone” Our ethos of and her colleagues in our schools that gives me the greatest Vicky is the work of people like doing so. to keep incentive and inspiration One of the things I love most about working in United Learning’s Central Central in United Learning’s I love most about working One of the things who are all range of departments encompasses people from a Office is that it an run To our schools. of success the to the scenes, behind often contributing, from professions such as ours requires skills and expertise organisation like profile roles such as our Purchase but also in lesser high Technology HR and just as vital to team who also work incredibly hard and are Ledger and Payroll the smooth running of the Group.

Lindsay Batchford, Head of HR and Deputy Director of People Head of HR and Lindsay Batchford, During this year, being named national HR Practitioner of the Year at the HR Awards was obviously was Awards the HR at Year of the being named national HR Practitioner During this year, that it was most important to me what was won but overall thrilled to have I was a highlight. really has award the think I people. our on place we value the and Learning United recognised and and reflects the great work that we have done to develop put us on the map as an employer the country. support head teachers around which gives of our group-wide business partnering scheme, the second year year marked This this appreciate really teachers Head technology. and finance HR, for person ‘go-to’ a schools they now have a lead people, internal networks and valued in addition to their own initiative as, can build and they In this way they can work closely. area with whom advisor on each practice can act as a sounding board, they trust and who with someone develop a strong relationship schools get better relationship; a two way It’s functions. critical friend and link to the central too. advice and we get instant feedback about how we are doing and is a continued priority for Our talent spotting initiative has also had a successful year headship for ready were who teachers of number a identified we Group, the Across 2015/16. 39 Leadership and People Outstanding Outstanding People and Leadership 42

Successful Staff Engagement Successful Staff Engagement Score (defined Our Overall Survey. responded to our annual Staff 81% of employees effort into their work in the willingness to put discretionary “an employee’s by Ipsos Mori as compared to a UK is extremely favourable This rose to 72%. thought and energy”) form of time, education sector norm of 59%. a public sector norm of 51% and an norm of 55%, to respond to the survey and this year there were is invited Every employee in our schools expressing understanding and familiarity with the Group’s significant increases in scores effort to improve follows a concerted internal communications This vision and strategy. values, results in previous surveys. understanding of these issues following 41 Leadership and People Outstanding An Enabling Centre 43

Facilitating new schools into the Group We were pleased to welcome the following new schools into our Group: ƒƒ – an all-through free school in Barking, London that opened its doors to its first cohort of Reception pupils; ƒƒ – a secondary school in West London previously known as Hurlingham and Chelsea School joined us in January 2015; ƒƒ High Hazels Academy – joined the Group in January 2015 replacing a partnership between Greenlands Nursery Infant School and Greenlands Junior School in Darnall; ƒƒ Richard Rose Central and Morton Academies, Carlisle – which completed their moves into United Learning on 1st September 2014 following a period of substantial educational support from the Group. An

Enabling Centre 44 An Enabling Centre 45

Welcoming new Group Board and Executive Team members The Group appointed Richard Greenhalgh to succeed Sir Michael Graydon as Chairman of United Learning. Sir Michael stood down after 18 years of Board-level involvement with the Group and had been Chair since 2012. The Group remains indebted to Sir Michael for his many years of dedication, commitment and loyalty to its schools. At the beginning of the academic year, we were delighted to welcome Dame Sally Coates as Director of Secondary Academies – South. Dame Sally joined the Group from Burlington Danes Academy. Developing an Outstanding Team We continued to strengthen the expertise within our Central functions with recruitment to roles including Lead Safeguarding Officer and Company Secretary. Our Deputy Director of People, Lindsay Batchford was awarded HR Magazine’s prestigious “Practitioner of the Year” in the 2015 HR Excellence Awards.

An Enabling Centre 46 Exceptional Learning Environments

We remain committed to providing our students with the very best facilities which will enable them to study a broad curriculum and participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities. Over the course of the year, we have continued to invest in major capital projects for our independent schools. These have included: ƒƒ Provision of new high-quality boarding accommodation at ; ƒƒ Alteration works at Surbiton High Junior Boys’ School to enable it to offer two-form entry; ƒƒ Completion of the new Sports Hall at AKS; ƒƒ Refurbishment of the Ashford School International Centre; ƒƒ Construction of a new building at Rowan Preparatory School. Creating and Through Capital Grant Funding from the EFA, we have been able to: ƒƒ Build new classrooms at Hanwell Fields Community School; Maintaining Exceptional ƒƒ Build a new nursery facility at North Oxfordshire Academy.

Learning Environments 48 About United Learning www.unitedlearning.org.uk | 01832 864444 | @UnitedLearning www.unitedlearning.org.uk United Learning comprises: UCST (Registered in No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and Charity No. 2780748. No: UCST (Registered in England United Learning comprises: Registered address: United Learning, Fairline House, Nene Valley Business Park, Oundle, Northamptonshire, PE8 4HN Northamptonshire, Oundle, Business Park, Valley Nene House, Fairline United Learning, Registered address: ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee. VAT number 834 8515 12. VAT Companies limited by guarantee. An Exempt Charity). 4439859. (Registered in England No. ULT