IPACA’s lead sponsor is set to step aside and the academy will no longer join a national multi-academy trust.

As reported in the Echo IPACA was set to join the Aldridge Education national trust next year.

The Aldridge Foundation, which launched the trust, has announced that it will be stepping aside as the school’s lead sponsor.

It has also announced that it is no longer in the best interest for IPACA to join the trust.

In a statement, the foundation said: “The Aldridge Foundation has been the lead sponsor of IPACA since 2011 and, as an Aldridge academy, it was right that we gave full consideration to IPACA moving into the new Aldridge Education Multi-Academy Trust.

“During the last few months we have listened carefully to the views of parents and the wider community. Following discussions with the RSC (regional schools commissioner), and mutually agreed with her, we now believe that it is no longer in the best interests of the children and IPACA to continue with the governing body’s decision to join our multi-academy trust.”

It added that it believes IPACA needs the support of a trust with more resources to deploy locally due to its educational and financial position.

The statement continued: “Amongst our sponsored schools IPACA is unique in being the only secondary and sixth form school for its community, and providing the majority of primary education on Portland as well.

“Our only priority in this process is the success of the children of Portland.

“As sponsor we have led the development of a great new campus at Maritime House.

“With Joss Hayes joining the school last autumn, a recently boosted senior leadership team, and having developed a clear plan for rapidly improving results at the academy, we believe that IPACA can have a great future.”

The Aldridge Foundation has agreed with the RSC that it will stand down as the sponsor of the academy and is in the process of agreeing the date when this will happen and transitional arrangements.

The school will continue to be run by the principal and the governing body, with the additional support of the interim academy board.

Both IPACA and Aldridge said they believe the decision will not affect the day-to-day running of the school.

The foundation has also pledged to support the school during the transition, IPACA principal Joss Hayes and chairman of governors Reverend Tim Gomm said that they recognise the need for the support of a strong sponsor multi-academy trust (MAT).

In a letter to parents, they said: “We will be working with the RSC to find the right MAT to provide the support that we need. It is important that we move quickly to find a sponsor who can help us to improve outcomes for our children. The RSC will be visiting Portland in the coming weeks to look at the progress we have made and I know that she is also keen to hear local views.” Last month, parents and the NUT held a protest against joining the trust.

MP for South Dorset Richard Drax has been working with those involved to find 'the best outcome' for the children. Speaking to the Echo, he said he has 'every confidence' a new sponsor can be found 'for the benefit of local schoolchildren.'