What is being proposed
The Hawksmoor Learning Trust (THLT or Hawksmoor) proposes to join Orbis Education Trust (Orbis) to build a sustainable future for its schools, deepen the strong relationship already established between the two Trusts, and continue delivering outstanding opportunities and experiences for children in its Towcester and Brackley schools.
THLT manages four primary schools in Northamptonshire: Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School, The Radstone Primary School, Bracken Leas Primary School, and Marie Weller Primary School. Under this proposal, all four schools would join our Trust.
Hawksmoor’s primary experience and expertise will help guide the development of our expanding primary provision, supporting schools in delivering learning and enrichment experiences that enable every child to thrive both academically and personally.
Why does THLT want to join our Trust?
As a Trust, THLT is committed to supporting the wellbeing and academic outcomes of every pupil, regularly reviewing strategic objectives to ensure pupils and families receive the high-quality experiences they deserve. In recent months, several external factors in the wider education landscape have begun to create challenges in achieving these objectives.
Nationally, small primary Trusts face significant challenges. Limited access to grants restricts scope for school improvements, while smaller central teams and constrained financial resilience limit the support small Trusts can provide to schools within their Trust family.
After careful consideration, THLT Trustees concluded that, to safeguard everything that makes their schools special, the most viable option is to explore joining another Trust that can provide greater capacity and stronger financial backing, ensuring a secure future for staff, children, and schools.
THLT considered Trusts that are committed to delivering outstanding education, providing a comprehensive range of central services and support, and enabling schools to maintain their unique identities while building on good practice. Trustees also looked for Trusts offering the very best opportunities for professional growth and the overall wellbeing of staff and pupils.
Following this careful evaluation, Trustees identified Orbis as the Trust which best aligns with their culture, values, and ethos, and offers the strongest future for their schools, ensuring that pupils and staff are supported, cared for, and can access the very best opportunities.
What are the benefits for Orbis?
This move enables Orbis to build on an established partnership with THLT with strong mutual benefit. Benefits of THLT joining Orbis include;
- Years of expertise in driving primary school improvement which will be invaluable as we build the primary arm of our Trust.
- Far greater opportunities for providing ‘in Trust’ primary school to school support.
- Strengthening practice around Year 6 to Year 7 transition for students.
- Strategic expertise in and experience of successfully opening new schools.
- Greater purchasing power and other economies of scale.
- Providing access to a greater number of capital grants, such as ‘School Condition Allocation’ funding that can be used to maintain and improve all schools within the larger Trust and to reduce pressure on wider Trust budgets as a result.
FAQs
This document contains responses to Frequently Asked Questions and will be updated throughout the consultation period as further questions or comments are received.
We shall endeavour to answer all questions, queries, issues or concerns that may be raised as part of the consultation process via this document.
However, should this not prove to be possible, both THLT and Orbis may consider other avenues for responding to any consultation feedback received, which may include (but not be limited to) ‘drop-in’ question and answer sessions.
The first section primarily addresses questions from parents, while the second section is intended for staff.
Next Steps
We want to hear your views around the proposals for THLT schools to join our growing Trust. Please share any questions, concerns, or feedback you may have. Responses can be submitted via email to: [email protected].
A consultation on the proposal will take place from Monday 5th January to Monday 2nd February 2026 (four weeks).
All feedback received during this period will be carefully considered as part of the decision-making process.
Following the consultation, if Trustees conclude that the proposal remains in the best interests of pupils, a formal application for Hawksmoor to join Orbis will be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE).
