SCHOOLS in Bridport are aiming to strengthen their links and are proposing to form a joint academy.

Burton Bradstock Primary School, Bridport Primary School, St Mary's Primary School and the Sir John Colfox Academy will be consulting parents about forming a Multi Academy Trust at a meeting later this month.

Helen Farmer, headteacher at St Mary's Primary School said: "As schools we have already been working together for a long time and are looking forward to building on this relationship.

"We believe a Multi Academy Trust will provide better educational opportunities for the children and ensure they receive the best possible experience from reception through to sixth form, enabling them to flourish and make the most of their skills, talents and abilities."

In a Multi Academy Trust all four schools would receive their share of the money that currently goes to the local authority to support schools.

They would then have the flexibility to focus this on their own priorities.

Kay Taylor, headteacher at the Sir John Colfox Academy said: "This would give us the opportunity to focus specifically on the needs of Bridport children."

"We would be making our own decisions, supporting each other, and targeting funds where they are needed most."

As a joint academy the schools aim to plan and develop more projects together and have teachers share their skills and create a more coherent curriculum for the children.

The proposal also aims to have the young people of Bridport and Burton Bradstock come together more regularly and develop their skills in art and sport.

David Powell, chair of governors at Bridport Primary School said: "Our schools will look to strengthen partnerships with all families and pre-school providers to ensure all children have the skills and understanding required to have a successful start to their school life and an even smoother transition to secondary school."

Julian Piper, chair of governors at Burton Bradstock School said: "The underlying motivation to create the Multi Academy Trust was to further improve the learning opportunities of all the young people by taking control of our own destiny.

"We believe that together we can provide more coherent learning opportunities because school staff working in the Bridport area know what helps their own local students to achieve their best whilst meeting the particular needs of the locality."

Parents and the community will have a chance to hear more about the proposals at a meeting at The Sir John Colfox Academy on Monday June 15 at 7pm.