School improvement

We ensure that our teaching and learning policy reflects best practice following extensive research. For example, the Trust has implemented knowledge organisers across the curriculum which contain the essential knowledge, key terms and visual representations which support our students to learn. Furthermore, specialist Trust Leads ensure that their time is well spent developing the curriculum across their specialist area for the benefit of all colleagues and provide support to school improvement projects.

Professional Development

We recognise the role of Professional Development in attracting and retaining the most talented employees and it forms a cornerstone, alongside a range of employment practices, to our talent management strategy. The deployment of instructional coaching across our schools is directly contributing to school improvement and all employees are engaged in Professional Development through either specialist groups, career related development / qualifications and participation in the Trust Professional Development Days which are held twice a year.

Pastoral support

Through the deployment of Safeguarding, Behaviour, and SEN specialists we are able to support school leaders, students and staff in the management and development of school practices. The Trust employs experienced and qualified school leaders in these areas who are focused on supporting schools to make a difference.

Careers

Our careers team ensures that careers advice is available for all our students and each school’s provision is mapped against the Gatsby benchmark. Through this team and named careers colleagues in schools, our students benefit from active engagement with employers, Further Education and Higher Education institutions. The Two Counties Trust is quite unique in offering an internal, tailored careers service to our schools.

Business Services

Our centralised business services, led by experienced and qualified professionals in their own field includes Data Protection, Finance, Governance Health and Safety, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing and Payroll. These services deliver a customer focused solution which enables our academies to focus on delivering high quality teaching and learning and outcomes for our students.

Data Protection

Our Data Protection service includes:

  • Services of an external Data Protection Officer
  • Provision of Trust policies and supporting documentation for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.
  • Training, advice, and support on Subject Access Requests and GDPR.

Finance

Our Finance service includes:

  • Budgeting, forecasting, management accounts.
  • Financial support and training to understand and manage your budgets.
  • Statutory returns including annual accounts.

Governance

Our Governance service includes:

  • Access to GovernorHub to manage all aspects of Governing Body documentation and meeting arrangements.
  • New and existing governor, and governance professional, training.
  • Access to the National Governance Association and the NGA learning Link

Health and Safety

Our Health and Safety service includes:

  • An allocated Health and Safety Business Partner who works remotely and on site who is qualified and has comprehensive knowledge of health and safety law and education.
  • Support to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and reporting.
  • Support and guidance to ensure your school is compliant with legislator requirements

Human Resources

Our Human Resources service includes:

  • Modernised, best practice, harmonised employment policies and procedures, alongside delivery of all your recruitment needs.
  • An allocated HR Business Partner who works remotely and on site who is qualified and has comprehensive knowledge of employment law and education law.
  • Training for your management teams on their responsibilities as managers of people.

Information Technology

Our Information Technology service includes:

  • An allocated IT Manager who works remotely and on site who ensures your IT system meets your needs and is safe, secure, and available.
  • Management of IT projects and all refresh programmes.
  • Management of academy-based technicians to ensure that there are specialists leading your team.

Marketing

Our Marketing service includes:

  • Ensuring your website is part of The Two Counties Trust family of website and delivery of training to your team to maintain your site and development of your social media presence.
  • Working with you to agree your marketing plans and delivering these for the school.
  • Branding, crisis communications and PR

Payroll

Our Payroll service includes:

  • Delivery of centralised managed payroll service.
  • Management of all pension scheme and statutory and monthly / annual returns.
  • Provision of self-service pay slips through MyHR