Gamlingay First School joins academy trust

The school, which caters for pupils up to year 4, is the first school for primary-aged children to join CAT.

Head teacher at Gamlingay First School Shelley Desborough said: “It has been incredibly busy but also an exciting and rewarding time during my first two terms at GFS.

“Knowing we are now an academy and member of CAT only strengthens my belief that GFS is confidently on the right path to becoming an outstanding school.”

GFS chair of governors, Russell Gray, said: “Being an academy as part of CAT will support the provision of quality education for our current and future pupils.

“The process has been lengthy and at times intense, but the majority of our parents realise this step in our strategic direction is crucial to the school’s long term success.”

Chief executive of CAT, Stephen Munday, said: “The trust is very pleased to be working with Gamlingay First School for the benefit of the best educational interest of the families of Gamlingay.

“The trust’s stated aim is Excellence for All and we are very clear that this is what those overseeing GFS wish to see.

“St Peter’s School in Huntingdon is currently in the statutory consultation period with a view to joining CAT and several primary schools are weighing up their options after draft legislation to turn every school in England into an academy, independent of local authority control, was unveiled in last month’s budget.”

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