Plans are being put into place to convert Wem’s Thomas Adams School into an Academy and join The Priory School Trust.

Governors are currently taking part in talks to join the Multi Academy Trust (MAT), which they say ‘will enable the school to share and receive best practice and enhance the education provision’.

Mark Cooper, headteacher at the Lowe Hill Road school, believes the school will be able to keep their identity as part of the wider trust.

He said: “Our responsibility to students, staff, parents/carers and the local community is of the highest priority and we are keen to ensure we retain our own identity, while being part of a small, cohesive and mutually supportive group of schools”.

Jo Hickson, chair of governors, added: “This is a brilliant opportunity for the school, moving forward”.

An Academy application has been submitted to the Department for Education and once this has been granted, a formal consultation period will begin.

The Priory Trust is a charitable trust based at The Priory School in Shrewsbury, with a determination for all students to develop their love of learning and to leave school ready and willing to contribute to society.

There are presently two further schools in the Trust: St Martins School in north Shropshire and Coleham School in Shrewsbury.

The latest Ofsted reports for Thomas Adams, including its Sixth Form, were rated Good and the Boarding House provision received an Outstanding rating in every category.

Michael Barratt, executive principal of The Priory School said: “This is an exciting development for our students already in the Trust and for those at Thomas Adams.

“By joining the Trust, the Thomas Adams students will continue to receive high quality teaching but will also benefit from being part of a wider network.

“Mainly through the Teaching School Alliance which operates from the Priory School, we have worked closely and extensively with staff at Thomas Adams, and the expectations, ethos and values are the same as those in the Trust”.

Gary Turner, Chair of The Priory School Trust, added “I am delighted that Thomas Adams has taken the decision to join our Trust and am confident that this will be for the benefit of all students and staff across our Trust.”

For any further questions about the conversion, please get in touch using the following dedicated email address: academyconversion@thomasadams.net