PARENTS have been given the vision of a brighter future for their children as their school join forces with an outstanding educational trust heralding a new era of learning for students.
Parents and carers have been briefed on recent improvements and strategic plans for Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, which is to join the Vision Academy Learning Trust on January 1.
The Learning Trust was established in 2015 by Egglescliffe School, Eaglescliffe, which is currently judged to be outstanding by Ofsted and boasts results above the national average.
Other Trust schools include Chandlers Ridge Academy, Nunthorpe, Junction Farm Primary School and The Links Primary School, Eaglescliffe and Whinstone Primary School, Ingleby Barwick.
Vision CEO and headteacher of Egglescliffe School Simon White is also a National Leader for Education, has strong links with the National College for Teaching and Leadership and has supported a number of schools in their improvement journey.
He told parents and carers: “Both schools share similar philosophies of education and at their core is an unquestionable vision for excellence. We have identified key lines which we will be addressing steadfastly.
“Everyone will see an evolutionary and relentless improvement in the standards of teaching and learning which will increase opportunities for children and ensure greater success in their lives ahead.
“Headteacher Catherine Juckes is already having a profound impact. She is highly reflective and is looking at every aspect of school life; the things which are good but could be even better and the elements which need rapid and constant improvement.”
Mrs Juckes, who took over as head in September last year, thanked parents and carers for attending.
She said: “I am convinced that parental engagement is crucial to children’s development; it accelerates their learning and it energises our teachers knowing they have your continued support.
“Laurence Jackson School is a community and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our children maximise their life chances, develop and flourish into the next generation of responsible citizens who can contribute greatly to our society.”
She said she was thrilled to be joining the Vision Academy Learning Trust which she was convinced would help the school achieve its ultimate goal of becoming outstanding.
There had already been improvements in attendance, she added, children felt well looked after and were now being challenged academically to achieve the very best results they could. “What the students are being offered is an educational experience second to none,” she said.
Parents and carers were told that the school-school partnership would allow greater access to top quality staff, including an “outstanding” Trust leadership team.
Moderation of standards across the partnership of schools would ensure the highest quality provision.
There would be greater control of finances and the money due to schools and improvements to the curriculum.
Joining the trust would also see a sharing of expertise and services that would benefit students and staff.
Sharing resources and expertise would allow the trust to target funding towards improving front line teaching and learning.
There would be no change to the school name, its admissions policy or uniform.