Melksham schools to join forces

SCHOOLS in Melksham and surrounding villages are hoping to join forces to create a joint working partnership to enhance their performance. 

Melksham Oak, Bowerhill, St George’s, St Mary’s, Seend, Shaw and The Manor are currently in discussions about coming together to form a multi academy trust which will use a working name of Academy Trust of Melksham (ATOM).

The multi academy trust model intends to improve standards in the schools by: • Sharing the best practices • Utilising economic benefits such as centralised services. • To focus funds where they are most needed. • Establishing a succession planning programme.

Stephen Clark, headteacher at Melksham Oak said, “All of the schools in the area have been working together for a number of years to benefit our young people and this model will help us build on that. It offers our schools the potential to retain our unique characteristics such as name and uniform and maintain our own local governing body; it also offers headteachers a high degree of autonomy in leading their schools, whilst giving them the freedom to focus on teaching and learning.

“Once the initial discussions have been completed, we will be in a position to consult with parents and the wider community and we will be holding formal consultation meetings.”