A MULTI-ACADEMY trust is to be formed between Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and Churchfields Academy in Swindon.

With an intake of around 300 pupils into Year 7 every year, Royal Wootton Bassett Academy has had an 'Outstanding' rating in every catery og Ofsted inspections in November 2010 and November 2013 and it is hoped that the new alliance will lead its counterpart to improve.

Head George Croxford said: "It is a very exciting development and we have been looking to moving to a multi-academy trust for a while. We do a huge amount of work with other schools both formally and informally and we are now going in a more formal direction which we believe will benefit both schools and give greater opportunities for students and staff.

"Our vision will be to inspire future generations of learners and it is hoped that together the schools will strengthen each other, sharing good practice and building capacity for all schools within the multi-academy trust.

"RWBA strives to maximise the potential of each person in its community and to be able to spread this throughout the MAT will mean that each school will become the best of the best."

The school, which leads the North Wiltshire Teaching Alliance, is also a National Support School and has supported several schools in Wiltshire to improve their Ofsted rating successfully and Sandra Muir, headteacher of Churchfields Academy said she is looking forward to the alliance.

She said: “Churchfields looks forward to cementing the relationship it has built up with Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and is excited by the prospect of joining the new multi-academy trust.

“Becoming part of a MAT will ensure the improvements already started, as recognised by Ofsted, will continue to support the academy on its path to outstanding.

"I am looking forward to continuing to work closely with parents and our local primaries to inspire and create futures for our community. It is important that pupils and staff have high aspirations; by working together we share best practice and improve outcomes for pupils.”

"Students enjoy their time at Churchfields and it is always a pleasure to see them leave us with the qualifications and skills that they need to prepare them for their futures ahead. We take pride in inspiring and creating futures for all."

Further information regarding multi-academy trusts is available on the DfE website: www.education.gov.uk/academies.