Two schools in Copeland have become the first primary schools to join West Lakes Multi-Academy Trust.
Arlecdon Primary School and Thornhill Primary School joined West Lakes Academy in their Multi-Academy Trust on 1st September 2019.
West Lakes MAT is a multi-academy trust that receives state funding to support schools in West Cumbria to change lives through learning. It is sponsored by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd. and the University of Central Lancashire.
By joining West Lakes MAT, staff will share their expertise, knowledge and skills to collaborate with other members of the growing team and improve outcomes. The launch event saw staff from Arlecdon and Thornhill schools join members of West Lakes Academy on their first training day of the new academic year.
James Jackson, Principal of West Lakes Academy said: “We are delighted that both Arlecdon and Thornhill Primary Schools have joined our Trust. I look forward to building on the strong working relationships we already enjoy with both schools; celebrating their many achievements and supporting each other to be better still. There is much we can learn from each other.”
Wendy Figes, Executive Headteacher at both primary schools, said: “Following a period of public consultation the Governors made the decision for the schools to become academies. She said “In order to grow and prosper, we needed to build on the many successes we have already achieved. When the opportunity arose to work alongside West Lakes Academy as part of their Multi-Academy Trust, we knew this was by far the right choice for us.
We are proud to become the first two schools in the Trust. Everything has gone smoothly and the way it was promised. For our children, families and communities, the schools are still the
same inclusive environments they were yesterday, our staff are still providing the same high-quality education as they always have been, but the Trust will allow us thrive in ways we could not have previously imagined.”
Jonathan Johnson, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: “We hope that these are the first of many local schools to join our Trust. We will be busily developing ways to share resources, enhance teaching and learning for children and young people, develop new ideas and ways of working, all to achieve a common aim of ensuring all schools change lives through learning by being judged outstanding with outcomes well above national average.”
