STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

Unity Education Trust (UET) delivers high-quality education to over 3,000 students aged 3-19 across various school locations in Norfolk. The Trust focuses on creating a welcoming, caring, and disciplined environment to support academic, pastoral, and social development. With a commitment to school improvement, collaboration, and individual school identities, UET aims to enhance student outcomes and foster growth. The document outlines key pillars guiding strategic decisions and emphasizes continuous development and expansion opportunities.

• Education Trust
• Strategic Overview
• Norfolk
• School Improvement
• High Quality

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1. UNITY EDUCATION TRUST STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

2. CONTENTS Introduction High Quality and Inclusive Education School Improvement Workforce Finance and Operations Governance and Leadership Developing & Growing Unity Education Trust Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Pages 8 &9 Page 10

3. INTRODUCTION Unity Education Trust (UET) delivers a high-quality educational experience to more than 3,000 pupils aged 3-19 in 25 mainstream, specialist, alternative provision and complex needs school locations across Norfolk. The overarching aim for the Trust is for our schools to provide an environment which is welcoming, caring, calm, disciplined and purposeful and, through the Unity Way , to stretch our young people academically, support them pastorally and help them develop socially. We believe in allowing each of our schools to retain its own distinct identity, firmly rooted in its local community and supported by efficient central services and expertise. All our academies are focused on school improvement, sharing best practice and developing deep partnerships that will embed consistent levels of student outcomes and ensure positive progress. This document sets out the five quality pillars which guide UET s strategic decision-making and concludes with a statement about the Trust s approach to further development and growth. Should you require any further information or wish to arrange a visit to Unity Education Trust or are a school/trust looking to join a forward looking Multi Academy Trust contact details are available on the website www.unityeducationtrust.uk Mr Alan Jones, Chair of Trustees Mr Glyn Hambling, Chief Executive Officer September 2023. Unity Education Trust Dereham Sixth Form College Crown Road Dereham NR20 4AG

4. HIGH-QUALITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION UET creates a culture in all its schools that is motivating and ambitious for all, including disadvantaged children and children with SEND, so that students can achieve their full potential. We: Offer a broad and balanced curriculum which interests, motivates and allows students to make progress at a challenging pace Aim to achieve outcomes for students which are at or above national equivalents Operate as a non-selective Trust following the LA admissions criteria Maintain and develop a high-quality model of alternative/specialist provision for additional needs learners in the eastern region Provide inclusive pastoral and safeguarding support, effective learning support and SEND services, and enriching extra-curricular activities Ensure high standards of behaviour, positive environments and work ethic the Unity Way Enable all children to leave school well prepared for the next stage of education, employment and training, and equipped to enter the adult world with confidence Share consistent best practice between schools within the Trust, and promote partnership work with other Trusts and stakeholders

5. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT UET creates a culture of continuous improvement in its schools though self-evaluation, challenge, support and appropriate action. We: Operate precise and focussed improvement planning that is designed to develop all our schools, including: Executive-led Review Boards to challenge and support school leaders School Improvement Boards with Trustee membership for schools in an Ofsted category or judged by our own review processes to require improvement in some areas Provision of a central school improvement team (Education Directorate) delivering a rigorous and robust programme of Quality Assurance Effective data support, ensuring understanding, interpretation and application of performance data by all staff A programme of external support and verification to ensure all UET schools have systems and practices in place to enable them to become centres of excellence Take on challenging schools and turn them round by delivering broad and sustainable improvement Support the wider system in sharing best practice

6. WORKFORCE UET creates a high-performing working culture for all staff that promotes collaboration, aspiration and support. We use the flexibilities of the trust structure to create opportunities for staff. We recognise the critical value of high-quality teaching and champion the profession. We: Promote a work life balance for all staff, prioritise well-being and ensure inclusive working environments, encouraging of equality and diversity Recruit and retain excellent staff by ensuring there are career opportunities within the Trust and effective and comprehensive continued professional development Prioritise effective behaviour and attendance policies to create a safe environment in which to work and learn Contribute to the wider system by providing placements for, and development of, new and early career teachers Encourage collaboration across schools within the Trust - and with professionals in other Trusts - to share expertise and best practice Ensure effective performance management using Lessons Learned to enable all staff to build their expertise through evidence- based professional development and mentoring

7. FINANCE AND OPERATIONS UET recognises the importance of effective and efficient use of resources for the benefit of all schools in the Trust and wider education system. We: Use financial data and intelligence to set a stable, accurate and sustainable long-term financial strategy for the Trust. Also, we deliver value for money and minimise risk across all our operations thereby enabling resources to be concentrated to the front line of our schools. Use school and trust resource management benchmarking tools and Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning to inform resource allocation decisions Prepare and implement capital and IT development plans Operate a reserves policy that provides a sufficient contingency for short-term cash flow needs as well as sufficient funds for emergencies, unforeseen operational costs and possible contributions to major capital projects. We seek to hold levels of reserves which are neither too high, so that they tie up money which should be spent on current Trust/school activities, nor too low, that they put future activities at risk Have strong financial and information management systems with effective oversight, as well as policies and processes in place to minimise risk of fraud, data breaches and financial mismanagement. Operate central integrated support and shared services covering education, finance and business, operational and administration, HR, data protection, site and estates support.

8. GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP UET s Board and Executive Leadership Team anchor the Trust s strategy in the needs of its schools and serve the wider educational system in line with its charitable objectives. The Accounting Officer, Board and Leadership Team create a culture of ethical leadership including the Seven Principles of Public Life. Accordingly: The Board: ensures it is made up of Trustees with the necessary expertise to fulfil its functions, and it acts in accordance with the Trust s charitable objectives sets and champions a clear strategy for the Trust in line with its charitable objectives, covering all pillars of trust quality as set out in this overview document, including the Board s aspirations for growth ensures high-quality executive leadership, sets clear objectives for the CEO, agrees appropriate levels of renumeration for the CEO and executive team, and maintains sufficient independence from the leadership team to allow scrutiny of their performance and that of the Trust as a whole holds the executive to account for the delivery of the Trust s Development Plan and assures itself of the integrity of financial information, of the effectiveness of risk management and of compliance with all regulatory, contractual and statutory requirements, including safeguarding ensures a high performing governance structure, accesses independent insight (audits, reviews of governance),provides board and governor training, and supports effective succession planning for key roles with a focus on promoting diversity of thought and experience oversees strategic relationships with external stakeholders working in conjunction with local Academy Stakeholder Committees

9. GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP - CONTINUED The CEO: Leads the Executive Leadership Team to create an effective Trust operating model with clarity about the delivery of Trust and school-level activities Leads a high-performing Executive Team ensuring it acts within the levels of authority delegated by the Board Implements annual operating plan and budget, delivers effective risk management, ensures compliance with regulatory, contractual and statutory requirements including those within the Academy Trust Handbook Safeguards and promotes the welfare of children and has regard to any guidance on safeguarding issued by the Secretary of State Supports the Trustees and local governors to meet their duties and responsibilities Communicates the Trust s strategy, plans and achievements to stakeholders The Board and the CEO: Review progress rigorously to ensure the delivery of strategic objectives and operational plans Work in partnership to ensure effective relationships between executive leaders and Trustees/governors Agree annual operating plan & budget for the Trust that deliver on Trust strategy, and agree metrics and process by which progress will be assessed Involve parents, schools and communities so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement

10. DEVELOPING & GROWING UNITY Statement of Growth In a world of ongoing change, bringing together leaders to shape and drive the educational ambition and operational management of a group of schools provides a powerful way to chart a successful path into the future. Unity Education Trust is a Norfolk-based MAT working with primary and secondary schools in mainstream settings and also alternative/specialist provision for the most vulnerable and challenging learners in the Eastern Region. The Trust is committed to working with like-minded organisations where this offers mutual advantages. We recognise that growing our Trust can bring benefits, but we reject growth for its own sake. Our approach is to establish new partnerships and build on existing ones which have been underpinned by trust and mutual respect, a shared ethos and a history of being rooted in the community. If this leads to more formal organisational changes, then we welcome that. In addition, as a DfE approved sponsor academy, we are willing to work with schools which require support to improve outcomes for learners. The Trust model for recruitment and growth will be carefully planned and operate on local partnerships and Hub School provision. Any new school wishing to join the Trust will be carefully scrutinised through a documented due diligence process involving a review of finance, achievement, staffing, health & safety and facilities. With any potential growth the Trust is clear that there will always be sufficient infrastructure dedicated to providing school improvement and back-office support. With growth we will look to establish hub schools to ensure quality local school-to-school support, sustained leadership capacity and school improvement. Trustees will monitor progress and regularly review what needs to happen to support schools further. Unity Education Trust is committed to developing mutually beneficial partnerships with individual schools and Clusters, businesses and other Multi Academy Trusts.