Summit Education Trust

SET Group of Logos April 2026

Summit Education Trust (SET) is a Berkshire based Multi Academy Trust, bringing together The Downs School & Sixth Form, Compton CofE Primary School and Basildon CofE Primary School. While this marks a new chapter, the Trust is built on established and successful partnerships. Our schools have a strong track record of working closely together to improve student outcomes, develop staff and strengthen their communities. Through shared leadership, collaboration and a joined-up approach to education, we have already enhanced support for staff and improved the experience for our children.

Our Vision

‘Summit Education Trust is an ambitious collaborative family of schools which is firmly embedded in the heart of the community. We foster a student-centred culture of care, balanced with high expectations and aspirations for all. Experts deliver a seamless education for students aged 2-18yrs, to create accomplished, well rounded, life-long learners who are SET for life.’

Our Core Approach

As we begin this next phase, our approach remains straightforward. We offer a collaborative model that balances shared expertise with respect for each school’s leadership, character and distinct ethos. Schools work together, support one another, and share experience, while maintaining their own identity and close connection to their communities.

Our work is shaped by the realities of running schools today, including recruitment, workload, curriculum development and financial sustainability. We are clear that any support we provide across the trust must be practical, thoughtful and genuinely helpful. For our staff, this means more opportunity to work together, share expertise and feel supported in their roles, with a clear focus on reducing unnecessary workload and strengthening day-to-day practice. For school leaders and trustees, it brings access to experienced leadership, shared expertise and a network that works together to solve problems.

For Our Families

For our families, this change should feel both reassuring and positive. Day to day, your child’s school will remain the same, with the same staff, values and sense of community that you know so well. For our community, what sits behind it will be stronger. By working more closely together, our schools can share expertise, broaden opportunities and provide greater consistency as children move through their education. This means better support for learning, more opportunities beyond the classroom and a smoother journey from primary through to secondary. In simple terms, this is about making sure every child is well supported, challenged to do their best and able to move confidently and seamlessly from one stage of their education to the next.

New Partnerships

As part of this launch, Summit Education Trust has been established not only to strengthen our current schools, but to offer a thoughtful partnership model for others. We will work carefully with both primary and secondary schools who share our values and commitment to their communities, offering support that is practical, respectful and grounded in the realities of school life. Any growth will be measured and considered, with the same focus on quality, stability and strong relationships that has shaped our journey so far.

“Schools are being asked to navigate growing demands, and we recognise how challenging that can be. Summit Education Trust was established to provide meaningful support by bringing schools together to share expertise, collaborate effectively, and tackle challenges in a practical, solution focused way. Our aim is to build on the strengths that already exist within each school, while offering the collective capacity and support that is becoming harder for schools to sustain on their own.” Chris Prosser

We are genuinely excited about what lies ahead, but we approach this with care, drawing on our long experience of working in partnerships. Our focus remains firmly on providing the very best for every child, supporting our staff and working in partnership with you.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

 

Yours faithfully,

Chris Prosser

Headteacher & CEO Summit Education Trust

www.summiteducationtrust.org.uk

 

Summit Education Trust Berkshire

 

SET Development History

Letters to Parents, Carers & Staff