Westcountry Schools Trust is pushing ahead with its controversial scheme to replace governing bodies across its 26 schools.
When the WeST trust board announced their intention to do this earlier in the year there was widespread criticism of the proposal. Many parents were angered by the proposals and hundreds of people signed an online petition to fight the plans.
Schools in the Trust include Plymstock School, Coombe Dean, Hele’s and 10 primary schools in the area.
Local governing bodies will be disbanded at the end of the year, and four new advisory hubs will replace them on January 1 2023.
In thanking those governors for their service, Chair of Trust, Iain Grafton, told the Plymouth Chronicle that he believes the new arrangements will bring greater accountability to the Trust structures and will support newly appointed hub advisors in making their viewpoint heard.
He said:
“This is a great opportunity for interested people to bring their skills to bear on making sure that our Trust is the best it can possibly be for our 14,000 pupils. We are looking for people to apply to be hub advisors to one of our four hubs.
“You might have experience in business, in education or children’s services, in safeguarding, in the armed forces, in law or in public service. We need the widest range and most diverse range of experiences possible to be our hub advisors. It’s also essential that parents from our schools apply so that the hubs have the benefit of their experience’
Rob Haring, chief executive of the Trust, added:
“I’m really looking forward to working with our new hub advisors, who will be able to take a rounded view on what we are trying to do across WeST.
“Such a great mix of schools make up our Trust – primary secondary, large and small – and every hub advisor will have experience that will bring something to ensure that each school is doing its very best for our pupils’.
Iain Grafton added:
“Joining one of our hubs as an advisor will give you an opportunity to contribute to our schools and our community. It will be an example of civic duty at its best. Please do think about applying.”
Schools in the Trust include Austin Farm Academy, Boringdon Primary School, Chaddlewood Primary School, Ermington Primary School, Glen Park Primary School, Morley Meadow Primary School, Oreston Community Academy, Sherford Vale School, Wembury Primary School, Woodford Primary School, Yealmpton Primary School, Coombe Dean School, Eggbuckland Community College, Hele’s School and Plymstock School
To find out more about WeST’s new hub advisor roles, together with details of how to apply go to www.westst.org.uk. Applications must be received by September 28.
