A HEADTEACHER has spoken of her delight that the Cheney School Academy Trust will manage the new Barton Park Primary School.

Oxfordshire County Council last week selected the trust to run the 315-place school, which will be built on land to the west of Barton.

Oxford Mail:

Jolie Kirby, headteacher at Cheney School

Cheney headteacher Jolie Kirby said it was a “good decision” by the council and the Department for Education to approve “in principle” the trust’s takeover.

The trust already sponsors Bayards Hill Primary School in Barton, and Mrs Kirby said: “We are delighted to be in this position.”

“We have a meeting set up with the developers and with the local authority, so we can start planning the next steps.

“We will look at plans for the school and meet residents, which is very important.

“We want no barriers to learning, and opportunities for every student, no matter where they live.”

Work starts on the Barton Park development in May, with 885 homes set to be built, as well as the new school and a community hub.

The trust’s plans were submitted to the council by Mrs Kirby, chairwoman of trustees Dr Bridget Durning and chairman of Bayards Hill’s governing body Sir Tim Brighouse.

They outlined the progress made with Bayards Hill school in Barton with the appointment of new headteacher Rachel Medley.

The proposal also stated that Cheney has “hands-on experience of primary schools whose urgent focus is improvement” and already had “substantial involvement” with the pupils and community near where the new school will be built.

Mrs Kirby added that Bayards Hill Primary School, Cheney School and the new primary school would become a family and be able to learn from each other.

Ofsted inspectors in December 2013 said Bayards Hill school required improvement.

Mrs Kirby said: “We will expect our pupils to emerge from their primary experience confident and competent in English and mathematics.

“They will have shown that they are starting to think for themselves and are acting for others.”

The new school in Barton Park will be underpinned by two guidance themes – research and learning, and respect for others.

The trust set out how it would contribute to building stronger communities by supporting the county council in delivering early-intervention services and working with social care services.

Bayards Hill headteacher Mrs Medley added: “It’s wonderful that we are going to be part of one family and work together.

“In Barton there will be a consistent path from three to 18. I’m all for it.”

Roy Leach, schools organisations and planning manager, said the integration of the Barton community was a “high priority” of the council.

He added: “Having both primary schools within the same academy trust has great advantages.

“Children in Barton will benefit and be able to access the facilities of both.”