Deykin Avenue Junior and Infant School in Witton and Paget Primary School in Erdington officially joined the Sutton Coldfield based multi-academy trust of schools on 1 June.

They join partner primaries in Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Lichfield and Warwickshire, as well as neighbouring Erdington primaries Brookvale, Slade and Osborne – which is currently celebrating its recent Ofsted success.

The 24-strong ATLP multi-academy trust has 17 primary schools, six secondary schools, one all-through school and one national teaching school hub across Birmingham, North Warwickshire and Staffordshire.

Led by Richard Gill CBE, who is also chair of the national Teaching Schools Hub Council, the ATLP has a proven track record of rigorous school improvement where headteachers and other leaders work together to share best practice and learn from one another as well as from other external networks and partnerships.

Deykin and Paget join ATLP after a period of mutual due diligence which has included formal consultation with parents, staff and the local community.

Deykin Avenue acting headteacher Sharon Brewer said: “What a fantastic opportunity to be part of the ATLP and work closely with a likeminded family of schools who share our strong moral purpose of putting children at the heart of all we do. 

“The Partnership has a proven track record for school improvement, so not only will this have a real impact on teaching and learning, but it will provide numerous opportunities for our children – and our wonderful local community – to flourish.” 

Paget Primary School headteacher Vicky Nussey said: “We are excited to have joined the ATLP as it is the right choice. The values that the Partnership holds shone through immediately and its vision and hopes for the children align with mine. We feel part of a learning family and that’s hugely important.

“The school needed more support, particularly within the School Improvement Team and with succession planning and future-proofing, so benefiting from the ATLP’s infrastructure will support this significantly.”

Richard Gill CBE said: “I’m delighted to welcome Deykin Avenue and Paget to the ATLP. Both are friendly and welcoming schools at the heart of their learning communities. They share the same vision and values of our learning family - to work together to drive forward school improvement, ensuring that each and every child has the opportunity to excel.

“I’m looking forward to working with Sharon and Vicky as we strive collectively as One Trust to make a lasting difference to the children in our care and the communities we serve. These are exciting times for our learning family, and it’s fantastic to be able to welcome Deykin and Paget to our North Birmingham hub of schools.”

The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership is based in Sutton Coldfield. It has more than 15,000 students, staff and governors.