Sir John Hunt Community Sports College and Whitleigh Community Primary School to become Academies and join glt

Governors and school leaders have been carefully considering the futures of Sir John Hunt Community Sports College and Whitleigh Community Primary School in Plymouth. They concluded in 2021 that it would be in the best interests of the pupils, parents, staff, and wider community for them to take advantage of the closer collaboration and stronger support they would get by being part of a multi-academy trust, and that the Greenshaw Learning Trust (GLT) were the best placed Trust to provide this. 

As the necessary agreements have been reached between the schools, the Greenshaw Learning Trust, the Department for Education, and Plymouth City Council, it is expected that Sir John Hunt CSC and Whitleigh Community Primary School will join the Greenshaw Learning Trust on 1 June 2025. 

Catherine Jane, Chair of Governing Body at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College and Whitleigh Community Primary School, said: “This is excellent, well-earned news for both our schools. Thanks to the patience and perseverance of all those involved in the process, we are now looking forward to fully engaging with the team at Greenshaw Learning Trust in providing new and exciting opportunities for pupils and staff at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College and Whitleigh Community Primary School.”

Will Smith, CEO of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, said: “We are delighted that Sir John Hunt Community Sports College and Whitleigh Community Primary School will formally join our family of schools. Having worked together for some time now, we are thrilled that all parties are now in a position to proceed and to fully benefit from, and contribute to, a close collaboration of like-minded schools and high-quality support services, while retaining their character and place in the local community. We look forward to our ongoing work with Sir John Hunt Community Sports College and Whitleigh Community Primary School, and helping to improve the life chances of the young people in both schools.”

The Greenshaw Learning Trust is well-established locally, being responsible for Montpelier Primary School, Stoke Damerel Community College, and Scott Medical College, and has been providing ongoing school improvement support and working closely with Headteachers and Leaders from Sir John Hunt Community Sports College and Whitleigh Community Primary School since 2022.