TWO Catholic schools in Barrow are among those chosen to form a new academy trust in Cumbria.

Catholic schools across Cumbria are coming together to form an academy trust to provide an exciting new future for education in the county.

Eight secondary and primary schools in Cumbria and North Lancashire will form the new Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust.

The plan is for more Catholic schools in the diocese of Lancaster to follow in the near future.

A spokesman the Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust said the plans aim to 'improve and inspire educational aspiration' for young people through its ethos of 'Loving, Living, Learning Together'.

The eight founding schools, who officially converted as of yesterday, are: Sacred Heart Catholic Primary in Barrow, St Bernard’s Catholic High School in Barrow, St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School in Carlisle, St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School in Windermere, Dean Gibson Catholic Primary in Kendal, St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School in Carlisle, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Lancaster and St Joseph’s Catholic High School in Workington.

Jacky Kennedy, interim executive lead, described the academy trust as an 'exciting prospect' in which participating schools can support one another.

She said: “Our trust schools will be working together to find ways of challenging and supporting each other to improve further. Working together as a group of Catholic schools is an exciting prospect and one we feel will bring out our strengths.”

Canon Luiz Ruscillo, chair of the trust board, welcomed the chance of working together as Catholic schools.

“I am very proud to be part of this project at its beginning and it fills us all with great confidence to be able to work closely together as Catholic Schools. We are committed to serving all the children, young people and families to the best of our ability and in all things seeking to serve God."