Our Story

In 2009, Ash Grove Academy was earmarked for closure due to poor performance; results were poor, pupil numbers were dwindling, and the school was placed in a category of concern by OFSTED. Due to the commitment of the local community, the appointment of Kevin Simpson as new Headteacher, and significant change to the curriculum, pedagogy and teaching personnel, the school was saved. Over the next three years, results went from 0% to 70%, and in 2012 it was graded 'Outstanding by OFSTED. The age range was extended to include 2-year olds to ensure the children were provided with a better education from a much earlier age. The number of pupils in the school increased from just 53 in 2009 to 240 in 2013.

In 2013, the school was asked by the government to become one of the first multi-academy trusts. In addition, Ash Grove Academy became a National Support School, and Kevin became a National Leader in Education, allowing his principles of school improvement and clear pedagogical approach to be shared at a local and national level by identifying and addressing areas in need of improvement. As a result, we estimate we have impacted on over 40,000 children from Cheshire East and across the country, with some schools improving their results from 40% combined at Key Stage 2 to 85% combined, progress measure improving from -2.3 to +1.2, and many schools moving from OFSTED categories of concern to 'Good' or 'Outstanding'.

In the same year, Ash Grove Academy was awarded Teaching School status. The Aspirer Teaching School had over 300 partners nationally and demonstrated outstanding impact on the teaching and learning of over 97,000 children nationally. To date, the teaching school has also trained over 80 new teachers, many of whom are now employed within the Trust, some of whom are now Senior Leaders.

In 2015, the Aspire Educational Trust was designated one of the first Education Endowment Foundation Research Schools in the country. Since being designated, Aspire has worked with hundreds of schools to embed research-informed practice to improve the life chances of 1000s of children. In particular, Aspire has been heavily involved in research projects involving work with disadvantaged children to improve their life chances, and working with other schools around developing oracy strategies. As part of its work with the Education Endowment Foundation over the past 10 years Aspire has contributed to many of their guidance reports, including those related to improving the education of disadvantaged children, Behaviour, and Early Literacy. These guidance reports are used to disseminate good practice when undertaking school to school support.

Aspire has gone from strength to strength and prides itself on developing expertise from within the organisation. We employ highly skilled people who always put the children at the forefront of everything. We have specialists in English, Maths, Wider Curriculum, SEND and Disadvantaged children; all of these leaders support and educate over 5000 children daily in our schools across 3 Local Authorities. Over the past fifteen years, we have worked incredibly hard to develop the policies, systems and structures to ensure we deliver high quality education at each school as they join The Aspire Educational Trust.

All Aspire schools are now graded as ‘Good’ or 'Outstanding’ by Ofsted - an incredible improvement for some schools since they joined the trust. Pupils’ progress and standards have improved year-on-year, and in some of our schools, the disadvantaged children now out-perform the non-disadvantaged children.

Since its inception in 2009, we estimate that Aspire has improved the education and life chances of over 150,000 children, many of whom have come from, or still are, classified as disadvantaged. Aspire has trained over 10,000 staff in approximately 500 settings. This has been achieved through a structured approach of school to school support, clear CPD linked to evidence-informed practice, and a dog-eared determination to get it right for every single child.

Our Ethos, Aims and Values

The aim of the Aspire Educational Trust is to give children and young people from all backgrounds an outstanding education. In so doing, they will acquire the values, skills, knowledge and understanding, to prepare them for life beyond the classroom and subsequently succeed. To achieve this aim we will establish outstanding academies in our local communities and beyond. Our ethos will be based upon full inclusion, high expectations, outstanding teaching and learning, and a relentless focus on the needs and potential of every child.

Our core values will shape and inform the operation of the Trust.

Together we make a difference

Ethos and mission statement

Each academy will become an outstanding school and work collaboratively with other schools within the Trust for mutual benefit and improvement. Schools will also maintain good working relationships with other local schools, community organisations and the local authority to ensure they fully serve their local communities.

British Values Statement

The Aspire Educational Trust is required under section 78 of the Education Act 2002 to promote the spiritual, moral, mental and physical development of pupils. As of November 2014, academies also need to promote fundamental British values as part of the academy curriculum.

The Aspire Educational Trust is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the UK. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the trust are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

It follows equal opportunities' guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. The Aspire Educational Trust is dedicated to ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all of its pupils.

The Department for Education has suggested that pupils are taught about fundamental British values during their spiritual, moral and cultural (SMSC) classes. Pupils are expected to display knowledge of the fundamental aspects of British values.

The government has outlined their expectations, stating that pupils should:

• Understand the democratic process and how citizens can have a say in decision-making.
• Recognise the advantages to living under the rule of law and how law is essential for a safe society.
• See that there is a separation of power and why it exists.
• Understand the reasons for accountability of institutions and why courts maintain independence.
• Know why freedom of religion protects all faiths, as well as those with no faith.
• Accept that people who hold different religious beliefs should be tolerated and not be discriminated against.
• Value the importance of identifying and combatting extremism.

The Aspire Educational Trust will not promote discrimination, or accept intolerance against people or groups, on the basis of their belief, opinion or background across our organisation.

Our Academies use assemblies to highlight the diverse nature of British society and the right for each person to be respected for their choices. Our Academies teach pupils that they should never judge a person, and encourage them to become compassionate, open-minded and accepting.

Our academies serve multi-faith communities where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. Our assemblies help all pupils to find out about themselves and others; linking their lives to the communities in which they belong. We place great emphasis on providing opportunities to participate in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.

In our academies we believe that tolerance of different faiths and beliefs are best gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum as well as the routines of daily life at every academy, we strive to not only learn about but also to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.

Our academies believe and actively support the view that all pupils should be protected from radicalisation and extremism. Our approach to this is in line with the Government’s PREVENT strategy.

Our academies' commitment to safeguarding pupil welfare means we are vigilant to monitoring vulnerability to radicalisation including:

• Family tensions
• Sense of isolation
• Migration
• Distance from cultural heritage
• Experience of racism or discrimination
• Feeling of failure

Our academies are committed to educating pupils with regard to their engagement and acceptance with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Our academies aim to support our students in developing and demonstrating skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

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