A HIGH school is set to be transferred to a new academy trust after the move was given the go-ahead from the Government.

Atherton Community School, which was part of the Chapel Street Community Schools Trust, is set to be handed over to Education Partnership Trust (EPT).

Chapel Street is also set to transfer Burnley High School to EPT, stating that it has "decided it is in the best interests of the children and young people at the schools that they transfer to a new trust".

EPT leads five other schools, based in Blackburn and Burnley.

The transfers are subject to a due diligence process but it is hoped EPT will become the sponsor of Atherton Community School this summer.

Chapel Street’s five other schools are also set to taken over by a different trust.

Chief executive of Chapel Street James Royal said: “Over the last few months, the trustees of Chapel Street Community Schools Trust have been considering whether its seven schools should be led by new academy trusts so that they can begin the next stages of their journeys.

"We are proud of what we have achieved at the schools.

"However, we are a trust which has always taken decisions which are in the best interests of our pupils and we believe that, going forward, these will be served by the financial security a new trust can bring and which will provide the school with the stability needed for future success."

“EPT is a successful organisation and is focused on delivering the very best outcomes possible for children.

"EPT is very keen and excited to be working with the children, staff and parents of both schools, and we are committed to making it a really good fit for Atherton Community School and Burnley High School.

“We are fully focused on ensuring the transfers go as smoothly as possible and will do all we can to minimise the interruption to staff and children during the process. A process so that staff can transfer across to EPT has already begun.”

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EPT chief executive Sharon Roscoe said: “We are humbled and excited to be named as the preferred MAT for Burnley High School and Atherton Community School.

“We recognise the significant responsibility and believe that we have the skills, experience and proven track record to be successful.

"The trust welcomes the opportunity to work with the schools on the next stage of their journey.

“We are driven to achieving the very best outcomes for all our pupils and strongly believe in working in partnership to transform learning, lives and communities.”