Cranbourne Primary School and Bonitas Schools Trust entering into a Trust Partnership

We, the Cranbourne Governing Body, have some exciting and important news to share with you.

At the most recent Full Governing Body meeting on Thursday 9 May, we resolved to enter into a Trust Partnership with Bonitas Schools Trust (https://www.bonitas.org.uk).

A Trust Partnership is a Department for Education initiative that enables a maintained school (such as Cranbourne) to come together with a trust (typically a multi-academy trust or MAT, such as Bonitas Schools Trust) to work together in a mutually beneficial partnership.

A Trust Partnership does not deliver the full benefits of formally joining an academy trust but is a time- limited way for both parties to explore how a permanent arrangement might work. A “try-before-you-buy” approach, if you like!

This partnership will provide Cranbourne with support and guidance in several areas, including school improvement, finance, estate management and SEND. We believe this will be a very positive move for both Cranbourne and Bonitas, and, most importantly, is in the best interests of our pupils, staff and families.

Our Trust Partnership agreement with Bonitas will run until the summer of 2025 and, if successful, will culminate with Cranbourne academising and joining the Bonitas Schools Trust. However, the formal decision to academise has not been taken. This can only occur after consultation with our stakeholders (including our parents and carers) and a resolution by the governing body.

As a governing team we have been considering academisation for a while and have met with a number of potential trust partners over the past twelve months.

Cranbourne and Bonitas have a lot in common. Most importantly, we share the same values, ethos, culture and desire to put every ounce of effort into improving every child’s outcomes. We also share 300 years of history, and some of our Year 6 leavers go on to Ranelagh (part of Bonitas) when they leave Cranbourne.

We hope that you are as excited by our plans to collaborate with Bonitas through a Trust Partnership as we are. We will of course continue to keep you up to date over the coming year as we work together and grow our partnership with Bonitas..