Why United Learning?

Welcome to United Learning

Since 1884, United Learning has been committed to providing the best education and opportunities for the children and young people in our schools. Just as we seek to nourish their lives, we want the best for our colleagues too.

When you join us, you can be confident that you will receive the opportunities, guidance and materials you need to be the very best teacher you can be.

As a long-established group of schools, stretching from the North West to the South Coast, one of the many benefits of joining us is the breadth and depth of resources and support available. With a shared curriculum, subject advisors, a national pool of peers, coaching, mentoring and individual CPD plans, your teaching career will develop and grow as much as you want it to.

The strength of our group is determined by our people, which is why we seek to recruit and support the very best educators, with the skills and enthusiasm to inspire our young people.

We believe that diversity drives innovation and are determined to build a culture where difference is valued and celebrated. In creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, we are committed to continuing to improve the diversity of staff within each of our schools and central teams.

A national network

We're a growing group, with over 90 schools across the country. That means plenty more opportunities to progress your career within United Learning, with the chance to work in contrasting schools in different regions. It also means you've got a ready-made network of colleagues across the country with whom you can share ideas, best practice and knowledge.

When you join United Learning, you'll be invited to attend our annual Best in Everyone Conference induction event providing opportunities to meet other colleagues and find out more about our work and the rewards and benefits available to you. We also host multiple teach-meets throughout the year, often with special guest speakers, and hold General Education Forums for headteachers and senior leaders.

Your wellbeing

At United Learning, we recognise that flexible working has a key role to play in attracting, retaining, developing and rewarding outstanding teachers. Everyone should be able to do their job without sacrificing a family life or compromising their wellbeing. That’s why we are committed to encouraging and enabling flexible working opportunities throughout our schools.

We love working in education, but we know it can be challenging. That’s why your wellbeing is our top priority – from emotional support to workload management. The majority of our schools now have wellbeing leads who work with headteachers to target activities at the right level for staff. Every academy has at least eight INSET days per academic year, with three dedicated to planning.  Additional time to prepare is good for your pupils as well as your wellbeing. Free confidential advice and support is accessible to all staff through our Employee Assistance Programmes.

Shared curriculum and expertise

Our shared curriculum spans key subjects and defines the essential teaching and learning for each year. It's well-stocked with lesson plans, assessments and other resources, which can be adapted depending on the class you're teaching. It allows schools the flexibility to deliver it in the way that works best for them, whilst ensuring that every pupil progresses.

We also have specialist subject advisors, who are experts in their field with the experience to know what works best in the classroom; they liaise throughout the year with departmental and subject leads to offer advice on how to teach topics and improve pupils' progress.

Your professional development

Great professional development starts in school. We support all our schools to offer professional development that is rooted in the evidence of what improves teaching and learning. The Group provides access to specialist resources, speakers and networks, as well as qualifications such as NPQs and Apprenticeships. Each offer is flexible to your needs and aspirations, whatever your role.

All teachers at United Learning also receive free membership of the Chartered College of Teaching, giving you access to the world’s largest education research database; a subscription to the College’s peer-reviewed journal; networking opportunities and the chance to have your say in the development of education policy. 

Remuneration packages and perks

At United Learning we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and appreciated. Because we are a group, we can reward you better than any school could alone, and this includes your employee benefits. We have a number of core benefits which include competitive rates of pay when compared to the maintained sector; access to a contributory pension scheme relevant to your role; enhanced parental leave policies to support parents and carers; independent school fee reduction scheme for your children and tailored Continuous Professional Development (CPD).                                      

We’ve partnered with Perkbox to offer every United Learning employee over 250 exclusive benefits, all through an easy-to-access platform and app. featuring a range of perks including free access to online wellness and workout classes, a free monthly coffee and film download and money off your weekly shop, high street purchases and meals out.

Many schools have implemented their own staff recognition schemes including breakfasts and thank you cards to show appreciation.

Our annual staff survey helps school leaders to understand their teams, their motivations and how to ensure that all employees feel valued. We encourage and support schools to deliver their own rewards schemes on top of those provided by United Learning.

In-house expert support

Based in Peterborough, with offices in London and Salford, our Central Office function exists to provide educational and business support for your school. By providing services effectively and efficiently, they ensure you can focus on educational leadership.

Our in-house experts include a Finance Business Partner to support leaders through budget-setting season and keep on-budget throughout the year. The award-winning HR team can guide with recruitment, retention and HR issues to support in building the best teams. Our marketing team and  PR agency are available to help promote your school to the wider community. We also have legal advice, a dedicated IT support desk, data, health and safety, and estates experts.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to having a diverse workforce, to provide an inclusive culture throughout United Learning and to ensure we reflect the communities we serve. As part of our commitment, we have signed the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We know that ethnic minorities still face significant disparities in employment and progression, and that is something we need to change. The Charter is composed of five calls to action for leaders and organisations across all sectors. We have also signed the National Governance Association's Statement of action and commitments on equality, diversity and inclusion in education, which includes the future actions we have committed to.

Our actions so far include:

  • Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Group established to provide leadership and guidance in relation to the progress of work across this agenda
  • Working with schools to develop context-specific action plans including training plans and a focus on developing an inclusive culture
  • Recruitment and selection processes and practice have been revised
  • Reverse mentoring programme launched

United Learning