Working together to make a real difference

At North Star Community Trust (NCST), we are specialists in working with disadvantaged communities. We know what it takes to transform children’s life chances. Our schools are proof of what’s possible: our primaries sit in the top 10% nationally for attainment, showing that ambition and opportunity can go hand in hand.

We welcome conversations with schools and groups of schools across London, the South East and further afield where we can build strong local hubs.

A Message from Our CEO

“At North Star, we believe schools achieve more when they are part of a strong, values-driven community. We are proud to provide education from early years through to sixth form – supporting children on their journey from cradle to career. Our work is shaped by our values: to be inclusive, supportive, ambitious, kind, and act with integrity. Joining a Trust is a big decision, and it must feel right for your school. That’s why we begin with a conversation – open, honest, and without obligation. If you share our values and want to give your pupils and staff the very best future, we’d love to talk.”

Marino Charalambous, Chief Executive, North Star Community Trust

Strong central support

At North Star Community Trust, schools benefit from strong central services that take the pressure off leaders.

Our expert Estates, Finance, HR, Marketing, IT, Safeguarding and School Improvement teams provide the professional support every school needs to run smoothly and efficiently.

By working together, schools save money, reduce duplication, and gain access to high-quality expertise that would be hard to secure alone.

This frees headteachers and staff to focus fully on what matters most: children, learning, and building a thriving school community.

Our Values

Our values shape everything we do as a trust and guide the way we work with children, families, and staff.

They set the standard for how we support our schools and ensure that every decision is rooted in what matters most.

We also respect the values that schools joining our trust bring with them, another important aspect of autonomy.

• Inclusive – every child and family matters
• Supportive – strong communities and strong collaboration
• Ambitious – high aspirations for children, staff, and schools
• Kind – respectful, caring relationships at the heart of what we do
• Integrity – doing the right thing, always

Together, these values create a shared culture that unites our trust while allowing each school to keep its own unique character.

They are the foundation of our success, helping us build thriving school communities where everyone can achieve their best.

Community Outreach

Our community outreach programme goes far beyond education, working tirelessly to empower and upskill parents so they can support their children’s learning and improve their own opportunities.

We run over 60 courses each year – from healthy eating workshops to crocheting groups and ‘parent cafés’ that bring families together. Parents can also access training to build skills for employment and life.

Our outreach team is highly visible, spending time in the playgrounds every day, building strong relationships and trust with families. The programme is powered by a network of over 100 parent volunteers, making it a true community-led initiative.

Best of all, every school that joins North Star Community Trust benefits from a dedicated community outreach team and centralised safeguarding team, tailored to its families and local context.

Academy PLUS – More for children and families

When schools join North Star Community Trust, their pupils don’t just get lessons – they get Academy PLUS: a programme of enrichment that offers children extra chances to learn, grow and shine.

Its one of the ways we want to attract more families to our schools at a time of falling admissions for schools. 

This means:

• More chances to take part in exciting opportunities beyond the classroom
• More support to thrive academically and personally
• More confidence through new skills and experiences
• More fun that sparks a love of learning
• More for their future, ensuring every child is well-prepared for what comes next

Developing staff

We believe that investing in staff is the most powerful way to improve outcomes for children.

Our CPD programmes - designed to meet your requirements - ensures every colleague has access to high-quality training, mentoring, and career development opportunities.

From early career teachers to experienced leaders, we provide tailored support that keeps practice at the cutting edge.

Staff are encouraged to innovate, share expertise, and grow together, building a culture of continuous improvement.

By prioritising professional development, we create schools where both staff and children can achieve their full potential.

Joining our trust means being part of a learning community that places people at the heart of progress.

What the journey looks like

Joining a Trust is a significant step and every school’s journey is unique.

At North Star Community Trust, we start with a confidential, no-obligation conversation to understand your context, explore opportunities, and see whether we are the right fit for one another.

• Initial meeting – informal discussion with Trust leaders
• Exploration – understanding your school’s strengths, needs, and ambitions
• Partnership planning – shaping how Trust membership would support your pupils, staff, and community
• Decision together – a mutual agreement on whether to move forward

At a glance

• Schools retain their autonomy and unique approach
• Dedicated central services - Estates, Finance, HR, Marketing, IT, School Improvement
• Award-winning Community Outreach programme 
• Academy PLUS enrichment programme
• Central safeguarding 
• Cutting-edge training and CPD for all staff
• Expanding across London & South East, with potential for hubs further afield

By joining our forward-thinking trust, schools keep their own identity while contributing to a partnership where we all learn from each other and grow stronger together.

Let’s talk

If you’re considering the future of your school, we would be delighted to start the conversation.

Contact: David Maytham, School Improvement and Partnerships Lead Email:  [email protected] 

All enquiries are treated with strict confidentiality. Together, we can build brighter futures for children, staff, and communities.