One of Manchester’s best primary schools is set to join one of the city’s major academy chains.
The New Islington Free School, in Ancoats, will join the Co-Op Academies Trust from today. The school has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted at its last inspection in 2015.
The Co-Op trust currently has 27 academies across the north, which educates 17,000 people. Its latest member started out in 2013 as a standalone trust.
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Tabitha Smith, headteacher at the school, said she was ‘excited’ about the partnership. Ms Smith explained: “I am so excited to be joining the Co-op Academies Trust. I know that our school will continue to go from strength to strength, working in close collaboration with others.
“We will all benefit from a sense of belonging, a sense of community. I am proud to be the Head Teacher of Co-op Academy New Islington and, working with our families and our staff I know that we will demonstrate how great a great school can be.”
The school will be known as Co-op Academy New Islington from today (July 1, 2022). Co-Op Academies say no parent or carer will be left out of pocket with the name change as uniform and signage is changed in ‘phases’ over the ‘the coming months’.
Dr Chris Tomlinson, CEO Co-op Academies Trust, added: “New Islington is a primary school at the very heart of Manchester. The work they are doing in their community is so important.
“We are very proud to have them join Co-op Academies Trust and are perfectly aligned to us in terms of ethos and values. We look forward to these colleagues, pupils and families joining us for a bright and exciting future.”
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