Join Our Trust
“Trustees and governors work well together to ensure that leaders focus on the right things to help the school keep improving.” Badby Primary School Ofsted 2023
“Leaders work closely with representatives from the trust. They value this extra layer of strategic support” Kilsby CE Primary School Ofsted 2023
At Innovate Multi Academy Trust (iMAT), we are focused on bringing together village primary schools in rural locations in Northamptonshire. We have now grown from four to six schools and are always open to welcoming new schools into our community.
We strive to develop communities within academies and across our trust as a whole. Our mission is to establish GREAT primary academies that are centres for innovation and excellence for leadership and teaching, where pupils are safe and engaged in their learning.
The curriculum in all of our academies is tailored to meet the needs of each individual, whilst fostering talents and encouraging greatness in all areas of school life. We strive to ensure the best possible educational experience for all students in a culture of high aspiration and an environment where each student is nurtured and can develop their full potential.
Our Executive Team has considerable experience in managing growing organisations. We are supported by leadership teams who have played a significant role in recovering schools from challenging circumstances. As a trust, we have a strong desire to share the outstanding practice at our schools with educators. Leaders and every member of iMAT are conscious of their responsibility to pupils and communities and are oriented towards achieving ambitious goals.
Four of our schools are Church schools, and embrace and celebrate a Christian ethos.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at info@innovatemat.org
What We Can Offer
Our School Improvement Team provides bespoke support for individual schools.
Our senior leaders have capacity, experience and skills to help schools with curriculum, behaviour and teaching and learning.
Network meetings for senior and middle leaders.
Specialist SEND and safeguarding support
All of our schools are Google schools. We transitioned to a new cloud-based IT system in early 2023
Our central sports coaching team run inter-school events, including the annual cross country event at Woodford Halse attended by almost 1000 pupils.
We work closely with the Church of England regarding visions, values and ethos of our church schools. Our executive team has significant experience with SIAMS inspections.
Our central team supports with website audits, GDPR compliance, and marketing.
Financial Support
Support from our CFOO and central finance team
Completed monthly monitoring reports in accordance with the Academies Financial Handbook
Completion of annual budget and 3 year financial forecasts.
Guidance and support with completion of reports and monitoring of grant income, including PE Premium, catch up funding and Pupil Premium.
Regular monitoring, checking and predicting of income streams, nursery funding, SEND, LAC and PP
Ongoing monitoring of staffing costs.
Support with budget prioritisation and scenario development.
All finance policies provided for adoption at your school
Advice and guidance on latest finance changes / ESFA announcements.
Internal and external audit costs and lead support provided during this independent assessment process.
Payroll and HR Support
A dedicated Trust People Partner
All payroll and HR costs are included in our central services offer with service procured on your behalf.
All payments to third parties including pensions and HMRC completed on your behalf
All payroll reconciliations completed
Access to payroll support for any queries
Support with attendance at HR meetings with employees
Support with disciplinary, conduct and capability issues
All HR policies provided for adoption
Advice and support with latest employment guidance and legislation
Support the Board of Directors and LGB with performance management of teaching staff
Support with staff recruitment
Access to the School's Advisory Service wellbeing package
Our trust has signed the DfE Education Staff Wellbeing Charter
Procurement
Support and guidance with procurement processes completed at a school level
Creating economies of scale via larger contracts being procured
Support to ensure compliance with procurement legislation
Centrally managed catering contract
Governance
Support from our Trust Governance Professional and clerking team.
Established Trust Scheme of Delegation / Terms of Reference with training and support provided to Leadership Teams and LGBs
Support with governance policies, timetables and processes
Support with new governor recruitment
Access to training for all governors through the NGA and GovernorHub
Facilitation of annual skills audit and support with chairs 360 review
Completion of Company Secretary duties
Premises Management
Dedicated Trust Premises Partner and Trust Projects Partner
Use of IAM Compliant system across the trust
Support with building maintenance and enhancement programs
Support in ensuring all maintenance contracts/statutory inspections are completed
We are part of the DFE Sustainability Project, working towards improving the environmental impact of all our schools.
Support with capital planning and applications. We have had a number of successful CIF bids over the last few years
Leadership
We are part of the Church of England Schools flagship NPQ+ project
Staff are encouraged to take up NPQ training
We can provide career progression across the trust
Trust middle leader network meetings across the curriculum
Safeguarding Support
Training for all staff provided through the National College and The Key
