Eight village schools join forces to set up academy trust

EIGHT village primary schools have joined forces to launch a new academy trust.

The Inspiring Primaries Academy Trust has been formed by headteachers and governing bodies of six Church of England schools and two other education establishments.

Led by chief executive Marie Sandford, a national leader of education who lives in Hinckley, the trust was launched at Hinckley’s former Greene King Stadium in August this year.

It comprises All Saints CE Primary School in Sapcote, Sharnford CE Primary School, Claybrooke Primary School, St Margaret’s CE Primary School in Stoke Golding, Ullesthorpe CE Primary School, St Mary’s CE Primary School in Bitteswell, Gilmorton Chandler CE Primary School and John Wycliffe Primary School in Lutterworth.

Mrs Sandford, who taught at Hinckley’s Holliers Walk Primary School until 2005 and was churchwarden at St Mary’s in the town centre, said: “Establishing a multiacademy trust was a big step for us to take but in this ever changing educational landscape we felt strongly that we should try to protect our local community schools.

“Our schools are at the heart of their local communities and have been for generations and we wish to preserve this community spirit for generations of children to come.”

The aim is for the schools to support each other and share best practice for the benefit of current and future pupils.

Although a Church of England trust, which has the backing of the Diocesan Board of Education, some non-church schools have chosen to join based on its vision and aims.

Mrs Sandford said: “That mix is our strength.

“Our vision is to develop independent, lifelong learners in a caring partnership with the communities we serve, with our core values of respect, perseverance and community.

“Although we are still at an early stage of our journey and know we face a number of challenges, we see these challenges as opportunities to create positive change enabling us to build an educational partnership which will benefit children now and long into the future.”

The trust is the only one of its kind in the Hinckley area, with comparable models operating around Coalville and Market Harborough.

Any school interested in finding out more can look online or call the trust office on Hinckley 552343 or email ceo@inspiringprimaries. uk