Our strategic priorities reflect our mission and purpose as a multi-academy trust: to improve life opportunities for children and young people by both providing high quality and inclusive education to pupils in Stour Vale member schools and by having a positive impact across the wider education system.
Priority 1 - A family of continuously improving schools and settings
Stour Vale has an established culture of continuous improvement which is evident in all member schools and settings and throughout the central team. Headteachers, nursery managers and leaders in all member schools and settings are empowered and enabled to accurately self-evaluate the quality and inclusivity of the education and are expertly challenged and supported as they pursue excellence. Effective collaboration, underpinned by a deep understanding of our interdependence and appreciation of each school and setting’s individuality, is integral to continuous improvement.
Priority 2 - A trust committed to investing in all staff
Stour Vale is a trust which deliberately builds its capacity and develops the talent of the whole workforce. We create a high-performing work culture by promoting a shared understanding of our purpose, vision, values and approach. We actively promote collaborative working and celebrate its positive impact on high quality and inclusive education, professional learning and workload. We consistently champion the expertise and professionalism of all colleagues in the wide range of roles which surround and facilitate the provision of high quality and inclusive education. We will seek to create opportunities that will enable all individuals across our workforce to continually improve and to progress in their careers.
Priority 3 - A sustainable trust with excellent finance, operations and communication systems
Stour Vale will be a trust where our well-developed finance, operations and communications systems ensure the effective and efficient use of resources for the benefit of the children and young people who attend its member schools and settings. These systems will be designed to support the effective functioning of schools within a culture where school leaders and staff are empowered and equipped to deliver high quality education and provision for children and young people.
Priority 4 - A trust led ethically and strategically
Stour Vale is a trust where children and young people are at the heart of all decision-making, ensuring that the needs of member schools and settings, the communities they serve and the wider education system drive and define trust strategy. Trustees, trust and school leaders sustain a culture of ethical leadership including the Seven Principles of Public Life.
Priority 5 - A growing trust which has a positive impact more widely, across and beyond the education system
Stour Vale proactively seeks to build positive relationships with schools, settings, trusts and other civic partners. By working collaboratively and by practising system generosity, we make a positive impact on the wider education system and fulfill our civic responsibility. Effective collaboration and sharing of expertise across our family of schools in turn builds the capacity which enables Stour Vale to collaborate and to offer support and challenge beyond our family of schools.
Stour Vale is actively seeking to grow. We build positive relationships with schools and settings who share our ethos and values and are considering joining a trust. We are also building the capacity to be the destination trust for trusts who share our ethos and values and who are seeking a larger trust with which to merge.