Open Academy Norwich forced to join new academy trust

Open Academy was told in November that it was failing to keep its pupils safe and was given the lowest available rating by the education watchdog.

The school in Heartsease, Norwich - which has a troubled past - has been part of the Diocese of Norwich Education Academies Trust (DNEAT) since 2014.

Open Academy, in Norwich (Image: ©Archant Photographic 2010)

However, following the scathing Ofsted result the Department for Education (DfE) has announced the school is being taken away from the trust - which is responsible for 37 other schools across the region.

The academy is instead likely to be transferred to the London-based Community Schools Trust, which also runs University Technical College, Norwich.

The DfE said the move was being made to place the school under the leadership of a trust more used to running secondary schools. DNEAT specialises in primary education.

Oliver Burwood, CEO of DNEAT, said: "In 2014 we were delighted to welcome the Open Academy, our only secondary school, into the DNEAT family and are proud of what we have achieved together since then.

"Sadly, the DfE has now decided that another trust with greater experience in supporting secondary schools should take over responsibility for the next stage of Open's journey.

"We are deeply disappointed with the decision but accept it with great reluctance.

"DNEAT will continue to work hard with this amazing team until the transfer to the new trust is complete."

Simon Elliott, CEO of the Community Schools Trust. Picture: Arthur Communications (Image: Arthur Communications)

Simon Elliott, CEO of the Community Schools Trust, said: "We are working with DNEAT towards a smooth transition between our trusts to minimise disruption to students and their families.

"We are committed to maintaining the existing values and ethos of the school and supporting the existing team to bring success to the Open Academy."