Coombe Academy Trust has been working in partnership with Auriga Academy Trust for some time to consider the benefits of a merger.
The Auriga Academy Trust Board has carefully considered the strategic future of its schools and has concluded that a merger with Coombe Academy Trust is in the best long-term interests of pupils, staff, and the communities. This conclusion has been made to enhance educational provision and create broader opportunities across all our schools.
Coombe Academy Trust (CAT) is a high-performing mainstream Trust, with Specialist Resource Provision (SRPs), supporting children and young people from Nursery through to the Sixth Form. All schools are rated Good or Outstanding within Kingston. CAT has a strong track record in mainstream education and inclusive practice.
The Auriga Academy Trust (AAT) is a high-performing and well-regarded Trust of three special schools, all rated Good or Outstanding, with a strong reputation for inclusive practice, therapeutic provision, and community engagement within Richmond.
As detailed in the FAQ, one Trust is the recipient Trust, as such AAT would merge into Coombe Academy Trust, the enlarged trust would be renamed to reflect the ethos and vision of the combined organisation. At this time, the name is yet to be finalised and therefore for the purpose of the consultation, is referred to as XYZ Trust whilst a name is finalised.
Purposeful and timely growth is a strategic priority for Auriga Academy Trust (AAT). Both Trusts believe in the power of inclusive education, enabling all children and young people to achieve the highest possible standards both academically, socially, and in their pathways to adulthood and independence. We recognise the importance of inclusive education in shaping a more integrated society.
CAT has five schools: two large secondary schools with a joint Sixth form, three primary schools with nursery schools, and Specialist Resource Provisions specialising in deafness, autism, moderate and severe learning difficulties. AAT has three special schools, over nine sites, supporting children and young people with a range of SEND, including Speech Language & Communication Needs, Moderate, Severe and Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties. 70% of pupils have an additional diagnosis of autism.
Why This Merger – and Why Now?
There are many positive benefits we anticipate as a result of the merger.
The merger will improve education outcomes through:
enhanced school improvement capacity, with shared expertise and peer reviews across a larger trust.
faster responses to emerging challenges due to enhanced leadership and support systems.
a combined organisation with deep expertise across the full continuum of need.
a new organisation that will benefit from the combined leadership capacity, skills, expertise and knowledge of all staff.
shared therapeutic and inclusive approaches (e.g. Thrive) embedded across schools.
enhanced school improvement, professional development, and operational support whilst AAT and CAT schools retain their identity.
improved staff recruitment and retention and develop more staff with more opportunities across a larger MAT.
placing AAT within a trust of effective size and scale.
the combined Multi Academy Trust can affect greater change across the area, furthering the outcomes for all children and young people.
Creating a larger trust will enhance the capacity to deliver on our united vision and values, (detailed in our FAQs document) fostering collaboration and inclusive education.
It is important to us that all Stakeholders have their voices heard and their questions answered.
We welcome online feedback using the form below.
Thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)