New Year, New Start, New Partnership for Nailsea School
Nailsea School has entered the New Year with a new exciting partnership, after joining the Wessex Learning Trust. The school has been in discussion with the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) for several years, to review the expectations of the venture, and due diligence and make a measured decision. Nailsea School has over 1000 students on roll and employs over 140 staff members who have been TUPE’d across to the new organisation.
Nailsea School is the 14th school to join the Wessex Learning Trust, and the 2nd secondary school to be added to its portfolio. The benefit of joining a MAT means that teaching and learning expertise can be shared across sites and that financially the school will benefit from economies of scale. A number of collaborations have already begun with teachers sharing best practice across departments including in Science and English.
Jo Hopkinson, Chair of the Governors, Nailsea School said:-
“After three years of discussion and interviews with a number of trusts, we feel very positive about the Wessex Learning Trust and strongly believe that this is the trust most aligned to the ethos of Nailsea School. Partnerships are already being made between governors, senior staff and middle leaders and we are confident that this is a very positive move for the whole of the Nailsea School community.”
Gavin Ball, Chief Executive of the Wessex Learning Trust said:-
“We welcome Nailsea School to our Multi Academy Trust family, we encourage our schools to be at the centre of their community and raise aspirations and achievement. Nailsea School’s ethos of ‘Aspire Believe Succeed’ and its focus on the wellbeing and happiness of each child, sits brilliantly well with our own values.”
Dionne Elliott, Head of Nailsea School said:-
“It is an exciting time for Nailsea School, it is a partnership that will allow us to enjoy our own identity, whilst being a part of a bigger organisation. The Wessex Learning Trust will bring lots of advantages to the school, with staff benefitting from professional development opportunities, sharing positive experiences and joining in new initiatives. We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues in what will be an interesting year.”
Nailsea School looked at a number of MATs before deciding on the Cheddar based organisation as being the right fit for the school. The partnership came into fruition on the 1st January 2021, after several months of working alongside the Multi Academy Trust.