2 December, 2019
Sandymoor School in Runcorn has officially joined Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), following a close working relationship which has supported the school’s rapid improvement.
The move has received widespread support from parents, pupils, staff and the local community, and follows the effective work driven so far by the Trust to support the school on its upward trajectory.
In the most recent monitoring inspection, Ofsted inspectors praised OAT for its work to further strengthen the school’s leadership capacity at both middle and senior levels. OAT’s experts worked alongside senior leaders, including Principal Sally Jones, to help improve various aspects of the academy including teaching and development.
As part of its new chapter with the Trust, the academy proudly welcomes a new name – Sandymoor Ormiston Academy. Retaining its own unique identity, however, the academy will continue to build on its positive community links, as well as working in collaboration with the Trust.
In February, Ofsted recognised the positive impact already being generated as a result of OAT providing leaders with access to training, as well as teachers accessing more high-quality professional development. Teachers and leaders at the academy will also have the unique opportunity to share and exchange best practice with the other academies across the tight-knit family network.
There are no plans to change the school day and the uniform featuring the new logo will be phased in gradually so parents and carers will not be required to replace existing uniform until September 2020.
Sandymoor will join the North region, led by Regional Director Phil Loftus, which has nine academies including the Outstanding rated Ormiston Chadwick Academy nearby. These academies, as well as ones across the network, have already been working closely with Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, supporting them as their journey begins with OAT.
Sally Jones, Principal at Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, said:
“We are thrilled to be joining Ormiston Academies Trust, in a move which will greatly benefit our pupils, staff, parents and the wider school community. In joining the Trust, we will have further access to the wealth of experience, resources, high-quality education provision and brilliant enrichment opportunities and a vision for education which we already share with OAT.
“We are really looking forward to continuing to build on our partnership with OAT in the months to come, as we provide our pupils with very best educational opportunities.”
Nick Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of Ormiston Academies Trust said:
“We are delighted to be welcoming Sandymoor Ormiston Academy to the OAT family network. The academy is well established in the local community, and we have been pleased to support the school in an additional capacity in recent years.
“We are really pleased that the move has received such positive support from parents, staff, pupils and the local community alike. At OAT, we are committed to ensuring that every young person reaches their full potential and we look forward to working closely with Sandymoor Ormiston Academy to ensure it continues to achieve this.”
Bryan Jones, Chair of the Governing Body, said:
“Joining Ormiston Academies Trust will be the start of a new and exciting journey for our school. The conversion offers an excellent opportunity to further provide brilliant learning opportunities and raise the standards of education for our pupils, as well as providing excellent professional development or our staff.
“We are grateful for the support of parents, staff, the school community and the Trust itself, and look forward to beginning the new chapter ahead, as we encourage and support our pupils to reach their full potential.”
Category: News
