We have intentionally developed a model that balances school autonomy with the benefits of belonging to a supportive and ambitious Trust. Headteachers remain at the heart of decision-making, leading their schools and shaping their vision, ethos and priorities, while benefiting from the expertise and support of a dedicated central team.

Our central services help reduce the burden of administrative and operational responsibilities, providing support across areas such as finance, HR, IT, estates, compliance and health and safety. This allows school leaders to focus their time and energy on what matters most: improving outcomes and opportunities for children and young people.

As a Trust, we celebrate the diversity of our schools. Our family includes primary and secondary schools, schools of different sizes and contexts, and Church of England and community schools. What unites us is a shared commitment to excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Working closely with schools, we have developed a strategic approach that supports improvement across all aspects of Trust and school life. This enables schools to benefit from shared expertise, professional networks and collaborative opportunities, while retaining the flexibility to focus on their own priorities and community needs.

We are proud of our strong relationship with the Diocese of Worcester and welcome conversations with all schools exploring their future within a Multi-Academy Trust. We understand that joining a Trust is a significant decision, which is why we take a supportive, transparent and collaborative approach throughout the process.

Our due diligence process is both robust and pragmatic, designed to help schools make informed decisions while identifying opportunities for collaboration from the outset. We view growth as a genuine partnership, where schools both contribute to and benefit from the collective strength of the Trust.

As Shires MAT continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming like-minded schools that share our ambition, values and belief in the power of collaboration to improve outcomes for all. Together, we can create even greater opportunities for pupils, staff and communities to flourish.