Kingsmead School in Wiveliscombe recently announced its decision to join the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), a large multi-academy trust. The transfer, which secured formal approval from the Department for Education last week, is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
The CLF, initially established as a small Bristol-based secondary education partnership in 2009, now comprises 35 schools serving over 18,000 children and young people across Bristol, south Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, north Somerset, and Somerset.
Previously operating as a standalone academy with approximately 900 students, Kingsmead School has shown significant improvement since its last inspection in 2022, as acknowledged by a recent Ofsted report. The inspectors particularly commended the school’s efforts in personal development, safeguarding, and careers education, along with the comprehensive review and enhancement of the curriculum.
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Expressing optimism about the transition, Kingsmead’s Head Teacher, John Eddy, emphasized the potential long-term benefits for the school, its staff, and students. He highlighted the CLF’s track record of school improvement, aligned ethos, and the anticipated access to enhanced resources and expertise through closer collaboration with other schools within the trust.
While affirming the school’s commitment to maintaining its identity and preserving a decisive role within the Kingsmead community, Eddy underscored the pivotal consideration of student wellbeing and success in making this transition.
Acknowledging the potential of the new partnership, Steve Taylor, CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation, expressed enthusiasm about expanding the Somerset cluster with a new partner school, foreseeing greater support for children and families in the area.
Aiming to engage and inform parents and carers about the upcoming change, the school is organizing an information evening where they can interact with CLF representatives and senior staff.