Our Strategic Plan
Our Trust is a partnership of mainstream and special settings, unified by a shared commitment to fostering a learning experience built on the principles of responsibility, authority, and accountability. We pride ourselves on being intentionally inclusive, ensuring that every member of our family of schools is valued for who they are and for the unique contributions they bring. Together, we strive to achieve the very best outcomes, celebrating the diversity and strengths of each individual within our community.
Our goal is to collaborate closely with our local authority to deliver a fully inclusive offer for all learners. We are dedicated to sharing our expertise with other settings, enhancing the quality of education across the board. Additionally, we are committed to providing much-needed access to specialist places for learners with specific needs, ensuring that every student receives the tailored support they deserve. Through these partnerships, we aim to create a learning environment where all students can thrive.
Thank you for taking the time to read our Trust Strategic Plan.
This document sets out our key priorities for the next three academic years. It is written to support our philosophy that all schools and settings working with Four Rivers must promote a culture that is intentionally inclusive.
It is a working document, added to regularly. This is a summary of our plans written for our website.
Our work as a family of schools is to ensure that outcomes for all are the best they can be and that we can promote the notion that there is a place for inclusion in all our settings and that learning should be bespoke to reflect the needs of all of our learners.
We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of our learners, our teams and our schools.
We are connected by the mission to take responsibility, maintain authority and undertake accountability in our purpose, beliefs and behaviours.
Jacqui Ames CEO
Carolyn Garner Chair of the Board of Trustees
Our Academies
Lisburne Special School
Lisburne School is an outstanding primary school for children with Special Educational Needs, we are proud to be part of the Four Rivers Family of Schools. We are passionate about creating a uniquely inclusive environment which promotes our ethos and core values to help our pupils become courageous, creative and unique learners;’ growing as individuals- learning together’. We celebrate the diversity and strengths of our pupils, working closely with families to support our children to become valued members of the wider community.
Headteacher Mrs. Sam Benson
Oakgrove School
Oakgrove School is a specialist setting for learners identified with SEMH needs. It currently has 37 learners on roll. The Trust is supporting the school’s expansion and offer additional places in the future in partnership with the LA (Stockport).
Headteacher Mr. Rob Metcalfe
Norbury Hall Primary School
Norbury Hall Primary School is a two form entry mainstream school that has 420 learners on site from Reception to Year 6. It also hosts a nursery provision for a further forty learners split into two offers of fifteen hours.
Headteacher Miss Becky Wood
Our vision
Growth of the trust – The period covered by this strategic plan includes known growth. The following expansion plans and academies will join the trust:
| Trust Growth | Academy Schools Joining | Additional SEND Provision |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 September 2024 | School A, B and C to apply for conversion and work alongside the Trust ahead of joining. |
From January 2025 ERP open with 8 places based at The Quay. From April 2025 Oakgrove satellite 8 places based at The Quay. |
| Year 2 September 2025 | School A join September 2025. School D, E and F apply for conversion and work alongside the Trust ahead of joining. |
ERP at The Quay to grow to 24 places throughout the year. Oakgrove additional 8 places on site. Proposed opening of Oakgrove second site with an additional 25 places. Work with LA (Stockport) to agree additional venues/ spaces to support complex needs places – approximate plan 25 places |
| Year 3 September 2026 | School B and C to join September 2026 School D, E and F join September 2027. | Potential Nursery expansion in place for mainstream settings with a focus on additional needs (SEND support). Additional 20 places. |
In addition to this known growth, the trust is focussing growth efforts in the following areas:
- Outreach and school improvement support for schools beyond the Trust – additional funds.
- Wraparound provision and childcare support for a joining academy initially
- Extending the offer of Early Years provision beyond 20 places for 30 hours at Norbury Hall
- Partnership work with the LA re The Family Hub and SEND support services
- Holiday provision for working parents across the Trust
- CPD and conference opportunities beyond the Trust
Governance
Four Rivers Family of School is governed by a board of trustees who are accountable to the members and have overall responsibility for all the work of the trust. Governance across the trust is structured as follows.
Key Priorities
The following strategic priorities have been identified and agreed by the trust’s members, trustees, executive leaders and staff. These priorities will allow us to achieve our vision and aims for growth
Priority 1
To maintain standards and raise achievement for all learners within the Trust
All schools within the Trust are committed to maintaining a standard of at least “Good” in all areas, as measured by external indicators such as OFSTED. A key component of our Trust’s vision is to ensure that every school provides a learning offer that meets the diverse needs of our students and stimulates their growth through quality-first teaching, adaptive practices, and, where necessary, enhanced, bespoke plans in accordance with EHCPs.
We firmly believe that achievement is best measured by progress. To this end, it is essential that every learner within our care has an individualised progress tracker and is involved in regular progress discussions. Our approach includes providing the necessary scaffolding, support, and challenge to help each student achieve their very best. We are dedicated to ensuring that every child’s educational journey is carefully monitored and tailored to foster their success.
Priority 2
To offer a professional development policy and plan that is high quality and impacts directly on the quality of education across the Trust
High-quality professional development is crucial to ensuring that all teaching and learning within our Trust meet the highest standards. Teaching must be closely aligned with curriculum plans, and specific training should be connected to key changes or directions from the government as well as the Trust’s overarching vision. For training to have a meaningful and positive impact, it must be timely, supportive, purposeful, and relevant. By investing in our educators’ growth, we ensure that our staff is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver exceptional education, driving positive outcomes for all our learners.
Priority 3
To extend the offer of SEND places to learners in Stockport
Expanding SEND provision is a central element of the Trust’s vision. Our partnership with the local authority is grounded in a shared commitment to ensure that Stockport learners are educated within their own community. In light of the national shortage of available SEND places, this need is particularly urgent. Through this joint enterprise, we are dedicated to creating high-quality provision and offering places under the Trust specifically for learners already known to Stockport. This collaboration will help ensure that every child receives the education and support they need close to home, within a trusted and familiar environment
Priority 4
To build a central team that enables the Trust to work self sufficiently
For the Trust to operate efficiently, it is crucial to establish and expand an internal central team. This team will be essential in providing comprehensive support across financial, administrative, and contractual matters. By building this internal capacity, the Trust can minimise procurement costs and support the cost savings necessary for sustainable growth. A well-resourced central team will ensure that all schools within the Trust can focus on delivering high-quality education while benefiting from streamlined operations and strategic financial management. This approach will be key to the Trust’s long-term success and ability to serve its community effectively.
Priority 5
To extend the Trust to a model of aged 2 to 18 upholding the principles of inclusion in every setting
The Trust’s vision is to provide an inclusive learning experience for all learners aged 2 to 18. This vision is deeply rooted in our philosophy of responsibility, authority, and accountability. We believe that offering a comprehensive educational journey—from preschool through post-GCSE—will create a more coherent and supportive experience for every learner within the Trust. Our goal is to establish a through key stage offer, ensuring that both specialist settings and mainstream schools benefit from a consistent and aligned approach to meeting learner needs. This holistic model will allow us to support each student’s unique journey, providing continuity and quality throughout their entire learning career.