Weald becomes the fourth school in the Girls’ Learning Trust, joining Carshalton High School for Girls, Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls.

As part of the transition, three members of Weald’s former Trust Board, Victoria Tomalin, Adrian Doherty and Robin Jones, have also joined the Girls’ Learning Trust Board as Trustees. Robin will additionally take on the role of Chair of Weald’s Local Governing Body, providing continued leadership and a strong link between the school and the wider Trust. These appointments will help provide continuity in governance, bring valuable knowledge and experience of Weald to the wider Trust, and support the development of strong relationships between the four schools.

The decision to come together has been based on a strong shared commitment to excellent education, high expectations, strong pastoral care and the wider development of students. At the heart of the partnership is also a shared belief in the importance of girls’ education and in creating environments where girls and young women are encouraged to be ambitious, confident and ready to shape their own futures.

Weald will continue to retain its own identity, character and leadership. For students and families, the immediate priority is continuity. Over time, students and staff will also have more opportunities to work with colleagues across the Trust through professional learning, curriculum development, leadership, enrichment and wider school activities.

For staff, today marks the beginning of a new relationship with colleagues across the Girls’ Learning Trust. That will begin straight away, including a dedicated Trust induction day for Weald staff on 2 November.

A great deal of work has taken place behind the scenes to make the transfer possible, including work across governance, finance, HR, IT and estates. That work will continue over the coming months as Weald becomes fully integrated into the Trust.

Today is an important milestone, but it is also the start of the next chapter: building relationships, learning from one another and making sure the partnership brings real benefits to students and staff across all four schools.

Emily Tofield, Chair of the Girls’ Learning Trust Board, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Weald into the Trust. There is a strong fit between our schools, including a shared commitment to girls’ education, and we are excited about what we can learn from one another. Just as importantly, Weald will remain very much Weald. Its identity, character and community are important, and we want to build on those strengths.”

Robin Jones, Chair of Weald’s Local Governing Body and Trustee of the Girls’ Learning Trust, said:

“This is an important moment for Weald and the result of a long and careful process. We believe joining the Girls’ Learning Trust gives the school a strong foundation for the future while allowing Weald to retain the character and values that matter so much to our community.”

Richard Booth, Headteacher of Weald of Kent Grammar School, said:

“We are really pleased to be joining the Girls’ Learning Trust. For our students and staff, the most important thing is that Weald continues to be the school they know, while also gaining new opportunities to work with colleagues across the Trust.”

Dr Thomas Flynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Girls’ Learning Trust, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Weald’s students, staff and families to the Girls’ Learning Trust. There is a lot that our schools have in common, but also plenty that is different. That is a real strength. The next step is simply to bring people together, learn from one another and make the most of being part of a wider group of schools.”

The Girls’ Learning Trust now comprises Carshalton High School for Girls, Nonsuch High School for Girls, Wallington High School for Girls and Weald of Kent Grammar School.

Further information about Weald and the schools within the Trust can be found on our Our Schools pages.