Market Drayton primary school joins academies trust
A north Shropshire primary school has joined an academies trust which has already enjoyed great success elsewhere in the county.
Longlands Community Primary School in Market Drayton is now part of Shrewsbury Academies Trust, which operates the Grange and Sundorne secondary schools, and Grange Primary School, in the county town.
The school, which officially became part of SAT on January 1, has also seen a change of leadership with Charlie Summers taking on the role of head of school.
“This is in many ways a fresh start, and the atmosphere at the school is incredibly positive,” said Mrs Summers.
“The staff, parents and children have all bought into our new academy status, and our commitment to top-level teaching and learning, and providing the best opportunities for our children, is greater than ever.
“Results in the past haven’t been what we would have hoped for but there is real confidence that they will see a marked improvement, as early as this year.
“Having the support and resources available from SAT is invaluable - there is a buzz and huge excitement at what the future holds at Longlands.”
Longlands, which is situated in the north of Market Drayton, currently has 185 children attending the school.
Geoff Pettengell, executive principal of Shrewsbury Academies Trust, said he is confident that Longlands has a very bright future.
“This is a new era for Longlands and I have been enormously impressed by the attitude of the staff and children,” he said.
“The ethos at the school is all about providing opportunities and a broad, rounded education for the children, and this mirrors perfectly the commitment of the other schools which are part of the academy.
“One area which Charlie Summers and her team are keen to improve is the exam results and I am sure that with the expertise available from the Trust the staff will help them to turn things around quickly.”
