Trust in charge of four Salford schools is to close

An academy trust which runs four schools in Salford is to close.

 
The Salford Academy Trust, which has responsibility for the education of 2,500 pupils, is to close.

 
The United Learning Trust, which runs Salford City Academy, could take over the schools affected as a sponsor.

 
The trust was set up in 2012 as a part of partnership between Salford Council, the University of Salford and Salford College.

 
The trust was responsible for Albion High, Irlam and Cadishead College, Marlborough Road Primary and Dukesgate Primary.

 
The schools had been criticised by Ofsted and were turned into academies in a bid to improve standards.

 
But with the trust struggling to improve standards the decision has been taken to close it and staff have been informed of the plans.

 
Judith Elderkin, of the National Education Union, and a former headteacher at Marlborough Road Primary, told the Manchester Evening News: “The three partners formed the trust, in order to provide a local solution.

 
“The regional schools commissioner has cast doubt on the ability and scale of the trust to provide the level of support required.

 
“Our members, trade union leaders and staff at the schools have been informed that the trust is to close and all the academies within it are to be re-brokered.

 
“All of the four schools had, initially, adverse Ofsted reports. That made them into forced academies.”

 
Salford council’s children’s and young people’s services boss Lisa Stone said: “We have worked hard over several years to create a Salford offer to schools forced or choosing to convert to academy status.

 
“Despite our best efforts, the trust has not delivered on the ambitious vision that the three sponsors had for it at its inception.

 
“We are therefore in agreement with regional schools commissioner’s office that another, more established sponsor with demonstrated experience of school improvement will be the best option for our schools and our pupils.”