A Kendal secondary school has joined Cumbria’s largest multi-academy trust.
On January 1, the 936-pupil The Queen Katherine School joined Cumbria Education Trust, becoming the fifth secondary and the trust’s 15th school overall.
Headteacher Jon Hayes said officially joining the trust followed 18 months of collaborative work and would bring benefits for students and staff.
Mr Hayes said: “We conducted extensive research into various trusts in Cumbria and chose Cumbria Education Trust for many reasons, including their respect for the unique character of individual schools, which is something we are very proud of here.
“Their proven track record in school improvement and clear child-centred approach solidified our decision. Additionally, their vision for developing two to 18 education and shaping children’s educational journeys for the better was a significant factor for us.
“The trust’s moral purpose of supporting all children, not just those within the trust, aligns closely with our vision as a school. I look forward to a truly collaborative future for the benefit of children in southern Cumbria.”
The Queen Katherine School, which was rated good by Ofsted at its latest inspection in 2022, has been praised for developing strong community links within the area.
The Appleby Road school will be part of the trust’s new Southern Hub, creating a network of schools within the Westmorland and Furness area.
The South joins the Western and Northern Hubs to form a large collaborative network of schools within Cumbria. Each hub receives dedicated support from the trust services team, allowing schools and their staff to focus on the young people in their care.
Lorrayne Hughes, trust chief executive, said: “Queen Katherine Grammar School is a fantastic school which we are excited to welcome officially into the Cumbria Education Trust family. They have high standards, considerable expertise and a wonderful community network and I look forward to deepening our partnership.”
The new addition means that the trust is now responsible for the education of more than 6,000 young people across Cumbria.
The Southern Hub is set to expand further, with two Kendal primary schools expected to join the trust in the next few months.
