Our Federation

Compass Federation consists of three primary schools throughout North Kent. We see the growth of Compass as an opportunity for schools, leaders, and governors to step forward as co-shapers of a school-led and self-improving system in our area.

Compass is committed to sustaining high-quality schools as well as supporting those in need of specific improvement. Our focus is to provide school improvement services that draw on the wealth of practice from across our Federation, broaden the expertise available to schools through flexible working arrangements and increase our capacity to respond quickly to the needs of individual schools. Pedagogical excellence is at the heart of all we do, with a sustained focus on collaborative and mastery learning.

Our pathways for all approaches assist in the recruitment, training and retention of staff, providing the start of many successful careers.

What is a Federation?

A federation is a group of two or more schools that have made a formal commitment to work together under a single governing body. This enables the schools in the federation to:

• work together efficiently and sustainably to raise standards,
• improve services and increase opportunities for pupils and staff; and
• share resources, staff, expertise and facilities.

The legislation that allows schools to federate is set out in regulations made under sections 24 and 25 of the Education Act 2002. The decision to create or join a federation is usually taken by governors, although in some circumstances the local authority can require schools to federate. In recent years, it has become increasingly common for schools to work together in a federation.

History of the Federation

At Compass, our aim has always been to build a sustainable model that allows us to carry out the function of a civic institution; to encourage and support schools to improve provision, opportunities and outcomes for local children.

St. Paul's and St. Edmund's federated together on the 1st April 2022 following a 2 year period of soft-federation. In September 2024, Dunton Green joined the Federation as a soft partner before formally joining on 1st April 2025.