Swindon's Grove Learning Trust Goddard Park Primary School to join The White Horse Federation

Following approval from the Department for Education, nine schools from Grove Learning Trust and Goddard Park Primary School are set to join the trust in the next academic year.
Dr Dan Nicholls, CEO of The White Horse Federation, said: “We are delighted with this decision, which means that the collective expertise offered by colleagues at Grove Learning Trust and Goddard Park Primary School in collaboration with colleagues at The White Horse Federation will improve the lives of more children and families in Swindon. 
"All the schools and colleagues share a passion for Swindon as well as a deep understanding of our local communities and context.”
TWHF says that, like TWHF itself, Grove’s academies and Goddard Park Primary School have a strong track record, with all the schools joining TWHF rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
The merging of significant expertise and experience across all the schools is described as creating greater capacity and geographic coherence which will significantly support children, families and communities across Swindon.
The move also aligns with TWHF’s commitment to serve local families and communities and to the Government’s ambition in the White Paper around the importance of place and serving local communities.
This academic year, TWHF has been shortlisted for the Trust of the Year in the prestigious TES awards. Last year, the federation won the Inclusive Trust of the Year award at the TES Awards.
Dr Nicholls added: “We believe this mutual understanding of our town, shared expertise, collaboration and our strong track record for improving schools will help us achieve our shared priority: to inspire the lives of all children with greater opportunity and choice.”
Jo Harding, Head of School at Goddard Park Community Primary School, said: “Goddard Park Primary School is excited to be joining The White Horse Federation. 
"This represents an important step in our journey, giving us the opportunity to work closely with like-minded schools and strengthen what we already do.  
"TWHF is a strong local MAT with values which align with ours. Our priority is always the children, and we believe this will help us provide even greater opportunities for them to thrive.”
Anne-Marie Howroyd, Trustee and Chair of the Board at Grove Learning Trust, said: “Grove Learning Trust decided to move into a formal partnership agreement with The White Horse Federation in January this year and we are very pleased to be deepening our existing partnership with TWHF by formally joining the trust.
“Both trusts share a passion for and understanding of Swindon and this is an exciting continuation of our collective journey and ambition to better serve our families and communities across Swindon.
“Partnering with a larger, well-established multi-academy trust has provided more capacity and broader opportunities to serve pupils and communities.
“We have no doubt that this is a positive step for the future, helping us to strengthen partnerships and increase the impact we can have on children’s lives. 
"We are confident that TWHF is well placed to support Grove Learning Trust to deliver on our shared ambitions, offering high quality education and making sure that every child’s needs are met so that they all have the opportunity to achieve.”
 

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