Richard Cranmer, CEO of St Benet’s Multi Academy Trust said: “We are proud to have in place a robust team of highly skilled teachers and staff for the brand-new year ahead. It’s an exciting time for Harleston CE Primary Academy and Archbishop Sancroft High School as we hope to move to an all-through school, following the public consultation.
“The Federated Governing Body at Archbishop Sancroft High School (ASHS) and Harleston CE Primary Academy (HPA) has been very keen to encourage and develop further close working between the two academies. This was first raised publicly during the consultation on becoming academies back in June 2017, when the then-separate governing bodies outlined their vision for the future.
“The governors of the primary and secondary schools have been actively considering the long-term sustainable future of education in the town. Our ultimate joint aim is to create an all-through school, which will still operate across the two sites within the town. Ensuring successful, sustainable education in market towns within rural areas is challenging. We therefore believe that by closer working together, we can secure an exciting and successful future for all children from 3 to 16 years of age and strive to provide excellent working conditions and career opportunities for all staff.”
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 Rob Connelly as Executive Headteacher for the Harleston Federation. This was a key step in their journey towards an all-through school and the school improvement impact it brings.
Mr Rob Connelly said: “The Harleston Federation represents a very significant milestone for this very special community. I am delighted to have been appointed as the Executive Headteacher and look forward to continuing my work alongside the staff, students and families to ensure the very best school experience for all.
“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’.”
Mr Mark Carlyle has been appointed as Head of School of Harleston Primary School along with Mrs Jane Price as Deputy Head Teacher. Mr Dan Stagg has been appointed as Assistant Head Teacher and Miss Lucy Gardner has been appointed as Nursery Teacher. Mrs Emma Johnson is Executive School Business Manager.
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 three 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.
There will be a six-week public consultation on the proposal to amalgamate Harleston CE Primary Academy and Archbishop Sancroft High School into one all-through school, starting from Monday 13 September through to Friday 22 October 2021.
There will be meetings for parents/carers and other interested members of the community on Tuesday 19 October:
- 2.15-3.15pm at Harleston Primary Academy
- 5-6pm at Archbishop Sancroft High School
Please register attendance for the meetings.
Share your views by completing the online survey. Responses should be sent by 4pm on Friday 22 October 2021.