A primary school near Bury St Edmunds is ‘excited’ to have joined an academy trust.
Ickworth Park Primary School, in Horringer, is now part of the All Saints Schools Trust (ASST), a multi-academy trust of church and community primary schools.
Ickworth Park converted to academy status on January 1 and is the fifteenth school to join the ASST.
Ickworth Park Primary School, in Horringer, has joined the All Saints Schools Trust. Pictured are pupils with headteacher Kirsten Steele, deputy head Elly Reynolds, and Sarah Allen when the school retained its ‘good’ Ofsted rating last year. Picture: Mark Westley
Kirsten Steele, headteacher of Ickworth Park Primary School, said: “Ickworth Park Primary are really excited to have joined the All Saints Schools Trust.
“It is a decision that the governing body have been considering for some time and we all firmly believe that it is the right decision for the school.
“Having spent some time working with the trust beforehand we are sure it will have a positive impact on the children, and our school community.”
Left to right, Claire Flatman, ASST’s director of the West, Melanie Barrow, CEO of the trust, and Dr Paul Parslow-Williams, ASST’s director of the East. Picture: ASST
She said this partnership offered significant collegiate support for the school and valuable opportunities for really meaningful collaboration between schools.
It would ensure that best practice is shared and that staff benefit from high-quality CPD (continuing professional development) and professional development, she added.
“With so much of our time in schools being taken up by increasing bureaucracy, it can be easy to lose sight of why we do what we do,” said Mrs Steele. “By working alongside a trust, with a proven track record of putting children first, we know we will be able to focus more on what truly matters – improving outcomes for our pupils.
“We are confident that this step is in the best interest of our children and their futures.”
Melanie Barrow, CEO of the ASST, said: “The leadership team are delighted to welcome Ickworth Park to the trust and to be working with the headteacher Kirsten Steele and the governing body.
“The trust is expanding in the Bury St Edmunds area and it is great to welcome another primary school to join ASST.”
Other schools in the trust include: Hardwick Primary School and Sexton’s Manor Primary School, both in Bury, Cockfield C of E Primary School, and Great Whelnetham C of E Primary School.