A HALESOWEN school is starting a new chapter after it joined an academy trust.

Newfield Park Primary School became part of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust on April 1.

To reflect its new status, the school’s name will also be slightly changed to Newfield Park Primary Academy.

Its decision to join Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust was unanimous following governors’ evaluations of five multi-academy trusts, all based in the West Midlands.

Headteacher Steve Payne said: “Joining Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust marks an exciting new time for our school community.

"We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring.

"We aspire to reach higher levels of teaching excellence and remain committed to upholding our core values and serving as a pillar within the local community.”

Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, with ten schools and two nurseries across the Black Country, was established in 2017.

The Trust said it provides a 'robust support system' for its member schools, as demonstrated by recent Ofsted inspections.

Tameside Primary Academy, Holyhead Primary Academy and Wallbrook Primary Academy were all awarded good with outstanding features.

In October 2023, Shireland Technology Primary achieved outstanding following its first Ofsted inspection since opening in 2019.

Sir Mark Grundy, CEO of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Newfield Park Primary Academy to our Trust and look forward to working closely with the school and its community.

“We believe every student who walks through our doors deserves the very best we can offer, including an education that prepares and best places our young people for a happy and successful life.

"Together, we aim to enhance the learning experiences of pupils at Newfield Park, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning.”

The school’s dedication to pupils’ wellbeing and academic growth was recognised in its most recent Ofsted inspection at Newfield Park Primary School in December 2021, where the school was rated good in all areas.

Inspectors praised the school’s nurturing environment, emphasising its focus to putting pupils’ interests ‘at the heart of all decisions’.