About the Sir John Brunner Foundation

The Sir John Brunner Foundation is a high-performing multi-academy trust established in 2018, driven by the values of Excellence, Belonging and Partnership. The Foundation currently serves nearly 4,400 students aged 11–18 and employs around 500 staff across four academies and the central team:

• Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College (founding academy, 2018)
• The County High School Leftwich (joined 2019)
• Middlewich High School (joined 2021)
• The Macclesfield Academy (joined 2023)

The academies consistently achieve strong progress scores and maintain attendance in line with or above national averages. This success is underpinned by a culture of student inclusion and wellbeing, supported by dedicated colleagues ensuring every child is as happy and safe as possible, and with the opportunities to thrive.

Key Achievements:

• Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College – Highest performing Sixth Form College nationally for student progress and attainment; Outstanding in all Ofsted categories (2022).
• The County High School Leftwich – Sustained Above Average or Well Above Average progress since 2016; Outstanding Ofsted rating in every category (2022).
• Middlewich High School – Achieved Average progress for the first time in 2024; Good Ofsted rating; Headteacher awarded Guardian Education Awards Headteacher of the Year 2025.
• The Macclesfield Academy – Positive progress score in 2024; ranked 4th most improved school in England; shortlisted for TES Inclusive School of the Year 2025.
• Commissioned by the Department for Education to support schools outside of the Foundation as part of the Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme.

The approach is guided by the Brunner Blueprints, co-created by leaders across the trust, which codify principles of Leadership, Education, and Support. Impactful collaboration is a key driver, with initiatives such as an aligned CPD model focused on Inclusive Teaching and Learning, Foundation Leadership Forums and Focus Visits driving best practice.

The Foundation strives to ensure that colleagues and the wider community—particularly parents and carers—feel a genuine sense of belonging and representation within their academy. Staff voice is actively valued through the Staff Consultative Association, annual surveys, and regular pulse checks, driving continuous improvement across the Foundation.

In July 2025, the Foundation commissioned an External Review of Governance, which evidenced “high quality governance providing effective oversight, monitoring, challenge, support and accountability.” The Foundation places great value on local governance, ensuring each academy remains rooted in its community while leadership teams are both supported and constructively challenged to be the best they can be. The review found: "At SJBF it is recognised that each school within the group has its own unique character, serving the distinct needs of their communities and as such the Trust has a strong commitment to local governance.”

The Foundation has always aspired to welcome Primary Schools into the trust, as reflected in its Articles of Association and vision: Every Child’s Life enhanced and advanced through the highest standards of education. The mutual benefits of collaboration—developing new skills and knowledge while providing central education and operational support to help primary schools excel is key to this ambition.