The trust which runs Sir John Talbot’s School in Whitchurch has announced it is set to add three more to its roster.

The Marches Academy Trust says the Regional Schools Commissioner has agreed in principle for Shrewsbury Academy, Grange Primary School and Longlands Community Primary School, in Shrewsbury and Market Drayton, respectively, to join the successful Trust.

The schools would join the current members of the Marches Academy Trust – The Marches School, Oswestry, Lower Heath Primary School, Tilstock Primary School and The Grove in Market Drayton.

Sarah Longville, chief executive of the Marches Academy Trust, is was keen to show there will not be wholesale changes ahead of the consulation period.

She said: “The Marches Academy Trust has developed and grown into a formidable team of schools, with a common aim of giving the children of Shropshire a first class education. Unless there are methods that we think can improve the schools, then changes will not be made. Our aim is to give the children an excellent and wide array of opportunities in the years to come.

The move would also allow the schools to be provided with invaluable advice, staff support, financial support, the sharing of expertise from the other schools and to be given more freedom to undertake innovative projects with the other members.

The opportunity for collaboration on events, trips and sporting fixtures would lead to more varied cultural experiences, with trips to Switzerland, Ecuador and France in the pipeline and many domestic visits planned.

Ms Longville added: The Marches Academy Trust supported the transition of Sir John Talbot’s School which now sits as one of the top schools in Shropshire. The Trust would work hard to replicate the successes across the three new schools ensuring every child has access to a first class education.

The trust is hosting ‘public engagement’ events in order to begin the consultation process with all stakeholders, provide information about the Marches Academy Trust and share the Trust ethos and vision. They will be on Monday at Shrewsbury Academy at 6pm and Grange Primary School from 7.15pm, and on Thursday, June 27 at Longlands Community Primary School at 6pm.

Parents, carers, members of the community and local businesses are invited to attend any of the events where Ms Longville, will host a short presentation and be on hand to answer any questions.