 In 2007, Rob Gibson, the (former) headteacher of The Ridings High School was invited by the DCSF to consider a move to academy status as the Lead (non-financial) sponsor in a Hard Federation, incorporating King Edmund Community School in Yate.As a result, in September 2009, The Ridings Federation of Academies was established with two independent academies, Winterbourne International Academy (formerly 'The Ridings High School' and the lead sponsor) and Yate International Academy (formerly King Edmund Community School).Gibson became the Chief Executive Principal of the Federation and the Statutory Headteacher of both academies.