Wigan high school to be  taken over by a new trust

The Government has approved the transfer of Atherton Community School from the Chapel Street Community Schools Trust to the Education Partnership Trust (EPT).

Atherton, along with Burnley High School, are currently both part of the Chapel Street Trust, but the it has now been decided it is in the best interests of the children at the schools that they transfer to a new trust. The five other schools in Chapel Street’s stable are also to transfer, but to a different trust.

The Regional Schools Commissioner for Lancashire and West Yorkshire has approved EPT to be the new sponsor of Atherton and Burnley. EPT is a local trust which currently leads five schools, all in Blackburn and Burnley.

The transfers are subject to the usual due diligence process but it is hoped EPT will become the sponsor of the two schools in early summer.

James Royal, Chief Executive of Chapel Street, said: “Over the last few months, the Trustees of Chapel Street Community Schools Trust have been considering whether its seven schools should be led by new academy trusts so that they can begin the next stages of their journeys.

“We are proud of what we have achieved at the schools.

“However, we are a trust which has always taken decisions which are in the best interests of our pupils and we believe that, going forward, these will be served by the financial security a new Trust can bring and which will provide the school with the stability needed for future success.

“EPT is a successful organisation and is focused on delivering the very best outcomes possible for children. EPT is very keen and excited to be working with the children, staff and parents of both schools, and we are committed to making it a really good fit for Atherton Community School and Burnley High School. We are fully focused on ensuring the transfers go as smoothly as possible and will do all we can to minimise the interruption to staff and children during the process.

“A process so that staff can transfer across to EPT has already begun.”

Sharon Roscoe, Chief Executive of Education Partnership Trust, said: “We are humbled and excited to be named as the preferred MAT for Atherton Community School.

“We recognise the significant responsibility and believe that we have the skills, experience and proven track record to be successful. The Trust welcomes the opportunity to work with the schools on the next stage of their journey.

“We are driven to achieving the very best outcomes for all our pupils and strongly believe in working in partnership to transform learning, lives and communities.”

Education Partnership Trust’s current schools are Coal Clough Academy, The Heights Burnley, Pleckgate High School, The Heights Blackburn and Eden School.”