Brent Knoll Church of England Primary School could become an academy

Governors from the school in Brent Street met earlier this month and decided the school should join the Wessex Learning Trust after considering feedback from parents, carers and staff and responses to a public consultation.

Chris Burman, headteacher of Brent Knoll Primary School, said the move is an ‘exciting step forward’ for the school as there will be more opportunities for students and staff.

“The conversion will allow Brent Knoll Primary School to focus on educational improvement and share the skills offered by the Wessex Learning Trust while still working with partners in the Highbridge and Burnham area,” Mr Burman said.

“There will be career development opportunities for teachers and support staff and scope for the good practice of our school to be shared.

“The school will remain as a Church of England Primary School for reception to Year 6 pupils.

“As a feeder school to the King Alfred School, we will maintain our existing strong links with The King Alfred School and the local community partnership, supporting local school projects and transition arrangements that are in the best interests of our pupil’s long-term education and well-being.”

The Wessex Learning Trust currently runs eight schools across Somerset and submitted plans for a brand new school in Highbridge earlier this year to cater for new communities being created as a result of developments at Brue Farm and Isleport.

No date has been set for the school to become an academy but Hugh Mackay, chairman of governors, said the school could become part of the trust later this year.

He said: “We concluded that it was in the best interests of the school to convert into an academy trust as part of the Wessex Learning Trust which could occur in late Autumn this year.

“The Wessex Learning Trust is a group of schools, which has the same ethos and culture as ourselves. In addition, we will retain our local governing body and general autonomy.”