We are delighted to welcome St Mark’s Church of England Primary School to Tenax Schools Trust. From 1st September 2026, St Mark’s becomes part of our family of schools across Kent and East Sussex.
The decision to join followed careful consideration by St Mark’s leaders and governors, with the advice and support of the Diocese of Rochester, and a period of listening to the views of staff, parents and the wider school community. What shone through was a shared belief: that schools are stronger together, and that the right support behind the scenes helps teachers and leaders do their very best work for children.
Mark Cole, Chief Executive Officer of Tenax Schools Trust, said:
“It is a real pleasure to welcome St Mark’s to Tenax. From our very first conversations, it was clear how much we have in common. We share the same values, the same ambition for children, and the same belief that schools achieve more together. We are genuinely looking forward to working alongside everyone at St Mark’s, and to everything we will achieve together.”
Simon Bird, Headteacher of St Mark’s, added:
“We are excited to join the Tenax Schools Trust and look forward to the many benefits of working within a collaborative community. Sharing expertise, supporting one another and a shared commitment to excellence will help every child flourish.”
For families, St Mark’s keeps its name, its uniform, its ethos and its place at the heart of its community. What changes is the support around the school, additional expertise, strong professional networks, and shared opportunities for staff. All of this, over time, helps a school go from strength to strength.
We look forward to working alongside everyone at St Mark’s, and to what we will achieve together.
Excellence together: transformative education for every child.