Two academy trusts in new partnership

TWO academy trusts in Somerset and the West of England are set to join forces early next year.

The proposed merger between Futura Learning Partnership and Clevedon Learning Trust has received formal approval from the Department for Education.

It will create a trust comprising 27 schools - one special, 20 primary and six secondary - across Somerset, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

The new organisation will be called Futura Learning Partnership.

Chief executive Andrea Arlidge said: “This merger will bring improved opportunities for more than 10,000 young people and 1500 staff.”

The proposal is in line with the Government’s ambition for every school to be part of a strong trust by 2030. The target date for the merger is February 2023.