Proposal to become an academy and join the Greenshaw Learning Trust

The Whitleigh Community Primary School and Sir John Hunt Community Sports College Federated Governing Board, in Plymouth, is proposing that Whitleigh Community Primary School should become an academy and join the Greenshaw Learning Trust.

The governors have been carefully considering the future of Whitleigh Community Primary School and exploring different partnerships that would support the school’s improvement. They concluded that it would be in the best interests of the pupils, staff and the wider community to take advantage of the closer collaboration and stronger support that would be secured by being part of a multi-academy trust (MAT); and that the best MAT to join is the Greenshaw Learning Trust. 

It has already been agreed that Sir John Hunt College will become an academy and join the Greenshaw Learning Trust. The Greenshaw Learning Trust is supporting Sir John Hunt to complete the process and providing school improvement resources and expertise before the college formally joins.

John Bale, Chair of Governors, said: “We are confident that joining the Greenshaw Learning Trust is the best way to ensure that Whitleigh Community Primary School continues to thrive in our local community and in the current educational climate.  The Greenshaw Learning Trust can provide the expertise and support the school needs and it will strengthen the collaboration with other primary schools and Sir John Hunt College.”

Will Smith, CEO of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, said: “We are delighted that Whitleigh Community Primary School wants to join the Greenshaw Learning Trust.  As part of the Greenshaw family of schools, the school will benefit from and contribute to a close collaboration of like-minded schools, while retaining its character and its place at the heart of the local community.”

Subject to the necessary agreements being reached between the Department for Education and Plymouth City Council, and final approval from the Federated Governing Body and the Greenshaw Learning Trust Board of Trustees, it is expected that Whitleigh Community Primary School will join the Greenshaw Learning Trust on 1 March 2023.

The Greenshaw Learning Trust is an established and successful multi-academy trust with 11 primary and 13 secondary schools in Plymouth (Scott Medical & Healthcare College, Stoke Damerel Community College and Montpelier Primary School), South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Berkshire, Surrey and South London. 

There is further information about the proposal here.

To find out more about the Greenshaw Learning Trust, please click here.

Whitleigh Community Primary School Consultation Frequently Asked Questions