Hunnyhill Primary School set to join Ormiston Academies Trust

Hunnyhill Primary School in Newport, Isle of Wight, will join Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) following confirmation from the Department for Education and Isle of Wight Council. The school will convert to academy status and adopt a new name – Hunnyhill Ormiston Academy – as part of the transition. A new logo and updated signage will follow. Hunnyhill has worked in partnership with the trust for several months. The decision to join followed a selection and consultation process, with the school prioritising alignment on values and ethos. The school said the partnership would offer “significant benefits” for pupils. Staff have already begun collaborating with colleagues across the trust on support, training and professional development. Hunnyhill will contribute particular strengths in early years and special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), supporting wider trust initiatives. As a feeder school to Cowes Enterprise College – part of OAT since 2014 – Hunnyhill pupils will also gain access to the secondary school's enrichment programme and subject specialists. Headteacher Lisa Steedman said: “We are beyond pleased to be joining Ormiston Academies Trust. Over the past few months, we have been working closely with leaders across the trust and it’s been really exciting for us to have new partners to share expertise and work collaboratively to deliver exceptional educational outcomes for our pupils. “I would like to thank each of our pupils, staff members, parents and the wider community for their continued support as we start an exciting new chapter of our journey.” Rachel Kitley, principal at Cowes Enterprise College, added: “We are so excited for Hunnyhill to become a part of Ormiston. From the start it’s been clear that we have a close alignment on our vision and values, and our whole community has really enjoyed collaborating with their team throughout this process. “We look forward to working more closely with Hunnyhill as part of our commitment to providing the best learning opportunities for young people in our local area.” Tom Rees, chief executive officer of Ormiston Academies Trust, said: “I am delighted and proud to be welcoming Hunnyhill Primary School to the Ormiston family. This is a really exciting time for both Ormiston and Hunnyhill and we’re thrilled to be working together to provide high-quality education to children and young people across the Isle of Wight and beyond. “Our partnership has been incredibly positive, founded on our shared vision and values, and we look forward to now working even more closely together to deliver the best educational opportunities for all.”