Struggling Academy set to be transferred to another Trust

THE struggling University Academy Warrington – formerly Padgate High School – looks set to undergo a major change.
Board members of the University of Chester Academies Trust (UCAT) – which runs seven schools, including the Insall Road school, has asked the Department for Education to re-broker – or transfer – all its schools to other Trusts.
Two of the schools are rated “good” by Ofsted, three – including the Warrington school – are said to “require improvement” and two are said to be “inadequate.”
Earlier this year, UCAT and the DfE agreed to transfer four of the schools to other Academy Trusts.
More recently, it was agreed to transfer the Ellesmere Port Academy to another Trust
Now the UCAT board has taken the decision that they cannot continue to operate financially and provide the education they would wish with only two schools.
They have asked the DfE to transfer all its schools before the Trust formally winds up its activities.
Newly appointed chairman David Wootton said: “The overriding focus for the board is about doing what is best to improve the education and life chances of all children in all the schools and to support local communities and as such it needed to address where this fell short.
“Having established an overview, we needed to plan the best way forward for the future and, given the situation, the board has reached a view that the Trust cannot continue.”
UCAT is working closely with the DfE to ensure that a new trust is found as quickly as possible for each of the seven schools. Once this has been agreed, UCAT will work closely with the incoming Trusts to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Only last month it was reported that staff cuts may be necessary at University Academy Warrington because of the financial situation.
When Ofsted inspected the school in 2016 it was stated to require improvement in overall effectiveness, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils.
It was said to be good for its effective leadership and management and for personal development, behaviour and welfare.

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