United Learning Trust (ULT) has been created to manage a number of Academies spread across the country. ULT is a subsidiary charity of the not-for-profit charity, United Church Schools Trust (UCST) and shares with it the objective of managing schools which offer students a good education based on Christian principles of service and tolerance. The Church Schools Company (now United Church Schools Trust) was founded in 1883 and now manages twelve highly successful independent schools.

Working together in a group has significant benefits for teachers, pupils and parents.  This feature of the Academies within ULT, together with the long experience in high quality education brought by UCST, makes this sponsorship unique in the country.

City Academies

Through its new subsidiary, the United Learning Trust, UCST has committed itself to assist children in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the country using the Government's City Academy programme.

ULT opened its first Academy in Moss Side, Manchester in September 2003; further Academies followed in Lambeth and Northampton, both of which opened in September 2004.  We expect the Academies we are planning for Salford, Paddington, Walthamstow, Sheffield and Barnsley to open in 2005 or 2006.

The Academies are financed separately by the Government through a contract with ULT and do not receive any subsidy from UCST.  This means that none of the fees that parents pay go into the Academy programme. 

All operating costs are paid for by the Government and all sponsorship is fundraised separately.  UCST central office handles the administration of both the Academies and the schools, thereby reducing the unit administration cost per pupil whether in UCST or ULT.

Combined work is undertaken by the schools and Academies for ICT improvements, teacher training and career development.

In any future review of charitable status involving UCST and its schools, this activity is likely to make a major contribution to any interpretation of public benefit.  It is also a beacon of good practice in private-public partnership.