Bromyard school's trust status bid (From Hereford Times)

Bromyard school's trust status bid

8:00am Tuesday 24th March 2009 in News

A GROUP of Bromyard schools could apply for trust status in a bid to secure their future.

The Bromyard cluster – Queen Elizabeth Humanities College and six surrounding primary schools – have asked the Government whether they are eligible for trust status.

The septet joined forces last January after QE and four primaries were threatened with merger in the schools review. A federation was considered, while the creation of a primary-through-secondary school was also discussed.

The latest idea is an educational co-operative trust, a model approved by the Government, which binds schools, while retaining their existing control and funding.

The schools operate independently, but have more dealings with the council, local businesses and community organisations.

The Department for Children, Families and Schools will consider whether the cluster bid is eligible.

The cluster made the application earlier this month although Mark Foster, cluster chairman, says the response could take six months.

“We’ve discussed a federation and a myriad of different ideas and some of them have been quite interesting,” he said.

“Potentially, we’ve found something that gives us an opportunity for the future. But I must stress we’ve only made an expression of interest, and there will be a consultation to find out whether we can do it.”

It is hoped that Herefordshire Council, the West Midlands Co-operative Movement and the Robert Owen Society will be the cluster’s key partners, while other groups and individuals could be allowed membership.