Pair of Telford primary schools get new names as they join academy trust

The trust is the largest primary-only academy trust in the country and currently supports 60 academies – including Lawley Village Academy.

Aqueduct Primary School has been told that it ‘requires improvement’ during the last two Ofsted inspections – the most recent being carried out almost two years ago,

A statement from REAch2 Academy Trust said: “Amid recent challenges, the school’s senior leadership team and the DfE (Department for Education), together with the trust, collaboratively concluded that Aqueduct and REAch2 are well-suited for a successful partnership.”

Headteacher at Aqueduct, Tammy Lockley added: “REAch2 have not only shown their commitment to support us in Aqueduct’s journey, but have been welcoming and positive.

“We are pleased that they share our passion to make every child successful and happy. We are excited to become part of such an aomplished academy trust.”

Meanwhile, Apley Wood Primary School was rated ‘good’ during their last Ofsted inspection with their last visit from inspectors being a ‘short inspection’ in 2018.

Headteacher at Apley Wood Primary Academy, Ellen Smith, has expertise in Special Educational Needs (SEN) and a history of collaboration with the Severn Teaching School Alliance.

She said: “I am thrilled to be joining REAch2 and embarking on this exciting new chapter for everyone at Apley Wood Primary.

“We are looking forward to embracing the opportunity of joining the Trust as it is not just a step forward but a leap towards endless possibilities and collective growth for our children and staff.”

REAch2 Academy Trust said that during ‘many meetings’ with the headteacher and staff at Apley Wood they found a ‘resolute dedication to a high-quality learning environment and inspirational teaching which develop happy and successful pupils within an inclusive academic culture.’

A statement from the Trust added: “This alignment reaffirms our belief that Apley Wood’s ethos will seamlessly complement and enrich the fabric of Cluster 1 and our Trust as a whole, further elevating the standard of excellence we strive for across all our schools.”

Both Apley Wood and Aqueduct schools converted into academies from April 1.

They have been placed into a cluster of schools including Lawley Village, Bushbury Lane, Heath Hayes, Norton Canes, Silkmore and Veritas.

Talking about Aqueduct Primary, Gerry Crofts, deputy director of education in Cluster 1 said: “Our collaboration represents the beginning of a dynamic partnership. Alongside the Senior Leadership Team at the school, we’re eager to enhance outcomes and enrich the learning experience for every child at Aqueduct Primary School.”

He added about Apley Wood: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Apley Wood Primary Academy into our trust, their integration has already been warmly embraced by all schools within Cluster 1. We’re confident in their strengths, which will undoubtedly enhance the collaborative opportunities in the cluster and the wider trust.”