Our story
Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) officially became a multi-academy trust on 1 October 2017, but our journey began long before that. Rooted in over a decade of collaboration, shared values, and a commitment to excellence, ELAN was formed by a group of schools with a strong history of working together to improve outcomes for all learners.
Today, ELAN proudly includes nine primary schools across North Somerset:
- Banwell Primary School
- Bournville Primary School
- Locking Primary School (also home to the ELAN central team)
- Mead Vale Primary School
- Mendip Green Primary School
- Milton Park Primary School
- Oldmixon Primary School
- Walliscote Primary School
- Windwhistle Primary School
Each school brings its own unique character, strengths, and community spirit. At ELAN, we celebrate individuality—we do not believe in making every school look or feel the same. Instead, we nurture the unique and distinctive characteristics of each school while continuously building a culture of collaboration, support, and shared best practice.
Our geography
Our schools are located in North Somerset, a region known for its vibrant coastal areas, towns, and villages. With easy access to Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), and South Bristol, our network is well-positioned to serve a diverse population.
Our communities
ELAN schools support a mixed demographic, spanning both semi-rural and urban settings. We are proud to serve communities that include areas of significant deprivation—some within the top 0.5% nationally—as well as thriving neighbourhoods. This diversity enriches our learning environments and strengthens our commitment to equity and inclusion.
Our ethos
Our schools share a deep-rooted ethos built on over 10-years of collaborative development.
This has shaped our approach to:
- high-quality teaching and learning
- subject specialism and curriculum design
- excellent classroom practice
- inclusive provision for all pupils
- enriched opportunities for learners
- a culture of support and challenge
- sharing of best practice and resources
Together, we are committed to extending the capacity, sustainability, and impact of our schools. As a multi-academy trust, we harness the power of collaboration to deliver extraordinary education, experiences, and outcomes for every young person in our care.