Kinsale Infant School joins Wensum Trust in new era for Hellesdon education

A Hellesdon school is celebrating a new chapter after it officially became part of a Norfolk multi-academy trust.

Kinsale Infant School has joined the Wensum Trust, alongside 12 other schools – and, with some already based in Hellesdon, children in the area will now be able to transition smoothly from Early Years all the way through to A Level.

“I’m delighted to welcome Kinsale Infant School into the Wensum Trust,” said John Smith, who is Chair of the Trust. “It strengthens our commitment to nurturing young learners and ensures even more children benefit from our shared vision of excellence in early education.

“Kinsale Infant School will form part of the Trust’s City Hub, where we have children in Hellesdon from Infant to Sixth Form. This means the children and parents really benefit from a joined up approach. As children move through the key stages, they will have a seamless experience. This is unique to the Trust.

“Being part of the Trust’s City Hub is key. Having support from our strategic partners and the expertise of our central team will allow staff to focus on the children, and teaching and learning.”

Kinsale had been working alongside the Trust since September 2023, when the school entered into a partnership agreement.

Mr Smith continued: “Stacey Coleman, Head at Heather Avenue, was seconded to them on a part time basis as Acting Head. This means that the staff, students, and parents, have had time to work with Stacey, and, in that time, the Trust has supported the school, even though it wasn’t part of the Trust until now.

“Formally joining the Trust is not such a big change as it might have been had the partnership agreement not been in place.”

Other schools in the Wensum Trust are Arden Grove Infant and Nursery; Wells-next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery; Garrick Green Infant; Heather Avenue Infant; Lodge Lane Infant; Burnham Market Primary; Firside Junior; Kinsale Junior; Acle Academy; Alderman Peel High School; Hellesdon High School; and Hellesdon Sixth Form.

Stacey Coleman said: “I am incredibly excited about Kinsale Infant School becoming part of the Wensum Trust family. This move provides a fantastic opportunity to further enrich the education we offer, benefiting from the collective strength and expertise of a wider network of schools.

“My aspiration for Kinsale Infant School is to continue to be a beacon of nurturing education, now with the added support and opportunities of the Wensum Trust. We aim to ensure every child not only achieves their potential but also develops a lifelong love of learning.”

The school’s move into membership of the Trust will also be eased by the fact that senior staff leadership will remain the same.

Andrew Alder, who is Chair of Governors at the school, continued: “We are delighted with the news that we have achieved a successful journey to join the Wensum Trust. It will further embed the ongoing collaboration that Kinsale Infant School and the Wensum Trust have enjoyed over recent months.

“We look forward to a happy and fruitful relationship over the coming years to further promote and enjoy positive development of local education in this community.”

Daniel Thrower, CEO of the Wensum Trust, added: “We are grateful for the support of Norfolk County Council throughout. We continue to work closely with the Council on a range of high-profile projects, and look forward to building on this partnership for the benefit of the children and communities across Norfolk.”