Swinton and Mexborough academy schools face uncertain futures

Swinton Brookfield Primary Academy and Mexborough Academy were told its trust — Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT) would be wound up in September.

And speaking during a visit to her former school Oakwood High School, education secretary Justine Greening said the Government was looking for replacement academy trusts for each of its schools.

She said WCAT had been “trying to lift up schools that were already not doing a good enough job” but was “defeated by these challenges” and the Government had stepped in because the quality of education was poor.

She added: “I understand why parents are angry and I share their concerns and we have a common goal.”

She said schools would transition over next spring and summer and hoped the schools would be part of new academies by next September.

She added: “We are now finding new academy trusts for those to join, alongside that are school improvement plans for every single school

“Schools that are now re-brokering are all being partnered up with trusts that we know can turn them around.”