Pontefract Academies Trust and Ark Schools Merger Approval
In September 2025, we announced our proposed merger with Ark Schools on 1st September 2026. We are pleased to share that the Department for Education has now formally approved our merger proposal.
We are delighted about this news as we know that bringing together our two high-performing trusts will benefit the children, staff, and communities we serve. As outlined in September, this partnership will enable us to retain our Pontefract and South Kirkby family of schools while benefitting from being part of a larger network. The partnership will bring huge opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration across both trusts.
Our trusts have already been working together very closely to make sure we are aligned in key areas, with mutual visits taking place between our two organisations. Our trusts are excited about the opportunity to come together to strengthen outcomes, invest in staff development, and increase our capacity to further support pupils across our schools.
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