2,500 pupils in limbo as schools trust closes down
AN education trust which runs four schools with a total of 2,500 pupils is to close following concerns over its ability to improve them.
The Salford Academy Trust was set up in 2012 as a partnership between Salford council, the University of Salford and Salford College.
The aim was to stop private firms taking over local schools.
Albion High, Irlam and Cadishead College, Marlborough Road Primary and Dukesgate Primary, all run by the trust, have been criticised by Ofsted in recent years. That led to them becoming academies.
Failing Marlborough Road was the subject of damning Ofsted report in April and has an ‘inadequate’ rating.
Albion Academy is judged to ‘require improvement,’ while primary Dukesgate Academy is deemed to be ‘good.’
Irlam and Cadishead College was rebranded as an academy last summer. It has not yet been rated by Ofsted bosses. Its predecessor, of the same name, was deemed to be ‘inadequate.’
Staff at all four schools have been told of the plans to close the trust.
The United Learning Trust, which runs Salford City Academy in Eccles, is considering taking over the schools as sponsor.
Judith Elderkin, of the National Education Union, and a former headteacher at Marlborough Road Primary, said: “The three partners formed the trust in order to provide a local solution. The regional schools commissioner has cast doubt on the ability and scale of the trust to provide the level of support required.
“Our members, trade union leaders and staff at the schools have been informed the trust is to close and all the academies within it are to be re-brokered.”
Salford council’s children’s and young people’s services boss Lisa Stone said: “We have worked hard over several years to create a Salford offer to schools forced or choosing to convert to academy status. Despite our best efforts, the trust has not delivered on the ambitious vision the sponsors had for it.
“We are therefore in agreement with regional schools commissioner’s office that another, more established sponsor will be the best option for our pupils.”
A spokesman for United Learning said: “We have been approached to explore the possibility of its four schools joining United Learning. We are considering this request.”