Stephen Freeman Primary School joins Ridgeway Education Trust

Following a decision by Stephen Freeman Primary School governors and a due diligence process, the primary school, based on Freeman Road in Didcot, officially joined Ridgeway Education Trust on Friday 1^st November 2024. 

The Didcot-based multi-academy trust now comprises eight schools: Didcot Girls’ School, St Birinus School,  Sutton Courtenay CofE Primary School, All Saints CofE Primary School, Long Wittenham CofE Primary School, Hagbourne CofE Primary School, Carterton Primary School as well as Stephen Freeman Primary School. 

Ruth Elliot, Chair of RET Board, said:

‘We are delighted that Stephen Freeman Primary School has joined the family of schools in Ridgeway Education Trust. We look forward to working alongside governors and staff on behalf of children and families in the school and the local community.'

 Mark Bodeker, Chair of Governors at Stephen Freeman Primary School, said:

‘We are delighted to have joined Ridgeway Education Trust and look forward to the benefits of being part of a larger family of local schools.'

Jess Lewis, Headteacher at Stephen Freeman Primary School, said:

'Stephen Freeman Primary School are delighted to be at the start of this exciting new venture. By joining Ridgeway Education Trust, we are looking forward to working collaboratively with other leaders, teachers and pupils to ensure children across the whole of the Didcot community receive an exemplary education.'

 

The CEO of Ridgeway Education Trust (RET), Rachael Warwick, said:

‘Our vision is to grow a trust of schools in Didcot and the surrounding community, creating a provision for three to nineteen year olds with inclusive and ambitious education at its heart. We know that schools working with high levels of collaboration in a local area can achieve far more together than on their own. I’m delighted that Stephen Freeman Primary School has chosen to join us and look forward to the work that we will do together.

The Trust is now responsible for educating circa 4,000 pupils and we’ll use the economies of scale of working across a larger number of schools to do more and do better for all our children and young people. There are some fantastic leaders, governors, teachers and support staff in the new schools and it's a privilege to work with them all.’

RET Director of Primary Education, Paul Shaughnessy, and RET CEO, Rachael Warwick, presented to children and staff in an assembly at Stephen Freeman Primary School this week to share the news and to welcome staff to the trust with RET-themed cupcakes!