Schools

Before exploring any partnership with a multi-academy trust, it’s important to take time to reflect on your school’s values, vision, and priorities. Joining a trust is not just an administrative change—it’s a cultural and strategic decision that will shape your school’s future. Here are some key questions to consider as you start the journey:

• What is our school’s long-term vision—and can we achieve it alone?

Consider whether joining a trust could accelerate your progress or provide the support you need to go further, faster.

• What challenges are we currently facing—and where could we use extra support?

Think about areas such as leadership capacity, staff development, curriculum planning, governance, or finance.

• Are we looking to grow and innovate, or to stabilise and consolidate?

Understanding your priorities will help you identify the kind of trust that aligns with your school’s direction.

• What kind of partnership are we looking for?

Some schools want hands-on guidance, while others seek a more collaborative relationship. It's important to know what level of autonomy and support you expect.

• How do we want our school’s identity to be respected and preserved?

Consider how much you value your school’s ethos, traditions, and branding—and how important it is that these are maintained within a wider trust structure.

Being clear on your answers will help you engage confidently with potential trusts and ensure you find the right fit—not just for your leadership team, but for your staff, learners, and community.

Once you’ve reflected on your school’s needs and aspirations, the next step is to evaluate whether a particular trust is the right fit. Every multi-academy trust operates differently, so it’s vital to ask the right questions and get a clear picture of how the partnership would work in practice. Here are some key areas to explore:

• Vision and Values

Does the trust’s ethos align with your own? Ask how their values shape decision-making, school improvement, and daily practice.

• Support and Autonomy

What kind of support does the trust offer in areas like curriculum, teaching and learning, finance, and HR? How much autonomy do schools retain in managing their own affairs?

• Track Record

How has the trust supported improvement in other schools? What do outcomes look like across the trust—and how are they measured?

• Leadership and Governance

Who leads the trust, and what is their background? How are decisions made? What role will your governors and senior leaders play in shaping the future of your school?

• Staff Development and Culture

What investment does the trust make in developing staff at all levels? Is there a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and wellbeing?

• Financial Transparency and Sustainability

How are funds managed and allocated? What financial oversight and planning processes are in place?

• School Identity

Will your school be able to retain its name, uniform, traditions, and community links? How does the trust balance consistency with individuality?

We know that joining a trust is a big step—one that involves careful planning, consultation, and support. At INOVA Multi-Academy Trust, we aim to make the process clear, collaborative, and tailored to your school’s needs. Here's what you can typically expect:

• Initial Conversations

It starts with an open, informal conversation. We want to understand your school’s context, aspirations, and challenges—and we’ll share what life is like within our trust. This is a mutual process of discovery, not a commitment.

• Exploration and Due Diligence

If both sides want to explore further, we move into a more detailed information-sharing phase. This includes educational, financial, and operational due diligence—giving you a full understanding of what joining the trust would involve, and giving us insight into how best we can support you.

• Stakeholder Engagement

We believe in the importance of transparency and community. We'll help you plan and manage meaningful consultation with staff, governors, and parents—so everyone understands what the change means, and why it’s being considered.

• Formal Agreement

Once there’s mutual agreement to proceed, we work together on the legal and regulatory steps involved in converting or transferring your school into the trust. We’ll provide full support throughout this process, including liaison with the Department for Education.

• Onboarding and Integration

Joining doesn’t stop on the day you officially become part of the trust. We provide a tailored onboarding and transition plan that supports your leadership team, staff, and governors in adapting to new systems, processes, and opportunities for collaboration.

Throughout the entire process, we work alongside you with openness, care, and a commitment to doing what’s best for your school community.

At INOVA Multi-Academy Trust, we believe in the power of strong partnerships, shared purpose, and local identity. We are a community of unique schools united by shared values and a belief that excellence comes from both individuality and collaboration. 

Your Uniqueness Adds Value

One of the first things you'll hear from us is: we're not here to make every school look the same. In fact, your uniqueness is exactly what makes our Trust stronger. Here's how: 

• Fresh thinking: Each school adds something new - whether it's a creative way of teaching, a pastoral strength, or a community connection. Everyone learns from each other.
• Community-First Approach: You know your pupils and families best. We trust you to make the right decisions for them. 
• Stronger Together: Our differences mean we can support one another in meaningful ways, especially when facing challenges. 
• A Rich Professional Network: Staff benefit from working with colleagues across a diverse range of schools, boosting development and sharing ideas. 
• Celebrating what makes you, you: We don't define success with a single template. We'll help you build on what you already do well - and support you to go even further. 

Schools join us because they want to be part of something bigger—without losing what makes them unique. Here’s why we believe we’re the right trust for schools looking to grow, improve, and thrive:

✔ A Values-Led, Inclusive Approach

We’re a mission-driven trust that places equity, inclusion, and excellence at the heart of everything we do. We support all pupils to succeed—whatever their starting point—and work to create a culture where staff and students feel valued, supported, and empowered.

✔ Collaboration Without Compromise

Our schools benefit from meaningful collaboration—not top-down control. We share ideas, resources, and expertise across the trust, but we also protect what makes each school distinctive. Local leadership, local governance, and local identity still matter here.

✔ Expert Support You Can Rely On

Whether it’s curriculum development, SEND provision, safeguarding, or financial planning—our experienced central team is here to lighten the load. We give leaders the time and space to focus on teaching, learning, and school culture.

✔ A Proven Track Record of Improvement

We’re proud of the progress our schools make. From raising achievement to improving staff retention and wellbeing, our impact is clear—and growing. We don’t chase quick wins. We build sustainable, long-term success.

✔ Professional Growth for All

Through our Institute of Talent, we offer structured development pathways for staff at every level—from early career teachers to aspiring headteachers. If your school wants to grow great educators and future leaders, we’re ready to support that journey.

We’re proud of the strong, supportive relationships we build with our schools—and those partnerships work best when there’s shared understanding from the start. Here’s what we look for in schools that join our trust:

• A commitment to collaboration

We want to work with schools that are open to sharing ideas, learning from others, and contributing to the wider trust community.

• A strong sense of purpose

Whether you're on a journey of rapid improvement or building on existing strengths, we value schools with a clear vision and a passion for doing what’s best for pupils.

• A belief in inclusive education

We’re committed to equity and inclusion across all our schools. We look for partners who share our drive to support every learner, regardless of background or need.

• Leadership with ambition and integrity

We work best with leaders who are honest, aspirational, and ready to grow—both personally and professionally—within a collaborative trust environment.

• A desire to maintain school identity while embracing collective strength

We want schools that value their local character but see the benefits of being part of something bigger.