Schools join forces for new Alliance
TEN Wokingham and Reading schools have joined forces to co-found the Orchard Learning Alliance.
When fully established, it will comprise nine primary schools: Churchend Primary Academy, Hawkedon Primary School, Highwood Primary School, Hillside Primary School, Lambs Lane Primary School, Radstock Primary School, South Lake Primary School, Willow Bank Infant School, Willow Bank Junior School; and one secondary school, Waingels College.
The trust will be guided by the principles of autonomy, co-design and excellence, and is committed to celebrating what makes each school unique, innovating through collaboration and empowering its collective community to strive for improvement.
Together, the schools will support the professional development of teachers and staff, driving further school improvement initiatives and providing more learning and enrichment opportunities for the 5,000 young people they serve.
Prior to the Trust being formalised, two schools recently hosting showcases for nurture provision and all year 6 students enjoying a performance of Invisible by N-ACT, a play about mental health.
Lou Slocombe, headteacher at Radstock Primary School, said: “We are delighted to be joining with the Orchard Learning Alliance, a group of like-minded schools and headteachers.”
Tom Bartlett, CEO of Orchard Learning Alliance, said: “It has been an honour to work alongside the staff, headteachers, governors and their communities in the formation of Orchard Learning Alliance.
“As a co-founded trust, we are steadfast in our belief that regardless of their starting point in life, all children and young people deserve a high-quality education and enrichment opportunities that will help them thrive in life.
“We know that by working together we can build on our strong individual foundations and unlock our collective potential to secure brighter futures for our schools, colleagues and the young people we serve.”
With the support of the Department for Education and Regional Director, the schools will formally join Orchard Learning Alliance over the coming year.