Milton Special School had been placed in special measures with significant safeguarding concerns. The Regional Director approached the Education Exchange to lead a project to provide school improvement support.
Working with Interaction and Communication Academy Trust (ICAT), The Education Exchange provided capacity in areas such as safeguarding, governance, teaching and learning, ICT infrastructure and estates.
Members making up the team on this project included:
• Tom Banham: CEO at HCAT,
Accounting Officer support
• Simon Witham: CEO at Venn Academy Trust,
Special school MAT expertise
Without the friendship and professional generosity of those named in this article and many others,
projects would not be possible. It is this continued investment and ethical practice which results in
improved opportunities and outcomes. As a result of the collaborative approach and cohesive plan, Milton School successfully transitioned to Venn Academy Trust in July 2023.
“On visiting the school, meeting the staff and reviewing their current provision, a holistic approach to their curriculum was implemented. This is further supporting pupils in engaging more successfully with learning. We ascertained which interventions would be most beneficial, identifying those that could be implemented in the short, medium and longer term and potential staff who could lead in each area”
-Jo Pittard, AP Principal Delta Academies Trust
“As we all know, at times, schools and Trusts get into challenging positions. It is really pleasing to see that stakeholders from right across the sector have come together, in a period of time that is challenging for all educational establishments, to work together to ensure that the children get the quality of education they deserve”
-Tom Banham, CEO HCAT
“The support from the Education Exchange has been greatly appreciated by the Executive team and Trustees. The swiftness and thoroughness of the support provided has been of huge benefit to the capacity of the Executive Team, school leadership teams and to the education of the pupils the Trust serves”
-Dawn Whiteley, MBE ICAT
Published on
March 11, 2024