Introducing the Academy Trust

By Marion Bishop

Introducing the Warden Park Academy Trust

The Warden Park Academy Trust is responsible for successful management and development of Warden Park (an academy for young people aged from 11-16 in Cuckfield, West Sussex) and Warden Park Primary Academy (an academy for young people aged 4-11 in Haywards Heath, West Sussex). Both academies operate as independent schools maintained by government funding. Parents do not pay fees.

Warden Park (secondary academy)

Warden Park is a very popular secondary school with a strong academic and sporting record. Students enjoy a very broad curriculum that meets their wide-ranging individual enthusiasms and needs. The secondary curriculum includes: separate sciences; dance; drama; music; history; geography; a wide range of technology options; Latin, classical civilisation; philosophy and at least one compulsory modern foreign language. We encourage all students to qualify for the new English Baccalaureate. As a Leading Edge school, Warden Park also offers all students a wide range of enrichment opportunities including: community service; critical thinking and entrepreneurship. Gifted and talented students achieve particularly well at Warden Park and the academy also has a developing reputation for supporting young people with special educational needs.

Warden Park Primary Academy

Heyworth Primary School reopened in January 2012 as the Warden Park Primary Academy, sponsored by Warden Park Academy Trust.  The primary academy is judged by OFSTED (November 2011) as having many good features; behaviour, the quality of care guidance and support, the curriculum and the school’s leadership and management.  The school is a happy and safe place, where children are able to realise their full potential and learn from an exciting and challenging curriculum. Thanks to powerful leadership and the efforts of a strong and dedicated staff team the school is on a clear and upward trend of improvement. OFSTED inspectors summed up perfectly the school’s vision - ‘The school does not stand still; it is forward thinking and complacency is not an option’.

Partnership in the Warden Park Academy Trust

These two academies are now working closely together with a shared vision based on:

• High expectations and standards for all
• A clear code of behaviour based on respect for all
• Equal opportunity 
• A strong partnership with parents and the wider community

The Trust has a common set of policies and is governed by a single group of Directors. In order that staff can concentrate on the important task of promoting excellent teaching and learning, the Trust is responsible for all the non-educational functions in both schools such as premises development, finance and catering. 

While we are still at the start of what has already been an interesting and invigorating journey, we are confident that our students will thrive and embody our maxim “The Best from All”.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Chairman, Warden Park Academy Trust

Steve Johnson, Chief Executive, Warden Park Academy Trust