What is a Federation?

A federation is a formal and legal agreement between schools to operate with a single governing body. The decision to federate is made by the governing bodies of each school following a consultation process with key partners such as parents, staff and the Local Authority.

Many of the potential benefits of a federation have already been seen as the schools have had a close working relationship for some time, however Governors of both schools believe that a formal collaboration will further increase benefits to the pupils by enhancing educational provision.

Federation is a mechanism aimed primarily at reinforcing leadership and governance of, and collaboration and co-operation between, schools.

The two schools remain as separate legal establishments with their individual identities. There will continue to be an OFSTED inspection in each school, results will be published for each school and their funding will be determined separately.

Why Federate?

Beauchamps High School and Wickford Primary School have enjoyed a close working relationship for several years. This partnership has now been formalised through the creation of a federation with a single Governing Body.

Working together as a federation will:

Ensure the schools retain their own identity while being part of a larger community
Facilitate the sharing of best practice and professional expertise
Enable closer alignment of curriculum progression and improve transition between schools
Provide access to a wider range of facilities
Offer development opportunities for staff across both schools
Create financial efficiencies through economies of scale, improving purchasing power and cost savings

Our Schools

Wickford Primary School is a mixed community primary school in Wickford, Essex, welcoming children aged 4–11. Located on Market Road, the school is known for its friendly ethos built around the values Honest, Positive, Determined, Respectful.

The school is led by Headteacher Mrs Lorraine Ramet, and recent Ofsted inspections have recognised it as a Good school (January 2023), highlighting strong teaching, behaviour, and leadership.

Beauchamps High School is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form in Wickford, Essex, providing education for students aged 11–18.

The school is led by Executive Headteacher Mr Mathew Harper and is known for its inclusive, community‑focused ethos built around the motto “The Beauchamps Community is a Family.” It offers a broad curriculum through to GCSE and A‑level, and its most recent Ofsted inspection (January 2025) judged the school Good across all key areas.

Core Vision & Values

The schools in our federation have their own identity, vision and values.

However, there are core principles that run through our schools, including:

Inclusivity

Mutual respect and courtesy

Staff knowing the students well and unlocking potential in all

British Values

Very close links with Essex Local Authority

Our federation is made up of Essex LA maintained schools with a commitment to do the best for the communities we serve

Federation Leaders work closely with The Director and Assistant Directors of Education to ensure they are at the heart of LA policy

Mr Harper (Executive Headteacher) is part of the Inclusion Review Development Team and has been part of many inclusion reviews in all school phases to offer support and share best practice

Mr Harper also supports many Headteachers in his elected role as Chair of the Secondary Headteachers Association in Essex (ASHE) in the Wickford, Billericay and Basildon districts

Federation Leaders have led on an innovative transition project in Wickford, which has been shared as a model of best practice across Essex

Our Federation also enjoys a close working relationship with the Children’s Support Service (CSS) – another LA school which supports vulnerable students across the south of the county