PRESS RELEASE – KPS in bid to rescue Khalsa Secondary Academy following Termination Notice

Following the recent publication of the Termination Notice served to Khalsa Academies Trust (KAT) in respect to Khalsa Secondary Academy (KSA), KSA will need to be transferred to a new education trust.

We, the Governors and Trustees of Khalsa Primary School (KPS), have had initial conversations with the Regional Schools Commissioner’s (RSC) office and we intend to submit an expression of interest and a sponsor application to be considered by the RSC and the Head Teachers’ Board.

We are writing to provide some reassurance to concerned parents and members of the community at this uncertain time. Many KSA students that will have transferred from KPS, will be familiar with the quality of education provided and the emphasis placed upon emotional health and well-being. As you will no doubt be aware, KPS was inspected by OFSTED in January this year and was judged to be ‘OUTSTANDING’ in all areas, with no areas for improvement. We have a strong background of school improvement and have been recognised as one of the highest performing schools in the Local Authority and the County of Berkshire. Furthermore, we are and have in the past been successful improvement partners to a number of schools, both locally and nationally. One of our teachers has been recognised by the UK National Teachers’ Awards as a potential Teacher of the Year and our Head has been shortlisted for Head Teacher of the Year.

We are aware that the Sikh Ethos isimportant to the students of KSA and their families. As an existing Sikh Faith School, the vision and values at KPS are based on the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji and a very important part of our curriculum that underpins all we do. The spiritual aspects of our school are clearly visible to visitors and highly appreciated by our parents and the community. This is also mentioned in our recent OFSTED report as a major strength, along with many other examples of exemplary practice. If successful, we would ensure that the Sikh Ethos is maintained and developed at the KSA and that it will be run according to the Sikh Code of Conduct (Rehat Maryada as issued by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib), as KPS is already.

Although no decisions have been made as yet, we believe that an arrangement whereby KPS is the successful sponsor for KSA, would be of significant benefit to the children and parents at both schools. This would include ensuring excellent transitions between schools and continuity, leading to enhanced outcomes for the children, especially given the close proximity between both schools. KPS is already well established, highly valued and respected in the community. Within the primary school we have significant experience of successful secondary education, including our Head Teacher, and are confident that we have the capacity to raise standards at KSA without any conflict of interest with standards at KPS.

The leadership team, staff, governors and trustees would focus entirely on the best interests of pupils, whilst maintaining strong and powerful links with parents and the community which, in line with the current reputation of the primary school, would be highly valued.

Should our application be successful, we would ensure excellent communication with families and the community, to ensure all our children have the best possible opportunity to succeed, whilst enjoying a rich and varied curriculum and emotional support.

We hope that this eases much of the concern around KSA being forced into a non-Sikh trust and that together we can raise standards in both education and governance for the benefit of its children.

Governors & Trustees at Khalsa Primary School, Slough
For enquires please email info@sikhacademiestrust.com