Customer Story: The Circle Trust

A bigger trust, a bigger responsibility

When The Circle Trust first came together, it was small - just a handful of schools with clear processes and experienced teams managing their own day-to-day operations. The approach worked well for a smaller organisation, allowing schools the autonomy to handle things locally while still aligning with the Trust’s values.

But as more schools joined - and with the shift to remote working during Covid - the demands on the Trust began to change. New responsibilities were adding up, and the original setup, where each team managed things on their own, was starting to show its limits.

“We were growing, but we couldn’t keep doing things the way we always had. We needed a better way to support our schools. Not just now, but as we kept growing.”

- Debra Briault, Chief Operating Officer of The Circle Trust

The question was: how do you scale while staying true to your values? How do you centralise without losing that personal, school-first approach that had always defined the Trust?

The answer wasn’t just about finding the right software. It was about building the right partnership - one that would help them simplify the way they worked, without ever forgetting what they were working for.

Starting with people first

As the Trust began to grow, so did the demands on staff. Schools were facing increasing pressure - from tighter budgets to changing ways of working - and the central team needed to step in and provide more hands-on support. But that raised a new challenge: how do you take on more responsibility at the centre without slowing things down or creating more admin?

“We realised we had to bring a lot of the back-office work under one roof. The idea was to take the pressure off schools and let them focus on what really matters - teaching and supporting pupils.”

Rather than build a big, top-heavy head office, the team wanted something lean and flexible. The goal was to work smarter - not bigger - so they could give schools the help they needed, when they needed it, without adding extra layers of complexity.

Time for a new way of working

As The Circle Trust made the move toward centralised admin, they came up against a common problem: their financial and people management tools just weren’t cutting it. Information was scattered. Everyone had their own spreadsheets and processes. And when a new school joined the Trust, it often took longer than it should to get everything in place.

“We knew we needed something to help us bring it all together. But we also knew we didn’t want to overcomplicate things or take control away from schools.”

That’s when they started working with Access Education’s Financial and People Management Suite.

More than just software

For Debra and the team at The Circle Trust, their partnership with Access Education felt personal from the outset.

“It never felt like we were just buying a product. It was more like, ‘We’re here to work with you. What do you need?’”

That sense of partnership has lasted from the very first conversation through to today. Whether it’s setting things up for a new school or just checking a small detail, Debra’s team always knows who to call.

“Our account manager, Michelle, is amazing. I can just pick up the phone and say, ‘We’ve got a new school joining soon and they need a bit more support than others – can you help?’ And she’s on it.”

That kind of responsiveness has made a real difference - not just when something goes wrong, but in helping things go right from the beginning.

A big part of that experience comes from Access Education’s Premier Success Plan, which gives Debra and her team access to more than just a helpdesk. The plan includes proactive account management, priority support, and regular check-ins to make sure the Trust stays ahead of updates and continues getting value from the tools they’re using.

“We’re never met with, ‘That’s not in your contract. The team is always willing to help, no matter what the question is. It’s refreshingly solution-focused.”

She particularly values the ongoing conversations with their account manager, who takes time to walk them through new features and product updates - something that might otherwise get lost in a busy school environment.

“It’s so easy to miss things when you’re flat out. But those meetings help us stay on top of what’s changing and how we can make the most of it.”

With the Premier Success Plan in place, support feels like an extension of the team - not just a fallback.
Getting set up without the headaches

The Circle Trust didn’t rush into anything. They started small, trying things out, learning how the system worked for them, and gradually bringing more schools and functions on board. That gave them time to figure out what worked, ask questions, and avoid any big surprises.

“It wasn’t about throwing everything out and starting again. We took it step by step.”

As more schools came into the Trust, it became clear that things were getting easier. The central team could handle more without feeling overwhelmed. Schools weren’t stuck chasing emails or wrestling with clunky processes. And onboarding new schools - especially those that needed urgent support - became a lot smoother.

“We had one school coming in that really needed help. With the system in place, we could just get going and start supporting them right away.”

Support that’s there when you need it

One of the things Debra appreciates most is how support just… works.

“We don’t use support a lot. But that’s a good thing - it means the system works. And when we do need help, we get it - quickly, and from someone who knows us.”

That balance - being supported but not dependent - is exactly what The Circle Trust was looking for. They didn’t want to be tied to a system they constantly had to troubleshoot. They wanted something reliable in the background, with a helpful team ready to jump in if needed.

“It feels like a real partnership, not just a transaction. That’s rare.”

Keeping things simple and compliant

Like all multi-academy trusts, The Circle Trust has to stay on the right side of a lot of rules and regulations. The team is careful about making sure everything is compliant, especially when it comes to finance and governance.

With everything managed in one place, and clear records of what was done, when, and by whom, the team feels confident they’re not going to miss anything - or get caught out during audits.

“It’s not just about doing the right thing. It’s about being able to show you’ve done the right thing. That’s a big deal for us.”

What’s changed for the better

After a few years of growth, change, and learning, the Trust is in a very different place. Bringing operations into one central team has freed up schools to do what they do best. And the software has played a big part in making that possible.

Here’s what Debra and her team have noticed:

• New schools onboard faster. They don’t have to wait weeks to get access or figure things out on their own.
• The central team is more effective. They can support more schools without needing to grow the team endlessly.
• Communication is better. No more endless back-and-forth emails or chasing information.
• Schools feel supported. They’re not being micromanaged - they’re getting help when they ask for it.
• There’s peace of mind. Everything’s logged and trackable, so they’re ready for audits and inspections.

What it really comes down to

At the heart of it all is something simple: trust.

The Circle Trust didn’t just want a new system. They wanted a better way of working - one that kept schools at the center, made life easier for their team, and gave everyone more time to focus on the things that really matter.

“We needed system that fits us, and people we can rely on.”

The Trust is still growing. There will be new schools, new challenges, and new ideas to explore. But now, they’re better prepared. And they’ve got a partner walking with them, every step of the way.

Looking ahead

With each school that joins the Trust, Debra and her team get better at what they do. They’ve built a way of working that’s calm, collaborative, and designed to scale - without losing the personal touch.

“We’re not trying to build a huge head office. We just want to give schools what they need to do their jobs well.”

And that approach is paying off. Schools feel supported, the central team is confident, and the Trust is in a stronger position to take on whatever comes next.