About Us

The Salterns Academy Trust provides an excellent education for every student in each school within the trust, remaining centred in the heart of its community. The Trust operates two academies for students aged 11-16 and one for students age 5-16 in the North Island area of Portsmouth. Mayfield School, Admiral Lord Nelson School and Trafalgar School have a combined student roll of over 3500 students.

Our Vision:

We will provide an excellent and inclusive educational experience that prepares our students for the world of tomorrow.

The Trust aims to deliver this vision for all young people in its schools. The Trust has identified the values which will underpin, focus and shape all the work that we do. Each year these will help us determine the strategic priorities which will drive this work forwards.

Our Values:

Inclusion: ‘High expectations and opportunities for all’ 

We are ambitious for all our children, young people and adults.  Our Trust is a place where everyone can feel safe and in which differences are respected and celebrated and a strong sense of belonging is fostered by knowing each other well, advocating equity of opportunity and overcoming any barriers to success.

Aspiration: ‘Lifelong learning in the future of your choice'

We know that an excellent education transforms lives. We are proud to be a child-centred trust that serves its children and their families with kindness and dignity.  Our culture of high challenge and high support empowers everyone to become the best version of themselves.  Striving for continuous improvement promotes a community where learning is valued and enjoyed, and achievements are celebrated.

Community: ‘A sense of belonging within and beyond our trust’

 Everyone is valued within our relational culture, which is inspirational, innovative and promotes high levels of professional trust.  Through effective partnership working, we have created strong connections with our families, within Portsmouth and across the wider education sector.   We work collaboratively, collegially and creatively together to develop and support our flourishing schools. 

Our Trust Improvement Plan:

Transforming Lives through Excellent and Inclusive Education

Through partnership, innovation and inclusion, we are building a trust that transforms lives — where every learner succeeds, every colleague thrives, and every school strengthens the community it serves. Our Trust Improvement Plan focusses on: 

1. High Quality and Inclusive Education

Strengthening our curriculum, teaching and support so that every learner thrives. Our Trust-wide curriculum for ages 4–16 will ensure consistency and ambition across all schools, with outcomes meeting or exceeding national averages. Cross trust working will drive excellence for vulnerable learners and those with additional needs. Plans for a multi-agency hub will extend our community support for children and families.

2. School Improvement

Our clear, collaborative improvement strategy is designed to secure consistently strong Ofsted outcomes and continuous improvement across all schools. We are proud to lead regionally and nationally in Relational and Restorative Practice and Languages education, with partnerships that help shape a more compassionate and connected education system.

3. People Development

Our people are at the heart of our success.  Salterns Academy Trust will be an employer of choice through our offer of  outstanding professional development, wellbeing, and leadership opportunities.

4. Finance and Operations

Robust financial systems and a five-year strategic planning model to ensure long-term sustainability underpins our plans. Investment in our digital infrastructure will deliver greater efficiency, stronger cyber security, and an AI strategy to enhance teaching and learning. Our Capital Strategy is focussed on every school environment being safe, sustainable and ready for growth.

5. Governance and Leadership

We are developing confident, ethical leadership at every level of our organisation. Our Strategy will guide sustainable growth and strengthen succession planning, governance expertise, and stakeholder engagement. Continuous professional development for trustees and leaders will ensure transparent, effective decision-making that serves our communities.

Safeguarding:

The Trust places safeguarding at the heart of its work, recognising that every child, young person and adult has the right to feel safe, secure and supported. Our  staff and governors are committed to creating an environment where concerns are promptly recognised and reported, and rigorous policies guide recruitment, training and response.

The well-being of learners is paramount, with systems in place to ensure that anyone who may be vulnerable – whether due to age, disability, care status or other factors – is protected from harm and that their views and voice are heard. The Trust continuously monitors and updates its safeguarding procedures to ensure they remain robust and responsive to emerging risks, fostering an ethos in which keeping children and young people safe is everyone’s responsibility.

Inclusion:

The Trust is committed to inclusion as a core principle: eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering positive relationships across all protected characteristics.

With a clear  policies and practices that seek to remove barriers faced by learners and staff, the Trust works proactively to ensure that every individual feels valued, supported and able to thrive. This means tailoring provision to meet diverse needs, promoting accessibility and ensuring that the curriculum, culture and practices of the Trust reflect and celebrate the rich variety of backgrounds, experiences and abilities within the community. Inclusion isn’t just an aspiration—it is embedded in how the Trust thinks about recruitment, progression, learning, and partnership with families and stakeholders.

The principles of the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools programme are embedded within our schools:

Admiral Lord Nelson School	Trafalgar School	Mayfield School