Oakmeeds in talks with Brighton University over academy sponsorship

The Burgess Hill college will discuss joining the new University of Brighton Academies Trust.

Colin Taylor, headteacher at Oakmeeds, said: “Oakmeeds is a popular and improving school and we are looking to the Trust to challenge us in a way that will result in more effective and sustainable improvements to teaching and learning.

“The resources and expertise that the university offers through its outstanding School of Education and world class research will help us recruit, retain and develop high-quality teaching and support staff.”

The college’s governing body announced it hopes to become an academy from September next year, subject to ministerial approval.

“Our partnership with the university will raise standards and enable us to offer even better provisions for our school community,” Mr Taylor added.

The University of Brighton launched its Academies Trust earlier this year to support and sponsor schools in the Sussex area wishing to convert to academy status.

David Fry, chair of governors at Oakmeeds, said: “Parents, carers and students will be kept fully informed as matters progress.”

The university’s plan has been approved by the Department for Education and the new trust is inviting discussions with both primary and secondary schools interested in becoming academies.

The move by the university builds on its successful sponsorship of six primary and two secondary schools within the Hastings Academies Trust, a trust launched in 2008.

Professor Julian Crampton, University of Brighton’s vice-chancellor, said: “We welcome the interest shown by Oakmeeds Community College and look forward to sharing our expertise and our education research to benefit students and staff.”

The school has just been boosted by an Ofsted inspection.

Inspectors said the school was making ‘good progress’ following their visit.