Our Journey

I know every CEO is proud of their Trust, their schools, the staff and the pupils within it…..and I am no exception. I know every CEO feels their Trust is unique, that their USP is different from every other; and they have a WOW factor that exceeds all. I am absolutely no exception to that either! I am personally so proud of the journey we have travelled and what we have achieved to date - created by people with a genuine desire:

‘To inspire the futures of us all through learning together’

We formed Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL) in 2016 as a natural extension of our school improvement journey. Indeed, for over twenty years our founding school, Two Mile Ash School had worked with very secure, high-quality partners in their ITT School-Based Partnership, supporting newly formed Trusts in turning schools in difficulty around and created our CPD programme to support the development of leadership and continual professional development both locally and nationally. There was a very strong track record of school improvement led by high performing leaders who shared a common vision. Developing a Multi-Academy Trust with like-minded schools and their leaders meant that our vision could circulate further, ensure the impact of our work reached out to more children and more staff benefited from high-quality development and learning from each other.

Since 2016 we have achieved great success. We can quantify our success in Ofsted reports, performance data, financial spreadsheets and our recruitment and retention figures. However, most importantly to note is that we can only achieve such success because of our culture and ethos. It is our more qualitative success that makes IFtL truly unique. We are a strong family, with different personalities and differing abilities but we have the golden thread that pulls us together  - a belief that we are stronger together; that we will go that extra mile for each other and support each other when things aren’t going the way we want them to.

The camaraderie is second to none as our school improvement system is strongly embedded in our schools as we use the skills and expertise to support each other. There is nothing new about a self-sustaining school improvement system – but the way we do it is unique to us and something that we are extremely proud of.

Indeed, IFtL is all about the people: the adults and the children. Our values set us apart:

This is the glue that holds us together, our common ethos, our shared values and our bare necessities. This is why we are special.

So yes, I am unashamedly proud of who we are and what we have achieved and I know that being part of the IFtL community is genuinely a great place to be!

Sarah Bennett 
Chief Executive Officer 
Inspiring Futures through Learning

Inspiring the futures of us all together

Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL) is a Multi-Academy Trust established in 2016. Currently comprising of 20 schools across Milton Keynes and Corby, Northamptonshire—connected through a shared commitment to excellence, equity, and innovation.

Our vision is to inspire the futures of all through learning together. Our growth reflects our firm evidence that working collaboratively—sharing effective practice, developing our people, and holding fast to our values— positively impacts over 8,500 pupils and their families every day.

Our Vision and Purpose

Rooted in our belief in system leadership and school development, our work is driven by the ambition and aspiration we hold for everyone—including those with additional vulnerabilities and needs. This ambition encourages confidence, creativity and strength in our individuals, teams and schools.

We recognise and embrace our wider purpose. Our schools play a vital role in intellectual, social and character development—encouraging a strong sense of identity, civic responsibility and personal growth in all our pupils. We believe in the power of education to create a more equitable future and are proud of our contribution to that vision.

Professional Growth and Excellence in Teaching

Through the Two Mile Ash Initial Teacher Training,  IFtL supports the development of passionate and skilled teachers across the region. This well-established partnership offers multiple routes into teaching, including postgraduate, undergraduate, and apprenticeships, welcoming and shaping future educators from diverse pathways.

We are equally proud of the high-quality professional development opportunities available to all colleagues within IFtL. Through IFtL Varsity—our dedicated CPD programme —we ensure that all colleagues have access to tailored training, research-informed resources and opportunities to grow and lead with impact.

School Improvement and National Leadership

Our record of sustainable, positive school transformation, combined with our deeply held values, means we are trusted to help shape educational excellence across the system.

Our Commitment to Equity, Sustainability and Community

We are determined to ensure every pupil, including those with SEND and those facing disadvantage, has access to a rich, high-quality education. Our inclusive ethos is underpinned by fairness, opportunity and unwavering belief in the potential of every child.

Our commitment to the future also extends to sustainability. We have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, leading our schools and communities in taking meaningful action to protect our planet for generations to come.

Our Strategic Plan to Date...

Our strategic plan to date has ensured we remain focused on what matters most—pupils, people, and potential. By attracting, retaining and developing exceptional leaders, teachers and professional services colleagues, we continue to build the capacity and culture needed to thrive. Through wise investment, listening to our communities, and maintaining a clear moral purpose, we are making a sustained, positive difference.

At IFtL, we know that in education, standing still is not an option. Every moment matters, and everyone within our schools and central team takes this responsibility personally. As we look to the future, our commitment is clear: to continue inspiring the futures of us all, together.

Vision

To inspire the futures of us all through learning together.

We believe that collaboration and shared purpose strengthen us: ‘we are never alone … one united family striving for excellence for all.’
We open doors to opportunity and unlock potential — for children, for adults, for communities.
Our ambition is equitable, high‑quality learning for all, including those with additional needs or facing disadvantage.

Four Key Pillars (Outcomes / Drivers)

• Ambitious Learners in Strong Schools
• High Standards of Curriculum & Positive Learning Culture
• Engaging, Adaptive, Evidence‑Based Lessons
• Investment in Staff Development & Career Pathways
• Expert Governance & Strong Local Identity
• Safe, Secure, Thriving Environments & Community Leadership

Core Values 

• Fun – we enjoy what we do, contribute positively, celebrate success
• Unique – we champion diversity, innovation, creative thinking
• Together – we support, encourage, collaborate, and care for each other
• Unafraid – we are courageous, confident to challenge, robust in decision‑making
• Responsible – we act in the best interests of our communities, accountable and ethical
• Energetic – we are positive, dynamic, always exploring new possibilities
• Safe – we ensure secure, inclusive environments, protective and firm

How It’s Lived Out

• Professional Growth & Excellence: Through IFtL Varsity, CPD, and structured career pathways, we empower all colleagues to lead, innovate and grow.
• School Improvement & System Leadership: Our track record in transforming schools underpins our role in supporting improvement across the wider system.
• Equity & Inclusion: A commitment that every child — including those with SEND or disadvantage — receives a rich education in an inclusive environment.
• Governance & Accountability: Strong governance at trust and school levels ensures clarity of vision, financial probity, and safeguarding compliance.
• Community & Civic Responsibility: We engage with families, local partners, and regional/national systems to shape education’s future.
• Sustainability: A pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2035 demonstrates our long-term commitment to planetary wellbeing.