Kennet sponsors Whitelands as Thatcham primary becomes academy

The Education Secretary Michael Gove gave his approval for the change in status at the Sagecroft Road school, under the sponsorship of Kennet School during the Christmas break.
This means the newly-founded Kennet School Academies Trust will oversee the work of both Kennet and Whitelands, through its board of directors.
Each school will continue to have its own headteacher and governing body, but the change will allow both school communities to share resources and expertise.
The move comes 11 months after Whitelands was placed in special measures by Ofsted, following concerns about attainment, teaching and leadership.
Kennet headteacher Paul Dick said: “Both schools will retain their own identify and ethos but collaborate so that standards can be maintained and improved at Kennet and driven up rapidly at Whitelands, following its critical inspection back in February 2013.
“This is an exciting and empowering change for education in this part of Thatcham.
“We look forward to joint working, in the very best interests of the pupils at both schools.”