Educating for hope and aspiration:
Enabling healing, repair and renewal, coping wisely when things go wrong, opening horizons and guiding people into ways of fulfilling them.
A family of values-driven schools
The DND Learning Trust exists to enable primary schools to continue to achieve educational excellence through Christian-based ethos and values. We offer supportive academy options for schools looking to join a Trust, whether they’re Church of England or community schools.
Originally developed through the vision of the Durham Diocesan Board of Education, the Trust has since grown to reflect our wider partnerships, including with the Newcastle Diocesan Education Board. Today, DND Learning Trust is open to schools from both diocesan areas, and welcomes schools of all backgrounds that share our values and commitment to providing excellent education.
Welcome to DND Learning Trust
The Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust (DND Learning Trust) is an important part of the vision of two Diocese, Durham and Newcastle. The Trust exists to enable Primary Schools to achieve educational excellence through Christian-based ethos and values. We offer supportive academy options for schools looking to join a Trust, whether they are Church of England or not.
We are currently made up of 21 schools (soon to be 22) spanning eight Local Authorities, employing over five hundred staff but most importantly educating almost four thousand Primary School age children. All of our schools are different, but they are all equally anchored in the community they serve.
We have ‘tiny rural’ schools of less than 50 children and large urban schools of over 400 children and whilst they are all Church of England our reach extends well beyond Church of England Schools.
As part of our commitment to the region we also work with non-church schools on School Improvement and our Team are regularly supporting DFE initiatives be they regional or national.
The DND Learning Trust started as three Primary Schools in 2017 and during the following years we have seen steady growth to the point we are at now. The Trust continues to grow. Being part of the DND Learning Trust is like being part of a family. The Central Team pride themselves on being available to support everyone who works in our Trust but most importantly we are here to help our schools to be what they want to be.
As CEO it is privilege to work with and lead so many professionals and volunteers who work in our schools to deliver learning excellence across our Trust.
At our Trust every child matters and no child is ever left behind.
Paul Rickeard
Vision and Values
Every child matters and no child is ever left behind
Let the children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs (Luke 18:15-17)
At the DND Learning Trust we believe everyone in our Trust is a child of God, adults and children alike. Every individual and every school matters, all are valued and celebrated, and no one should be left behind.
The Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust is a place where we strive for the best outcomes for our children and staff. We work hard to achieve equity and flourishing for everyone. We want our staff and children to feel valued and celebrated, given the opportunity to innovate and reach their full potential. We want our schools to be at the heart of their communities serving them in the way they know best, knowing they will be supported, encouraged and affirmed by a dedicated and specialist team.
Educating for community and living well together:
A core focus on relationships, participation in communities and the qualities of character that enable people to flourish together.
Educating for wisdom, knowledge and skills:
Enabling discipline, confidence and delight in seeking wisdom and knowledge, and developing
talents in all areas of life.
Educating for dignity and respect:
The basic principle of respect for the value and preciousness of each person, treating each person as a unique individual of inherent worth.
