One of Norfolk’s only stand-alone academies is preparing to join a national academy chain in the early part of next year.

Flegg High School in Martham is consulting with parents and carers about becoming the latest school to join the Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT).

The academy chain already comprises more than 30 schools including Cliff Park, Ormiston Venture, Herman, and Edward Worlledge in the Great Yarmouth area.

School principal Dr Simon Fox said because the school was already an academy the transfer would be more straightforward.

He said being part of a national, wider network would bring benefits and “external eyes” adding more challenge to what the school was doing already.

Under the changes the school would be expected to include the “Ormiston” element in its name and families would be asked which variation they liked best.

However he was keen to stress that the uniform would remain the same and that there would be no significant changes to the curriculum or school day.

The school is holding a meeting with parents tomorrow, Wednesday, to discuss the proposal.

Dr Fox said: “Our parents’ views are incredibly important for us and we want to hear what they think.

“Myself and the governors have considered various options about how we can best keep improving for the benefit of our students, and we believe that being part of a larger network of schools will provide long-term sustainability, and ensure appropriate challenge and support.

“We also believe that OAT is the best and most positive partner for us, as it shares the same ethos, vision and values that we at Flegg hold so dear, that all children and young people should have the highest academic, and best social and practical skills, to allow them to lead successful and fulfilling lives.

“We all share the same passion and are fully committed to raising aspirations and broadening horizons, in the best environment.”

The move comes some two years after Flegg pulled back from talks with Paston College and East Norfolk Sixth Form to form a multi-academy chain with them.

The 830-pupil school was rated good by Ofsted who praised the “unwavering resolve of its principal.”

What is OAT?

OAT is a not-for-profit academy trust which achieved record GCSE and A level results this year across more than 30 primary and secondary academies in England. It began sponsoring academies in 2008 and is part of Ormiston Trust, a charity formed in 1969 to help young people lead fulfilling lives.

When will the transfer happen?

The school hopes the transfer to OAT will happen in early Spring, possibly by February.

What changes will there be?

Not too many. The school will have to include the ‘Ormiston’ element in its name in the form of something like Flegg Ormiston Academy, but no changes are planned to the uniform.