Statement on proposed merger of Beacon Education and Bath and Wells Diocesan Academies Trust

After a number of years working together, it has been confirmed that a formal merger of Beacon Education and The Bath and Wells Diocesan Academies Trust (BWMAT) will not take place.

Pamela Cosh, Chair of the BWMAT, says, “A great deal has been achieved through this working relationship. The Beacon schools, for example, have had very positive visits from Ofsted and lots of areas of school life have been strengthened and enhanced. It is also important to acknowledge that we have valued and benefitted from the input and ideas that colleagues from across Beacon have shared with us.

“It was always our hope and intention to formalise our working relationship with Beacon, by welcoming the schools into BWMAT.

“However, it has become clear that the level of funding for us to achieve this was not available, and we are very mindful of our responsibility to our existing schools and their communities.

“While we appreciate the steps the DfE has taken to try to address this shortfall, unfortunately the trustees have had to make the very difficult decision to step away from continuing to work with Beacon.

“We are deeply saddened to have to make this decision, particularly because a great deal has been achieved through our working relationship, both for Beacon schools and for us. We wish all the schools in Beacon Education the very best on the next stage of their journey. They have a huge amount to offer their communities, and we hope that they will go from strength-to-strength in the future.”

Ed Gregory, Director of Education for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which has a relationship with both MATs, says, “Beacon and the BWMAT have enjoyed a positive and fruitful partnership over recent years and though there is disappointment from both parties that the hoped for formal merger will now not take place, the benefits gained from that relationship are there to build upon. We will, along with the Department for Education, continue to work with and support Beacon, as they consider their next steps for the benefit of all the children it serves.”