Saddleworth School has announced governors have taken the decision to begin the process of applying for academy status and to join the Cranmer Education Trust.

Headteacher Mike Anderson, said: “The governors at Saddleworth have been exploring the potential benefits and opportunities that becoming an academy and joining a multi-academy trust could bring to our school for over 12 months.”

He explained “that the decision has only been reached after careful consideration and thorough research” and added: “The governing body appointed a working party who met with representatives from a number of local academies and multi-academy trusts to learn about their ethos, vision and values and what the benefits to our students, staff and school would be.

“Governors chose The Cranmer Education Trust because they feel it was the best fit for Saddleworth as a well-respected local multi-academy trust with lots of experience and expertise in the secondary sector.

“It’s also a trust with whom we already have strong relationships and existing links with.

"We already work together on teacher training and development, becoming a member of the Trust would strengthen this further.”

The Cranmer Education Trust includes 10 other schools in Oldham and Rochdale including, The Blue Coat School, Brian Clarke CE, Mayfield Primary and East Crompton St George’s Primary with The Radclyffe School and St Matthew’s Primary on course to join in 2025.

The trust also runs the Manchester Nexus SCITT, the teacher training hub for Oldham and Rochdale, and the Northern Alliance Teaching School co-ordinating professional development for teachers across the northwest.

Mr Anderson said: “We want to ensure our students and staff get the very best opportunities whilst learning and working at Saddleworth School.

"The trustees at Cranmer are local people who are committed to improving the outcomes and experience of young people in Oldham.

“They share our values of striving for the very best for young people and developing school communities which enable all students to thrive and flourish. That’s why we feel Cranmer is the right choice for Saddleworth’s future.”

He added the full process of academy conversion can take 12-18 months and that during that time the school would hold a full public consultation with all stakeholders and "are keen that everyone has the opportunity to take part"

In the meantime, he stated the school had started ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section on its website which it will continue adding to keep students, staff, parents, carers and the wider community informed.

The announcement comes after Saddleworth School said it was  'disappointed' to lose its 'good' Ofsted rating earlier this year.

A report, published in April, downgraded the school to 'requires improvement' with Mr Anderson at the time stating: "We have been urgently working to significantly improve our school since 2020.

“Despite the school maintaining its 'good' rating during its monitoring visit in 2018, we were concerned about the decline in standards and student outcomes.

"We have absolute confidence that we are now headed in the right direction to give all our students the excellent education they deserve.

"As a school, while we have a considerable amount of work to do, we are on the right path."