Joining the Trust

The Balcarras Trust is open to the prospect of growing in size over the next three years, although we are keen to do so sustainably.

Leadership Experience

• The Trust has extensive experience of school leadership.
• Balcarras School and The High School Leckhampton have been rated outstanding by OFSTED. 
• The Trust has extensive experience in curriculum design and delivery at secondary level, including post 16.
• The Trust leads two key regional initiatives, the GLOW Maths Hub and the Balcarras Teaching School Hub. Both of these are cross phase, so that the Trust has access to expertise at both primary and secondary level.

Financial Expertise

• The Trust’s financial operations are overseen by Vicky Butters, Acting CFO, working with SAAF.
• The Trust is expert at financial forecasting, so that we are always seeking to operate ahead of the curve. 

The Trust’s Central Services Team

The Trust’s Central Services Team provides financial, payroll, governance, administration and HR support to the trust’s schools. All schools in the Trust pay a percentage of their GAG income to buy into the central services team.

IT Support

The Trust has considerable expertise in IT, and we have advised a number of other schools and trusts recently. Whilst IT doesn’t necessarily sit inside the central services team of the Trust, we are able to offer expertise and support in this area.

The Trust’s Catering Team

Balcarras School operates a highly successful catering operation. We already provide catering for a school outside the Trust and exist as consultants for a number of other schools and trusts. The Balcarras Trust would be keen to work with schools who join our Trust to develop and improve their catering offer dependent on their current arrangements.