TWO Bournemouth primary schools have joined a Devon-based multi-academy trust.

Malmesbury Park Primary and Hill View Primary will formally join Reach South on March 1.

The Trust currently consists of eight primary schools in Plymouth and a special school in Wiltshire.

Until now Malmesbury Park, in Lowther Road, Charminster, and Hill View in Hill View Road, Redhill Park, have been the only two members of the Bournemouth Primary MAT (multi-academy trust) formed in 2015.

Dean Ashton, Chief Executive of Reach South, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be announcing our first two schools in Bournemouth. We’ve been working closely with the Bournemouth Primary MAT for some time now, and are thrilled that they have decided that Reach South is the right home for their two primary schools going forward.

“At Reach South, we have a strong belief in “aspiration beyond expectation” and we look forward to welcoming Malmesbury Park and Hill View Primary into the Reach South family. Together, we will deliver an exceptional education in each of these academies, helping every child to fly as high as their talents take them.”

Jackie Green, head teacher of Malmesbury Park Primary, said: “Reach South is a successful multi-academy trust, which is heavily values-based and ensures the continued success of Malmesbury Park both immediately and in the long term.

“As a school we wanted to be certain that any larger multi academy trust we joined would put the children and staff at the centre of all they do, and we have seen this very clearly in Reach South schools. This is an exciting step for the school and one which will continue to see Malmesbury Park go from strength to strength.”

Amanda Jones, head teacher of Hill View Primary added: “Hill View Primary is delighted to be joining Reach South and to be one of the first schools in the Bournemouth hub.

“The trust‘s core values complement our school ethos values - aspire, success, community, excellence, nurture and trust - and their core principles are very much aligned with our school learning values.

“Dean Ashton’s wealth of educational experience and knowledge will ensure that our children continue to receive a high-quality education at Hill View.”