New sponsors confirmed for South Yorkshire schools left in lurch by trust's collapse
Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT) ran 21 schools, including nine in Sheffield, Doncaster and Rotherham, but announced just days into the start of the school year last September that it was pulling out of all its schools.
New sponsors quickly stepped forward to fill the void, with the Government announcing its preferred options the following month.
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Hide AdIt has now confirmed the new trusts in place for 11 of the academies, including one in Sheffield, five in Doncaster and a seventh in Rotherham.
A Department for Education spokesman said: "We are pleased to confirm new trusts for 11 academies in the Wakefield City Academies Trust (WCAT) that have the expertise and capacity to improve education standards for these schools. Our priority has always been to work quickly to provide certainty for pupils and teachers, and these decisions reflect the views of parents and staff.
"We will be working to minimise disruption for pupils and ensure a smooth transfer to the new trusts, supported by the regional schools commissioner. New trusts for the remaining 10 schools will be confirmed shortly."
The confirmed sponsors are:
Barkerend Academy (Bradford): Tauheedul Education Trust
Brookfield Academy (Rotherham): Aston Community Education Trust
Carr Lodge Academy (Doncaster): Exceed Learning Partnership
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Hide AdGoole Academy (East Riding of Yorkshire): Delta Academies Trust
High Crags Academy (Bradford): Tauheedul Education Trust
Montagu Academy (Doncaster): Delta Academies Trust
Morley Place Academy (Doncaster): Delta Academies Trust
Thornbury Academy (Bradford): Tauheedul Education Trust
Waverley Academy (Doncaster): Astrea Academy Trust
Willow Academy (Doncaster): Inspiring Futures Academy Trust
Yewlands Academy (Sheffield): Brigantia Learning Trust
The Department for Education said new trusts have been found to take over the remaining 10 schools, but the arrangements have yet to be finalised.
The schools will technically remain part of WCAT until they are transferred to their new trusts, with the Government working to ensure this happens within the current academic year.
The remaining 10 schools for which sponsors have yet to be confirmed include Mexborough Academy and Balby Carr Community Academy, both in Doncaster;