An eighth school has joined the Huddersfield-based Impact Education Multi Academy Trust.

On January 1, Lee Mount Primary School in Halifax joined the Bradley-based Trust and will now be known as Lee Mount Academy.

The 341-pupil, co-educational school will benefit from support offered by the Trust, such as shared professional expertise, collaborative leadership, innovative approaches to teaching and learning and access to funding and resources, which will enhance the children’s learning environment, empowering them to thrive and achieve.

Mrs Emme Ford, headteacher of Lee Mount Academy, (pictured below) said: “We are very much looking forward to our future within the MAT.

“Having gone through the due diligence process, we feel strongly that our ethical values and inclusive approach are very much aligned; the balance of educating and nurturing the whole child while preparing the children for national assessment is something that I think Impact gets right.

“We have joined a family of schools who will both support us and challenge us to continually improve, so that we can provide the best possible educational experience for our children.

“I can already see the positive impact of working within the family on my staff. They are more outward looking and want to learn more efficient ways of working.”

Impact Education CEO Mick Kay (pictured below) said: “We are delighted to welcome Lee Mount into the Trust. I know that Emme and her team care deeply about the children and the community they serve.

“The happiness and wellbeing of the students is at the heart of everything they do and this is something that was recognised recently by a panel of MPs, when the school won an award for its breakfast club provision – providing vital support every day to dozens of local families.

“We are a Trust where hearts and minds connect. We have high expectations of our students academically but we also place a great emphasis on positive attitudes to learning, personal development and building respectful relationships.

“We also have high expectations of our staff; we take their professional development very seriously, challenging and supporting them to be the best they can be, so that we make a positive impact not only on the futures of our young people, but also on the development and fulfilment of our staff.”

Impact Education MAT consists of eight academies across Calderdale and Kirklees: four primary academies, two secondary academies, an alternative provision academy and an all-through academy for students aged four-16.

With over 4,000 students and over 600 members of staff, the Trust’s primary goal is to inspire the minds and hearts of children, by ensuring that education is a fun and positive experience.

The other seven academies are: The Whitley AP Academy, Illingworth, Halifax; Old Bank Academy, Mirfield; Hill View Academy, Almondbury; Castle Hall Academy, Mirfield; Warley Road Academy, Halifax; the Halifax Academy; and Newsome Academy, Huddersfield.