Tuesday the 19th April was a very important day in the history of Brenchley and Matfield Primary School. After two years of governor consideration and review, followed by discussion and consultation with the wider community (including staff, parents, governors and the trust which owns the site), the documents were signed which, as of 1st May, enables the School to become an academy and part of the Tenax Schools Trust.

Andrew Cunningham, chair of Governors, Brenchley and Matfield Primary, said: “The incredible improvements in teaching and learning that have been made at the School over the last 5 years are a testament to the hard work of the headteacher and staff. The Governors are committed to ensuring this continues and it is our firm belief that by joining the Tenax Schools Trust, which includes Bennett Memorial School, we will ensure the long term sustainability of our school and accelerate the tremendous work that has been going on in recent years.”

Rachel Green, Headteacher, Brenchley and Matfield Primary, continued: “As the founding school of this trust, Bennett Memorial School already holds an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgement, is a key partner in the Teaching School Alliance, has Teaching School Status and is striving to improve teaching standards still further in order to secure a sustainable future and continuing standards of excellence. It is for this reason, along with our already well-established partnership and the promise of continued autonomy for high performing schools, that our School selected this trust as our partner of choice. These accolades, that many other academies and trusts have not yet attained, will enable us to position our school at the forefront of local and national initiatives securing the best education and a long-term, and exciting future for our children.”

“We are delighted that Brenchley and Matfield will become part of the Tenax Schools Trust. We are looking forward hugely to working together here in the West Kent area, to build further on what we offer our children and families. We will be shaping our schools to meet the evolving needs of the local community and parents here in our villages, and the nearby areas, and are very keen that local people continue to feel that this is your school. High academic standards will continue to be a watchword for us, as will continuing to develop the whole person so children are well equipped to move on to any secondary school of their choice and flourish in it.” (Ian Bauckham, Executive Head, Tenax Schools Trust).