A Cambridgeshire-based academy trust has been chosen to run a Bury St Edmunds primary school which was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted last year.

East Anglian Daily Times: Helena Marsh, executive principal of Chilford Hundred Academy Trust. Picture: SUPPLIED BY HELENA MARSHHelena Marsh, executive principal of Chilford Hundred Academy Trust. Picture: SUPPLIED BY HELENA MARSH (Image: Archant)

The Chilford Hundred Academy Trust (CHET) will sponsor Howard Community Primary School following a decision from the Regional Schools Commissioner.

The Beard Road school had to join an academy trust following last year’s Ofsted rating.

CHET was chosen as the preferred sponsor by the Department for Education (DfE), but there were calls from some in the community for the Bury St Edmunds All-Through Trust to run the school.

The DfE said a “robust selection process” was undertaken and that CHET had the right kind of experience to raise standards.

East Anglian Daily Times: Howard Community Primary School in Bury St Edmunds will be sponsored by the Cambridgeshire-based Chilford Hundred Academy Trust. Picture: GREGG BROWNHoward Community Primary School in Bury St Edmunds will be sponsored by the Cambridgeshire-based Chilford Hundred Academy Trust. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Helena Marsh, executive principal of CHET, said the trust was keen to work with the community to raise standards.

“We’re very pleased,” she said. “It has been quite a long process so we’re glad the decision has been made.

“Our key priorities are to support the teaching and learning and leadership at the school to raise standards.

“The trust is community-focused and has lots of experience in working with schools which require improvement – and has the support in place to do that.

“The school has been through lots of instability recently with interim leaders.

“We’re keen to work with people in the community and to hear their views to make the improvements for the school.”

Mrs Marsh added that the new Pines Primary School in Red Lodge – which is opening in September under the trust – is well located to be able to offer support to Howard.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The department undertook a robust selection process to decide on the right sponsor to address the education standards for the children at Howard Community Primary school – and the Chilford Hundred Education Trust has the right kind of experience to do this.

“We are working closely with the school and trust to ensure the process is as smooth as possible for any affected students.”

CHET was formed in 2014 and currently has Linton Village College, Linton Heights Junior School and The Meadow Primary School under its umbrella.