GILLINGHAM School is set to mark an “exciting new chapter” on September 1, when it joins an education trust.
The 510-year-old school is becoming part of the United Learning trust, which currently runs a range of independent schools.
“We are proud to be joining the trust from a position of strength,” a Gillingham School spokesperson said.
“This summer, our students achieved outstanding A Level and GCSE results, including our best GCSE outcomes in five years, reflecting the hard work, ambition and resilience of our young people and the dedication of our staff.
“As a thriving and successful school, we remain committed to building on these achievements while continuing to provide the very best educational experience for every student and creating even greater opportunities for young people across North Dorset.”
They said joining the trust would bring “significant benefits”, including “extensive expertise, high-quality resources and a proven track record of supporting schools to achieve excellent outcomes”.
“This partnership will help us further enrich our curriculum, strengthen teaching and learning, and broaden the experiences available to students both inside and beyond the classroom,” the spokesperson went on.
“By working alongside colleagues across the trust, we will be able to share best practice, develop innovative approaches to education, and ensure that every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve their full potential and succeed in their chosen future pathways.
“While we look forward to these exciting opportunities, we remain deeply proud of our heritage, traditions and place at the heart of the local community.
“Joining United Learning allows us to preserve everything that makes Gillingham School special while combining the values that have shaped our school for more than five centuries with the opportunities, innovation and expertise that trust membership will bring.
“Most importantly, this partnership will help us continue to strengthen the educational opportunities available to young people in Gillingham and across North Dorset, ensuring that current and future generations of students can benefit from the very best education, opportunities and support.
“We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to working together with United Learning to achieve even greater success for our students, families and community.
“By joining one of the country’s largest and most successful trusts, we are investing in the future of education in North Dorset, creating even greater opportunities for young people while ensuring that Gillingham School continues to play a leading role in the life and success of our local community.”
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What makes it the most successful trust? Is in the same trust as Shaftesbury school as many parents are very unhappy with how that turned out. Some parents have taken children out of Shaftesbury to start at Gillingham without realising it was changing to a trust.