Modern Slavery Statement

Aldridge Education recognises its responsibility towards taking a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking. The organisation is absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its activities, and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking. This statement has been published in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that Aldridge Education has taken and is continuing in accordance with the Act.

Organisation Structure

Aldridge Education is a multi-academy trust, established in 2016 and currently has nine schools operating in Brighton, Darwen, London, Salford and Warrington. Aldridge Education also operates an adult learning provision and has a trading subsidiary supplying IT services to other schools.

The Board of Trustees is the strategic board with accountability for all activities within the Trust. The Executive Team report to the Trustees who bear ultimate legal responsibility for the Trust’s activities. The Trust employs approximately 900 staff across the schools, central team, adult learning and the trading subsidiary. The trust educates approximately 6000 learners.

Supply Chains

Aldridge Education is committed to ensuring that there is transparency in our business and our approach to tackling modern slavery is consistent with our obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners.

Aldridge Education is a predominantly service-based organisation and the Trust’s activities are delivered wholly within the UK. The majority of our turnover is spent on staffing to deliver a high-quality education to our students. Other goods and services are procured from providers almost entirely based within the UK.

In line with our Financial Regulations and procurement regulations, larger value contracts are procured either through a purchasing framework or appointed through means of a tender process. We have identified that some of our procurement takes place in sectors where modern slavery offences could occur and have updated our procurement practices to include compliance with the Modern Slavery Act as a condition for all larger value contracts.

Financial processes and procedures are regularly reviewed. Trust wide procurement procedures were reviewed during the academic year 24-25. This has included a review of existing suppliers, removing suppliers not in use and reviewing retained suppliers. As a result of this review, an increasing number of procurement activities are completed using frameworks which provide supplier vetting.

Policies

Aldridge Education policies and procedures form part of staff induction and staff refresher training. The organisation operates the following policies that are applicable to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in its operations:

Safer Recruitment Policy: Aldridge Education solely employs colleagues within the UK. Its recruitment practices are in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Safeguarding: Trust policies include Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy adopted by all schools and Aldridge Adult Learning and an Adult Safeguarding Policy. A program of safeguarding reviews and audits ensures compliance with these policies.
Whistleblowing Policy: Aldridge Education is committed to conducting its business with honesty and integrity and expects all staff to maintain high standards in accordance with our contractual obligations and our policies and procedures. The Whistleblowing Policy encourages staff to report anything which relates to suspected malpractice, wrongdoing or dangers at work.
Code of Conduct: The code of conduct makes clear to employees and volunteers the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation in order to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour.
Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption: Aldridge Education has a clearly stated policy that actively protects it from actual or alleged fraud, corruption or other form of financial irregularity and adopts a culture that encourages individuals to speak up when they identify fraud or recognise a risk of fraud, corruption or financial irregularity being perpetrated.
Financial Regulations: Aldridge Education is committed to delivering a responsible procurement policy.

Risk assessment and due diligence processes

We have considered the risk of the Trust being exposed to slavery and human trafficking, taking into consideration that nature of the work undertaken within the Trust, the application of our policies as listed above, the Trust’s processes and the training and awareness programmes in place and available to our staff.

Whilst we cannot 100% guarantee supplier adherence with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act, we will endeavour to eliminate the risks as far as possible.

Where a need for further due diligence or investigation is required, in relation to known or suspected instances of slavery and human trafficking, this will be led by a member of the Executive Team or a Principal, supported by members of the Central Team, Academy leadership team including the Designated Safeguarding Leads in accordance with the relevant policy.

Training and Awareness

Aldridge Education policies and procedures form part of staff induction and staff refresher training for all employees. All employees complete mandatory training (which includes safeguarding) as part of our annual training program.

Staff are encouraged to report any concerns or suspicions regarding the presence of modern slavery.

Reports

There have been no reports received from employees, the public, or law enforcement agencies to indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 August 2025.

Board Approval received;

11th December 2025

Jane Fletcher, CEO and Accounting Officer

December 2025