NEW College in Worcester (NCW) – a renowned specialist school for young people with vision impairment (VI) – has joined the Aequalis Education Trust (AET) which will support its long-term future for many years to come.
The partnership, backed by NCW’s governors and supported by Worcestershire County Council, is aimed at expanding specialist provision up to age 25.
It will also unlock new opportunities for collaboration across the region in direct alignment with the Government’s SEND White Paper priorities.
New College Worcester will retain its own identity and specialist focus, while gaining the strength, stability and collaborative expertise of a local, inclusive Multi-Academy Trust committed to the highest standards for all learners.
Operating as a non-maintained special school and supported by the wider Trust, NCW will maintain its specialism in VI education and continue to teach the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI), along with the mainstream curriculum.
The move is part of NCW’s strategic business programme, designed to ensure sustainability provision, improve the SEND offering for children and young people and to bring more innovation to education.
The schools, which are part of the AET, have a strong track record across Worcestershire and NCW’s existing, dedicated and skilled staff will benefit from the enhanced local co-operation, access to a wider network of expertise and new opportunities for growth.
This will include extending NCW’s designation beyond vision impairment and its offering for those up to the age of 25, utilising existing estate buildings.
It will also create a satellite hub for the Bromsgrove-based Chadsgrove College (CET) to support young people with physical disabilities and complex medical needs.
‘Improving provision’
Deb Rattley, Aequalis Education Trust lead, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome New College Worcester into the Aequalis family.
“NCW is a phenomenal asset to the VI community, to Worcestershire and across the UK.
“By bringing our organisations together, we can share our collective expertise, foster innovation, and ensure that every young person receives the exceptional, inclusive education they deserve.
“This partnership embodies our vision of a collaborative educational landscape where specialist and mainstream settings work hand in hand.”
Pat Dyson, Chair of the Governors at NCW, added they were delighted to be joining Aequalis Education Trust, which had an established reputation for excellence in Worcestershire and beyond.
“Throughout this process, it has been clear that we share the same vision and mission – to provide outstanding education by putting the needs of children and young people at the heart of everything we do.
“We are excited about this new era and look forward to going from strength-to-strength through this collaboration, whilst preserving NCW as an important asset for the VI community.”
And Sam Griffiths, Aequalis Education Trust’s chair of trustees, added: “This is a significant and positive step forward for the ongoing growth of Chadsgrove College, AET and New College Worcester.
“We recognise the immense value of NCW’s specialist knowledge and facilities.
“Together, we are building a resilient, forward-looking Trust that not only safeguards the future of vital institutions like NCW but also enhances the educational outcomes for all children and young people across our region and beyond.”
The change of control process is expected to be fully completed this month, ensuring a smooth transition with no disruption to the day-to-day operation and wellbeing of the students at NCW.
