10 successful years lay a strong future

Advances in technology in the classroom and collaboration across schools have been highlighted by The Cam Academy Trust’s CEO as key developments as it marks its first decade.

The Trust, originally named Comberton Academy Trust, was formed in the early part of 2011 to oversee Comberton Village College’s conversion to academy status. Its role is now to ensure excellence in all its 12 academies.

Chief Executive Officer of The Cam Academy Trust, Stephen Munday, has praised staff, pupils and parents for their role in the success of the Trust and highlighted some key achievements over the course of the decade.

Stephen said: “We are all very proud to be marking our 10th anniversary. While many things have grown and changed, our principles and purpose have remained the same. I firmly believe this has been fundamental to our success so far.

“This integration of technology and education, alongside forming successful partnerships were key changes for The Cam Academy Trust over this period and ones which can be attributed to our continued success.”

Significant milestones for the trust have included opening one of the first ‘free schools’ in England for the new community in Cambourne in 2013.

Melbourn Village College, on the Cambs/Herts border, and St Peter’s School, Huntingdon, joined, creating a healthier, richer mix of comprehensive schools that shared the Trust’s ethos. The Trust now has eight primary phase schools within its family.

The Trust also operates dedicated Sixth Form provisions, including opening Comberton Sixth Form in response to growing demand in the area. Comberton Sixth Form is now the largest school-based Sixth Form in Cambridgeshire and it is now possible for a person to have all their education from the age of three-years-old through to 18 in a Cam Academy Trust setting in both South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdon.

The Cam Academy Trust has also recently broadened its approach to working with the wider education community, offering ‘associate membership’ to local schools – allowing them to work as part of the Trust, but maintain their own ultimate governance. The first school to take this is up Bourn Primary Academy in September 2021.

Looking forward, Stephen said: “We can all look back over the last 10 years with great pride at the achievements that have been made in a relatively short space of time. However, we should now turn to the future and consider if that is what can be achieved in our first decade, what does the next decade mean for us?

“Whatever happens, we will be driven by our core educational principles. Policy initiatives and particular educational fads will come and go. The drive to provide excellent education for all in comprehensive settings with a broad curriculum, serving local communities while working in partnership and having a strong international dimension to all that we do will not.

“As long as these core principles remain at the heart of what we do then we have a purpose and a future regardless of the things that will change.”