South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust

Furness College launched the South Cumbria Multi Academy Trust in March 2021 in a move to strengthen education across the area. The Regional Schools Commissioner has approved the MAT and primary and secondary schools can now sign up. Chetwynde School, in Barrow, is the first to join the Trust, which will improve education for young people through sharing staff knowledge and expertise, high quality teaching and the college’s world-class facilities. It will help young people to access new skills and experience future opportunities on the college’s two main sites – a world-class campus at Channelside and specialist sixth form at Rating Lane.

Furness College Principal and Chief Executive, and SCMAT CEO, Professor Andrew Wren said “this innovative new trust will have education at its heart and a real focus on pupils achieving their full potential and gaining valuable academic and life skills. We have a proven track record of working successfully with other colleges for the benefit of young people, employers and the wider community.”

Chetwynde Headteacher Steve Jefferson, a former student of the specialist sixth form at Rating Lane, said “we have been working closely with Furness College for a number of years and have been impressed with their willingness to share expertise and knowledge for the benefit of the whole education community. When we heard about the MAT, it seemed a perfect way to formalise that relationship and give our students a more seamless opportunity to learn new skills and prepare for the next steps in their education.”

The move has been welcomed by education leaders and the wider community in Cumbria, including other colleges and universities. Partners in the MAT will benefit from connections with the University of Cumbria’s Institute of Education where Professor Wren is Professor of Practice.

On 1 September 2021, Chetwynde School formally became the first school to join SCMAT and other schools are invited to discuss their future aspirations with Professor Wren with a view to becoming members of this progressive and forward-thinking trust.

For more information about South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, including how to enquire about becoming a member school, see the links below to the MAT’s vision and its Senior Team and visit the website at www.scmat.org.uk

Listen to Mr. Jefferson talking about the future of Chetwynde School on Radio Cumbria on 3 September 2021.

SCMAT Vision
SCMAT Senior Leadership Team Sep 2021