Co-operative-sponsored primary school opens in Leeds

The Co-operative Group’s chief executive, Richard Pennycook was in Leeds on 26 September to open a new primary school, which is part of the Co-operative Academies Trust.

Nightingale Primary Academy in Stanley Road is the fourth primary school in East Leeds that has been sponsored by the Group and will be fully completed by the end of the year. The other primary schools were Oakwood School in Gipton, Woodlands in Harehills, and Brownhill in Burmantofts – and the large secondary Academy, The Co-operative Academy of Leeds.

Richard Pennycook said: “I am very proud of what the Co-operative Academies Trust is doing and how the five schools are working together to deliver the highest standards of education based on co-operative values and principles. They are committed to creating an outstanding learning community where all pupils achieve their maximum potential.

“We believe that educational success is built upon a strong partnership between parents, pupils, staff and the local community. Indeed, it is yet another example of how we are living out our new purpose of ‘championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities’.”

The primary school currently has 60 reception class children. Councillor Judith Blake, Leeds City Council’s executive member responsible for children and families, welcomed the launch of the new primary school.

She said: “Here in Leeds we want all our children to be able to benefit from an outstanding education and I’m delighted that we now have a brand new primary school for the children of Harehills. We will work closely with the academy and the trust to ensure a successful start for the school and its pupils and I look forward to visiting the school in the future.”

Stephen McMullan, deputy director for The Co-operative Academies Trust, added: “We want every child to achieve and we encourage all our parents to get involved actively in the life of the schools.

“The Co-operative is run in line with its enduring values and principles, dating back to 1844 when the first successful Co-operative Society was formed, and these are the basis of the Academy’s ethos.”