TWO successful groups of schools have joined forces to secure enhanced education provision for thousands of children.

Futura Learning Partnership and Clevedon Learning Trust formally merged at the start of this month, creating a multi academy trust of 28 schools.

The expanded trust covers an area from Bath to Bridgwater.

It includes six secondary, 21 primary and one special school, serving nearly 12,000 children and employing about 1,500 staff.

It is an inclusive organisation, offering a seamless education for children aged two to 19 based on a powerful understanding of the whole learning journey.

The amalgamation was approved by the Department for Education, which recognised that the two trusts had made a strong case for coming together to ensure financial stability and increased capacity to improve schools.

The two trusts chose to gather under the Futura Learning Partnership banner, as it was felt important that the name did not link to any individual school.

Futura originated in Keynsham, centred on Wellsway School, while CLT grew out of Clevedon School.

Chief executive Andrea Arlidge said: “Every school in our family of schools is of equal value.

"It is an absolute pleasure to welcome everyone from CLT into our trust.

"They have given us their strapline - Children, Choice and Collaboration – which perfectly sums up our shared values and ethos.”

Malcolm Broad, chairman of the new Futura board, which includes trustees from both the former trusts, added: “This is a landmark day.

"Our merger has created a strong trust and we look forward to an exciting future.”

Futura Learning Partnership comprises the following schools:

  • SPECIAL: Aspire Academy, Bath;
  • PRIMARY: All Saints CofE Primary School; Bridge Farm Primary School; Chandag Infant School; Chandag Junior School; Cheddar Grove Primary School; Chestnut Park Primary School; Four Acres Academy; Mary Elton Primary School; Northgate Primary School; Puriton Primary School; Saltford CofE Primary School; St John’s CofE Primary School; St Nicholas Chantry CofE Primary School; The Meadows Primary School; Tickenham CofE Primary School; Two Rivers CofE Primary School; Wansdyke Primary School; Westover Green Community School; Willowdown Primary School; Woolavington Village Primary School; Yeo Moor Primary School;
  • SECONDARY: Bedminster Down School; Chilton Trinity School; Clevedon School; IKB Academy; SBL Academy; Wellsway School.