Embark Federation started as a two school federation in 2017 between Richardson Endowed Primary and Kilburn Junior School under local authority control. After considerable interest from others we became a multi-academy trust officially in January 2019 formed by 7 primary schools across Derbyshire.
Embark has always had a keen focus on the Arts, Sports, Sciences and ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum and providing a wide range of opportunities across all our schools.
During Covid, as a group of 9 primary schools alongside Sharon Gray OBE, Embark designed the Rising Strong Recovery programme which was a toolkit of activities for staff to use upon their return to schools based around the social and emotional health of children and staff. This was recognised by the DfE and Cabinet Office and case studies were shared and the resources were shared across the Uk and beyond with headteachers sending thanks as far away as Australia and New Zealand.
Post Covid, the Embark family continued to grow and were approached by many schools who shared our values of Family, Integrity, Teamwork and Success. Embark are proud to have stuck to our growth principle of never approaching a school and instead focusing on doing our best by our current schools and their communities.
Currently, we have 21 schools in our family made up of 17 primaries and 4 secondaries. Our schools have excellent and vibrant curriculums that serve their context and give our children the very best education. Our standards are high and schools meet the accountability demands through being creative, sharing together and standing out.
We are developing six regional teams across Derbyshire and work closely with local businesses and have formed some excellent partnerships with the likes of The University of Derby, Chatsworth House and Derby Kids Camp to name just a few.
We are always looking at how we can bring exciting opportunities to our schools and for example, have hosted whole trust World Book Days with cast members from Matilda to bring the book to life. Embark have enabled many children in need to receive a well deserved holiday each summer through the trust.
We have been recognised nationally and received numerous awards over recent years including; Large MAT of the Year 2024, Community Trust of the Year, Excellent governance in a Multi-Academy Trust to name just a few.
Our purpose is to Love Learning and Love Life and we live out this and our core values every day. If you are interested in finding out more please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Providing the foundation of how we work as a group of schools.
Family is very important to our federation. Like every family, we want our young people to feel safe and secure. In our family, we care for each other and hope, dream, learn and play together.
Integrity, to us, means ‘doing the right thing when nobody is watching’. Trust and respect are key values for us and are inherent in everything we do in our schools and as a federation.
We truly believe that we are stronger together, which is why we joined this federation. Sharing ideas and excellent practice, supporting our colleagues to overcome hurdles, and achieving greater things give us great satisfaction.
Success, to us, means every young person and member of the Embark team fulfilling their potential. We do not place a ceiling on what can be achieved, and we strive for everyone in our federation to ‘be the best they can be.’
