Schools’ Academy Trust To Close

An Academy Trust responsible for a number of schools in North Northamptonshire is to close.

The decision by Pathfinder Schools follows an OFSTED inspection of Rothwell Junior School, which rated the quality of education as ‘inadequate’ and placed the school into ‘Special Measures.’

Primary, infant and junior schools in Desborough, Rothwell, Wilbarston, Naseby and Rushton are part of the multi-academy trust.

Teachers went on strike at Rothwell Junior School earlier this year

The Department for Education (DfE) is set to issue a ‘Termination Warning Notice’ for Rothwell Junior School, meaning it will have to transfer to another trust.

In a letter to parents, Jo Woods, Chair of Trustees at Pathfinder Schools, said: “After careful consideration of the likely financial and operational implications of these changes, the Trustees have made the difficult decision to transfer all schools in the trust to other multi-academy trusts and close Pathfinder Schools Trust.

“The DfE is aware of these plans and we are working closely with them to identify the right trusts to take out schools forward.”

It is not yet known which trusts the schools will transfer to, but Pathfinder Schools say they are committed to providing ‘a smooth transition for children, families and staff’.

Alan Hackett from the teaching union NASUWT spoke to HFM:

Earlier this year it was announced Montsaye Academy in Rothwell would transfer from the trust to the United Learning multi-academy trust, after it was put into Special Measures by OFSTED in November 2023.

Teachers at Rothwell Junior School walked out on strike earlier this year over allegations of bullying, intimidation and excessive workloads.