On Tuesday 2nd July the Academy Transformation Trust (ATT) hosted the largest Armed Forces Covenant signing in the West Midlands. A total of 23 Armed Forces Covenants were signed at the event held at The Queen Elizabeth Academy in Warwickshire. The signatories were the ATT and all 22 of their member Academies. Having this number of signatories at one event is previously unheard of in the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) region.
The West Midland RFCA’s Engagement Team have led on the organisation of this event alongside members of staff at the local Bristnall Hall Academy, whose Principal Vince Green was influential in getting ATT and its 22 Academies to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, demonstrating their commitment to and advocacy of the Covenant.
Debbie Clinton, CEO of Academy Transformation Trust commented “This is a momentous day for ATT. Our partnership with, and respect for, the spirit and intent of the Armed Forces Covenant is hugely important. We are immensely proud to be part of such a vital national initiative. We will go on to celebrate loudly our support for such a significant national movement”.
Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Warwickshire, Mr Tim Cox, attended this first of a kind event. He was accompanied by his Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet from the RAF Air Cadets, Cadet Flight Sergeant Lillian Marsh.
The event was opened by Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Maybery QGM, Chief Executive of West Midland RFCA who spoke about the Associations and what all thirteen do. He was followed by Colonel Rosie Stone VR DL, Deputy Commander Reserves for 11 Signal and West Midlands Brigade who spoke about the Military Academic Partnership.
Philip Sinclair, Regional Employer Engagement Director at West Midland RFCA added “We are very excited about this event and delighted that all the member academies of the ATT have pledged support. We look forward to working alongside ATT and recognising their support in the future.”
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The ATT and its member Academies have all committed pledges to demonstrate their support to the Armed Forces community, and to the principles of Covenant.
The Academy Transformation Trust are a multi-academy trust of 22 primary and secondary academies based in the Midlands, East of England and East Anglia. Their vision is to ensure that all children and young people, regardless of their background, fulfil their educational potential and maximise their life chances. ATT are committed to working inclusively within their communities, embracing the varied localities they serve and are committed to honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and supporting our Armed Forces community. The member Academies of the Trust are:
From East Anglia;
Beck Row Primary Academy
Great Heath Academy
Hathaway Academy
Iceni Academy (Primary)
Iceni Academy (Secondary)
Kingsmoor Academy
Mark Hall Academy
Mildenhall College Academy
Ravens Academy
The Nicholas Hamond Academy
Westbourne Academy
From the East Midlands;
Sutton Community Academy
The Dukeries Academy
And from the West Midlands;
Academy Transformation Trust
Bristnall Hall Academy
Caldmore Primary Academy
Jubilee Academy Mossley
North Walsall Primary Academy
Phoenix Academy
Pool Hayes Academy
Star Academy Sandyford
Sun Academy Bradwell
The Queen Elizabeth Academy