The new headteacher of Greneway, Roysia and Meridian has said he’s pleased to finally be in a position to progress with the through school project, having taken the reins this week.

Gordon Farquhar – formerly the head of Joyce Frankland Academy in Newport near Saffron Walden – is now at the helm of the three schools governed by the Royston Schools Academy Trust after being appointed in February.

RSAT – which first revealed a proposal for a through school for students in Year 5 to 13 in Garden Walk back in September – submitted plans to the Department of Education last winter, but the decision was delayed so they called off the merger until September 2019.

In a letter to parents, he said: “I am delighted to welcome you all back after what, I hope, has been an enjoyable summer break and for those of you, like me who are new to the schools – welcome to the community!

“It’s great to finally be in a position where we are able to move forward with the through school project in Royston, I am looking forward to working alongside you all to ensure Royston’s most valuable resource, its children, get the best opportunities ans education possible.

“I want to take the opportunity to set out what we are aiming to achieve across Royston Schools Academy Trust, share our aspirations and expectations and my visiion of how I hope we can all work together to achieve them.

“All of us have an important role to play and through collaboration, I firmly believe we will achieve great things.

“Over the last three days, staff from all our sites have been collectively planning how we can achive the same shared values, culture and expectations in all of our schools, and give each student in our care every opportunity to exceed their potential.

“Working with a staff team with such a range of professional experience, expertise and commitment to our young people was truly inspiring – I am looking forward to watching that passion and aspiration in the classroom. It was also fulfilling to finally hold the parents’ forum for those parents with children based at the Meridian site to hear your comments and questions, which will be added to those raised by parents from both Roysia and Greneway earlier in the year.

“Clearly we have some exciting challenges ahead of us and we must never lose sight at the core of this, throughout our school, there are young people who deserve every opportunity to become they adults they aspire to be.”

Mr Farquhar then outlined uniform, equipment, homework and in-class attitude expectations.

He concluded by saying that he is to set up some working groups for parents to contribute their thoughts and opinions as we develop key policies across RSAT. If you would like to be involved register your interest at parentgroups@rsat.org.uk.

“Please take this opportunity to help me and my team shape our school into one where we all have played our part,” he added.