Directors sought to join developing academy trust

Bosses of a West Norfolk schools group have launched a search for new trustees and directors to join them.

The KWEST Academy Trust, which is based at the King’s Lynn Innovation Centre, currently oversees six primary schools in West Norfolk, plus the Churchill Park School.

And they hope that new recruits will help them to continue sharing knowledge and good practice in schools across the borough, and potentially beyond.

Chief executive Paul Donkersloot said the trust is keen for more schools, both within the county and neighbouring districts, to join them, though there are no immediate plans for expansion.

He said: “We came together as a network to have the benefits of sharing the knowledge and work of seven good schools

“We work with some of the other academy trusts in West Norfolk and that is really valuable.”

The trust, which currently has six trustees, sponsors three primary schools in Lynn – Greyfriars Academy, Highgate Infant School and King’s Oak Academy – along with the schools in Magdalen, St Germans and Wimbotsham. All of them, along with Churchill Park, became academies in March last year.

At a time when school funding is a contentious political issue, amid claims that schools in West Norfolk are not getting as much money as they should from government, Mr Donkersloot suggested that joining forces in trusts can help to tackle financial challenges, as well as spreading new ideas.

There are three current vacancies for trustees, though even more are likely to be needed if further schools join in the future.

The trust is hoping to meet potential new officials in mid-May with new recruits beginning their role as soon as possible after that.

Anyone who is interested in joining the trust should email pa@kwestacademy.com for more details.