Four East Anglian schools officially join Anglian Learning, strengthening education across the region

Anglian Learning is pleased to welcome Kennett Primary School, Soham Village College, The Shade Primary School and The Weatheralls Primary School into its family from 1 January 2026.

Previously part of the Staploe Education Trust (SET), each school will continue to maintain its own distinctive character while joining a wider community of schools committed to working together. After thoughtful consideration of its future, SET’s trustees sought to merge with a like-minded trust whose culture and ethos aligned closely with their own, placing strong value on collaboration and the importance of local governance in helping schools thrive.

Their decision to join Anglian Learning brings together two groups that share a commitment to high-quality education, creating a Trust that now comprises 22 schools and serves thousands of pupils and their families across East Anglia.

Marking a positive new chapter for education across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Essex, the four schools will both contribute to and benefit from Anglian Learning’s collaborative networks, shared best practice, and the support of an experienced central team.

Duncan Cooper, Director of Secondary Education, said: “I am delighted to welcome our four new schools to Anglian Learning. We are grateful for the dedication of staff and the engagement of parents as we begin this exciting partnership.

“Our aspiration is for all our schools to be examples of excellence – places that are first choice for families, respected by the community, and vibrant, inspiring environments where pupils can thrive. We look forward to working together to build on the strong foundations already in place to help every child achieve their potential.”

Since September, Anglian Learning’s Shared Services team has been working behind the scenes alongside SET colleagues to provide tailored support, investing in programmes, resources, and facilities to create inspiring learning environments.

The union also brings enhanced educational opportunities, shared best practices, and greater resources for pupils and staff across the Trust. Staff at the four schools now have access to a wide range of teaching resources and creative approaches, with the ability to share their own successes with others too.

The Trust’s partnership with Arts Council England enables exciting and innovative arts opportunities, while Trust-wide events celebrate the talents of pupils and staff alike. This includes the annual Platform Exhibition, a two-week public showcase at Michaelhouse Café, Cambridge, highlighting the artistic achievements of secondary school and sixth form students.

Jonathan Culpin, Chief Executive Officer of Anglian Learning, said: “This is a momentous day for us all. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to encouraging aspiration, building strong communities, empowering leaders and staff, and creating inclusive environments where every pupil can thrive. We support each school to ensure they have the autonomy to flourish while benefiting from the collective strength, resources, innovative approaches, and expertise of the wider Trust.

“This partnership is about working together to provide the very best educational opportunities and outcomes for all pupils, their families, and their communities, while contributing to the improvement of the wider education system. I am excited to see what we can achieve together in this next chapter.”