We are a Co-operative Multi-Academy Trust based in the East of England and part of a national group of Co-operative Schools.
Our schools are proud to serve each of our village communities, acting as a focal point for learning and wider education. We believe that an education that is inspiring, high quality and inclusive can be delivered in our local settings, whilst drawing on best practice from each of our schools.
Our schools share common values and are proud within this framework, to be individual.
Pupils sit firmly at the center of our work. We know every child well and place a strong emphasis on personal development, well-being and enrichment, alongside traditional values and high academic standards.
On a daily basis our schools are enriching places to be.
Jonathan Taylor OBE
Interim CEO
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Don’t take our word for it, here is what our staff say about working in our schools and MAT
"We are allowed to be individuals and prioritise what our schools need. Our schools keep their identity despite being part of a MAT"
"Being a small Trust, we can build good working relationships with colleagues across the Trust and share best practice"
"Staff are listened to and you feel part of the team. Your opinions are valued"
"CEE treats its staff as people who each have an important role to play in the smooth running of the schools and Trust"
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
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.
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.
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.
c/o Bunwell Primary School
The Turnpike
Bunwell
Norfolk
NR16 1SN