[K]eswick School Multi-Academy Trust were delighted to welcome Bassenthwaite School and Ducklings Nursery into the Trust from the 1st January this year. This marks an important day in the history of Bassenthwaite School and will result in a close working partnership with Keswick School (a National Teaching School). The opportunities this will bring include a guaranteed place at Keswick School for all Year 6 students who attend Bassenthwaite School (whether they live in or out of catchment).
A celebration launch event was held in Bassenthwaite School to mark the occasion. This was attended by local dignitaries, Directors, Governors, staff, parents and students. Music was provided by Keswick School students and this was followed by a number of short speeches that reflected on the journey to this point and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Everyone at the launch event felt this was an exciting time for Bassenthwaite School and looked forward to the close collaboration and the benefits that this will bring. It means that Keswick School Multi-Academy Trust now provides all-through education from early years to 19. It also reflects how Ofsted rated Good and Outstanding schools can collaborate and raise the bar in local educational excellence, aspiration and opportunity.
Simon Jackson (Executive Principal of Keswick School Multi-Academy Trust) commented: “I look forward to working with Sara Royle at Bassenthwaite School. It was clear from the outset that they share the same philosophy and ethos as the Trust and so this partnership is a natural progression of that. Our priority will be to ensure an outstanding quality of teaching and learning as well as providing the extra-curricular opportunities that we know are essential to give children a head start.”
Sara Royle (Head teacher of Bassenthwaite School) commented: “We are delighted to be entering into such exciting times alongside our local secondary school. Both schools have so much to offer each other in terms of school improvement and commitment to the children’s education. The local governing body at Bassenthwaite School are committed to ensuring our high standards and excellent SATs results continue, which we gain through our well designed curriculum to meet the needs of all our learners. It is the governors’ firm belief, that, by joining the Keswick Multi Academy Trust, we will ensure the long term sustainability of our school and accelerate the tremendous work that has already been going on within our establishment. Working together will enable us to position our school at the forefront on local and national initiatives, securing the best education and a long term and exciting future for our children.”
Margaret Taylor (Chair of Governors of Bassenthwaite School) commented: “Keswick School already holds an Outstanding Ofsted judgement and is striving to improve standards still further. It is for this reason, along with our already well-established partnership and the promise of continued autonomy for high performing schools that our school chose this Trust as our partner of choice.”
Brian Eaton (Governor of Bassenthwaite School) commented: “We are delighted to secure a successful future for Bassenthwaite School by joining the outstanding Keswick School multi academy trust. This means that children will have the opportunity to advance smoothly from nursery right through to sixth form.”
