EQUA Mead Learning Trust launches
On the 1 June, EQUA Mead Learning Trust officially launched. The Trust was formed when EQUA Multi Academy Trust (which previously ran nine schools) and The Mead Trust (which previously ran three schools) merged together. At the same time, a further six local authority schools joined, creating one single Trust with two secondary schools and sixteen primary schools.
EQUA Mead Learning Trust consists of schools across Wiltshire and provides education to almost 6,000 children and young people, in both church schools and non-church schools, with almost 200 Nursery places and 149 Complex Needs Resource Base places. This is almost a third of all Resource Base places in the whole of Wiltshire.
Paul Skipp, CEO of EQUA Mead Learning Trust, said, 'We are delighted that schools from across the county have come together as one Trust. We are really excited about the opportunities the new Trust presents to our schools. As a Trust we believe it is important to recognise the individual differences between schools, however, we also recognise the significant benefits to schools when they work closely with each other.'
In April this year the Department for Education announced that over 50% of schools across the country have now converted to become academies and are now in Multi Academy Trusts. The South West has seen a swift increase, particularly over the last three years, with 64% converting from being a local authority schools, in Wiltshire 54% of schools are now academies.
EQUA Mead Learning Trust consists on Dauntsey Aided Primary School, St Thomas a Becket CE Primary School, Rushall CE Primary School, Chirton CE Primary School, Woodborough CE Primary School, All Cannings CE Primary School, Bishops Cannings Primary School, St Barnabas CE Primary School, and Lavington Secondary school, which are based towards the East of the county, with The Mead Primary School, Castle Mead School, River Mead Primary School, The John of Gaunt School, The Grove Primary School, Studley Green Primary School, North Bradley CE Primary School, Belllefield Primary and Nursery School, and Southwick CE Primary School based towards the West of the county.
Paul Skipp went on to say 'Schools are already seeing the benefits of working with each other through joint training events, sharing expertise and best practice, sharing resources and through increased opportunities for children and young people. Our central team is focussed on adding real value to each school, providing extra capacity which in turn allows a greater focus to be on the children and young people. This is a really exciting time for schools and we look forward to our continued work with them’
One of the schools that has joined EQUA Mead Learning Trust is Southwick CE Primary School. The Headteacher, David Cook said, 'We are really pleased to join the Trust, we think there are huge advantages to schools working closely and are delighted to be part of a local family of schools.'
The official Trust launch took place on 1 June in The Hub building at John of Gaunt School where Headteachers and children from across all the Trust schools joined together and took part in a combined Art project.
EQUA Mead Launch
