TWO WHITCHURCH schools have celebrated a merger to form the new Whitchurch Federation.

Whitchurch CofE Infant and Nursery Academy and Whitchurch CofE Junior Academy have been brought together under the umbrella of the St Bart's Multi-Academy Trust to provide an all through primary education and ensure children in the Whitchurch community enjoy a positive joined up experience from their first day at nursery right through to Year 6.

The federation hopes to give children and their parents a clear and stable educational system that will offer continuity throughout their school life.

New executive principal, Sarah Cope and chair of governors, Rob Knight together with staff from both Academies introduced community representatives, parents and children to the federation's vision and values, new logo and uniform at a launch ceremony last Thursday at the Whitchurch Civic Centre.

Visitors enjoyed performances by the children of both academies, including the winners of the school's recent Whitchurch has got Talent competition.

Mrs Cope said: “This is an exciting time for both academies, where pupils and staff can work together on joint projects, share expertise and resources – putting all our energies into making sure each individual pupil flourishes.”

“We want to value, nurture and further develop the strengths and identities of both Church of England academies, whilst working together to enable joint approaches to assessment and curriculum.”

New benefits of the federation include developing a shared strategic direction, a primary phase curriculum, streamlining decision-making to make more effective use of resources and offering career development opportunities for staff across the whole primary stage.