School trusts to be axed in merger

The governing bodies of four Sandwell schools will be permanently axed and a single controlling trust created in their place in a bid to improve results it emerged today.

Plans have been unveiled to merge Manor Foundation High in Wednesbury and Menzies High School Science College in West Bromwich to form a £32 million new "super school".

And now it has emerged that a single trust could be created to control the school along with Alexandra High School and Sixth Form Centre in Tipton and Bristnall Hall Technology College in Oldbury.

It is believed the Trust could be made up of business bosses, education experts and parents in a bid to drive up standards. Eventually the four schools could even share specialist facilities under the proposals.

Each of the schools currently have Interim Management Boards in place of governing bodies, which were scrapped after the schools fell below government targets for GCSE results.

The government wants every school to have at least 30 per cent of students achieving five A*-C grades, including maths and English and all four failed to hit the target.

Evidence from other areas of the country shows that in failing schools, strong partners can turn schools around, by ensuring there is strong leadership and protocols in place.

Councillor Ian Jones, said the council had launched a consultation into the plans.

"We want to bring in a single governing body will will act as a global trust for them," he said.

"Rather than having an individual trust for each school we want to have one single governing body over all of them, along with a link up with a high performing school from outside the borough.

"We are looking for a broad mix of people to join the trust with a range of expertise to drive up standards.

"Forming a trust for the schools will help deliver clear and consistent message and will mean all the schools will benefit from the experience of trust members who we hope will be the best of the best."