We are delighted to confirm that NCW is joining the Worcestershire based Aequalis Education Trust’s (AET’s) family. The decision follows an extensive review by NCW’s Governing Body, in a move supported by both the RNIB and Worcestershire County Council.

This involves transferring the NCW charity through a change of control process to carry on operating as a non-maintained special school under the control of Aequalis Education Trust, continuing to be a national specialist school for young people with vision impairment and follow the Curriculum Framework for Vision Impairment.

Going from Strength to Strength in Partnership

We are confident that we have found a partner who will help us to go from strength to strength, whilst preserving NCW as an essential asset for the VI community. We will continue to be a specialist school for VI, whilst exploring opportunities to expand our remit for as many young people to benefit from our specialist expertise as possible.

We genuinely believe this will be a positive step for the future of NCW which will bring huge benefits to our students, staff and wider community, securing the future of the college for generations to come. Both Aequalis and NCW are committed to continuity of care and education for our students, who remain our absolute priority. 

Pat Dyson, Chair of Governors, said: “We are delighted to be joining the Aequalis Education Trust family. This is a really positive step forward for our school and will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of this 160-year-old institution. Specialist schools have faced significant challenges in recent years, including reduced local authority funding and increased tribunal delays. By joining the AET community, we are in a much better position to navigate this changing landscape. Vision impairment will continue to sit at the heart of our provision, our staffing expertise, our culture and our educational approach.”

Deb Rattley, CEO of Aequalis Education Trust, commented: “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.”

Being a part of the Aequalis community will enable NCW to support a number of new developments, including the growth of post-19 education and training pathways, as well as a limited expansion of its provision beyond vision impairment to meet a wider range of SEND needs. The partnership will also see existing estate buildings on NCW’s campus being utilised, such as creating a satellite hub for Chadsgrove College (also part of the AET family) to support young people with physical disabilities and complex medical needs.

Rachel Perks, Principal, added: “We are confident that in AET we have found a partner who shares our mission and can help us strengthen and grow, whilst preserving NCW as an essential asset for the VI community. We are excited about the future, working together to do what we do best – delivering outstanding specialist education for young people.”

Suzanne Hollinshead, NCW Parent Network Co-chair, said: “On behalf of the NCW Parent Network, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to NCW on this exciting partnership with Aequalis. NCW has been an absolute lifeline for our visually impaired children; it is a setting where they can finally find their tribe, receive a tailored accessible education, and develop vital life skills thanks to the commitment and dedication of exceptional specialist staff.”

NCW and AET are confident that the new partnership will enable us to better meet the government’s recent SEND policy priorities, for example around local collaboration and inclusive provision. It follows the recent SEND White Paper, which was published earlier this year.

Aequalis Education Trust

The vision of Aequalis Education Trust (AET) is to create an inclusive and empowering educational community where everyone thrives; this aligns with AET’s values which are being:

Ethical: mutual respect is the foundation for good relationships; we act with care, concern and generosity towards each other. We act with integrity, fairness and transparency always putting children, young people and their families at the centre of our decisions.

Inclusive: learning is best provided in an inclusive environment where children and young people come together irrespective of ability, background, culture, faiths or beliefs. Learners, families and communities are crucial partners in the quest for successful learning. We celebrate diversity and individuality, ensuring equal opportunities and support so all can thrive.

Ambitious: we believe in the power of learning; every young person has a talent that can be nurtured through relentless optimism. In that way, we can transform the lives of young people. We aim high for every learner, working together to raise aspirations, standards and opportunities across our schools and the College.

At Aequalis, the vision is to nurture an ethical, inclusive, and ambitious family of schools and colleges, one where specialist and mainstream education work side by side to help every child and young person thrive. Welcoming NCW into the Trust is a natural extension of this commitment enabling the Trust to support NCW, to learn from dedicated and talented staff and to work together to provide the shared strength, care, and stability needed to secure a bright future for generations to come.

As a blended Multi-Academy Trust, we bring together a diverse range of schools, fostering collaboration and shared expertise that benefits every member of our community.

We have a clear vision, purpose and aims and are committed to creating a positive, inclusive environment where every pupil, without exception, has access to high-quality teaching and the opportunities they deserve.