GREAT Bedwyn Primary school has become part of Excalibur Academies Trust, as the school joined several others in the area to become an independent academy.

The school will continue to be state funded, but will receive funding directly from the Government and have greater control over how that money is spent.

Excalibur Academies Trust was set up in 2012 with Marlborough secondary school St John’s the first school to become part of the trust. Other schools in the area include Oare, Ogbourne, st Katharine’s in Savernake Burbage, Easton Royal primary schools and now Great Bedwyn Primary School.

Nicola Williams, principal of Great Bedwyn CofE Primary School, said, “Having undertaken considerable research, the Governors and I believe that joining Excalibur offers Great Bedwyn the opportunity to become part of a forward thinking multi academy trust that will enable us to continue to provide an exceptional educational experience for our pupils and development opportunities for our staff.”

Children celebrated the announcement by playing outdoors on the hottest day in April recorded since 1949 as Toby Watson and Patrick Hazlewood of Excalibur and Nicola Williams and Gill Mortimer of Great Bewdyn Primary School toasted the partnership.