The 2024-25 academic year looks set to be an exciting year for the students, staff and families of St Matthew’s CE Primary school, located in West Bowling, Bradford after the school received official confirmation of their academy order to join Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust (BDAT).
The Church of England school and Diocesan Trust have already been working closely together, forming excellent relationships through the joint appointment of new Headteacher Linda Hillier who started with the school in July 2024. Ms Hillier, an experienced school leader has led schools across the UK including schools in Blackpool and Greater London. Ms Hillier will join existing Deputy Headteacher Shabnam Iqbal to lead a school team dedicated and driven to provide great quality education across South Bradford.
The move to become an academy has been inspired by a common desire to ensure that St Matthew’s continues to provide good quality education for every student in the school while ensuring excellent professional development and support for school staff. It comes hot on the heels of a highly successful effective SIAMS judgement in June 2024 which praised “the rapid development of this harmonious and happy school.”
The transition to academy status signifies the next steps in the school’s journey as it seeks to continue to grow and flourish as part of a strong family of 21 local academies. The school and Trust have already consulted and received positive endorsement for the match from local parents and community members. The school will now continue the conversion process throughout the Autumn term with an anticipated final conversion date of Spring 2025.
Carol Dewhurst, CEO of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust said “We are delighted to have the final Department for Education approval to welcome St Matthew’s into our school’s family. Trust and school leaders and governors have worked closely together over the past twelve months and have already witnessed first hand the benefits of our partnership working. We look forward to this continuing and building momentum to make sure our students get the very best experience during their time in school”.
Linda Hillier, Head Teacher of St Matthews said: “We are delighted to be joining Bradford Diocese Academies Trust. St Matthew’s is a school with a commitment to achieving the best for its pupils and the school community and we believe that BDAT’s values match ours. We very much appreciate BDAT’s commitment to working collaboratively and to putting the children at the heart of everything we do and are excited for the next steps in the school’s journey.”
Ros Garside, Chair of St Matthews commented: As Chair of Governors at St Matthew’s CE, Bradford I know that all governors are delighted that we are joining BDAT. We feel that our values align really well and that BDAT will be an excellent partner for supporting the next phase of our school’s development.