Fast-growing academy trust adds three more to its stable of schools

ONE OF the country’s fastestgrowing academy trusts has added three more primaries to its “family of schools” – and has revealed that another is considering opting out of local authority control and joining the chain.

The Ebor Academy Trust, based in York, now has 14 schools under its leadership after East Riding Church of England (C of E) schools Easington, Patrington and Marfleet became part of the group.

And Riston C of E School, in Hull, is the latest to consider converting to an academy and becoming part of the chain, with a consultation on the proposed move running until November 2, it has been announced.

It comes the week after the trust’s chief executive Richard Ludlow spoke of the benefits of expansion and told The Yorkshire

Post how lessons could be learned from the recent events at Wakefield City Academies Trust, which is shedding all of its 21 schools.

The Government’s academy programme has faced growing criticism following the shock announcement from Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT) earlier this month, with union leaders and politicians arguing that they lack democratic oversight.

Mr Ludlow said: “We welcome these schools and look forward to working alongside them. We are a collaborative trust, sharing best practice to ensure the best outcomes for the children in our care and providing developmental opportunities for staff.

“We consist of small village schools, large urban schools, schools in challenging circumstances and those which have capacity to support others.

“We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual setting and share skills and resources, where appropriate, across our group.

“The Ebor Academy Trust is a family of schools who have a sense of responsibility for each other, building caring, strong professional relationships.”

Since last September Ebor has taken on nine schools.

The trust, which took over its first school, Haxby Road Primary in York, in February 2014, says a growth strategy is in place, with takeovers helping to improve struggling schools by driving up standards through collaborative working.

It claims that at least six other schools are “queuing up” to join.

The latest three join Siggles thorne and Alderman Cogan’s C of E Primary Academies and Sproatley Endowed C of E Academy in Ebor’s East Riding and The Humber hub.

Riston School would become part of this hub depending on the outcome of the consultation.

Sarah Hall, Riston headteacher, said: “In early, informal talks with Ebor we have discovered they share our values and we believe they may be a good ‘fit’. Should we decide to academise and join them, they would handle core business activities such as payroll, HR and premises, leaving teaching and learning to us.

“This is an exciting opportunity to add resource and increase opportunities but it is ultimately the governors who will decide at the end of the consultation process.”

Ebor Academy Trust is planning to run four hubs of between eight and 10 schools in York, Selby, the Yorkshire Coast and the East Riding.

The trust is behind the Creative Arts Academy, York’s first free school, which was announced last year and is awaiting confirmation of a site.

We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual setting. Ebor Academy Trust chief executive, Richard Ludlow.