The Regional Schools Commissioners’ Headteacher Board has approved the proposal for Sharnbrook Academy Federation (SAF) multi-academy trust to join CMAT.
Members of our Senior Leadership Team, including CEO Mark Woods, have provided interim support to SAF since October 2020. The SAF Trustee board made the decision to join CMAT following changes in the leadership at the Trust and the desire to take a fresh strategic direction with a larger regional trust.
The intention is for SAF’s five academies, two secondary schools – Sharnbrook Academy and Lincroft Academy – and three primary schools – Harrold Primary Academy, Great Ouse Primary Academy and Oakley Primary Academy – to be fully part of CMAT for the start of academic year this September. SAF’s initial teacher training (SAF ITT) provision would also join CMAT.
This would mean that the total number of schools we operate in the region across Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire, would increase to 23.
Mark Woods, CEO of CMAT, said: “It has been a real privilege to get to know Sharnbrook Academy Federation schools, staff and governors over recent months in my role as interim CEO. The resilience, dedication and expertise demonstrated by the leaders in schools over what has been a very challenging period with the pandemic has been tremendous.
“We are highly confident that this partnership will be of great benefit to both organisations as we are closely aligned in our vision for the education of our pupils and the role we play in our communities.
“We will continue to work closely with the SAF Trustees, Senior Leadership Team and local communities to ensure the next stages in the process for the Trust to join CMAT run smoothly over the summer.”
The decision follows extensive due diligence and a programme of public consultation with SAF and its schools invited to comment on the proposal.