Staploe Education Trust

Proposal for the schools of Staploe Education Trust to join Anglian Learning

Staploe Education Trust (SET) have been exploring the possibility of joining a like-minded, values-driven multi academy trust. We are pleased to announce that their board of trustees have identified Anglian Learning as the multi-academy trust they wish to join. Staploe Education Trust’s trustees recognise that Anglian Learning benefits from a carefully developed school improvement framework, confident quality assurance and a central team that can provide expert support and long-term security for their four schools: Kennett Primary School, The Shade Primary School, The Weatheralls Primary School and Soham Village College.

Why Anglian Learning?

This decision followed Staploe Education Trust Board’s long-term and careful consideration on the future of a small multi academy trust. Their trustees took advice from external consultants who considered the sustainability of a small multi academy trust in the medium term. Staploe Education Trust’s trustees sought a like-minded larger trust which shared their values, could offer the security their schools need in the future, would be a good fit with the culture and ethos of schools and had the best interests of learners now and in the future as well as what the implications of the options would be for staff, parents and the community that the four schools of Staploe Education Trust serve. Also:

• Anglian Learning’s culture and values align well with their own.
• Anglian Learning was founded on strong collaborative principles and passionately believes that its most valuable resource is its people.
• As a mid-sized Trust, Anglian Learning benefits from a carefully developed school improvement framework which offers fresh approaches, confident quality assurance, and bespoke support, as might be needed by schools.
• The Trust focuses on the provision of a high-quality curriculum and the development of pupils as individuals.
• Anglian Learning offers a strong business infrastructure which can provide expert support and long-term security for Staploe Education Trust’s schools.

Engagement Period

Our engagement period to consult with all who have a stake in the decision of Staploe Education Trust’s schools to join Anglian Learning has now closed. During the period of engagement from 4 November to 16 December 2024, plans were shared and views were sought. This Consultation Report provides information on the aims and approach of the engagement period, the opportunities for staff, trustees, governors and the school community to attend meetings, a summary of questions asked and a brief of frequently asked questions and responses. Following the consultation period, Anglian Learning has demonstrated its commitment to working with Kennett Primary School, The Shade Primary School, Soham Village College and The Weatheralls Primary School and looks forward to moving forward together to make a positive difference to the children they would be responsible for. You can view the full report by downloading a copy at the end of this page.

Application Update

The Trust Boards of both organisations have agreed to the transfer following the due diligence which took place during the Autumn term. An application has now been submitted to the Department for Education’s Regional Director who will make the final decision about the transfer in the Spring term. More detailed legal and human resources work would follow with a transfer not taking place sooner than 1 September 2025.