We are a Co-operative Multi-Academy Trust based in the East of England and part of a national group of Co-operative Schools.
Welcome to Cooperative Education East (CEE)
At CEE we believe education is more than just academic achievement - it’s about growing together as a community. Guided by cooperative values, which have been around for more than 150 years, we nurture an environment where every child feels safe, respected, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
CEE runs three small rural primary schools in South Norfolk and Breckland and next year will celebrate 10 years of working together as an academy trust. Please do explore the school pages through the links on this page to see what we have to offer.
We are proud that our schools are rooted in our local community and provide a hub for local activity. We ensure children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment which we believe strikes the right balance between giving children roots to feel grounded and secure, but confident enough to have wings and fly. We want every child to fulfil their potential and thrive in the modern world around them. All of our children leave us ready for high school.
Our Vision
Everything we do, from teaching and learning to behaviour and attendance is based on our CARE vision, which simply means:-
Confident
Able to meet future challenges
Responsible members of the community
Effective learners
If you are a new or prospective parent please do contact the schools and come for a look around where we hope in the first few steps you will see and feel the nurturing environment we work hard to create. This is something recognised by Ofsted in our recent inspections too. One quote we will forever be proud of is from a Year 5 boy:
'Our teachers let us know when we have done well but they always praise our efforts more’.
Moving through the school you will see we are blessed with large playing fields and outside areas where learning can be interactive and fun.
Forrest schools is truly an embedded part of our curriculum and taught by dedicated and trained forest school staff. This helps to support the full range of national curriculum subjects we offer and is weaved throughout the curriculum with purpose. Please do look at the curriculum pages on the individual school pages for more details where you can see how we have a dedicated small schools curriculum which is truly broad and wide ranging. We recognise that at primary school we have a unique chance to offer children the first tasters for: art, music, DT, and culture in general. We hope our curriculum inspires our children to paint, to sing, to dance and explore new things as well as giving them the grounding in reading, writing and maths. In summary we hope a visit to our schools shows you how we hope to inspire and ignite a passion for learning in our children.
Our Values
These are built on the values and ethics of the Co-operative movement. We’re founded on a set of values and principles describing a different, fairer and better way of operating. In the tradition of the co-op founders, in addition to the core values below, members operate according to the ethical values of: honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
Thank you for your time, we would welcome any feedback you have by contacting admin@cee.coop
Best wishes
Paul Bunn
CEO
Our Values
We’re founded on a set of values and principles describing a different, fairer and better way of operating. In the tradition of the co-op founders, in addition to the core values below, members operate according to the ethical values of: honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
Self-help
At its heart this is about personal growth, progress and a do it yourself attitude. Members joining together and making a difference. We support learners, parents, carers and staff to help themselves.
Self-responsibility
To us this means reliable, committed and dependable. Every member doing their bit, we encourage learners, parents, carers and staff to take responsibility for, and answer to their actions.
Democracy
All members are equal. All members are equal. No matter on what size, shape or Ofsted Status of the school, we give our learners, parents, carers and staff a say in the way we run our schools.
Equality (impartial)
Our co-op gives all members the same opportunity to get involved, from trading services with each other to having input into the strategic direction of the trust.
Equity
This is about fairness, providing truly equal opportunities and a level playing field. Providing both the disadvantaged and privileged members with fair accommodation and treatment according to their needs - in order to put them on equivalent ground.
Solidarity (teamwork)
We share interests and common purposes with our learners, parents, carers and staff, and with other schools in the communities we serve. In other words, we can be bigger than the sum of our parts by showing unity, harmony, consensus and cooperation.
What's it like to work for us?
Don’t take our word for it, here is what our staff say about working in our schools and MAT
Year 3/4 Teacher
"We are allowed to be individuals and prioritise what our schools need. Our schools keep their identity despite being part of a MAT"
KS2 Teacher
"Being a small Trust, we can build good working relationships with colleagues across the Trust and share best practice"
Teaching Assistant
"Staff are listened to and you feel part of the team. Your opinions are valued"
School Administrator
"CEE treats its staff as people who each have an important role to play in the smooth running of the schools and Trust"
Staff Wellbeing
We are small enough for all our staff to know everyone and provide peer to peer support. However, sometimes life throws up challenges which mean the support of colleagues is not enough. At that point we have a free comprehensive range of professional support to help our staff in times of difficulty, be that physio for a back injury, or counselling for mental health problems and everything in between
Governance
Our governance structure and co-operative values of equality and democracy ensure that the voices of all stakeholders from pupils, teachers, parents, governors and community are heard and influence policy and decision making.
We will commit to always having a Local Governing Committee with a focus on ensuring high standards in curriculum delivery and pupil achievement, supporting the schools through regular monitoring. This will always include parental representation and the meet the needs of the individual school.
Our Staff & Trustees
The Academy Trustees are ultimately accountable for the standards of education in each of the academies in the Trust and also hold responsibility as Directors of the company. Much of the work is delegated to our Committees and Challenge Groups who focus on Teaching & Learning, Leadership & Management and Finance & Audit.
Encouraging Co-operation
We actively encourage and promote co-operation amongst the academies within our trust and regional groups to promote best practice, curriculum innovation and staff development but also among other co-operative schools nationally, enabling a true school to school support system.
Your school will immediately gain access to the wide network of other Co-operative Schools through membership of the Schools Co-operative Society. Our Principle of Co-operation amongst Co-operatives help to ensure that each schools has access to their wider community no matter what their local structure.
Get in touch
Whatever we can help with, we would love to hear from you. The easiest way to get in touch is using the details below.
Come and meet us
c/o Bunwell Primary School
The Turnpike
Bunwell
Norfolk
NR16 1SN
Give us a call
Send us an email