Hillsview Academy to join Outwood Family

School will transfer to OGAT from current sponsor, Academies Enterprise Trust.

The Outwood Family is due to grow by one more in September when Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) becomes the sponsor of Hillsview Academy.

Hillsview Academy, in Teesside, is currently sponsored by Academies Enterprise Trust (AET). However, following discussions between OGAT, AET and the Department of Education, it has been decided that OGAT are better placed to support Hillsview Academy going forward.

The Academy, based on Normanby Road, in Middlesbrough, was rated as Inadequate and subject to special measures by Ofsted following an inspection in May 2017.

Following four special measures monitoring visits by the education watchdog since the full inspection, the school remains Inadequate.

Based on this, the decision has been made to transfer Hillsview Academy to OGAT, from September 1st this year. The Academy will become the sixth secondary school in Teesside sponsored by OGAT.

OGAT has a reputation as a turnaround trust and was recently described by Schools Week as ‘saviour of many schools in the north.’

Martyn Oliver, chief executive of OGAT, said: "As a trust, we are excited at the opportunity to be able to transform the lives of the children at Hillsview Academy.

“We are excited by the challenge before us, and we are confident of meeting it. Out of the 16 schools that were in special measures when we began working with them, 12 of them are now rated good or outstanding, with three yet to be inspected.

"Given this strong track record of success, and success across Teesside, we were delighted to be approached by local stakeholders to sponsor Hillsview and we look forward to meeting with the staff, families, children and community to give them the outstanding academy that they deserve.”