St Benet’s MAT News

Following a six-week consultation in September 2021 with questionnaires and a public meeting, the decision to become an All Through School has been welcomed by staff and parents alike.

The team has been working hard to secure an exciting and successful future for all children from 3 to 16 years of age and striving to provide excellent working conditions and career opportunities for all staff.

Richard Cranmer, CEO of St Benet’s MAT, said: “This is a vision we have been working on since June 2017 and we are thrilled that we have been given the green light from the Department for Education to amalgamate Harleston CE Primary Academy and Archbishop Sancroft High School into one All Through School.”

In January 2019, the governing bodies of ASHS and HPA took a significant step towards this vision by coming together to form a single governing body called The Harleston Federation that oversees the work of both academies today.

In July 2021 the Trust restructured the leadership team across the academies to reflect the Federation structure, including the appointment of one Executive Headteacher.  This was a key step in our journey towards an All Through School and the school improvement impact it brings.

Richard said: “The St Benet’s Trust Board, with full support from the Diocese of Norwich, have asked that the two academies now start actively planning to become one All Through School, taking children from the age of 3 to 16 years and opening the new All Through School at the latest by September 2023.  It is our intention to achieve this by September 2022.”

Rob Connelly was appointed Executive Headteacher for the Harleston Federation in September 2021.  He said: “The Harleston Federation represents a very significant milestone for this very special community.”

He added: “The future of both schools and ultimately the formation of an All Through School will be supported by ensuring exceptional staff provide the foundations and consistency required to experience ‘Life in all its fullness’.”