Multi-Academy Trust
19th October 2015 Dear Parents/Carers
This year, we are continuing to work towards forming a Multi-Academy Trust with 6 other schools in the area. The intention is for the MAT to contain 7 schools by the end of this academic year:
Ashton under Hill First School
Church Lench CE First School
Cropthorne with Charlton CE First School
Eckington CE First School
St Andrew’s CE First School
St Egwin’s Middle School
Prince Henry’s High School
With the beginning of a new academic year, and therefore new parents/carers becoming part of our community, I thought it might be helpful to cover the reasoning behind the decision to form a MAT and some of the benefits it will bring to us and the children here as well as in the wider MAT.
Schools in the Evesham area, Worcestershire and nationally are all having to exist in an ever-changing educational system and are continuing to face increasing educational and financial challenges, coupled with the decline of Local Authorities. The schools within the Prince Henry’s pyramid are in the fortunate situation of all being rated Outstanding or Good by Ofsted and despite the difficulties faced, continue to provide top quality education to the children in our care. The desire to preserve the pyramid in its current form and retain the relationships between the schools has driven the creation of the MAT from the beginning. The additional freedom and flexibility granted by Academy status whilst preserving strong local governance and the individual ethos and values of Cropthorne with Charlton School are also key factors.
With these reasons in mind, the Governors of Cropthorne with Charlton School held a consultation with staff and parents last year which informed their decision to apply to convert to Academy and join the MAT. The work to enable conversion will complete this year with the establishment of The Prince Henry’s Multi-Academy Trust of which Cropthorne with Charlton School will be part.
In terms of the process of applying for schools and the route children take through various schools to the end of their school education very little will change but working even more closely together will enable the educational experience of children in the MAT schools to be enhanced.
I believe that Academy conversion is in the best interest of the long term future of our school, offering the best opportunity to our pupils to progress and achieve.
Yours sincerely
Sally Martin Head Teacher
