Market Drayton schools join forces to form charitable trust
A charitable trust has been set up between three schools in Market Drayton to help them work more closely together.
Governors at the Grove School, Market Drayton Infants and Market Drayton Juniors have agreed to establish Market Drayton Learning Partnership, which will come into force from December 1.
They say the proposed change will strengthen the ways the schools collaborate with each other and encourage greater community involvement.
The move will see the schools change their legal status from "community school" to "foundation school". The schools will remain a part of the local authority family of maintained schools but will be supported by the trust, which will also legally hold their capital assets – their land and buildings – on their behalf.
Governors at the three schools propose to have a co-operative membership trust. They will join 700 other schools across the country which have a similar type of trust.
The co-operative trust model enables everyone who is involved with or interested in the schools to become involved in realising the long-term vision of the trust.
They can join a members' forum, which in turn elects representatives to the trust board.
The Co-operative College will also join Market Drayton Learning Partnership, and further partners, such as a university, may be invited to join as the trust develops.
The move follows public consultation, which invited staff, parents, carers and pupils to give their views.
John Hargreaves, spokesman for Market Drayton Learning Partnership, said: "The decision was taken as the governing body believes the trust will raise standards through the creation of a platform for on-going improvement.
"The resources and expertise brought to the trust by the partners will strengthen strategic leadership, increase support, and challenge and consolidate effective monitoring, thereby promoting improvement in outcomes for students.
"This decision followed a wide consultation process during which all relevant parties were consulted and consultation meetings were held for pupils, staff, parents and the general public."
Mr Hargreaves, who is also chairman of Market Drayton Infant School's governing body, added: "By making efficient and effective use of resources, the trust will provide schools with significant collective bargaining power in the negotiations with suppliers of goods and services.
"This will enable them to secure best value and prioritise funding for teaching and learning,. The trust will also encourage schools to pool expertise and resources to enable them to maximise the benefits for staff and students."
