THE Blandford School has reassured parents there are more steps to be completed before it becomes part of a trust hit by staff strikes this week.

On Tuesday (June 17), staff at Shaftesbury School staged a walkout over changes to operations there – and at Sturminster Newton High School – which would see curriculums and some staff roles merged.

Some claim the proposals – which aim to cut costs – will compromise the quality of pupils’ educations, with one parent saying “no one is thinking about the children”.

The Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST) said the plans were aimed at addressing issues which had seen both schools “operating significantly over budget” and came after an independent review by the Department for Education (DfE).

Now, head of The Blandford School, Sally Wilson, and chair of governors Jens Bertelsen have moved to reassure parents over the potential joining of the trust.

READ MORE: Staff walkout at Shaftesbury School amid ‘merger’ plans with Sturminster Newton High School

“Just over two years ago, the Governing Board of the school made a decision in principle to join the Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST),” they said. “This followed detailed analysis and consideration of the most appropriate next steps for the school in moving from local authority-maintained status to joining a suitable multi-academy trust.

“The decision was unanimously supported by the Headteacher and school staff. At the time, a consultation was also held with parents and carers, with a significant majority of those who responded expressing support for the proposal.

“Since then, the school and SAST have been awaiting the necessary approval from the Department for Education in order to proceed. This approval is still pending, and we currently have no indication as to when — or if — it will be granted.”

They said should approval be granted, the school and SAST “will need to undertake further detailed legal and financial due diligence” before a final decision is made.

Plans to merge operations between Shaftesbury School and Sturminster Newton High School have caused uproar among staff. Pictures: Google

“A fresh consultation with parents and carers will also be held at that stage,” they said. “As such, we do not anticipate any change to the school’s status in the short term, and not during the 2025/26 academic year.

“We are aware that there has been considerable local interest and commentary — particularly on social media — following SAST’s announcement of a restructuring of leadership and teaching roles at Sturminster Newton High School and Shaftesbury School, along with plans to merge the Sixth Forms at the two schools.”

They said while maintaining a “constructive and positive relationship” with SAST, “any final decision to join SAST will only be made following the necessary due diligence, consultation, and always with the best interests of the school and its community at the heart of the process”.

The controversy comes after several years of disruption atop SAST – whose schools also include The Gryphon School in Sherborne.

In 2021, CEO and Gryphon School head teacher Steve Hiller retired, with Colin Sinclair taking the role. But, less than two years later, Mr Sinclair moved to a new role at the Scarborough-based Coast and Vale Learning Trust.

Last year, the trust appointed David Watson OBE as CEO, who followed interim chief, Brian Hooper.