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.
Why join our trust?
The DND Learning Trust is a growing family of schools united by a shared vision for high-quality, inclusive education. Through our values and ethos, we offer challenge, support, and services that help each school thrive, while preserving their individual identity. We are committed to helping all children flourish, and we actively invest in both pupils and staff. Through strong collaboration and shared learning, we work together to improve outcomes and life chances for every child.
Centralised Support
Schools exploring membership with The Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust will receive full guidance from our central Trust team. We’ll support you every step of the way, coordinating with legal and professional representatives as needed to ensure a smooth transition.
Visions & 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.
How we support you
When you join our Trust, your school has access to the following services to help ensure your school and its pupils are set up to thrive.
Central Services
- Strategic direction and planning
- Governance and compliance management
- School improvement co-ordination
- Safeguarding
- Financial management and control
- Strategic procurement
- Capital project management
- Payroll
- HR management
- Staff development management
- Premises and estates management
- Insurance and risk management co-ordination
- Systems with appropriate training and advice
- Performance data analysis
- Marketing, communications and corporate image management
Process for joining us
Schools that wish to consider joining The Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust will receive dedicated support from our central team throughout every stage of the process. From initial conversations, we provide expert guidance and work closely with legal and other key representatives to ensure a smooth, transparent, and well-managed transition.
1
Decide to Join
The school’s governing body formally agrees to consider joining the Trust and move to consultation.
2
Plan and Consult
We work with you to create a consultation plan, including meetings and communications with staff, parents, and the community, to ensure everyone is informed and heard.
3
Prepare and Apply
Following the consultation period, if the governing body formally decides to proceed to join the Trust, together we complete the necessary applications and legal paperwork, coordinating with the Department for Education to move the process forward smoothly.
4
Transition and Join
Once approved, we support your school through the transition to Trust services, covering finance, HR, and more, ensuring a seamless start as part of the Trust.
Our Schools
With over twenty primary schools across the Trust, we promote a collaborative community where each school maintains its individual identity while benefiting from shared expertise and collective support.
Our scheme of delegation ensures autonomy at school level, while our network approach encourages meaningful collaboration, allowing staff and leaders to share best practices and learn from one another within a supportive, values-driven environment.