WEM'S Thomas Adams School began a new life as an academy this week after it joined the Priory School Trust, based at The Priory School in Shrewsbury.

The school, in Lowe Hill Road, Wem, converted on Monday to become the fourth school to join the trust and it believes that being part of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) will enable the school to share and receive best practice and enhance the education provision for its students.

Mark Cooper, headteacher at Thomas Adams, believes the school can maintain its own identity while taking the best from being part of a MAT.

He said: “Our responsibility to students, staff, parents/carers and the community is of the highest priority and we are keen to ensure we retain our own identity, while being part of a cohesive and mutually supportive group of schools."

Jo Hickson, chair of governors at Thomas Adams added: “This is a brilliant opportunity for the school, moving forward."

Staff at the school believe the ethos and vision of the trust 'strongly align' with those of Thomas Adams.

The trust wants for all students to have choices when they leave school, ready and willing to contribute to society.

In addition to Thomas Adams and The Priory School, there are two further schools in the Trust: St Martins School (aged three to 16 in St Martins ion north Shropshire) and Coleham School in Shrewsbury, while it is anticipated the trust will grow further over the coming 12 months.

The latest Ofsted reports for Thomas Adams, including its Sixth Form, were rated 'Good' and the Boarding House provision also received a 'Good' rating in every category.

Michael Barratt, executive principal of The Priory School Trust said: “This is an exciting development for our students already in the trust and for those at Thomas Adams.

"By joining the trust, the Thomas Adams students will continue to receive high quality teaching but will also benefit from being part of a wider network.

"Mainly through the 'Teaching School Alliance' which operates from The Priory School, we have already worked closely and extensively with staff at Thomas Adams, and the expectations, ethos and values are the same as those in the trust."