The Embrace founder schools shaped and agreed on the identity and purpose of our multi-academy trust, which are encapsulated through the following objectives, upon which our strategic plan is based:

• to safeguard the distinctive ethos and character of each academy and its unique context
• to work together and with those outside Embrace for the benefit of all
• to be committed to the continual improvement of pupil academic outcomes
• to develop thoughtful, caring and active citizens
• to prioritise support for the most vulnerable within our academies
• to grow and sustain a strong, skilled and effective workforce at all levels
• to ensure financial sustainability to allow excellence and growth for Embrace.

All Embrace schools have their own unique ethos and vision, which belongs to the school, not Embrace as a trust. We celebrate the diversity across our trust and encourage all schools to be autonomous. The ‘Embraced’ scheme of delegation, with less autonomy, is only applicable to ‘sponsored’ academies.

We value collaboration as a means to achieve the highest standards. Just as we expect all of our academies to contribute to supporting one another, we recognise the need to work with external partners for mutual benefit. All academies are actively involved within the Thomas Estley Teaching School Alliance and a variety of primary and secondary collaborative groups.

Attainment in 2019 across the trust at expected level rose from:

• 62% to 70% in reading, writing and maths combined (national average – 65%)
• 74% to 80% in reading (national average – 73%)
• 73% to 85% in maths (national average – 79%)
• Writing also rose above national, but data is not comparable due to framework changes.

Our greatest success to date has been the academic improvement made at Key Stage 2 by our primary schools. Under the guidance of our Primary Academy Improvement Lead, Lyndsey Beckett, we have achieved improvements described by our regional schools commissioner as ‘stunning’.

Our focus on the development of the whole child has led to curricula across our academies that seek to fulfil this purpose. Each school has its own unique curriculum, but the intention remains to ensure that pupils are ready both academically and as citizens, for the next stage of their lives. Initiatives from our wide curricula include philosophy across the curriculum, Kagan structures, forest schools and cognitive learning. We will shortly be launching a pupil-led initiative to reduce single-use plastic within our schools and our communities.

Success is dependent upon our employees and we understand this. We prioritise staff development through training and individual support at all levels, seeking to make internal promotions where viable. We strive to help our colleagues achieve a healthy work/life balance and appreciate them as individuals.

We employ a full-time chief financial officer (CFO) from an accountancy and school business management background. Our systems are developing, but are already judged well by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, internal audit and external audit. We are clear that our strength in this area is responsible for funding the development of our pupils. A shared service finance team has been established and joint procurement will bring savings over time, particularly as pupil numbers support economies of scale.

Arnesby C of E Primary School provides a nurturing, inclusive ethos for the well-being of pupils, underpinned by Christian values. This dynamic, small school also offers 3+ provision, known as the Little Ark class. The school was excited to become part of a larger school family, as part of Embrace Multi Academy Trust in April 2019. Although currently the smallest member of this group of academies, what the school offers is of equal value.

Established in 1957, Brockington College is proud to be a successful, Church of England 11-16 provider. Our intention is to cultivate the intellectual, creative, social, physical, moral and spiritual development of all our pupils. We believe that each child has a God-given, unique identity and together, each member of our school community plays a crucial role in realising our vision of ‘Learning to Live Life to the Full’. Looking beyond ourselves and developing a sense of community (koinonia) ultimately drives us to care for others and our planet. This fundamental belief forms the basis of our decision to join Embrace Multi Academy Trust as we are stronger together.

Croft Church of England Primary School is a small school which is in the heart of the local community. Our vision and character hold our Christian values at the heart of everything we do. Our school chose to join Embrace, as the values of the multi academy trust echoed our own. We place high priority on working collaboratively and Embrace offers some wonderfully exciting opportunities for development through the close relationships between its schools. At Croft, we believe it is our job to create an environment for everyone to ‘let your light shine’ and Embrace supports us with this key role.

Huncote Primary School is a warm and welcoming school at the heart of the village community. We currently have over 180 pupils at the school between the ages of four and eleven. We are proud of the care, guidance and support we provide for all our pupils and particularly those with special educational needs. We are an inclusive and caring school.

Manorfield Church of England Primary School is a larger than average primary school set in the South Leicestershire village of Stoney Stanton. The school currently has over 400 pupils on roll and continues to grow. There has been a school in the village since the 1800s and on the current site since 1969. We aim for our pupils to share their knowledge and fortune with others and be inspired to life-long learning, as well as inspiring and enthusing those around them.

Sherrier Church of England Primary School is a vibrant, busy and exciting place to be. We are all very proud of the children who come here and all that they achieve during their ‘journey’ through the school. We have been delighted to extend our Sherrier family by joining Embrace Multi Academy Trust and enjoy working with like-minded people who all want to achieve the best outcomes for the families we serve. We hope to share our current good practice and gain support from other trust schools in areas such as IT and finance.

St Peter’s Church of England Primary school is based in the heart of Whetstone, where it has enjoyed a long history since its original site opened in 1864, celebrating its 150th birthday in 2014. The curriculum we teach aims to inspire pupils to develop a love of learning through a topic-based approach with regular enrichment opportunities, events and trips. We believe this allows all of our pupils to achieve their full potential and to be confident and ready for the next stage of their learning.

At Swinford Church of England Primary School, we believe that every child can do amazing things and it is our job to help make this potential a reality. We do not underestimate in any way the importance of the learning journey that each and every child will make as they grow with us and we are totally committed to maintaining a safe, enjoyable, creative and high-quality environment. Every child should enjoy being part of our school and all that we offer them. Our children are happy, confident and responsive. They understand how their behaviour affects others and that courtesy and respect are important values for life.