“We strive to have a far reaching, long lasting, positive influence on the lives of young people, the community and the broader world of education.”
As part of their role, our Board of Governors are responsible for setting 5-year strategic plans, looking at the ‘big picture’ and prioritising actions to improve the school, beyond its day to day running. The 2017-2021 strategy was successful in gaining an outstanding Ofsted accreditation, setting up consultancy and training services, retaining our excellent staff team, creating an enquiry-based curriculum and transforming teaching and learning spaces.
The 2022-2026 strategic plan has now been drafted and is increasingly ambitious in what it sets out to achieve. We want to create additional building space to support pupils when they need it most, give our team the chance to work and learn from new partners, teach children about diversity beyond their locality and have a tangible impact on our community. Having the plan is one thing, how to achieve it is more complex. The Board of Governors have been exploring the best way to achieve their aims. A direct result has been an approach from Laidlaw Schools Trust to consider Sedgefield Hardwick joining that Multi-Academy Trust of whom Sedgefield Community College are already a partner.
The Board of Governors’ investigations identified Laidlaw Schools Trust as a forward-looking trust whose core values align strongly with our own. We both passionately believe that the true measure of successful education is how academic and social learning aligns to transform children’s futures. Laidlaw Schools Trust want to draw upon the expertise in Sedgefield Hardwick to further develop their curriculum innovation, digital learning and inclusion, mirroring the cradle to career approach to education that they have established in Sunderland and Newcastle.
The Board of Governors have had discussions with Laidlaw Schools Trust to understand how they can enhance and accelerate Sedgefield Hardwick’s existing strategy and performance as a school. Becoming part of the Laidlaw Schools Trust would give us the opportunity to ensure a seamless transition in our children’s education as they move on from Sedgefield Hardwick and to support further involvement in our local community. Laidlaw Schools Trust have also indicated financial investment in buildings would be available. As part of a diverse family of schools our team would have the opportunity to develop meaningful partnerships where best practise is designed and developed for the good of all.
We wish to seek your views on this prospect.
The webpages in the Our Future tab give some information on who Laidlaw Schools Trust are, what the Board consider to be advantages of this conversion and the process we will follow to give you more information and gather your views.
At Sedgefield Hardwick we are a learning community which evolves and changes. Everyone in our school and wider community has a part to play in shaping our future. Your views are always important to us and will be valued, respected, and heard.
