A partnership focused on excellent outcomes, genuine inclusion and stronger schools.
We welcome confidential conversations with schools and trusts that share our belief that every child deserves an excellent, inclusive education. Joining Inspiration Trust is about mutual strengthening: protecting what is distinctive and successful locally while adding the capacity, expertise and shared accountability of a high-performing family of schools.
Inspiration Trust is a family of 18 primary, secondary and sixth-form academies across Norfolk and north Suffolk. We work together to improve outcomes, widen opportunity and reduce the gap between pupil-premium qualifying pupils and their peers.
Our ambition is to become one of the highest-performing and most inclusive families of schools in the country, with outcomes in the top 3% nationally. We are interested in thoughtful, evidence-led growth where geography, educational need, leadership capacity and financial sustainability align.
Every conversation starts with the needs of pupils and the community. We do not assume that joining means replacing everything a school or trust already does well. Strong local practice, leadership, identity and expertise should strengthen the whole Trust.
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Why schools choose to work with us
A strong centre that exists to help schools improve - and schools that contribute to the strength of the whole Trust.
An evidence-led education model
Our improvement model combines clear Trust standards with disciplined local autonomy. Schools gain access to phase and subject expertise, shared assessment and curriculum networks, targeted coaching, peer review and timely data. Successful local practice is retained and shared.
Inclusion measured through outcomes
Inclusion is not a separate workstream. It is tested through attainment, attendance, suspension, participation and destinations. We track the experience of pupil-premium qualifying pupils alongside SEND, care experience and English as an additional language, and direct expertise and resources where gaps are widest.
A complete professional pathway
Our Teaching School Hub connects initial teacher training, early career support, Appropriate Body services and National Professional Qualifications. Colleagues also benefit from subject communities, leadership development and opportunities to contribute beyond their own academy.
Regional infrastructure with practical impact
Angles Maths Hub, attendance and behaviour leadership, curriculum specialists, reading and writing expertise, post-16 networks and a broad enrichment offer give schools access to capacity that would be difficult to sustain alone.
Operational professionals as educational enablers
Finance, people, estates, governance, technology, data, procurement and communications are designed around educational success. Shared services reduce duplication, improve resilience and allow academy leaders to focus more time on pupils, colleagues and their communities.
We care about our pupils, colleagues and communities. We share knowledge, ideas and expertise. We dare to be ambitious and to improve what is not yet good enough.
Strong outcomes across every phase
At Key Stage 2, 73.8% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics in our provisional 2026 outcomes, compared with 63.3% nationally. Our published 2024/25 secondary outcomes included 52.8% achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics. Provisional 2026 post-16 outcomes show an academic average point score of 38.2, with 33% of A-level grades at A*–A and 83% at A*–C.
What we will protect
- The name, history and community relationships that make each school distinctive.
- Strong curriculum, pedagogy, leadership and specialist provision already improving pupils' lives.
- Meaningful local knowledge and challenge through academy-level governance.
- The voice and professional dignity of colleagues throughout consultation and transition.
What will become shared
- One Trust Board and clear executive accountability.
- Safeguarding expectations, financial controls and statutory assurance.
- A common improvement cycle, trusted data definitions and access to Trust-wide expertise.
- Core operational platforms where standardisation improves quality, resilience or value.
A careful route from conversation to decision
No two partnerships are identical, but the sequence should be clear, proportionate and transparent.
- Confidential conversation. A private discussion with the Chief Executive about your context, ambitions and immediate questions.
- Mutual exploration. A high-level review of educational, cultural, geographic and organisational fit.
- Evidence and options. Joint work to understand strengths, risks, capacity, affordability and the potential operating model.
- In-principle decisions. The relevant boards decide whether to proceed to structured due diligence and formal engagement with DfE.
- Due diligence and consultation. Education, finance, people, estates, legal, governance, technology and stakeholder workstreams test the proposal fully.
- Approval and transition. A clear mobilisation plan, agreed responsibilities and early assurance protect pupils and colleagues before and after transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Does a first conversation commit us to joining?
No. The initial conversation is confidential and exploratory. Any formal proposal requires the relevant board and DfE approvals, due diligence and consultation.
Will our school lose its identity?
Our intention is to protect each academy's name, history and community relationships. The exact governance and operating arrangements are agreed through the formal process.
Will everything we currently do be replaced?
No. Strong practice should be retained and shared. Common Trust standards and systems are introduced where they improve education, safeguarding, assurance, resilience or value.
What happens to local governance?
Inspiration has one Trust Board and clear executive accountability, with academy-level governance retaining local knowledge, community voice and challenge.
How long does joining take?
Timing depends on the type and complexity of the proposal, DfE approvals, consultation and due diligence. We agree a realistic plan rather than promise an artificial deadline.