Welcome Gargrave Church of England Primary School!

Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust is pleased to announce that Gargrave Church of England Primary School will formally join the Trust on 1 June 2026, following approval from the Diocese of Leeds and the Department for Education.

This conversion marks a significant milestone for the school and for the Trust's continued commitment to support schools in Craven, strengthening the local offer alongside Skipton Parish and Embsay Church of England primary schools and further enabling deeper collaboration, shared expertise and sustainable school improvement.

The Governing Body of Gargrave Church of England Primary School has made the decision to join the Trust to further secure the best possible outcomes for pupils, staff, and the wider community, building on the school’s strong foundation and values-led approach.

Sarah Peel, Headteacher of Gargrave Church of England Primary School said:

“Joining Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust represents an important step forward for our school community. This partnership allows us to build on our existing strengths while benefiting from the shared expertise, resources, and support of a strong and collaborative trust. Most importantly, it ensures we can continue to deliver high-quality education for our children while maintaining our distinctive character as a Church of England school at the heart of the community.”

The Chief Executive of Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, Jane Goodwin, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Gargrave Church of England Primary School into the Trust. The school’s strong community ethos and commitment to high-quality education align with our values and will importantly continue to be the basis of ongoing strength and development. As the third school in Craven to become part of the Trust, it further enhances the collective capacity of our schools to deliver ambition, learning and enrichment for all children.”

The Trust’s locality-based model will enable Gargrave to benefit from:

• access to specialist support across school improvement, SEND, safeguarding, and leadership

• shared central services including finance, HR, estates, and compliance

• improved workforce resilience through collaboration and flexible deployment

• opportunities for staff development and career progression across the Trust The Trust is proudly comprised of both church and community schools and as a Church of England school, Gargrave will continue to celebrate its Christian distinctiveness, supported by the strong ethos of the Trust as a Diocesan partner.

Justin Water, Chief Operating Officer of Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, added:

“The development of a strong Craven hub is a key strategic priority for the Trust. Gargrave joining enables us to further embed a locality-based operating model, improving access to shared resources, strengthening delivery capacity, and ensuring long-term sustainability. This approach supports both educational outcomes and operational efficiency, allowing schools to focus on what matters most, ensuring that all children receive an education that is ambitious.”

Importantly, Gargrave Church of England Primary School will retain its name, identity, and place within the local community, while benefiting from being part of a wider family of schools committed to continuous improvement and shared success.