SCHOOLS across Bury have come together after converting to academy status.

Higher Lane Primary School in Whitefield, East Ward Primary School in Bury, and Sunny Bank Primary School in Bury, have joined to create the Vision Multi Academy Trust.

All schools officially converted to academy status on July 1.

Carol McLachlan, headteacher of Higher Lane Primary School said: “We are very much looking forward to continuing to work together to share best practice with the other schools and any who may wish to join Vision Multi Academy Trust in the future.”

Klare Rufo, director of learning and culture at Bury Council, added: “Bury Council are happy that the Vision Multi Academy Trust will continue to work closely with us and remain a part of our Bury family of schools.”

The headteachers of the three academies have already implemented extended training for their staff to work together.

Headteacher of Sunny Bank Primary School, Tracy Bevan said: “As schools we are delighted to have achieved academy status.

"Converting to an academy gives the trust freedoms in terms of the curriculum, finances and wider organisation which will help to realise an ambition of providing an excellent education to all pupils and the local community.”

Cross school opportunities are being finalised for further developing leadership, the quality of teaching and learning and assessment across the academies.

Unsworth ward Cllr David Jones, the new interim chairman of the board of trustees, added: “These professional development opportunities have been deliberately chosen as we want staff from the schools to be working together. Their focus will be on providing a seamless education for children. These are very exciting times.”