Two more Barrow schools are starting the new year by announcing plans to join South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

South Walney Juniors and Cambridge Primary School have both decided to academise and join SCMAT from September 1 2023.

This follows Newbarns School’s decision to join the Furness College-led Trust, which already has Ormsgill and Vickerstown Schools among its members together with founding school Chetwynde.

With education at its heart and a real focus on pupils achieving their full potential and gaining valuable academic and life skills, The South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust began in 2021.

The trust is committed to providing excellent education across Barrow and the surrounding areas and will work with industry and the wider community.

SCMAT Chief Executive Professor Andrew Wren said he was delighted the governing bodies at South Walney Juniors and Cambridge had both resolved to join.

Mr Wren said: “We are really looking forward to working with three new schools this year. When I met with the headteachers – Zena and Jenny – I could see that they shared the values of our Trust to retain the individuality of each school while being part of a bigger network and all the benefits that will bring.

“When the Trust was formed 18 months ago, I could not have envisaged how popular it would have been but I think governors, heads and staff are already seeing the progress we are making with our member schools through supporting curriculum improvements and putting them at the forefront of decision-making about what is right for their school.”

Zena Lines, headteacher at South Walney Junior School, said: “We can see that being part of SCMAT will help us to tap into shared expertise across like-minded member schools and this will benefit the amazing pupils and staff here long-term.”

Jenny Lavery, headteacher at Cambridge Primary School, said: “Our Governors chose SCMAT after meeting with the senior team there and hearing about their vision and their aspirations for pupils and we are really excited to start the process of academisation to further strengthen our wonderful school.”