At a meeting of the school’s Governing Body on 23 February 2023, it was decided to:

• Change our school category from Community to Foundation; and
• Establish a charitable Trust named Bridge Education Trust (Southampton), which is a co-operative membership trust with effect from 1^st March 2023.

This is in line with the consultation and published statutory proposal.

The decision was taken as the Governing Body believe the Trust will raise standards through the creation of a platform for on-going improvement. The resources and expertise brought to the Trust by the partners will strengthen strategic leadership, increase support and challenge and consolidate effective monitoring, thereby promoting improvement in outcomes for pupils.

The mutual co-operative nature of the membership trust with its high levels of stakeholder involvement and accountability will greatly assist in further raising the profile of education across our community and lead to enhanced community cohesion.

This decision followed a consultation process during which all relevant parties were consulted and consultation meetings were held for staff, parents and the general public.  The unions and trade associations were also consulted. Statutory guidance was followed.  The views of those consulted and any representations from the Statutory Notice were considered by the Governing Body before deciding to proceed to implementation. 

The school will continue to be run and managed by the Governing Body as before with the additional benefit of Trust nominated Governors and our partners to assist us in our future developments.

Kind Regards

Andy Dobson                       Karen Mellor

Chair of Governors                Headteacher

As a Cooperative Trust, our aims are to:

●       Provide the best possible education for the communities we serve, in turn create a learning setting that is focused on giving pupils an outstanding educational environment and promoting positive outcomes for all.

●       Work together to share ideas, enhance leadership expertise, promote best practice, offer cross-school curricular and sporting opportunities, whilst allowing each school to maintain what makes it special.

Being a Cooperative Trust school means that we continue to work very closely with colleagues at the Local Authority (Southampton City Council), but for our children and staff, there is no difference on a day to day basis.  Our governing body continues to provide strategy and direction to our school, the Headteachers and Chairs of Governors come together as a Board of Trustees.

The Cooperative Trust is a not for profit charitable organisation.  We adopt and support the values and principles of the Cooperative movement in our work: all Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.     Cooperative members also believe in honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.