Waterlooville's St Peter's Catholic Primary School becomes academy to 'preserve' and 'protect' religious education
A primary school has joined a trust
Following a formal consultation period, a primary school has become an academy to ‘preserve and protect’ catholic education.
St Peter's Catholic Primary School, in Stakes Hill Road, Waterlooville, officially joined Edith Stein Catholic Academy Trust (ESCAT) on July 1 after working closely alongside the trust over the years.
A consultation, which took place between June 9 and July 7, heard views from parents, carers, staff and other stakeholders regarding the conversion plans, with an Ofsted letter confirming the decision to partner with ESCAT published on the last day of formal discussions.
In a consultation letter to stakeholders, the school said: “Our governing body has been carefully reviewing the option to become an academy, and it has decided to consult with parents, carers, staff and other stakeholders, on whether St Peters’ Catholic School should become an academy and join Edith Stein Catholic Academy Trust (ESCAT). We have been working very closely with ESCAT, who share our ethos and values, and now feel the time is right to formalise our relationship.
“Underpinning the governors and senior leaders’ views is the desire to ensure the promotion, preservation, protection and future development of catholic education within the Diocese of Portsmouth. The Catholic Trust model will ensure that the uniqueness of each individual school is celebrated and the unique contribution of each is recognised and appreciated. The aim is also to facilitate greater sharing, adding strength and capacity to the system and ensuring that all schools are supported.”
Benefits of becoming part of the trust, which is formed of Oaklands Catholic School and Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, include access high quality staff training, build on the school’s catholic ethos while learning best practice from other settings.
A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: "St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Waterlooville, is joining the Edith Stein Catholic Academy Trust, which already includes a number of local schools.
“The trust works closely with the county council, and we remain committed to working together to ensure high-quality education and a joined-up system that delivers the best outcomes for young people across the county."
St Peter’s Catholic Primary School and ESCAT have both been contacted for a comment about the partnership.