Academies from the Sharnbrook Academy Federation (SAF) multi-academy trust have now officially joined Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT). Sharnbrook Academy, Lincroft Academy, Harrold Primary Academy, Great Ouse Primary Academy and Oakley Primary Academy, which are all in Bedfordshire, are now part of the CMAT family.
The SAF Trustee board made the decision to join CMAT following changes to the leadership at the Trust and a desire to take a fresh strategic direction with a larger regional trust. Members of CMAT’s team, including Chief Executive Officer Mark Woods, provided interim support to SAF over the course of the last year and have been working hard to support the academies with their transition over the summer.
Mark Woods, Chief Executive Officer of CMAT, said: “We are thrilled to welcome these five new schools to CMAT. As a Trust, we have a simple and clear vision – to provide, support, and champion high-quality education at the heart of local communities. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working alongside staff and governors over recent months to fully embed them into our Trust. We are delighted to be working with like-minded people who clearly align with these vision and values.”
Mark added: “We have already been able to make significant impact in supporting the schools over the summer, including refurbishing buildings and introducing new IT equipment to broaden pupils’ educational experiences in the classroom. There is a lot of excellent practice we can learn from each other and we are all looking forward to seeing the benefits of this partnership come to life over the coming months.”
The merger takes the total number of schools CMAT operates in the region across Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire to 23. SAF’s initial teacher training (ITT) provision has also joined CMAT to work alongside the Trust’s existing ITT provision, The Cambridge Partnership.
Clare Raku, Principal at Sharnbrook Academy, said: “We have a clear focus on excellence, care and opportunity for our pupils at Sharnbrook Academy. By joining with CMAT it will allow us to strengthen each of these areas. We have no doubt the partnership will enhance our offer across the school, including our strong Sixth Form and the community leisure centre we are proud to have on our site.”
CMAT’s Executive Principal for Secondary, Richard Spencer, will work closely with Lincroft Academy and Sharnbrook Academy. Jane Dooley, CMAT’s Executive Principal for Primary, will work closely with Harrold Primary Academy, Great Ouse Primary Academy and Oakley Primary Academy.