The Future of Oakbank Secondary School

Anthem Schools Trust has been in discussion with the Department for Education (DfE) since December, to evaluate the best way forward for the school. After long deliberation, the Trust believes that it is in the best interests of Oakbank School to transfer it to a trust with links in the surrounding area that can offer support at a more local level.

The Greenshaw Learning Trust is the Department for Education’s preferred sponsor, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees of the Greenshaw Learning Trust and the DfE Regional Director. The decision by the Board of Trustees of the Greenshaw Learning Trust will be partly dependent on the agreement of appropriate school improvement funding by the DfE.

In discussions with the DfE, it is proposed that Oakbank School transfers to the Greenshaw Learning Trust to enable the school to benefit from close collaboration with the Trust’s other schools. This proposal will be considered by the South East DfE Advisory Board and the Regional Director, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, in March.

Mohsen Ojja, CEO of Anthem Schools Trust, said: “At Anthem, our goal will always be to do what is best for the young people we support, and this decision was made with the school’s students first and foremost in our minds. The Greenshaw Learning Trust shares our values and commitment to providing the very best education provision for students and has the ability to continue the work to transform Oakbank School into an outstanding school.”

Will Smith, CEO of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, said: “We look forward to welcoming Oakbank School into the Greenshaw family. Close collaboration with our other schools and the wider Trust will ensure that Oakbank School continues on its improvement journey. We are ambitious for all our schools and their students, and we are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment to enable every young person to fulfill their potential.”

Anthem Schools Trust and the Greenshaw Learning Trust are committed to working closely together and are planning to consult with staff, parents, and the school’s wider community on the proposal. Details of this consultation will be shared with stakeholders shortly. Confirmation of the transfer of Oakbank School to the Greenshaw Learning Trust is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees of the Greenshaw Learning Trust and the DfE Regional Director.