New proposed ‘super’ trust would include two Barnstaple secondary schools

Two trusts that run Park and Pilton schools in Barnstaple are looking at joining forces and with other schools to create one large trust that would be responsible for more than 15,000 pupils.

The proposal has been announced by Ventrus Multi-Academy Trust – which includes Pilton Community College and 17 primary schools – and Tarka Learning Partnership, responsible for The Park Community School and seven North Devon primaries.

If successful, the proposed new trust would be responsible for more than 15,000 pupils and 2,000 staff.

It is not seen as a formal merger of both trusts, but the creation of a new one that would also include other schools not yet in either trust.

The trusts say they will begin wide-ranging’ explorations this month into the proposals, which already have the support of the Department for Education, both boards of trustees and the Diocese of Exeter.

The stated aim is to ‘boost educational standards for children across Devon’.

Now parents, staff, local governing bodies and wider educational partners are to be asked for their views.

Tarka chief executive officer Richard Light and Ventrus CEO Gary Chown say the move is driven by their desire to raise standards of education across the county.

In a joint statement, they said: “The principal ambition for both our trusts has always been to secure the very best educational provision for the children and families that we serve, giving them the greatest opportunities for ongoing success in their lives.

“We have always seen collaboration between schools as one of the key ways to deliver on this ambition.”

They said schools in the two trusts are already working together to support school improvement.

Mr Light and Mr Chown added: “A new trust builds on our core values and develops greater resilience for all our schools.

“Most importantly, it enables us to improve the outcomes for the children and families that we serve.

“The benefits of being in a larger trust with a greater capacity to support professional development and enhanced career development opportunities will benefit all colleagues and communities.

“We are actively talking to a range of other schools to be part of this new project from the outset, to define and create meaningful change for children.”