Hurst Education Trust

The Governors of Turners Hill CofE Primary School are always looking for further opportunities to fulfil our vision of enabling our children to flourish and to prepare them for the next stage in their learning journey. We strive to help our children develop socially, emotionally, academically, morally and spiritually.

In March 2022, the government published a white paper which stated all schools were required to join a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) by the end of 2030. As a result, the Governors and the Senior Leadership Team began to explore options for our school by undertaking comprehensive conversations with both the Diocese of Chichester and other local partners. As a Church of England Voluntary Controlled school, Turners Hill may only join a MAT which upholds and supports its Church of England Foundation and Christian distinctiveness.

While the government has now withdrawn the immediate need to academise, the future direction for schools is towards academisation, with the Local Authority having less capacity to support the maintained schools in West Sussex.

After much research and investigation, the Governors feel that being part of a Multi Academy Trust that matches the ethos and the ambition we have for our children would mean that our school could provide even more opportunities and further improve outcomes.

In arriving at this conclusion, school leaders have undertaken a thorough due diligence process. Throughout the process, Hurst Education Trust (HET) consistently demonstrated that they would support our ambitions for our school, providing resources, opportunities and the backing that would not otherwise be available if we remain part of West Sussex County Council. The strong team of professionals at HET would also work with us in securing even better experiences and outcomes for our children, all without losing our unique identity and our characteristics, which makes our school so special.

Governors have voted to join Hurst Education Trust during the 2024/2025 academic year.

When we join Hurst Education Trust, we will:

• Keep our school name
• Keep our school uniform
• Maintain and enhance the school’s Christian ethos
• Keep our vision and values
• Keep our own school curriculum
• Continue to have a local governing body, including representation from staff, parents, our parish church and the local community, as we do now

Benefits to children and staff will include:

• Strong focus on improving experiences and outcomes for all children
• Children benefiting from access to some of the extensive facilities at Hurstpierpoint College, including astroturf pitches, swimming pool, theatre, science labs, music, art, specialist design technology and use of minibuses
• Children having opportunities for joint activities with other schools in the Trust and the College
• Comprehensive support services provided by Hurst Education Trust will free up senior management and governor time, enabling greater focus on educational priorities
• Economies of scale achieved with some sharing of resources between Hurst Education Trust schools, and also with Hurstpierpoint College, together with some financial savings will ensure that we will be able to continue to support our pupils to a high standard
• Staff receiving outstanding training and development opportunities and access to professional expertise at Hurstpierpoint College

There will be no impact regarding secondary school options when your child leaves Turners Hill CofE Primary School at the end of year six.