‘Education doesn’t need to be reformed – it needs to be transformed. The key to this transformation is not to standardise education, but to personalise it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions.'

Mission

The Island Learning Trust is inclusive and fully committed to achieving high quality educational outcomes for our children. Through the provision of meaningful curricula, placing a strong emphasis on the arts and sport, we seek to develop a love of learning and the motivation to succeed. We know that school is one element of our children's experience and so work alongside our families and community to foster a sense of moral and social responsibility. Our curricula focus on providing experiences that encourage our children to become curious, enthusiastic, resilient and confident learners.

Trust Commitments

• We are committed to the aims, values and ethos of the Trust:

•  Achieving the highest standards and outcomes for all children.

•  Professional learning for all.

•  Working in partnership with parents to ensure we are responsive to their aspirations for their children.

•  Collaborative developments in pedagogy and curricula.

•  Sharing staff expertise, responding to the needs of the Trust, and jointly finding solutions.

•  Promoting the strengths of the Trust and the benefits of collaborative development, for the good of the whole.

•  Working with schools beyond our immediate partnership.

•  Local admissions criteria and nationally agreed procedures for children who are hard to place - Fair Access Protocols.

•  The Articles, Scheme of Delegation and GAG pooling to ensure effective and efficient use of public monies, best value for all Trust schools and high levels of resourcing.

The vision for all schools in The Island Learning Trust

'To be the best we can be'

1. Total commitment to improving the life chances and aspirations of pupils: high expectations, a relentless focus on pupil progress and attainment so that no child is left behind.

Commitment to the very highest pupil outcomes for our children, at all key stages. Headteachers and senior teams that focus on pupils and their outcomes, with everything else a peripheral. This is not at odds with a broad and balanced curriculum or enrichment, but it is establishing a success culture in all. "We must be judged by standards. Governors must focus on this and nothing else." Heath Monk - Future Leaders Trust.

2. Outstanding and proactive leadership at all levels that is visible and has a positive impact.

"Leadership sets the tone for any organisation, our leaders will inspire, be visible, act as role models for other leaders and for pupils, will be proactive and build high performing, unified teams." Sir Daniel Moyniham - Harris Trust.

3. Exemplary behaviour based on a consistent, fair and positive behaviour management approach. High expectations for all, so that teachers can teach and learners can learn.

"The quality of teaching, learning and behaviour are inseparable, The management of behaviour and the management of learning should be aligned and consistent." Sir Alan Steer - The Cambridge Primary Review Board.

4. Positive caring relationships, where pupils, staff, parents and governors work together for the benefit of the community.

"Every child deserves a champion and an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they could possibly be. How powerful would our world be if we had kids who were not afraid to take risks, who were not afraid to think, and who had a champion?" Rita Pierson TED - Talks Education TV.

5. Recruit, retain and develop highly effective staff who are committed  to a culture where the is no acceptance of teaching less than good.

"The quality of teaching is more important to pupil outcomes than anything else a school can control, so it is essential that the education system can recruit, train, develop and retain the best possible teachers." Educational white paper.

6.  Always strive to improve and do things better.

Our academies will always strive to be outstanding for the communities they serve, there will be no excuses for underperformance. "We would be deluding ourselves if we thought the battle to raise standards has been won. There is still much more to do." Sir Michael Wilshaw - Chief Inspector of Schools.

7.  All academies within the MAT are able to generate a positive financial outcome at the end of each financial year to deliver its aims through efficient, forward and effective curriculum led planning.

"Education in schools has operated in a relatively benign financial climate for a long time. But  a new generation of school leaders is going to have to emerge to cut their cloth to drive efficiencies. This is one of the biggest challenges facing the school system: schools will increasingly have to do more with the same money." Lord Nash.