WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST
Action plan 2026 to 2027
Contents
1. Introduction
What is an action plan?
Employers with 250 or more employees can produce and publish a voluntary action plan alongside their gender pay gap data. Their action plan shows the steps they are taking to address their gender pay gap and support employees experiencing menopause. Subject to legislation, these will be mandatory from spring 2027.
To create their action plan, the employer reviews a list of evidence-informed actions recommended by the government. They identify any that are already an established part of their working practice (‘embedded actions’), and choose at least 2 new actions to focus on (‘planned actions’).
You can see the full list of actions (opens in a new window) and guidance for employers on creating an action plan (opens in a new window).
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST submitted the following supporting narrative with their action plan:
The West Norfolk Academies Trust workforce demographic is overwhelmingly female.
This is largely because there are fewer males employed in a large number of support staff roles within our schools, for example teaching assistants, cleaning staff, Catering and administration.
These roles almost all fall within the lower two quartiles of the salary data. The majority of these roles are part-time, often giving flexibility to work within school hours and term-times.
For this reason when looking at the average hourly rate of its staff, it will appear that women are paid less then men.
In reality all roles are assessed and graded according to that of the roles responsibilities, regardless of who will fill the position.
For example when looking at Leadership posts, which all fall within the upper quartile, there are actually more female than male employees.
As a trust, we firmly uphold the principle of opportunity and progression being equally available to all employees, irrespective of gender.
We are committed to reducing the gender pay gap and will continue to monitor pay progression closely as well as reviewing other potential ways of supporting this, such as flexible working benefits.
Read WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST’s equality policies or strategy (opens their website in a new window)
2. Planned actions
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST has committed to working on these actions in the 2026 to 2027 reporting year:
Make job descriptions inclusive
About this action (Make job descriptions inclusive)
Read more about the action: Make job descriptions inclusive (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Add equality and diversity statement to all job descriptions
Encourage applications from a range of candidates
About this action (Encourage applications from a range of candidates)
Read more about the action: Encourage applications from a range of candidates (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Add equality and diversity statement to all job descriptions
Advertise leave policies in job adverts
About this action (Advertise leave policies in job adverts)
Read more about the action: Advertise leave policies in job adverts (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Added to Job descriptions
Train managers to support employees experiencing menopause
About this action (Train managers to support employees experiencing menopause)
Read more about the action: Train managers to support employees experiencing menopause (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Annual Menopause training for all employees starting Sept 26
3. Embedded actions
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST has indicated that the following actions are already an established part of their working practice.
Reduce unconscious bias in CV screening
About this action (Reduce unconscious bias in CV screening)
Read more about the action: Reduce unconscious bias in CV screening (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Remove Part 2’s (Personal details) from application forms before passing to recruitment lead.
Use fair and structured interview techniques
About this action (Use fair and structured interview techniques)
Read more about the action: Use fair and structured interview techniques (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Staff to follow the trust recruitment process including Interview templates.
Advertise flexible working arrangements in job adverts
About this action (Advertise flexible working arrangements in job adverts)
Read more about the action: Advertise flexible working arrangements in job adverts (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Included in JD’s where applicable/appropriate
Automatically consider eligible employees for promotion
About this action (Automatically consider eligible employees for promotion)
Read more about the action: Automatically consider eligible employees for promotion (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
All eligible employees are considered for promotion. Whilst this is not an automatic process (requiring employees to opt out of automatic progression) all eligible employees are actively encouraged to put themselves forward.
Encourage employee development through actionable steps
About this action (Encourage employee development through actionable steps)
Read more about the action: Encourage employee development through actionable steps (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
All employees receive specific advice on how to develop and how their work aligns with the business goals. Performance reviews are accompanied with effective and actionable feedback alongside SMART objectives (where appropriate) removing the opportunity for vague feedback that could hinder professional growth.
Offer mentoring, sponsorship and other development programmes
About this action (Offer mentoring, sponsorship and other development programmes)
Read more about the action: Offer mentoring, sponsorship and other development programmes (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
All newly qualified teachers are offered mentoring as part of their induction to teaching program. All teaching staff are able to apply to be mentors for their peers. Support staff Line Managers mentor their teams. The trust has a training program for all staff so employees are able to apply to participate in any training or CPD that is relevant for them to develop within their role.
Increase transparency for pay, promotion and rewards
About this action (Increase transparency for pay, promotion and rewards)
Read more about the action: Increase transparency for pay, promotion and rewards (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Trust pay is inline with the Trust pay policy and mirrors STPCD and NCC MRS pay recommendations.
Enhance and promote flexible working and leave policies
About this action (Enhance and promote flexible working and leave policies)
Read more about the action: Enhance and promote flexible working and leave policies (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
The Trust has a fully transparent Flexible working policy and Leave and time off policy that can be found on the Trust website under staff policies
Set up menopause support groups and networks
About this action (Set up menopause support groups and networks)
Read more about the action: Set up menopause support groups and networks (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
This has been incorporated into staff wellbeing networks
Offer workplace adjustments to employees experiencing menopause
About this action (Offer workplace adjustments to employees experiencing menopause)
Read more about the action: Offer workplace adjustments to employees experiencing menopause (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Already in place see Menopause Policy
Conduct a menopause risk assessment for your workplace
About this action (Conduct a menopause risk assessment for your workplace)
Read more about the action: Conduct a menopause risk assessment for your workplace (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Conducted on an individual basis via the menopause and work action plan see Menopause Policy
Review policies and procedures to meet the needs of employees experiencing menopause
About this action (Review policies and procedures to meet the needs of employees experiencing menopause)
Read more about the action: Review policies and procedures to meet the needs of employees experiencing menopause (opens in a new window)
WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST said:
Menopause policy in place and reviewed every 3 years
4. About WEST NORFOLK ACADEMIES TRUST
- Registered address
- Queensway, Gaywood, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 4AW
- Sector
- Education