LOCAL schools are set to transfer to a new trust after a decision by the Government.
The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) sites will move to new providers after discussions over the future of provision.
It comes after financial challenges within the trust which saw strike action earlier this year after plans for redundancies were unveiled.
Despite the industrial action being called off, the trust continued to face financial challenges.
Lee Miller MBE, interim CEO at the ATLP, said:
“Since January, we have continued to make progress in strengthening governance and improving the Trust’s financial position, working closely with the Department for Education throughout this process.
“Following recent discussions, the Secretary of State for Education has now decided that ATLP schools should transition to a small number of high-performing, regionally based academy trusts.
“This is intended to ensure schools continue to benefit from strong regional expertise, local understanding and ongoing support.
“While this decision ultimately rests with the Secretary of State, we believe this approach provides the strongest opportunity to support ongoing school improvement, long-term stability and the very best educational outcomes for children and young people across our schools.
“Discussions regarding the trusts involved and the timing of any transition arrangements remain ongoing and further information will be shared in due course.
“Throughout this period, ATLP will continue to operate fully,maintaining its focus on school improvement and operational stability whilst supporting schools, staff and pupils.
“Our headteachers and staff remain firmly focused on providing high-quality education and ensuring children and young people continue to receive the support they need.”
Lichfield MP Dave Robertson said the need for stability at the trust – which embarked on a learning initiative that saw students learn via iPads – had been clear.
He added:
“This year the community across Lichfield and further afield has come together to support teachers and young people when the scale of the financial failings at Arthur Terry Learning Partnership became apparent.
“The new trust leadership rightly stepped in and worked with the unipm to stop the strikes, but the longer term future of the schools in the trust is just as important.
“During the strikes, at a public meeting – and even before that – parents and carers across our area made it clear that many people did not have confidence in the trust, epecially in relation to the hated iPad policy.
“I’ve been working with the Department for Education and other Labour MPs in the region to make that case to the Secretary of State since January and I am pleased that she has made what I think is the right decision to close the page on the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership and allow the schools to move forwards with new sponsors and new trusts so that they can deliver the very best education for our young people.
“This will obviously cause some uncertainty in the community, and for the staff at all of the schools. That uncertainty will be difficult, but I agree with the Secretary of State that this is the right path to take to support young peoples’ education in the long term.
“This is an important update, but it is far from the end of the story and I will continue to work with the Department and with Ministers to make sure that schools across Lichfield get the very best support for their important jobs.”
