SCHOOLS in Clevedon are set to merge with a Bristol-based academy network by early next year. 

Children currently in schools under the Clevedon Learning Trust (CLT) will ally with schools in the Futura Learning Partnership after a merger was formally approved by the Department for Education (DfE).

The union will create 27 schools across South West England that fall under one academy trust authority. These include 20 primary, six secondary, and one special school over North Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset.

It follows a DfE drive for every school in England and Wales to be part of an academy trust by 2030. 

Chief executive Andrea Arlidge said the two trusts have a common vision and were each committed to developing an 'inclusive organisation based on a powerful understanding of the educational journey' from age of three to 19.

She said: “We are all delighted that the DfE Advisory Board has recognised the strengths of our proposal, which was unanimously supported by both trusts.

"This merger will bring improved opportunities for more than 10,000 young people and 1,500 staff. 

“Each of our schools will retain its own identity, reflective of the community it serves, while also benefiting from the support of a strong trust.”

The new organisation will be called Futura Learning Partnership, a name adopted by the former Wellsway Multi Academy Trust last year, and will use Clevedon Learning Trust's strapline ‘children, choice and collaboration’.

Clevedon School says staff and governors will have the chance to understand more about the merger over the coming months. 

It has set a target date for February next year.

Futura chair of trustees, Malcolm Broad, said: “This is an exciting step forward in our move to secure a confident future for our family of schools. 

“It is our belief that the merger with Clevedon will help to ensure the new Futura Learning Partnership has the capacity and resilience to provide the best education for our pupils alongside high-quality support and wider opportunities for our staff.”

CLT board chair, Alister Christopher, said: “The Advisory Board was very impressed with the proposal and shared our view that joining forces with Futura will create a strong and sustainable new trust, which will benefit current and future pupils and staff. 

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to bring this about.”

The schools in the current Futura Learning Partnership include: Keynsham, Bedminster, Saltford and South Bristol.

CLT schools comprise of: Clevedon, Chilton Trinity, Bridgwater, All Saints, Bridgwater and Yatton among others.