Trustees of both MATs have agreed to begin the formal process for the schools to transfer to ODST, and highlighted their shared vision and values and opportunities:

Sharon Mullins, ODST CEO said:

'The vision, values and ethos of Bonitas schools align very closely with ODST, and their location in Bracknell offers great opportunities for collaboration particularly in the Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead areas. Ranelagh is an Outstanding secondary school, and welcoming KS4 and KS5 students to ODST for the first time would be an extremely exciting new chapter, as well as an important step in the strategic development of the trust.

The trustees, the central team and I will be working closely with Bonitas as we move through the process over the next few months. We feel very strongly that we can offer a wealth of expertise, support and a welcoming new home for the two school communities, and benefit from what they will bring to our family of schools.'

Bonitas Multi academy trust said:

Bonitas’s vision has always been to see children and staff flourish, through values-led, high-quality education in an inclusive and collaborative community. Trustees have in recent months been exploring how to further strengthen our schools in line with this vision, and have formally agreed to begin the process for Bonitas schools to become part of a larger MAT, Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST). 

The Trustees are confident that the vision, values and ethos of ODST align very closely with Bonitas, that this proposal is beneficial for our staff, students and wider community, and offers significant opportunity for growth and development of our schools. '