Six Barrow Schools to Join Co-op Academies Trust
Six schools in Barrow are set to join Co-op Academies Trust as part of a new partnership aimed at bringing stability and support to education in South Cumbria.
The schools are Chetwynde, Ormsgill Nursery and Primary, Newbarns Primary, Cambridge Primary, South Walney Juniors and Vickerstown Primary.
They are currently part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, but will be absorbed into Co-op Academies Trust.
The move will see the schools form a new Cumbria Hub for Co-op Academies Trust.
Six Schools Included in Move
The schools joining Co-op Academies Trust are all based in the Barrow area.
They include Chetwynde, which provides education for children from nursery age through to secondary school, along with five primary schools.
The five primary schools are Ormsgill Nursery and Primary, Newbarns Primary, Cambridge Primary, South Walney Juniors and Vickerstown Primary.
Together, they will become part of a wider trust that already runs schools across the North of England.
Why the Schools Are Moving Trust
The move follows concerns about South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust’s financial position.
The Department for Education had monitored the trust’s progress and recognised that changes had been made. However, it still had concerns about the trust’s weak financial position.
Joining a larger academy trust is expected to provide more stability and additional support for pupils, staff and school leaders.
Co-op Academies Trust will now work with the schools as they move into the new structure.
New Cumbria Hub to Be Created
The six schools will form Co-op Academies Trust’s first Cumbria Hub.
Academy trusts often use regional hubs to support groups of schools in the same area. This can help schools share staff knowledge, training, systems and resources.
Co-op Academies Trust already has regional hubs in places including Manchester, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and Staffordshire.
The new Cumbria Hub will extend the trust’s work into South Cumbria.
Co-op Trust Welcomes Schools
Dr Chris Tomlinson, chief executive officer of Co-op Academies Trust, said the trust was pleased to be welcoming the South Cumbria schools.
He said the schools are important to their communities and that the trust recognised both the challenges that had been reported and the good work already taking place.
He added that the trust did not want to impose a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Instead, he said it would work alongside school leaders, staff and communities to help each school thrive.
Support for Pupils and Staff
Steve Jefferson, acting chief executive of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, described the move as an important and positive step for education across Barrow.
He said being part of a larger trust would bring increased capacity, investment and benefits over time.
He also said pupils and staff would have access to wider educational opportunities, stronger support and shared expertise across a broad network of schools.
What Happens Next
The transition is expected to take place in 2027.
Both trusts are expected to work together over the coming months to support the change.
Parents, carers and staff are also expected to receive further communication as the process develops.
The move marks a major change for the six schools and creates a new regional education link between Barrow and Co-op Academies Trust.
