Governors and leaders have been considering the future of Barnwood Park and have concluded that it would be in the best interests of the students, parents, staff, and wider community for the school to become an academy, and to join a multi-academy trust. The Greenshaw Learning Trust can provide the support that the school needs and Barnwood Park would benefit greatly from the collaboration.

Mary Higgins, Chair of Governors at Barnwood Park, said: “As the government was encouraging all schools to join a multi academy trust, Governors thought long and hard about the best trust for us to join. We thought about the tough times the school had been through with Covid and leadership changes. We looked for a local trust with good resources that could help us reach high standards whilst valuing our students, staff and identity. Greenshaw Learning Trust is definitely the best fit for us. The prospect of joining them is very exciting for us all.”

Will Smith, CEO of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, said: “We are delighted that Barnwood Park would like to join our family of schools. As part of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, Barnwood Park will benefit from and contribute to a close collaboration of like-minded schools and high-quality support services, while retaining its character and place in the local community. We look forward to working with colleagues at Barnwood Park and helping to improve the life chances of the young people in the school.”

The Greenshaw Learning Trust (GLT) is a successful multi-academy trust of primary and secondary schools and is well-established locally, being responsible for three secondary schools and six primary schools in Gloucester, as well as others across the South West and South East of England. In total the Trust is made up of thirty schools. 

Subject to the necessary agreements being reached between the school, the Greenshaw Learning Trust, the Department for Education, and Gloucestershire County Council, it is expected that Barnwood Park will become an academy and join the Greenshaw Learning Trust later this year.

UPDATE - Statement on behalf of the Board of Governors of Barnwood Park School

and the Board of Trustees of the Greenshaw Learning Trust

We are pleased to announce that following due diligence and a period of stakeholder engagement, the Board of Governors of Barnwood Park School and Greenshaw Learning Trust (GLT), have agreed that Barnwood Park School will join GLT. 

The proposal was widely publicised, and stakeholders, including staff and union representatives, were given the opportunity to ask questions and share their views. 

Issues and questions raised during the period of stakeholder engagement were responded to, and were considered carefully by both Boards in arriving at this decision. 

GLT is a high-performing Multi Academy Trust already serving three schools in Gloucester. The Board of Governors believe the expertise and experience of GLT will be of significant benefit to the present and future students of Barnwood Park.

Barnwood Park and GLT will now work closely together over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition. 

Mary Higgins, Chair of Governors, Barnwood Park School.