New trust will help Telford schools forge links
A new trust is to be set up to help three Telford schools work more closely together.
Wrockwardine Wood Arts College, Sutherland Business and Enterprise College and the Phoenix School are working towards setting up a multi-academy trust to run all three schools, although each will retain their own governing bodies.
Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet heard last night a shadow trust board was already in place.
The Department of Education is expected to approve for each of the schools to convert to academy status from April 1.
The trust board is being established with help from the Schools Co-operative Society and the council and the council's cabinet member for children, young people and families, Councillor Paul Watling, has been part of the shadow board because of an existing role with Wrockwardine Wood Arts College.
The cabinet approved Councillor Watling's appointment on the multi-academy trust board as the council's representative.
John Jones, the head teacher at Wrockwardine Wood Arts College, said: "I am delighted to be part of this exciting venture.
"As a co-operative multi academy trust, all three schools will work closely together sharing expertise and good practice in providing the best educational experience for all children and young people in our communities."
Neil Stonehouse, head teacher of the Phoenix School, said: "In a multi academy Co-operative Trust working with other academies with similar values, we will have the opportunity to share expertise and knowledge, which will provide an excellent opportunity to raise standards in education for all our pupils."
Steve Wall, head teacher of the Sutherland Business and Enterprise College, said: "It will mean that we can share resources, ideas, expertise and efficiencies and this will in total have a benefit for approximately 2,000 pupils across the three Co-operative academies."
