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 category of Ofsted inspections in November 2010 and November 2013

The designated Teaching School leads the North Wiltshire Teaching Alliance of 25 schools. It is also a National Support School and is led by George Croxfield, a national leader in education.

As a National Support School it has supported several schools to improve; notably three out of Special Measures to achieve a 'good' rating by Ofsted within 18 months.

Mr Croxford said: “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.

"We are committed to continuous improvement and look forward to working with more schools within the MAT. At RWBA we pride ourselves on producing responsible, health conscious, global 21st century citizens who will give to society.

"We are proud of the very high achievement of our pupils and most stay onto sixth form. Many progress to top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.”

Sandra Muir, headteacher of Churchfields Academy since January, 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 (MAT).

“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.”

“Churchfields has been in Swindon since 1964. We believe that within each child there is real potential to achieve and that as teachers, it is our job to ensure that this potential is met through academic studies, creativity and a desire to believe in yourself.

"Churchfields offers a rounded curriculum to suit children of all abilities and has excellent facilities to support this. We take pride in the focus we give to each child as an individual and how we help them to develop and grow to be successful and be a good citizen.

"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