AN EDUCATION trust in Dorset is celebrating after five of its schools received top praise from inspectors.

Wimborne Academy Trust’s (WAT) five Church of England first and middle schools were all recently visited by SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspectors, with four of them receiving the top verdict of Excellent and one achieving the judgement of Good.

The schools judged to be Excellent are St Michael’s CE Middle in Colehill, Verwood CE First, Witchampton CE First and St John’s CE First.

And Emmanuel CE Middle School in Verwood, which was declared Good, received high praise for undergoing a "transformational journey" since joining WAT.

All Church of England and Methodist schools undergo SIAMS inspections every five years. The inspections evaluate the Christian vision and religious education provided by church schools plus their distinctiveness and effectiveness.

CEO of Wimborne Academy Trust, Liz West, said: "This is the first time our five church schools have been inspected so close together and we are delighted by the ringing endorsement all of them received.

"Every inspection noted the work we do as a Trust with our schools in supporting and challenging them to do the very best by their pupils.

"All our schools have their own unique offering but as a Trust we also work closely together and share best practice and this collaboration is bearing out in results."