THE creation of a new multi academy trust made up of seven schools has been delayed until next year because of the general election.

The Omega MAT will include Great Sankey High School and Barrow Hall, Burtonwood, Callands, Chapelford Village, Park Road and Westbrook Old Hall primary schools.

But plans for all the organisations to convert to academies and join the group in time for the start of the new school year have been scuppered by a series of 'frustrating' issues.

A spokesman for the trust said the election June 8 and several 'legal and land lease' negotiations have pushed the conversion date to January.

The trust also confirmed there will be no changes to staff pay or working conditions, and it is consulting with employees on TUPE regulations to protect their rights.

Jon Wright, designate chief executive, said: "Our due diligence process has been considering all aspects of our schools, in particular checking buildings-related and financial risks.

"We know that to maximise the MAT opportunities and make the economies of scale we seek, in a world of shrinking budgets, will take time.

"Some things will change more immediately and the additional time next term will allow us all to trial some new provision and offer staff training for new systems and ways of working.

"We are keen to empower our staff to do the best possible job they can to achieve the best possible school experience for all of our pupils."

All schools have now received academy orders from the department for education and are preparing to join the trust.

A spokesman said: "The vision for the MAT is based on continuity of education for 14 years, taking children through both primary and secondary phases of education. It aims to provide the best opportunity for its local community.

"All of the headteachers and governing bodies are working closely together to achieve the best possible school experience for our pupils and make sure we use this opportunity to develop their learning, through improved resources and facilities, wherever possible."

Plans for Great Sankey High to expand into the former site of Barrow Hall Primary have been approved by the government and the secondary school has also been given permission to increase its pupil numbers from 315 per year group to 375 in September 2018.

Proposals for children at primary schools within the Omega Trust to automatically be given places at Great Sankey High were scrapped in February after parents, councillors and the Diocese of Liverpool said the admissions policy would be 'unfair'.