Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust announces a rebranding change

By Jessica Durston - 11 May 2022

EducationBusiness
  • George Croxford (left) and Nathan Coombs

    George Croxford (left) and Nathan Coombs

The Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust (formed by the Multi Academy Trust) announces it will be known as Ascend Learning Trust from September.

The RWBAT is undergoing these rebranding changes with aims to better reflect its relationship with all its Trust Schools, and usher in a new era for the trust. 

It will be known as the Ascend Learning Trust from 1 September. 

The new branding is said to represent the growth of the trust in recent years. Originally consisting of just one founder school, Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, it was set up as a Multi Academy Trust in May 2017.  

George Croxford CEO said: “The Trust is built upon our absolute commitment to continuous school improvement and each Academy within RWBAT is on that never-ending journey. By working together, we maximise the life chances for every student within the Trust.” 

Churchfields School - now Lawn Manor Academy - in Swindon became the first school to join the Trust in 2017. The partners wanted to keep the name and the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust was formed.  

The Trust was then joined by Noremarsh Junior School in 2018, The John Bentley School, now Kingsbury Green Academy, Calne in 2019 and finally by The Wellington Academy, Wellington Eagles Primary Academy and Wellington Lions Primary Academy in 2020. 

As well as the seven schools the trust also has a School Centred Initial Teaching Training base, the North Wilts SCITT, which trains 80 plus teachers every year.  

George added: “So not only do we improve all our teachers, but we actually grow our own.” 

With seven schools and a teacher training base now part of the Trust, and others wishing to join, George welcomes the change.

He said: “We felt it was time to look at the suitability of the name and revisit our values and aims. Following a consultation, it was unanimously decided that we should change the name, as it was overly linked to one school and is no longer appropriate.” 

The name change is said to be part of a comprehensive rebrand that includes a refreshed look and feel as well as a new logo. This is all designed to revamp the way the Trust communicates its mission and beliefs.  

Nathan Coombs, Chair of Trustees said: “The new identity had to satisfy all of the existing expectations that our original Trust stood for while simultaneously moving the brand forward. Our three core aims remain the same and are firstly, Excellence in Education through compassion, respect and ambition.

"Secondly, valuing the development of the whole person equal to achieving academic success and finally putting every academy at the heart of its community. Ascend was chosen as a visionary word that represents these core aims perfectly.

“We are looking forward to what the future holds and continuing to achieve our aim to provide an excellent education for every young person within the Ascend Learning Trust.” 

More information about the Trust can be found on its website at www.rwbatrust.org.uk  

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