Information for prospective schools

Let’s start with a conversation. 

Canonium Learning Trust is a values-led charitable education trust based in Essex. In 2025, we were incredibly proud to be named Tes Trust of the Year, recognising our success in delivering exceptional education and sustainable leadership across a diverse family of schools.

We work with all types of schools, including academies, community schools, and Church of England schools. We understand that each school has its own story, culture, and context.

If your school is beginning to explore the idea of joining a trust, we’d be pleased to arrange an informal conversation with your Headteacher, your Governing Board, or both. There’s no commitment - just the opportunity to talk, ask questions, and reflect together.

The right fit matters

There are many trusts for schools to choose from, each with its own identity, values, and approach. What matters most is finding a trust that aligns with your school’s ethos, vision, and ambitions.

We believe the best partnerships are built on shared values, mutual respect, and clarity of purpose. That alignment is the foundation of strong relationships and long-term success - for leaders, staff, governors and, most importantly, for children.

As the Tes Trust of the Year 2025, Canonium has been nationally recognised for its impact, leadership, and ability to support schools in delivering high-quality, inclusive education. 

Here’s what schools joining Canonium can expect:

School development and teaching & learning improvement

Canonium’s approach to school improvement is grounded in evidence-informed practice and designed to build capacity, consistency, and collaboration across a wide range of primary settings. We implement the WalkThrus framework to embed high-quality pedagogy through instructional coaching and shared teaching language. Our schools benefit from regular coaching cycles, peer feedback, and collaborative planning, supported by a tiered CPD offer for teachers, teaching assistants, and leaders. We provide central support for assessment and data analysis, helping schools plan effective interventions through pupil progress reviews. Our SEND strategy , including our Pink Tower Approach,promotes inclusive, responsive classrooms through practical tools, training, and a focus on structured independence. Quality assurance is driven by lesson visits, work scrutiny, pupil voice, and robust self-evaluation, with opportunities for cross-school moderation and Trust-wide training to share  best practice.

Tangible cost savings and financial sustainability

At Canonium, we look after your school’s finances - and we do it exceptionally well. From day-to-day operations to long-term forecasting, we provide clarity, stability, and expert support.

We’ve helped some of the most financially challenged schools in Essex to become sustainable, even in contexts with falling rolls, rural isolation or significant estate issues.

We’ve already delivered hundreds of thousands of pounds in savings across our schools. Examples include trust-wide procurement of operational contracts such as ICT, broadband, licensing, cleaning, waste management, telephony, HR systems, and catering, which brings substantial savings and improved value. We’ve secured capital and grant funding, including major building projects through the Condition Improvement Fund. We’ve also invested in LED lighting and energy-efficient LPG boilers to support sustainability and create better learning environments.

This isn’t just about saving money - it’s about getting the best value so that more of every pound goes into the classroom.

Our central finance and business team includes qualified, experienced professionals who work closely with school leaders, governors, and support staff to develop realistic, effective budgets and manage them with care.

Local identity, trust-wide strength

We help schools retain and celebrate their unique ethos - whether Church of England, non-denominational, rural or urban. Governance is meaningful and locally rooted, with Local Governing Committees playing a vital role, supported by clear delegation and ongoing training.

Wraparound care in every school

Every Canonium school offers breakfast and after-school provision, delivered either directly or through our partnership with the UK’s leading provider of wraparound care. This supports families, improves pupil readiness to learn, and ensures every child has a safe and supported start and end to their school day.