PRIESTLEY College could team up with four secondary schools and two primary schools to create a ground-breaking new multi academy trust.

Penketh High, Beamont Collegiate Academy, Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High, Bridgwater High, Penketh South Primary and Great Sankey Primary are all planning to join the sixth form to create one of the largest trusts in the north west and one of the first MATs to include a faith school.

A consultation has opened today into the creation of the Challenge Academy Trust, which would be responsible for more than 6,000 youngsters.

But the team behind the plans have reassured parents that admissions policies at the schools will not change, so children currently studying at schools outside of the MAT will not lose out.

Matthew Grant, principal at Priestley, said: “Becoming a MAT will enable us to be more effective and cost effective, allowing us to invest more in teaching and learning for young people.

“This MAT will also be unique because it will include a selection of schools, including a faith school. We are working closely with the Dioceses of Liverpool and Chester at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.

“The ethos of each individual organisation is protected. The local governing bodies will stay so parents will still have a say in how the schools are run.”

Schools joining the MAT would keep their own headteacher and the Challenge Trust is not looking to employ a new CEO or management team.

Mr Grant said no jobs will be lost at any of the schools as a result of the MAT and instead it would make it easier for schools to save money by sharing resources and support.

Another aim of the MAT will be to improve schools like Sir Thomas Boteler, which was put into special measures in 2014 but is making ‘dramatic improvements’.

Schools that are already academies, such as Penketh High, Bridgewater High and Beamont Collegiate, which is part of Warrington Collegiate’s trust, can apply to switch from their existing trust to the Challenge MAT.

Ben Dunne, headteacher at Penketh High, said: “Historically, the heads at all of these schools have worked together anyway.

“We believe in choice. Parents have the choice to send their children to whatever school and we want to work closely with other trusts and other schools outside the MAT.

“We are looking to offer very clear pathways and wider opportunities. This will be good for the youngsters of Warrington.

“Down the line, we think this is something that Warrington will be very proud of. The country will be looking to Warrington as it takes the lead on this.”

Consultation meetings will take place at Bridgewater High School on January 23 at 7pm and Great Sankey Primary on January 30 at 7pm.

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