Hunnyhill joins Ormiston Academies Trust

We are delighted to share that Hunnyhill Primary School has officially joined Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), and we are now proud to be known as Hunnyhill Ormiston Academy.

OAT is one of the country’s leading education providers, running 44 other schools across England, including Cowes Enterprise College here on the Isle of Wight. The Trust is widely recognised for its strong values, focus on inclusion, and commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for our school. Over recent months, we have worked closely with colleagues from across OAT, including at Cowes, to prepare for this transition. Our new name reflects both our proud local identity and our place within the wider Ormiston family of schools.

As part of OAT, we will benefit from access to a strong national network, professional development for staff, curriculum expertise and wider opportunities for collaboration. Our pupils will also gain access to enrichment activities and expertise from across the Trust, while continuing to thrive through the strong early years, inclusive provision and vibrant curriculum already in place at Hunnyhill.

Looking ahead, we are excited to work in partnership with OAT to build on these strong foundations and ensure that pupils at Hunnyhill continue to flourish.

Tom Rees, Chief Executive Officer of Ormiston Academies Trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Hunnyhill Ormiston Academy into the Trust. This partnership is built on a shared vision and values, and it is a privilege to work with Lisa, Rachel and their teams to provide the very best education for children and young people on the Isle of Wight.”

Lisa Steedman, Principal at Hunnyhill Ormiston Academy, said: “Today is a hugely exciting moment for our school. Becoming part of Ormiston Academies Trust gives us the chance to build on everything we already do well, while also accessing new opportunities to strengthen teaching, learning and enrichment for our pupils. I would like to thank our staff, parents and community for their continued support as we begin this next chapter.”

We marked this special occasion with a whole-school celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony. Chloe, a Year 6 pupil, shared her journey from pre-school to Year 6 along with her aspirations for the future. Our Year 3 Lime class performed their class song, and the whole school dressed as their future selves – with many budding doctors, nurses, teachers, footballers, archaeologists, palaeontologists and future members of the armed forces and police taking part.

It was a day full of pride, inspiration and community spirit – the perfect start to our journey as Hunnyhill Ormiston Academy.