A group of headteachers in St Albans and Harpenden have launched an umbrella trust to formalise their schools’ collaboration.

St Albans and Harpenden Secondary School Headteachers (STASSH), led by Roundwood Park head Alan Henshall, have formed the trust to cement their existing close partnership.

Mr Henshall said: “We are delighted to make this announcement which brings us closer together as partners. Unlike a Multi Academy Trust (or MAT), each school will retain its own leadership and governance but our new Trust means that our collective voice for education can be heard by a wider audience and that we can come together to promote strong outcomes and success for all the young people in our care.”

“The schools initially forming the Trust are Beaumont, Heathlands, Links, Loreto, Marlborough, Roundwood Park, Samuel Ryder, Sandringham, Sir John Lawes, St Albans Girls’, Townsend and Verulam but all secondary schools in the district are supportive of the new Trust.”