St Ives School in Haslemere, Surrey is part of United Learning, which is a group of schools operating both in the independent and maintained sectors and which is, itself, a charitable trust dating back to the late 19th Century.
The organisation, which is well-known and growing, summarises its ethos as ‘the best in everyone’. United Learning provides the school with good access to high quality group professional services, such as financial services, HR and IT; sets academic and financial targets; and monitors performance closely.
Being part of United Learning also provides the Head Teacher with a highly developed and trusting collegiate professional network which supports and encourages the sharing of ideas and good practice across the schools in the Group.
United Learning also believes that each school is distinctive and maintains what is called a Local Governing Body which contributes valuable local knowledge and acts as a critical friend for the Head. In short, the school has two levels of governance, designed to incorporate and dovetail local expertise with the strength and resources of a significant group.