Wakefield Greenhill Primary School to become part of the Outwood Family

A struggling primary school in Wakefield is looking to the future after it was announced that the school was set to join one of the leading multi-academy trusts in the country, Outwood Grange Academies Trust. 

Wakefield Greenhill Primary School, based on Greenhill Road in Eastmoor, is currently rated inadequate by Ofsted following an inspection in October 2021, having previously been rated good. 

Martin Fenton, current Headteacher at Wakefield Greenhill Primary School, said:

“This is a very exciting development for us at Greenhill. We know it’s been a very challenging time for us recently, but joining Outwood is a major step forward for us. 

“We believe that with the expertise within the Outwood Family and their experience at turning around schools, we will be well-placed to make quick improvements to the school, which can only be good news for our students and school community.” 

Once the academy transfer is finalised the school will become the 41st member of the Outwood Family, joining 27 secondary schools, 12 primaries and one alternative provision centre as an Outwood school. 

Lee Wilson, Chief Executive Principal of Outwood Primary, said:

“We are delighted to be sponsoring Wakefield Greenhill Primary School. We are under no doubt of the challenges ahead but we are also very excited about the opportunities to bring the community an Outstanding school that all can be proud of. 

“We look forward to working with the children, their families, staff and all of the other stakeholders to make this vision a reality.”

Outwood already sponsors a number of secondary and primary schools in Wakefield, and the Trust itself was born out of the success of Outwood Grange Academy, based on Potovens Lane. 

The Trust was responsible for the remarkable transformation of Outwood Primary Academy Kirkhamgate, which went from Inadequate to Outstanding in five terms once it began working with Outwood. 

Lee added:

“We are proud of our track record and at Outwood, our vision is Children First and this means placing children at the very centre of everything we do, and every decision we make. 

“We want to do all we can to ensure the children are fully supported to reach their potential, so they leave school with the skills and knowledge that enables them to achieve whatever it is they want to.”