Dudley school set to join academy trust in aim to 'offer children the best'

The Wordsley School on Brierley Hill Road was given the green light to join Stour Vale Academy Trust by the former Dudley Council cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr David Stanley, prior to his departure from the role in a reshuffle.

The school, which has around 950 pupils, will close and reopen under control of the Trust during the first two weeks of June.

In a joint letter launching a consultation process in September 2024, chair of governors, Nicky Cooper and headteacher, Ashley Weatherhogg, explained why they supported the change.

The letter said: “We aim to offer the very best education we can for the children and community we serve.

“To ensure we continue to develop we will always explore opportunities where we can work with others to ensure the pupils at our school can access the very best education possible.

“I feel that Stour Vale Academy Trust offers many opportunities to The Wordsley School as we continue our improvement journey.”

The Stour Vale Trust was founded in 2017 and currently has 13 member schools including Stourbridge’s Redhill School and Ridgewood High School.

The Worsley School has 199 employees which includes 66 teaching staff, all members of staff will transfer to the Trust under TUPE legislation.

The transfer to academy status was pushed through the council as a matter of urgency to meet a Department for Education requirement to complete the change by June 1.

The speedy transfer required permission from the Mayor of Dudley and the chair of the council’s Children’s Services Select Committee.

School bosses assured parents they would remain in control of many aspects of how the campus operates after the transfer.

The September 2024 letter said: “Our school ethos, values and vision will remain under the control of the school, there will be no change of uniform, curriculum or policy in terms of admissions, behaviour or other aspects of students’ experience.”