Academy trust set to expand

The Fylde Coast Academy Trust, which currently runs seven schools, is set to take on three new members, including Garstang Community Academy where headteacher Phil Birch has been on secondment as an executive principal since January.

Garstang, one of only a handful of academies in the Lancashire Education Authority area, is waiting for approval from the Regional Schools Commissioner, who acts on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education.

If it gets the go ahead, the school will join FCAT from September and be the lead school for it’s rural hub.

Tony Nicholson, FCAT chief executive said: “The Fylde Coast Academy Trust is absolutely delighted to wholeheartedly welcome Garstang Community Academy into our family of schools.

“As a growing and ambitious multi-academy trust with a proven track record of raising standards through successful collaborative working we are excited by the prospect of Garstang benefitting from and adding expertise to our proven leadership and high quality teaching teams.”

Garstang principal Alasdair Ashcroft added: “In uncertain times nationally, the opportunities this collaboration will bring, including excellent training opportunities for our team, increased financial security, and an exciting new ‘Lead-School’ role for GCA will help us secure a resilient and outstanding provision in our area for future generations of children.”

Claremont is due to join the trust in September and Armfield the following year.