THE trust in charge of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and some Swindon schools will change its name at the start of the school year.

Five years after forming, multi-academy body the RWBA Trust will be known as Ascend Learning Trust from September 1.

The Bassett educational facility was the trust's first founder school. Churchfields School (now Lawn Manor Academy) was the first to join the trust in May 2017.

It then grew to take Noremarsh Junior School in 2018, The John Bentley School (now Kingsbury Green Academy) in Calne in 2019 and The Wellington Academy, Wellington Eagles Primary Academy and Wellington Lions Primary Academy in 2020. 

As well as these seven schools, the trust has a school-centred initial teaching training base, the North Wilts SCITT, which trains more than 80 teachers every year.  

CEO George Croxford said: "The trust is built upon our absolute commitment to continuous school improvement. Each academy within RWBAT is on that never-ending journey. By working together, we maximise the life chances for every student within the trust. 

“Not only do we improve all our teachers, but we grow our own.” 

With seven schools and a teacher training base now part of the trust, and others wishing to join, Mr Croxford welcomed the name change.

He added: “We felt it was time to look at the suitability of the name and revisit our values and aims.

"Following a consultation, it was unanimously decided that we should change the name, as it was overly linked to one school and is no longer appropriate.” 

This forms part of a major rebrand which includes a refreshed look and feel as well as a
new logo, all designed to revamp the way the trust communicates its mission.

Chair of trustees Nathan Coombs said: “The new identity had to satisfy all of the existing expectations that our original trust stood for while moving the brand forward.

"Our three core aims remain the same and are firstly, excellence in education through compassion, respect and ambition.  

"Secondly, valuing the development of the whole person equal to achieving academic success, and finally putting every academy at the heart of its community.

"Ascend was chosen as a visionary word which represents these core aims perfectly. 

“We are looking forward to what the future holds and continuing to achieve our aim to provide an excellent education for every young person within the Ascend Learning Trust.” 

For more information, visit www.rwbatrust.org.uk