Joint statement between Cumbria Education Trust, Castle Park School and Stramongate Primary School
Cumbria Education Trust (CET) is delighted to announce the expansion of its family of schools with the official addition of Castle Park School and Stramongate Primary School, both located in Kendal. This exciting development strengthens the Trust’s commitment to delivering high-quality education and supporting children to be the best they can be across Cumbria.
The inclusion of these two schools represents a significant step in CET’s commitment to improving educational outcomes for young people. Each school brings its own strengths and a shared passion for excellence in teaching and learning, further enriching the Trust’s growing network of schools.
Ross Knaggs, Headteacher at Castle Park School, commented: “CET has already made a significant difference in our school’s journey. Their support with strategic planning, safeguarding and Ofsted preparation has been invaluable, helping us streamline our processes and focus on key areas for improvement. Through their guidance, we’ve seen tangible improvements in our standards, ensuring that we are continually raising the bar for the benefit of our children and community. We are confident that this partnership will continue to provide us with the tools and expertise we need to keep growing and delivering the best possible outcomes for our children.
“By collaborating with a network of like-minded schools, we believe we’ll be able to share expertise, access new resources, and introduce innovative practices that will lead to better outcomes for all of our pupils.
This partnership will not only strengthen our educational offering but also provide additional support for our staff and leadership, allowing us to focus even more on what matters most — the success and well-being of every child in our care.”
Matt Beresford, Headteacher at Stramongate Primary School, added: “The Trustees of Stramongate School have spent a number of years carefully exploring different trusts to join before finding a match with CET. Their shared values, high expectations and putting children at the centre of everything they do, aligns with ours.
We look forward to continuing to build closer relationships, sharing good practice and gaining fresh educational insights and approaches to benefit our Kendal community.
“We will see fresh investment to drive the continued development of Stramongate School and we remain dedicated to preserving the unique character and values that make our school special. Together with CET, we look forward to building a strong, collaborative future that will ensure the ongoing success and wellbeing of the children in South Cumbria.”
As part of CET, both schools will benefit from enhanced support, resources and professional development opportunities, ensuring that staff and students alike can thrive in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
CET now has twelve primary schools, five secondary schools and one joint sixth form, reinforcing its commitment to providing high-quality education and enriching learning experiences for all students across the region.
