Stoberry Park School in Wells has officially become an academy, marking a new phase in its history as it joins an academy trust.

The change means the school will now have more control over its curriculum, finances, and day-to-day decisions, no longer operating under Somerset Council but instead as part of a trust that oversees its management.

While the transition is a big step behind the scenes, parents and pupils are unlikely to notice any major changes in the classroom.

The same teachers, leadership team, and school ethos remain in place—just with greater independence in how things are run.

Academy conversion is a path many schools have taken in recent years, allowing them more flexibility in areas such as funding and resources.

For Stoberry Park, it's a chance to build on its existing strengths while shaping its future with a new level of autonomy.

One of the key differences is that, as a newly registered academy, the school will need to have its first Ofsted inspection under its new status. Although past inspections remain available for reference, the school will be assessed as a fresh institution in the coming years.

For pupils, lessons and school life will continue as normal. However, the move to academy status could bring more opportunities for innovation and development in the way the school is run. The leadership team is expected to outline their plans for the future as they settle into this new phase.

advertisement