United Learning is the trading name for United Church Schools Trust (UCST) and United Learning Trust (ULT). United Learning is one of the 50 largest UK charitable organisations. Its central office is in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. It is governed by a board of trustees and run by a management team. In 2012 ULT and UCST rebranded to operate under one name, United Learning. They legally remain as two separate charities.
United Learning works in partnership with independent schools, universities and corporations including Marlborough College, Winchester College, Warwick University, Sheffield Hallam University, Vodafone UK Foundation, Honda and Barclays. Through these partnerships, ULT claims to enhance the opportunities available to its students and staff, enabling them to develop skills outside the classroom and gain insights into other sectors.
United Learning academies also claim to provide programmes of activities for their local communities. These range from skills-based language and ICT courses to family support programmes.
In October 2010 the Emmanuel Schools Foundation, sponsored by Sir Peter Vardy, announced that it was handing over management of its schools to United Learning. All four of its schools are in the North East.
United Church Schools Trust was formed in 1884, and runs independent schools across England.
United Learning Trust (ULT) was formed in 2002 as a subsidiary of the United Church Schools Trust (UCST) which has been running independent schools in the UK since 1883.
United Learning Trust's first academy, Manchester Academy, opened in 2003, replacing Ducie High School, one of the poorest performing schools in the country; the academy received an "outstanding" report from Ofsted in 2009. Inspectors noted: "No matter what their background, all groups of students make outstanding progress as they move through the years."