Park Grove is the latest school in the city to convert to academy status and join Ebor Academy Trust.
Children came back to school after Easter to smart new signage. They had celebrated joining the York-based multi-academy trust with a free book bag each when the school officially joined on 1 April.
Headteacher Jo Sawyer said: “Ebor has strength and expertise that will benefit both the children and our staff – we are delighted to be part of this growing organisation. An exciting new chapter in Park Grove’s long and distinguished history has begun.”
Children and parents of Park Grove Primary Academy, as it is now known, will see little difference on a day to day basis, but behind the scenes there will be a range of benefits. A central team will run many of the back office business functions and Miss Sawyer will remain in control.
“We had the best interests of our children at heart when governors opted to go down this route,” Miss Sawyer explained. “Education is changing, multi-academy trusts are the future, and we recognised Ebor shared our ethos and values – I am thrilled that we are now part of their family of schools.”
Ebor now comprises nine schools with eight more lining up to join. In York, Ebor now consists of Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, Haxby Road Primary Academy and Park Grove. Hob Moor will be the next to join, in September, with Lakeside and Osbaldwick to follow. Ebor is the trust behind the Creative Arts Academy, York’s first free school, which was announced last year and is awaiting confirmation of a site.
There are other schools operated by Ebor in Selby, the East Riding and on the Yorkshire Coast.
Ebor’s Chief Executive, Richard Ludlow, said: “We welcome Park Grove and look forward to working alongside them. We are a collaborative trust, sharing best practice to ensure the best outcomes for the children in our care and providing developmental opportunities for staff.
“We consist of small village schools, large urban schools, schools in challenging circumstances and those which have capacity to support others. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual setting and share skills and resources, where appropriate, across our group. The Ebor Academy Trust is a family of schools who have a sense of responsibility for each other, building caring, strong professional relationships.”
