For those most closely associated with VIKING, the key binding agent is its deep-rooted moral purpose. The collaborative culture, which is the fundamental agent of accelerated improvement in the VIKING Academy Trust, is able to exist because of the shared commitment of all involved in the Trust to all of the pupils attending our schools.

The Viking Academy Trust ensures, through the ubiquitous culture of excellence and the highest standards in all aspects of its work, that the children served by VIKING will be given the best start to their educational journey – equipping every child with the confidence, skills and knowledge to successfully transfer to their chosen secondary school in Year 7. 

There are elements of the VIKING Academy Trust that make it unique. The combination of the tight geographical concentration of its constituent parts, the diversity of the communities it serves and the range of provision it offers.

Collaboration is key to how VIKING Academy Trust operates and there are two strands to this.

1) Very best practice shared across VIKING schools to improve the education for all Viking children.

2) Our best leaders work across our schools to help drive up standards

                                    Viking Academy Trust: Strategy for Growth

All plans, short, medium and long term are linked to the mission of the Viking Academy Trust; namely to empower children through education, ‘One Childhood, One Chance’.

The principal task facing the Trust is to continue to provide excellent educational standards and to ensure that every child achieves his/her personal best.

Our main objectives for the future are:

 • to raise pupil achievement and progress in all subjects;

• for teaching and learning to be outstanding;

• for vulnerable groups including Pupil Premium pupils to progress at the same rate as other groups.

• To continue to manage budget reductions and consider new ways to generate income.

The Trust’s intention is to ensure each Viking school provides a first class educational experience for every Viking child. Growth for the Trust will only happen when existing Viking schools are secure and stable without the risk of expansion undermining the strength of our current provision. When we have the capacity to make a difference, we will feel morally bound to do so.

Short Term: The Viking Academy Trust aims to continue with its model of working within a geographical hub with our three primary-only academies located in the Isle of Thanet.

Medium & Long Term: The Trust currently has capacity to grow through the sponsorship of new schools, underperforming schools and Free schools, however it is always open to considering maintained schools who wish to join us.

The Trust has no plans to extend outside of Kent or move in to the secondary phase. As stated above, expansion will only be considered if the Trust Board are confident that the current Viking provision will remain stable.