Bosses at two Colchester high schools have revealed plans to create a multi-academy trust in a move that is tipped to provide better opportunities for pupils.
Leaders at two top-performing schools are have revealed their vision for a multi-academy trust which could one day be among the biggest in north Essex.
Bosses at Colchester County High School for Girls and The Gilberd School are forming the Alpha Trust, due to officially launch in the next few weeks.
Created with the aim of sharing resources and providing students with better opportunities, the new trust will eventually include the 1,170-pupil Trinity Free School and College.
Government officials gave a bid to build the all-through institution, which would serve the Colchester Northern Gateway area, the green light in 2016.
If all goes to plan, it will open in September 2021.
Gillian Marshall, headteacher at Colchester County High School for Girls, is very excited about the new trust.
She said: “With everything that we do in the trust, it is all very much pupil centred.
“We are promoting excellence so pupils can achieve their very best but with an understanding of pastoral care which will promote their emotional health.
“We will bring a balanced curriculum and access to further education and employment.
She added: “It is all about the students and their parents as well.
“I have an open door policy. It is about parents and students having a voice.
“We want children who are happy because when they are happy, they learn. But they also need order, they cannot learn without that.
“We want to give them the best opportunity so they can achieve their potential.”
Under the Alpha Trust title, uniforms will not change and schools will keep their individual identities, chiefs added.
Each school will be led by its own headteacher and senior team.
There will also be greater opportunities for professional development for teachers, governors and school leaders.
Linda Exley, headteacher of The Gilberd School, said: “Our schools share the same vision and values of securing the best outcomes for students. The Alpha Trust provides the opportunity to build on the excellent relationship that is already established and we look forward to working together for the benefit of all the students.”
It is understood that Manningtree High School will be among the first of a number of institutions to join the two schools under the Alpha Trust banner.
Headteacher Sally Morris said they plan to sign up in September 2018.
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