As the Trust continues to enhance specialist provision, three academies are entering a new phase of growth.
The Rebrand
Westbury Academy and Denewood Academy will be renamed Willowfield Academy and Brookvale Academy, while Unity Academy will become Fairhaven Academy.
These changes demonstrate the Trust’s commitment to strengthening specialist education and supporting every young person’s success.
These changes reflect growth and enhancement, not a shift in direction. Each academy is known for supporting pupils who need specialist environments to thrive. Both Westbury Academy and Denewood Academy have been rated “Good” by Ofsted, highlighting their quality of education, leadership, and care. With the addition of new satellite sites, Willowfield and Brookvale will support more young people who need safe, structured environments to rebuild confidence and re-engage with learning.
The transition from Unity Academy to Fairhaven Academy marks the ongoing development of the Trust’s virtual school provision. In partnership with a broad network of alternative providers, Fairhaven will coordinate high-quality support for pupils permanently excluded from mainstream education, ensuring they remain supported, visible, and ambitious for their futures.
Although the academies’ names are changing, the values, expertise, and strong foundations of Westbury, Denewood, and Unity remain unchanged. These new identities mark the next stage in expanding opportunity, strengthening specialist provision, and supporting every young person’s success.
Willowfield Academy, Brookvale Academy, and Fairhaven Academy now form a stronger, more connected network of specialist support across the Trust, providing the stability, expertise, and ambition needed to transform young people’s futures.
Westbury Academy has developed a strong reputation for supporting pupils with complex social, emotional and mental health needs. In its most recent inspection, Ofsted recognised the positive culture within the school, noting that:
“The vast majority say that they now enjoy school. They say that they are happy here and feel safe.” Inspectors also highlighted the strong expectations and ethos that underpin the school’s work: “Leaders and staff have high expectations for pupils’ achievement and behaviour. They share the vision that No Child is Left Behind.”
As Willowfield Academy, the school will build on its strengths and expand with an additional satellite site. This new provision will enhance the academy’s ability to offer safe, supportive environments where pupils can rebuild trust in education, develop confidence, and prepare for their next steps.
The new name reflects the academy’s role as a place where young people find stability, build confidence, and move forward successfully.
Denewood Academy has long been recognised for the strong relationships and inclusive culture that support pupils to re-engage with education. In its most recent inspection, Ofsted noted:
“Pupils feel happy and safe. They enjoy positive relationships with staff and their peers and benefit from a respectful and inclusive culture.”Inspectors also highlighted the ambition of staff in supporting pupils’ futures:“Staff have high expectations. They help pupils to re-engage with education and support them to move on to appropriate and sustained destinations.”
As Brookvale Academy, the school will build on its strong foundation and expand through a new satellite site. This will allow the academy to support more young people who need structured, supportive environments with high expectations.
The new name reflects the academy’s commitment to creating calm, supportive spaces where pupils can rebuild confidence and work toward positive futures.
Unity Academy has developed a strong reputation for supporting pupils to rebuild their engagement with education through personalised provision and strong partnerships with alternative providers.
In its most recent “Good” inspection, Ofsted recognised the culture of support and ambition within the academy, noting that:
“Staff have high expectations of pupils.”Inspectors also recognised the strong sense of safety and trust experienced by pupils:
“Pupils feel safe… They all have trusted adults to talk to if they have any concerns.”
The inspection further highlighted the academy’s success in preparing pupils for their next steps:
“Their time at Unity Academy helps pupils to move on to purposeful destinations when they leave.”
As Fairhaven Academy, the school will continue to build on its strengths and further develop its role as the Trust’s virtual school for pupils permanently excluded from mainstream education. In partnership with a wide network of alternative providers, Fairhaven will coordinate personalised learning pathways to help pupils re-engage with education, rebuild confidence, and prepare for positive futures in education, employment, or training.