New year, new beginnings for Verwood school

Wimborne Academy Trust (WAT) has welcomed a new school to join its family of academies.

Emmanuel CoE Middle School in Verwood is the newest member of the Trust and joins seven other first and middle schools in the east Dorset area.

A top priority for the Trust will be moving Emmanuel out of special measures and bringing it in-line with the other WAT schools, which are all rated Good or Outstanding.

Liz West, CEO of Wimborne Academy Trust, said, “We are delighted to welcome Emmanuel CofE Middle School to our family of academies.

“The school has a very caring ethos, staff ensure pupils feel safe and the children are excited about learning and enjoy the wide range of experiences available to them.

“With our excellent track record in delivering outstanding first and middle school education, we are confident Emmanuel will soon join our other schools in being Good or Outstanding. We very much look forward to working hand-in-hand with the parents and the wider school community on the journey to improvement.”

In May the school invited Wimborne Academy Trust to initially provide it with advice and guidance. Following consultation with the local authority and governors it was decided WAT should become Emmanuel’s sponsor academy, effective from January 2018.

Current interim head of school Rob Christopher will continue to lead the school on a day-to-day basis and Ron Jenkinson will join the school as WAT executive headteacher to provide strategic direction and support.

Mr Jenkinson has extensive experience of leading Church of England middle schools having led three across Dorset including his current role as headteacher of St Michael’s CofE Middle School in Wimborne.

Rob Christopher said: “Everyone at Emmanuel is incredibly excited about joining Wimborne Academy Trust. We have already benefitted from the Trust’s advice and seeing improvements put in place. Now we look forward to the benefits of being a full member of such a successful multi-academy trust and sharing in the best practice of our fellow academies.

“I am incredibly proud to lead this school and its hard working and dedicated staff and students. 2017 was a difficult year but we are all looking forward to a much brighter 2018 as a Wimborne Academy Trust school.”

WAT is a well-established multi-academy trust (MAT) with seven first and middle schools – Allenbourn Middle School, St Michael’s CofE Middle School, Colehill First School, Merley First School, St John’s CofE First School, Hayeswood First School and Witchampton CofE First School.

WAT, which was formed in 2015, also hosts Wimborne Teaching School, working with many schools and training teachers throughout the area.