AN OTLEY-based multi academy trust is celebrating as two new schools have joined in the last two months.

Ashfield Primary School in Otley and Trinity All Saints Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Bingley have joined the Collaborative Learning Trust, taking the number of schools in the trust to seven.

The Collaborative Learning Trust was formed when two local schools, Prince Henry’s Grammar School and Bramhope Primary school joined together for the benefit of their students, since when they have been joined by schools across Leeds and Bradford.

Elspeth Warren, Headteacher at Ashfield Primary School said: “At Ashfield, we are excited about joining the Collaborative Learning Trust. It will be amazing to have a wide network of colleagues to share expertise in all aspects of school life. We are looking forward to seeing how this can enhance our practice at Ashfield for the benefit of our children while we retain our unique qualities and strengths.”

CEO of The Collaborative Learning Trust Janet Sheriff said: “We are thrilled that Ashfield Primary School and Trinity All Saints CoE Primary School are now formally part of our Trust. It is definitely a mutually beneficial partnership: Ashfield and Trinity bring new ideas and areas expertise to complement our existing partnership of schools. In addition, each school benefits from access to our Central Services team of experts and Trust wide networking to help tackle challenges and opportunities together, therefore reducing individual school and staff workload.

“It is an exciting time for our growing Trust. We have ambition to increase the number of both primary and secondary schools over the next few years and would welcome an initial discussion with leaders or governors of schools in the Yorkshire area that share our vision and values and want to find out more about joining our Trust."

The Collaborative Learning Trust is based at Wharfebank Mills in Otley. Visit www.collaborativelearningtrust.com for more information.