Trust boss commits to driving up standards

A leading educator has pledged to drive up standards in education across the community as he takes up a full time role with South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Professor Andrew Wren has moved from his role as Principal of Furness College to lead SCMAT as CEO and Executive Headteacher from this new academic year.

The Trust, which formed in September 2021, now has six schools across Barrow – Chetwynde, Ormsgill, Vickerstown, Newbarns, Cambridge and South Walney Juniors.

Speaking about the change, Professor Wren said the focus would be on improving and maintaining school performance to deliver the best educational experience for children.

“I had never planned to run a Trust but I can see first-hand the positive changes that have been made in the first couple of years of SCMAT,” he said.

“We have established something here that is focused on high quality and inclusive education for all with a focus on pupils achieving their full potential and gaining valuable academic and life skills.

“It is something I am invested in and want to see through.”

Professor Wren, who is from Cumbria, led Furness College for eight years, including a successful Ofsted inspection, move to chartered status and the merger of Furness College with Barrow Sixth Form College.

“Change is constant in education and there is an opportunity here for us to be proactive, work together and support our member schools to be the best they can be.”

“We are working from a really sound base and there is so much expertise to share across our staff. This has been recognised by the DfE which has supported our growth with additional funding to develop effective practice as we expand.”

Within the Trust’s schools there have been a number of key appointments with Kathryn Kittley appointed as Director of Communications, Reece Edwards taking up a role as Head of Primary at Chetwynde while Mark Bland is now Deputy Headteacher at Vickertown School. Laura Reid and Jessica Corless have been appointed as Assistant Headteachers at Ormsgill School.

Newbarns Headteacher Gary Birkett, Cambridge Headteacher Jenny Lavery and South Walney Juniors Headteacher Zena Lines all join the Trust’s senior leadership team.

The term starts next week with an inset day for all staff including activities to build relationships and an education specialist speaker.

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