United Schools Federation
Welcome to United Schools Federation
The ‘United Schools Federation’ (USF) is a federation of eight schools – St Michael’s C of E Nursery and Primary School in Kingsteignton, St. Catherine’s C of E Primary School in Heathfield (including St Catherine’s Pre School), St Mary’s C of E Primary School in Brixton, Marldon Primary School, Ipplepen Primary School, (including Saplings Pre-school), Stokeinteignhead Primary School, Doddiscombsleigh Primary School and The Topsham Primary School.
The USF is currently a member of the United Schools Learning Partnership, a Cooperative Trust of 12 schools working together to share expertise for the better good of all children.
The USF has one Governing body, made up of representation from all our schools and one Executive Headteacher. Each school has its own Head of School and they are responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of their school.
The Federation has a strong track record of school improvement and regularly works with other schools to help improve and develop practice. In turn, this has helped the federation to reflect upon and develop its own practice.
Our schools work closely together to ensure that the quality of care and education across the partnership is of the highest standard. We share resources and expertise and in addition to a broad and balanced education, we aim to provide a wealth of additional opportunities for children through an extensive range of clubs, sporting activities, outdoor activities and residential visits.
If you would like to know more about our partnerships or our individual schools, please feel free to use the links or email us at info@unitedschoolsfed.co.uk
Kind regards
Martin Harding MA FRSA
Executive Headteacher
United Schools Federation
International Travel
At The United Schools Federation, we believe in expanding horizons and fostering global connections for our students. Through the Turing Scheme, a Government initiative designed to provide international opportunities for learners, we have embarked on transformative journeys to Finland, Canada New Zealand and Italy, enriching the educational experiences of our primary school students.
In November 2023, we proudly accompanied some of our Year 6 federation students on an unforgettable expedition to Canada. Then, in April 2024, it was the turn of some of our Year 5 federation students to explore the wonders of Finland.
Most recently, in 2025, we took Year 6 students on an incredible journey to New Zealand, further strengthening our commitment to global learning. These trips weren’t just about sightseeing; they were part of a broader mission to prioritise mental health awareness, collaborating with our international counterparts on innovative approaches to well-being.
Also in 2025, another group of federation students had the opportunity to travel to Naples, Italy. Immersed in the region’s rich history, culture, and cuisine, our pupils engaged in activities that deepened their understanding of European heritage and global citizenship. As with our other trips, the Naples visit included a focus on mental health and well-being, with pupils taking part in collaborative workshops with Italian peers.
At the USF, we are committed to providing amazing opportunities through the Turing Scheme. With successful trips to Finland and Canada under our belt, we continue to seek new avenues for enriching experiences that expand the horizons of our students.
Other schools within our federation are eagerly following suit, submitting applications for Turing Scheme funding to provide their students with similar enriching opportunities. Stay tuned as we continue to expand our reach and offer even more students the chance to broaden their horizons on the global stage.
Italy 2025
New Zealand 2025
Finland 2024
Canada 2023
