History of the Trust 

Faringdon Learning Trust began life in 2012 when the three schools in Faringdon; the Community College, Infant School and Junior School, formalised their close links by creating a multi-academy trust (MAT).  In 2014 five other schools, within the catchment of Faringdon Community College, joined the Trust. These were: 

• John Blandy Primary School, Southmoor 
• Buckland Church of England Primary School, Buckland 
• Longcot and Fernham Church of England Primary School, Longcot 
• Watchfield Primary School, Watchfield 
• Shrivenham Church of England Primary School, Shrivenham 

These schools which currently make up the Trust previously worked together as part of the Faringdon Partnership. The Trust was known as Faringdon Academy of Schools between 2012 and 2020, when it changed its name to Faringdon Learning Trust. 

In September 2018, the Trust created an Alliance membership and three other local schools joined: 

• Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp Church of England Primary School, Ashbury 
• Longworth Primary School, Longworth 
• Shellingford Church of England Primary School, Shellingford 

In December 2019 Uffington Church of England Primary School also joined the Alliance. 

Vision and Ethos 

Founding principles - The Trust is founded on our belief that we should strive to develop confident, responsible children and adults, capable of contributing to a fair society.  We aim to enable this potential to be realised through partnership, and our vision and values give voice to these core principles. 

Vision - Create a seamless educational experience in which every learner thrives. 

Values - We will: 

• Support – pupils and staff to achieve ambitious goals 
• Challenge – perceived or actual barriers to learning and personal development 
• Collaborate – to deliver an inspiring educational experience 

We will draw on the strengths of our schools and local communities to be: 

• Resilient – by encouraging independent thinking by our school leaders to ensure effective decision making 
• Innovative – through the sharing of values and successful alternative approaches to learning and personal development 
• Accountable – for delivery of our commitments to the communities we serve 

To achieve our vision and values we have 3 key principles:

• Learners First
• Nurture and Develop our staff
• Strengthen and Grow the Trust

How the Trust operates

Great value is placed on the diversity and independence of the Trust’s schools. Each school is driven by its own senior leadership team and governing body, with close links to the local community. Each school benefits from being part of the Trust. The Trust provides support, expertise and inspiration, it is committed to allowing each school to maintain its unique identity. Great value is placed on the diversity and independence of the Trust’s schools and in the young people they nurture and educate

Together, the Trust provides a breadth of opportunity for its young people which an individual school could not deliver. The Trust works hard to support its schools in delivering the shared goals of high academic standards and excellence in teaching and learning. The Trust’s Improvement team, led by the Director of Education, work across all schools to provide the best possible experiences for all young people. There is also has a highly experienced central team which lead on HR, Finance, Estates, H&S and Facilities, ICT and Governance, which is designed to help Head Teachers have more time to focus their energies on their school’s core activities. The benefits flow both ways; each Head Teacher has a place on the Trust’s central leadership team, allowing all member schools to bring their own inspiration and have a say in shaping strategy. 

As a Trust we believe it is important that we add value to all schools and provide a breadth of opportunity for our pupils which could not be replicated by an individual school. The Trust organises a varied programme of annual sports competitions and festivals, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities and Junior Engineering projects. These range from Cross country, TAG rugby, Football, Basketball, Netball, Tennis, Ultra Olympics, Animation, Electronics, Robotics, Public Speaking and a Festival of Voices.

To find out more about our Trust visit the website at https://faringdonlearningtrust.org/ where you will find out information about our governance structure, Trust Board minutes, the annual reports and financial statements and much more.

The Faringdon Learning Trust office is located at Faringdon Community College.

Faringdon Learning Trust

Fernham Road

Faringdon

Oxfordshire

SN7 7LB

The Trust regularly publishes a highlights brochure showcasing all the excellent work that has gone on across the Trust’s schools.  Please enjoy the read…