Churchfields, The Village School, situated close to Melksham and Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire, has joined the Palladian Academy Trust. This marks a significant milestone in the school’s journey, opening new opportunities for collaboration, innovation and continued excellence in education.
By joining Palladian Academy Trust, Churchfields will become part of a strong network of schools in Bath and Wiltshire committed to the Trust’s vision – to provide excellent and equitable opportunities so that everyone can flourish.
This partnership will allow the school to build on its strengths while accessing additional resources, expertise and professional development opportunities to further enrich students’ learning experiences.
Churchfields school is unique; it is a small school, spread over two sites at Atworth and Monkton Farleigh. The children benefit from being in mixed age classes, learning and playing together. Both bases benefit from beautiful large grounds, yet each is distinctive in its offer; Atworth is the larger base, with four classes and an outdoor swimming pool; and Monkton Farleigh teaches the primary range across two classes with the added feature of an amphitheatre where children have opportunities to participate in a variety of performances.
Head of School, Heather Saunders, expressed excitement for this new chapter, stating, “We are thrilled to be joining Palladian Academy Trust. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to deliver outstanding education within a nurturing and inclusive environment. Working alongside the Trust, we look forward to enhancing opportunities for our pupils, ensuring every child is supported to achieve their full potential and flourish.”
Executive Headteacher, Simon Futcher, also shared his enthusiasm for the transition, adding, “Joining Palladian Academy Trust is a fantastic opportunity for Churchfields. This collaboration will not only strengthen our school community but also provide new avenues for innovation and professional development. We are excited about the journey ahead and the positive impact this partnership will have on our pupils, staff, and families.”
To mark this exciting transition, Churchfields will be celebrating with our families, children and staff on Mon 3 March 2025 with coffee and fun activities for the children, providing a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, reflect on this milestone and look ahead to the future as part of Palladian Academy Trust.
Palladian is dedicated to collaboration, innovation and high-quality education. By joining the Trust, Churchfields will maintain its unique identity and strong community and family ethos while benefiting from shared expertise and a collective commitment to educational excellence.
Donna Tandy, CEO of Palladian, added her delight at formalising the relationship between Churchfields School and Palladian, saying, “We have been working alongside the colleagues and governors at Churchfields for 18 months and are delighted that on 1 March we formalised this great relationship. Churchfields will add much to our strong family of schools, and they will benefit from the established collaborative working relationships and systems we have across Palladian Academy Trust.”
For more information about Churchfields, The Village School, and Palladian Academy Trust, please contact Heather Saunders at email hidden; JavaScript is required
