A Carlisle school has become the 10th primary to join the county’s largest multi academy trust.
Petteril Bank School has joined the Cumbria Education Trust, which is now responsible for the education of more than 4,500 young people across 13 schools.
The school is the second primary this term to join the trust, following Castle Carrock Primary’s switch in September. It also includes secondary schools such as, William Howard School in Brampton and the Whitehaven and Workington Academies.
The family of schools – including its three secondary schools and sixth form – all share the values of respect, responsibility and resilience. So ahead of officially joining the trust on November 1, the 131-pupil school organised lessons and activities on the theme of responsibility.
Headteacher Lisa Bland said it was an exciting time for pupils and staff. She added: “We want to put the school at the heart of the local community and ensure it is the first choice for parents in the local area. The children here have so much to offer and the staff are passionate about creating the best learning environment and opportunities for them.”
After becoming part of the trust a team worked through the October half term to decorate, re-carpet and install new IT to give the school a fresh start. On their first day back after the change, all children were presented with new jumpers featuring the school’s logo.
Cumbria Education Trust interim executive principal Cate Floyd said children would benefit from the support of the trust. She added: “Being part of a bigger organisation will allow school staff to focus on teaching and learning. There’s a package of trust support, including subject leaders, who can offer expertise that isn’t always otherwise available.
“The school has some fabulous staff who are ready to embrace this and make a real difference to the children who attend Petteril Bank. We want to bring parents back into school and get them more involved. We also want to broaden the children’s aspirations and give them the right conditions, so they enjoy school and succeed.”
The former Little Luvs nursery, offering childcare from two to four years, also comes under the Cumbria Education Trust. Old Hall Café, which is on the same Burnett Road site, will continue to supply school lunches.
In the near future the school will re-establish a governing body with parents and other community representatives and an open event is planned for December 2 to celebrate the completion of a revamped library.
Chris Wilkins, the trust’s director of primary education, said: “We have got to know the school and its children well through the last 12 months of support and we’re delighted they are now part of our family. We have a tremendous team both in school and across the trust to help them thrive and grow.”
