Academy partnership brings new chapter to Westbury Leigh Primary School

Local school Westbury Leigh Primary is embarking on a new chapter, aiming to enhance opportunities and support for its community as it officially joins an academy trust.

The school has become part of the Palladian Academy Trust, which has been working closely with the school’s leadership team since July 2023. The trust includes schools from across the local areas of Bath and Bradford-on-Avon.

Headteacher Debbie Grimsey said, “We are really excited to be part of Palladian Academy Trust. This is a new era for our school and offers an opportunity to work in partnership as a family of schools within a strong network of support. Our children look forward to the richer educational experiences on offer, such as sporting competitions and overseas residentials. We feel being part of the Trust can only further enhance the provision for our school community, enabling everyone to flourish.”

Donna Tandy, CEO of Palladian Academy Trust, recently visited the school to deliver an assembly, introducing pupils to the Palladian Promise—a core offer designed to provide enriching opportunities across the Trust.

She said, “We are committed to the ongoing improvement journey the school is on. In partnership with Headteacher Debbie Grimsey, the wider colleague team, families, and their children, we strive to live out our Trust vision of ‘excellent and equitable opportunities for all so everyone can flourish.’

“Westbury Leigh is joining us at an exciting time. One of our ‘bold moves’ for 2024-25 is to develop our ‘Parent and Family Offer’ to ensure everyone feels part of our family and that we are united in providing the very best for the children in our care.

“As an organisation, Palladian is committed to working in partnership with our schools and the communities they serve. While we recognise that all schools educate children, each one is distinctive. I understand that one concern when a school joins a Trust is the potential loss of identity. We feel we strike a good balance between standardisation and autonomy. Where we implement Trust-wide initiatives, there is a clear rationale for how these benefit pupils and staff, whether financially or by reducing workload and supporting mental health and wellbeing. Most initiatives are co-constructed with colleagues from all schools.

“We are also committed to maintaining Local Governance Committees in all schools, with at least two parent representatives, as well as having parent representatives on the Trust Board.

“We will be inviting families to an official ‘launch event’ early next term when they can come into school and meet some of the wider team as well as spend time with the wonderful pupils at Westbury Leigh,” Donna added.

For more information, visit www.palladianacademytrust.com.

Pictured: Donna Tandy, CEO of Palladian Academy Trust, leading an assembly