SCHOOL provision at Canford Heath in Poole will take another major step forward with the formation of a new multi-academy trust in September.

Formal links will be established between four primary schools to create the TEACH Trust from the beginning of the new school year.

Ad Astra Infants, Canford Heath Infants, Haymoor Junior and Canford Heath Junior will all come under the leadership of a new Executive Head Teacher, Kate Carter.

Mrs Carter, who is already in charge of Canford Heath Infant and Junior schools, will have overall responsibility for all four schools and each will also have its own leadership team.

"This is an exciting time for education on Canford Heath" she said. "The four primary schools have always worked collaboratively together but my new role will enable even greater continuity of policy and practice.

"The government have raised further their expectations of standards in schools, and this places considerable pressure on staff. By working together we can not only share the additional workload but also pool our resources, expertise and knowledge, for the benefit of all of our children and families."

All four of the schools are currently judged Good or Outstanding by Ofsted and are popular with parents.

Chair of the Trust, Chris Youlden, added: "Kate is an outstanding leader and she has already taken action across the four schools to implement joint assessment and curriculum arrangements. She has the support and confidence of all concerned."

Secondary education in the area recently received a major boost when the Magna Academy was graded outstanding by Ofsted. Just two years before, the former Ashdown College of Technology had been rated as Inadequate.