On Monday 24 July 2023, the first day of the summer holiday, the construction company, Barnwood, moved on site at Chesterton Primary School to begin the first phase of an ambitious refurbishment scheme which will significantly improve the learning environment for the school’s pupils and staff.

 

‘Since sponsoring the school in 2018, The Corinium Education Trust has been determined to bring about much needed improvements to the internal layout at Chesterton Primary School and we have actively approached several funding bodies to help secure our goals. We are immensely grateful to The Winstone Charitable Trust which is generously supporting this project. They share our determination to improve the learning environment for the school’s present pupils, and those yet to come, and recognise the school’s importance and the positive impact these physical improvements will have on the community it serves.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO), The Corinium Education Trust.

 

This ambitious refurbishment scheme, which has been over 4 years in planning, will improve the welcome to the school by providing a new reception area at the front of the school and an inviting community kitchen with additional office space for meetings. It will also ensure pupils and staff have light and airy areas in which to learn and work. There will be a new classroom in the main part of the school for the children starting school in September and, significantly, the project will support the school’s drive to make everyone a reader by providing a new library.

 

‘We are absolutely delighted that The Winstone Charitable Trust has so generously funded this significant investment in the buildings at Chesterton Primary School. Following the appointment of Libby Pringle as Headteacher in 2022, this investment will complement the steps she has already taken to breathe new life into the school, develop the curriculum and strengthen local partnerships.’ Martin McLeman, Chair of Trustees, The Corinium Education Trust.

 

We are very grateful to all the staff at the school for the flexibility they have shown. They helped prepare for the construction team’s arrival at relatively short notice and many of them will be working in temporary locations on site until the work is finished in the autumn. They contributed to clearing areas and will continue to sort through the wealth of resources to determine what they want to keep and let go. There is a shared appreciation that in September it will be ‘short term pain for long term gain’!

 

‘The refurbishments will create a warm, welcoming environment that reflects the atmosphere of the school. I am most excited about the new library which will be an engaging space to stimulate the children's lifetime love of reading.’ Member of staff at Chesterton Primary School.

 

‘I am very grateful to The Winstone Charitable Trust for their incredibly generous donation which is enabling us to regenerate our buildings and offer a newly improved and sustainable environment for our children, families and community. The work will make a significant difference to our learning and community spaces. It is an exciting investment in the future of the school.’ Libby Pringle, Headteacher.

 

‘This project is transforming the learning spaces for the children and providing an invaluable hub for the local community. We are extremely grateful to The Winstone Charitable Trust for their funding for this important project, and to the teams who have made this happen with minimal disruption to the school, including consultant architects, Roberts Limbrick, Barnwood Construction, AFA and Hewers.’ Tessa Rollings, Director of Finance and Operations, The Corinium Education Trust. 

 

Following an initial inquiry from Nicholas Fisher, Chair of Governors, at Sherborne C of E Primary School in January 2023 and subsequent discussions with the school, the Diocese of Gloucester and Gloucestershire County Council, we are delighted to learn that the school has been granted conditional consent to join The Corinium Education Trust in 2023-24.

 

‘We are very excited to welcome Sherborne C of E Primary School into our family of schools. The next few months will be busy for us as we begin to work even more closely in partnership with the school and the Diocese in preparation for their conversion into an academy.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO)

 

Over the last 8 months, Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO), and Martin McLeman, Chair of Trustees, have been liaising with Nicholas Fisher and John Moore, Headteacher. This has led to wider introductions, meetings with staff and governors, and reciprocal due diligence.

 

‘We are delighted to be working alongside Governors and Staff at Sherborne C of E Primary School. We are very much looking forward to strengthening our partnership. As with all partnership working, it is of great benefit to all parties concerned and the level of openness and transparency and our shared values has provided a very firm foundation for a thriving future for the children at Sherborne C of E Primary School.’ Martin McLeman, Chair of Trustees, The Corinium Education Trust

 

‘Since being founded by Lord Sherborne 200 years ago in an idyllic part of the Cotswolds, Sherborne C of E Primary School has been recognised as providing its pupils with an invaluable and unique preparation for senior school and beyond. The Governors are thrilled at the prospect of joining The Corinium Education Trust and look forward to contributing to the further success of this high-achieving partnership.’ Nick Fisher, Chair of Governors, Sherborne C of E Primary School

 

Furthermore, Education Consultant, Dave Smith, and Rachael Scott, the Trust’s School Improvement Lead (Primary), worked with John Moore and undertook a quality of education review at Sherborne C of E Primary School in May 2023. This helped the Trust understand the school’s strengths and areas for development. It also prepared school staff for a successful Ofsted Inspection which took place in July 2023.

 

‘Sherborne C of E Primary School is a welcome addition to The Corinium Education Trust. The school will be our second Church school and an excellent partner for Siddington C of E Primary School. There is much that we can learn from each other.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO).

 

Sherborne’s Headteacher, John Moore, has already contributed positively to the Trust’s Leadership Group and Emmie Penfold, one of the school’s Foundation Governors, has visited Siddington C of E Primary School. She was impressed by the school’s ethos and quality of the Act of Worship she attended.

 

‘We are all very excited about becoming an academy and joining The Corinium Education Trust. As a school set in a village owned and maintained by the National Trust, and with a track record of superb pastoral care and incredible enrichment opportunities for all its children, we believe Sherborne C of E Primary School will bring something new to the Trust and our partnership will be of mutual benefit to all.’ John Moore, Headteacher, Sherborne C of E Primary School

 

Sherborne C of E Primary School is a small school situated the beautiful National Trust Village of Sherborne, just off the A40, north of Cirencester.