THE Skipton Academy is to work with ‘outstanding’ Ilkley Grammar School after being awarded Strategic School Improvement Funding from the Government’s Ministry for Education.

The school, which has previously received the same funding to work with Skipton Girls High School, says continued support from the education department will allow it to continue to improve.

Helen Williams, headteacher of Ilkley Grammar School, said: “We have already formed a strong relationship with Skipton Academy over the last few months and now have the opportunity to extend this further with colleagues across a number of specialist areas from the grammar school working alongside academy staff from this Easter. This work will bring benefits to both schools and we are very much looking to getting started.”

Richard McManus, principal of The Skipton Academy, said he was delighted with the support of the DfE. “This really provides us as an academy with the opportunity to ensure that we are able to provide high quality comprehensive education to the people of Skipton.

“The chance for our staff to work with and be developed by colleagues from Ilkley Grammar School means that we can accelerate improvements and become an outstanding school in the near future.”

He added: “This funding will enable us to put in measures that will ensure sustained success for the school and our students for the next few years. Working with the grammar school is particularly exciting as I know their vision and values for outstanding comprehensive education match those of mine and my staff. We welcome their support and look forward to developing an even closer working relationship between the schools in the future.”