Major Yorkshire schools chain rebrands itself as Delta Academies as part of drive to improve

YORKSHIRE'S LARGEST academy chain is being rebranded as part of a 'root and branch' reform of the organisation to drive up standards.
Paul Tarn, chief executive of SPTA which is to become known as Delta Academies Trust.Paul Tarn, chief executive of SPTA which is to become known as Delta Academies Trust.
Paul Tarn, chief executive of SPTA which is to become known as Delta Academies Trust.

From the start of next month School Partnership Trust Academies (SPTA) will be called Delta Academies Trust.

It follows the appointment of a new chief executive Paul Tarn who joined in March and has vowed to improve results in the academy chain’s schools.

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The SPTA runs 44 schools in the Yorkshire and Humber region having expanded rapidly during the coalition Government’s expansion of the academies programme.

However in recent years concerns have been raised about the standards in some of its schools.

Ofsted issued a critical report earlier this year after a focussed inspection of some of SPTA’s schools.

The chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw said that the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers was too big at the schools Ofsted had inspected.

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The education watchdog also said that SPTA’s had been too slow bringing about improvement where it was most needed. The Yorkshire Post also obtained a letter from a Government schools commissioner voicing concern to SPTA bosses last year about the results in around a third of its schools.

Since then Mr Tarn has been appointed chief executive, having worked as deputy chief executive at Outwood Grange Academies Trust - one of the most successful chains in the country.

Mr Tarn said the name changed was part of the reforms taking place at SPTA.

He said: “The switch reflects the wholesale and on-going change throughout the organisation designed to ensure that we shape the future of our country by placing learners at the heart of everything we do”.

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“SPTA has many strengths. The new board of directors will build on these to secure high quality education for every child, irrespective of their starting point.

“Our relentless focus is on what is in the best interests of the children and communities our academies serve.

“We have a terrific team of teaching and support staff, determined to raise standards and support children and our name change reinforces that.”