A PRIMARY school has been converted into an academy.

St Wilfrid’s CE Primary School in Haywards Heath has announced that as of January, it will be a part of the Hurst Education Trust (HET).

The HET is a newly formed multi-academy trust set up by Hurstpierpoint College in collaboration with the Diocese of Chichester. 

The academy conversion, under the Academies Act 2010, means that the school is effectively closing, with a new one opening in its place.

Other schools already under the HET umbrella include Ditchling St Margaret's CE Primary School and Albourne CE Primary School.

In an open letter to parents in January ahead of the conversion, chairwoman of governors Jill Garraway and headteacher Simon Hateley outlined the aspects of the school that would remain the same.

These included keeping the school’s name, uniform, vision, ethos and curriculum.

They also said that it will continue to have a local governing body, including staff, parents, parish churches and the local community.

The letter also outlined several “benefits”, including “strong focus on improving experiences and outcomes for all children”.

Darren Carpenter, chief financial officer of the Hurst Education Trust, said: “The governors and headteacher of St Wilfrid’s CE Primary School in Haywards Heath are pleased to announce they joined the Hurst Education Trust on 1 July 2022. 

“The Hurst Education Trust is a newly formed multi-academy trust set up as a partnership between the Diocese of Chichester and Hurstpierpoint College, a local independent school, to support schools on their individual journeys to outstanding. 

“The primary focus of the trust is to enable schools within it to provide a truly excellent education and experience for all pupils. 

“Governors of St Wilfrid’s opted to join the trust after conducting extensive due diligence to ensure the partnership with the trust would benefit the schools and consultation with parents and staff as well as the wider community. 

“After hearing the benefits for pupils as well as staff, the response was overwhelmingly in favour of joining the trust. 

“Partnership work with each of the schools has begun, with the trust funding several significant projects taking place in each of the schools in advance of the new school year.”