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Merged multi-academy trust could oversee 16 primary and 4 secondary schools
Two trusts overseeing both primary and secondary schools across the Bristol area have announced a likely merger.
Cathedral Schools Trust and Trust in Learning are responsible for secondary schools including Orchard in Horfield and St Katherine’s in Ham Green, and primaries including Ashton Gate, Filton Avenue and Hotwells.
A letter to parents seen by Bristol24/7 informs them of “the exciting proposal (that) aims to harness the collective strengths of our schools to enhance the educational experience and outcomes for all our children, young people and staff across Bristol”.
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The letter from the leaders of the two trusts says that there is “a united belief from trustees and leaders that bringing our two strong and successful trusts together will create a dynamic organisation that will provide exciting opportunities for our children, young people and their families, our staff and the local communities we serve”.
“Our overriding objective and motivation for this proposed merger is to create the best possible opportunities and we seek always to ensure that every decision that we make is in the best interest of our pupils and staff.
“By coming together within a single unified trust structure, we will be much better able to share resources, and offer wider opportunities to recruit and retain staff which will better serve your children”.
Ashton Gate Primary is one of the schools in the Cathedral Schools Trust – photo: Mia Vines Booth
The letter to parents is signed by Sue Elliott and Hugh Barrett, the CEO and chair of Trust in Learning; and Neil Blundell and David Eastwood, the CEO and chair of Cathedral Schools Trust.
It says that with financial pressures on all schools, “a larger trust will secure better value for money so your children’s educational opportunities will be maximised”.
During what they call an “exploration and discussion phase”, they say “it has been clear that there is considerable synergy between our two trusts, with both offering a wealth of areas of expertise and excellence”.
If the merger goes ahead, the new trust would have responsibility for 16 primary schools, one all-through school and four secondary schools with some 11,000 pupils and 1,700 teaching and support staff.
Parents have been told that “for the most part, this proposal will mean very little change for your child and their school”.
“Individual school names, school uniforms, school staffing and day-to-day arrangements will remain the same as a result of this proposal. The main changes instead will be in the senior leadership and governance of the trust, and we will be able to share more with you in due course if this proposal is approved by the Department for Education.”
Main photo: Orchard School
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