Excalibur Academies Trust (EAT) is delighted to confirm that its family of schools has officially grown to 20, following the merger with Gatehouse Green Learning Trust and the subsequent welcome of five Bristol schools. This is an exciting time for the Trust, as it looks forward to nurturing and educating the 10,000 young people in its care, through its six secondary and 14 primary schools (spread along the M4 corridor from Bristol through to Reading).

The opportunities and benefits this merger will provide its stakeholders is significant. Networking, sharing of best practice/resources and a broader curriculum, an experienced Academy Improvement Team, a comprehensive programme of professional development and training, plus skilled central support teams specialising in finance, HR, Health & Safety, estate management and marketing all being key contributing factors. 

Plans are underway to develop a “hub model” for those schools based in geographical regions; a logical approach when bearing in mind peer training and cross phase working. 

Furthermore, colleagues have already been involved with a commitment to form a new shared set of joint values; an important message that everyone’s views are imperative as the Trust enters its next chapter.

The year leading to this merger has involved the consultation of all stakeholders (including staff, parents/carers, governors, trustees and local communities) and due diligence process to ensure financial and educational standards. Following the approval by the Regional Director’s Advisory Board and more recently the Department for Education, it’s all systems go, perfectly timed for the new academic year. 

Toby Watson, Board Chair of Excalibur Academies Trust comments: “I would like to thank all those colleagues who have put in so much hard work to enable us to reach this crucial and exciting point. The opportunities for coordination and collaborative working will benefit all, particularly those in Bristol now the merged schools have risen to eight.”

Nicky Edmondson, CEO of Excalibur Academies Trust adds: “Not only is this the start of a new term, and a new academic year, it is also the start of a new era. We look forward to developing a Trust we are proud to work for, and which champions equality, diversity, inclusion and individuality, as we deliver on our core mission of providing an excellent education for all. 

“Throughout the first term we will be holding welcome events in each of our five schools, demonstrating what we do best – making sure everyone feels part of the Excalibur family.”

Notes: The former Gatehouse Green Learning Trust’s schools joining Excalibur Academies Trust are: Ashton Park Secondary School, Ashton Vale Primary School, Compass Point Primary School, Luckwell Primary School and Redland Green School.