Pride in Excellence
Windsor Academy Trust (WAT) exists to achieve our moral purpose of ‘unlocking students’
academic and personal potential’. Our aim is that all students are able to enter a university
or career of their choice, have the highest aspirations and are empowered to build on their
strengths for future success.
Windsor Academy Trust (WAT) was formed to improve the quality of educational provision
through the sharing of ideas and best practice amongst its schools. We are clear that our
young people achieve their best in a climate of high expectations where teachers are
motivated and empowered. WAT consists of two secondary and four primary schools with a
fifth primary about to join. We have also submitted an application to open a secondary free
school for 2018. This shared experience of primary and secondary has led to excellent staff
and student collaboration and enhanced performance.
The student learning experience is founded upon a set of ten learning and teaching
principles that have been developed by teachers across WAT and provides a uniting
philosophy that places the learning needs of all children at the very heart of our work. We
have a clear ethos based upon collaboration and cooperation and our key message is ‘Pride
in Excellence’.
Each Headteacher is responsible for the standards in their own school and they in turn are
accountable to the Chief Executive who in turn reports to the Board of Directors. There
remains considerable autonomy in each school though there is a central strategic function in
the areas of personnel and finance that allow for very effective economies of scale and
ensure a unity and consistency of purpose. Each school has its own Local Advisory Body
who works with the Headteacher to oversee and support the progress and the curriculum for
its students.
Our core values are of collaboration and cooperation, respect and responsibility. We
champion these in all aspects of our work within the Trust and also in our dealings with all
those outside the trust that we work with. We aim to model our values in all aspects of our
practice.
Within WAT we have five key plinths that are our main focus for our work.
Teaching and Learning
Staff across WAT have agreed upon 10 learning principles that provide an emphasis for
classroom practice. These are across phase and make sure that all we do is focussed upon
improving the quality of each students learning experience.
Professional Development
This is a highly successful and well developed programme that covers teaching and support
staff within WAT. Provision ranges from Masters level to NQT induction and bespoke
support staff programmes. In addition over 200 other schools and organisations have
attended professional development programmes laid on by WAT. Each year we have a WAT
conference, attended by all staff and hosting internationally renowned speakers.
Leadership
There is a highly structured and innovative approach to student leadership that is grounded
in the latest best practice internationally. Each school has a substantial programme that is
designed to build self-esteem and confidence and equip all students with the necessary
skills and foundation for future leadership and responsibility.
Enrichment
An important part of any student learning journey is the wider activities and experiences our
Trust can provide. We firmly believe that enrichment both within curriculum but in particular
outside the curriculum has a profound impact on unlocking their personal potential and
providing them with a much higher level of cultural capital that will assist them as they move
on to their careers.
Enterprise
As an innovative trust we embody a culture of enterprise. We have a trust wide approach to
developing this culture that begins in primary schools and works its way right through until
19.
WAT is successful and growing. Our growth is carefully planned and finite. It is based upon
the long term vision of four learning communities consisting of primary and secondary all
within a 45 minute drive of the WAT offices in Halesowen.
Much more information about WAT and its schools can be found on our website
http://www.windsoracademytrust.org.uk
Mr Keith Sorrell
Chief Executive