Infant and Junior schools we are considering are part of a Learning Trust (Hinchley Wood). Is this a good thing?

[Seekingchange]

Not very familiar with the UK primary school system.
We live in Thames Ditton and considering the TD Infant school which is linked to the TD Junior School and Hinchley Wood secondary (which is outstanding). They are all part of a learning lartnership and it looks like the Junior school was converted into an academy a couple of years ago. What does it mean? Is it a good or a bad thing? I was reading that some schools are forced to become academies when they are not performing but their rating was Good and HW is an outstanding school so I assume they wouldn’t partner with an under performing school?

That's exactly what can happen; an underperforming school is taken on by a good one.

@SuperSange but the TD school ofsted reports were “good”, could it still mean underperforming?

It just means that instead of the school being under the "control" of the local authority, the school is run by this Trust. Different "trusts" have different philosophies... and like individual schools before them, some are good some are bad. Sometimes a school is a standalone trust. Other MATs are absolutely huge (like Harris which seems to own every other school in South East London).

Look at the results, like at any progress data, look at the Ofsted report, look at the website etc altogether rather than just relying on one thing.

@TickingAlongNicely results are very good, above national and Surrey average

@Seekingchange , it's a common move when maintained schools academize and join together to become small a MAT. They benefit from autonomy from Surrey CC and economies of scale if there is more than 1 school in the group.

Esher college is a single academy trust, Esher High is part of another MAT, St Paul's is a Catholic Church school. Most of the other schools are in their own co-operative to share resources but are maintained by Surrey CC. Cranmere is also maintained.
Don't over think this!

I wouldn't worry about it. Many schools are now part of Academy Trusts. Many of these chose to, and not because they were failing. If you like the school, I wouldn't overthink the academy thing.

Hi. We are currently looking at moving to Hinchley Wood area/Esher for the schools. I have one in primary and 1 in nursery. We don’t live too far away but have mixed emotions about moving but secondary schools around us for girls are not great. Just wondering if anyone who is living in the area can shed any light on what it is like to live there etc? We have lots of friends where we are, close to everything too so just trying to weigh it all up.