Dear Parents/Carers
We are writing to inform you that Cumbria Education Trust (CET) has now been officially appointed as sponsor of The Whitehaven Academy. The legal documents were signed by CET Trustees and the DfE and will take effect from 1 December 2018.
The transition from Bright Tribe Trust to CET has not been as smooth as we would have liked but we are delighted that The Whitehaven Academy is now part of the CET family of schools.
Whilst we have been supporting the academy since early September under a service level agreement, now we have our official appointment this marks the start of a new era for The Whitehaven Academy and we can all move forward with renewed confidence.
CET is fully supported by the DfE, the regional schools’ commissioner, the local authority and our collaborative partners who will all help us to deliver on our promise to enable better outcomes for our students, giving them improved life chances and creating a safe, high-quality environment for teaching and learning.
Building on the operational and day-to-day changes we have already introduced, our attention will be on providing the necessary capacity and expertise to deliver sustainable improvements.
Governance will be one of our first priorities, along with the introduction of a Local Advisory Board (LAB) which is the local governance structure CET has in place across their schools. We welcome applications from suitably experienced and skilled members of the community to work with other LAB members and the wider Trust Board to promote and support the Trust’s vision and values. A letter about the LAB application process is also enclosed.
I would like to make it clear that whatever decisions are reached by CET they are always made in the best interests of the children we are responsible for. CET are aware that change can be difficult, and especially change that can affect young people, but CET will continue to work with all parties to make this journey as smooth as possible, and we will focus our energy on raising standards and helping our students to be the ‘best they can be’. In the fullness of time the results will speak for themselves.
Being part of CET brings new opportunities for students and staff. Sharing best practice, whole trust support and collaboration will be key to our success. There is much to look forward to – a reinvigorated educational vision and a new academy building.
We would like to thank all those who have contributed in helping us to complete the rebrokerage. There is much to do and many challenges ahead, but by working in partnership we can achieve exciting and transformational changes that will provide the very best for our students now and in the future.
Yours sincerely
Debbie Francis
Chair of Trust Board, Cumbria Education Trust
