The Schools Learning Alliance is a loose federation of schools, mostly in Wokingham, that work in close collaboration on school improvement.
All the schools joining together to form the Orchard Learning Alliance were members of the SLA and had worked in close partnership before deciding to formalise this collaboration in a multi-academy trust. All our schools continue to be active members of the Schools Learning Alliance which is now based in the Orchard Learning Alliance.
The SLA was founded in 2017 by a group of like-minded headteachers who were concerned that their local authority was no longer able to provide the support and challenge that schools needed and wanted to drive continuous improvement. Since its inception, the SLA has grown steadily and now has over 30 schools- primary and secondary, organised into 5 hubs, which plan and deliver a wide range of school support and challenge activities.
While conversion from school to academy takes place, all schools have entered into a Trust Partnership Agreement with the OLA.
All the schools which are in the process of joining the Orchard Learning Alliance have been issued with academy orders. We have a phased growth plan supported by the Regional Director of Education which will enable all schools to formally join the OLA in 2024 or 2025.
We have entered into a partnership with the Ridegway Education Trust (RET) and TeachFirst to provide School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) leading to Qualified Teacher Status and a PGCE.
The one-year, school based, research-led training will provide trainees with plenty of hands-on experience whilst also giving you time to complete the academic elements needed to be awarded the PGCE.
Find out more about the RET Teach First programme
All applications for teacher training must be completed via the Government's “Apply for Teacher Training” page
Apply for teacher training - GOV.UK