Academy plans for Whitchurch school are welcomed
Plans for a village primary school near Whitchurch to join an academy trust have been welcomed by staff and parents.
Discussions have been taking place about Tilstock Primary School joining the Marches Academy Trust, as a sponsored academy.
The Marches Academy Trust has been chosen as the preferred sponsor for the school, which is based near Whitchurch, following a decision made by RSC Headteacher Board.
The school, currently under the control of the Interim Executive Board (IEB) and acting headteacher, Nicola Brayford, has had its sponsored academy conversion application approved and is currently in a consultation period.
The Department of Education (DfE) approached The Marches Multi-Academy Trust earlier this year, requesting their agreement to sponsor Tilstock Primary School’s application to become an academy.
A consultation event to discuss the future of a school took place in the school hall on Monday evening.
Sarah Longville, executive headteacher of The Marches Academy Trust, said: "We have received overwhelming support from staff, parents and the wider community in our proposals for the Marches Academy Trust to become the preferred sponsor for Tilstock Primary School.
"We are committed and determined to continue to build on the good work of Nicola Brayford and the progress that Tilstock School has made so far, working collaboratively with Nicola and her team, stakeholders and local schools.
“We place young people at the centre of all that we do and feel strongly that academies should enhance the educational provision of an area.
"We are excited by the benefits more formalised collaborative working could bring and the prospect of greater opportunities for the young people of the Whitchurch area."
Paul Nicholson, chairman of TEB, said: "The board and staff of Tilstock CE School are very pleased that a period of uncertainty in the school’s future has come to an end with the announcement of its sponsorship by the Marches Academy Trust.
"We are all delighted with the positive opportunities this will bring to support the continued improvement of the quality of education the school provides for all its pupils."
Those unable to attend Monday's meeting will be able to put forward their views and obtain further information by visiting www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk.
Alternatively, to fill out a consultation survey regarding the proposal visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Tilstock.
Sir John Talbot’s School in Whitchurch became the first school to join the Marches Academy Trust when it opened as a sponsored academy.
