THE Department for Education has announced that the Tauheedul Education Trust will take over three Bradford schools after another academy chain dramatically pulled out of running the organisations.

Just days into the new school year, Wakefield City Academies Trust announced it would be looking for new sponsors to run its 21 schools, including three in the district - Thornbury Academy, Barkerend Academy and High Crags Academy in Shipley.

The three schools will remain part of WCAT until they are transferred to the new trust, which sponsors 25 other schools including Tong Leadership Academy and Laisterdyke Leadership Academy.

Baildon Councillor Mike Pollard, one of the governors at High Crags, said: "My initial impressions of the Tauheedul Education Trust are favourable. It seems that they have a good grip on delivering desirable school improvements.

"As of now the WCAT situation still remains to be formally wound up.

"We are optimistic that the situation will be considerably better than our unfortunate situation with WCAT."

Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, chief executive of Tauheedul Education Trust, said he is looking forward to working with the schools.

He said: “We are pleased to have been confirmed as the chosen sponsor of these three primary schools.

“Working closely with the schools over the last few months, we have already begun to build relationships with the governors, principals and senior leaders at each school.

"We look forward to driving improvements at each school and building a vibrant, dynamic and forward-looking partnership of schools that meets the needs of the local communities.

“Together we will work towards our ultimate objective of providing children at these schools with an education of the highest standards while building character and resilience and nurturing their leadership potential.”

The government said the trust, which is based in Blackburn, has a track record of delivering "outstanding outcomes" for students and all seven of it's schools that have been inspected by Ofsted to date have been given the highest rating.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Our priority has always been to work quickly to provide certainty for pupils and teachers, and these decisions reflect the views of parents and staff. We will be working to minimise disruption for pupils and ensure a smooth transfer to the new trusts, supported by the regional schools commissioner. New trusts for the remaining 10 schools will be confirmed shortly.”

Judith Kirk, Bradford Council's Deputy Director for Education, Employment and Skills said: “It is good news that these three schools can now move forward with an academy sponsor with a strong track record. 

“Tauheedul Education Trust is already working with two secondary schools in Bradford and we look forward to working with them to help them provide the best possible education for pupils at Barkerend Academy, High Crags Primary and Thornbury Academy. 

“The trust has already been working with each of these schools to provide support and we know they are committed to working in the Bradford district with the communities of the schools they are sponsoring.”