Priesthorpe School to become an academy

In the next few months Priesthorpe School will join the Trust, which oversees eight secondary and primary academies in the North of England including Brownhill Primary Academy in Burmantofts, Oakwood Primary Academy in Gipton, Nightingale and Woodlands Primary Academies in Harehills and The Co-operative Academy of Leeds for 1,050 pupils in Harehills and Burmantofts.

Priesthorpe, which is led by headteacher Martin Blacoe, approached the Trust almost a year ago. Its leaders were invited to meet the school’s governors, staff and parents as the school considered its future.

Frank Norris, director of the Co-operative Academies Trust, said: “We feel privileged that Priesthorpe School is joining us because I know that, like us, the staff and governors are committed to creating an outstanding learning community where all students can achieve their maximum potential.”

Mr Blacoe added: “This is great news for the school. I am convinced that with the support of the Co-operative Academies Trust we can complete the transformation journey which we have already begun.”

An Ofsted inspection report published last month found that the overall effectiveness of Priesthorpe School “requires improvement”, with pupils’ progress in Year 11 significantly below the national average in 2016.