Will Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Greenshaw Learning Trust attended the meeting to provide information to the Committee on the Trust, the work being undertaken at John Madejski Academy and to answer questions from members of the Committee. The main points noted were:

·       The Greenshaw Learning Trust (GLT) was a 10-year-old multi-academy trust with 37 schools across the South of England, including Reading.

·        GLT valued strong relationships with local authorities and noted the support and collaboration being undertaken with officers at the Council.

·       The Trust’s ethos was encapsulated in its motto “Always Learning,” reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement across all levels.

·        GLT supported a wide range of schools (urban, rural, coastal) and used its diverse network to share best practices and solutions.

·        John Madejski Academy (JMA) joined GLT under challenging circumstances; the Trust had a strong track record of turning around underperforming schools.

·       Early improvements at JMA included a calmer, more orderly environment, improved student behaviour, and a focus on student happiness and academic success.

·       GLT emphasised high expectations, a broad curriculum, and strong pastoral care, with a commitment to character development and academic outcomes.

·       All GLT schools inspected by Ofsted had been rated Good or Outstanding.

·       The Trust was committed to reducing suspensions and exclusions through consistent behaviour policies and supportive interventions.

·        Uniform and equipment expectations were enforced with support: students were not excluded for non-compliance alone, and uniform was provided free where needed.

·       A name change from John Madejski Academy to Hartland High School would take effect from 1 September 2025; the change followed community consultation and was intended to support school improvement.

·       Sir John Madejski had visited the school and expressed support for the changes, including plans to honour his legacy within the school.

·       GLT was committed to supporting vulnerable children and those with special educational needs (SEND), employing a range of therapists and specialists.

·       The Trust was trauma-informed and worked to identify and address underlying causes of behavioural issues, including through partnerships with social services.

·       GLT welcomed visits from councillors and community members and was committed to ongoing engagement and transparency.

·       The new substantive Headteacher, Emily Davies, would take up post in September 2025, bringing strong leadership to the next phase of the school’s improvement journey.

The Chair thanked Will Smith for attending the meeting and welcomed an update to be provided to a future Committee meeting.