Three schools have taken the first steps in a major initiative to further boost achievement of students in South West Durham after winning government funding of more than £100,000.
Aycliffe school Woodham Academy has joined forces with Chilton Academy and Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College to help their students achieve at the next level in a group called the Eden Learning Trust.
Members of the three schools came together at Chilton Academy where children had organised a musical event to celebrate the launch.
Woodham head Christine Forsyth said: “Our focus will be the children and to ensure that we provide the very best quality of education, which ever school they may be in.”
Kevin Brennan, head teacher of Ferryhill said: “This is tremendous opportunity for the three highly successful schools to work together.
“Whilst each school will remain independent, there will be a raft of collaborative projects planned to help to boost the achievement of all our students.
“We have a great starting point with Chiliton being nationally recognised for its work with young people, Ferryhill with GCSE results often in the Top 10 percent and Woodham’s GCSE results this year that are simply outstanding. It’s a winning combination.”
Amanda Pybus-Coates, head teacher of Chilton Academy, added: “These are exciting times for the schools and we have already had interest from other schools in the area, asking to join in.”