TWO Somerset schools rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted are among four which will become academies in a matter of weeks.

Primary schools in Brent Knoll, Charlton Horethorne, North Cadbury and Pawlett will all become part of multi-academy trusts, Somerset County Council has confirmed.

As of April 1 this year, they will join 102 other schools in Somerset which have already become academies.

The four schools concerned are:

  • Brent Knoll Church of England Primary School (rated ‘good’ in September 2018)
  • Charlton Horethorne Church of England Primary School (rated ‘good’ in February 2017)
  • North Cadbury Church of England Primary School (rated ‘inadequate’ in January 2018)
  • Pawlett Primary School (rated ‘inadequate’ in March 2017)

Brent Knoll will become part of the Wessex Learning Trust – formerly the King’s of Wessex Academy Trust – which is based in Cheddar and includes the King’s of Wessex secondary school.

Charlton Horethorne will join the Sherborne Area Schools Trust, which includes the Gryphon School in Sherborne, several primary schools in and around the town, and King Arthur’s Community School in Wincanton.

North Cadbury will become part of the Preston Primary Academy Trust, which runs two Yeovil primary schools as well as Manor Court Primary School in Chard and Countess Gytha Primary School in Queen Camel.

Pawlett is to become part of the Priory Learning Trust, which is based in Weston-super-Mare and includes the King Alfred School in Highbridge.

Since the Education and Adoption Act was passed in 2016, all ‘inadequate’ or ‘coasting’ schools (as determined by Ofsted inspectors) have to become academies, joining multi-academy trusts in a bid to improve their performance.

Elizabeth Smith, the council’s service manager for schools commissioning, said: “Trade unions representing staff working in Somerset schools have been consulted about the proposals.

“Teaching and support staff trade unions generally oppose the extension of the academies programme.

“They will therefore be seeking assurance that all employer responsibilities in respect of staff transfers and more general staff consultation requirements are met.”

All four schools will transfer over to their new trust on April 1.