A primary school in special measures is to be taken over by the further education college which is expanding its 'family of academies'.

Eastgate Primary School has announced that, from April 1, it will be the latest school to become an academy sponsored by the College of West Anglia (CWA) Academy Trust.

The school in Littleport Terrace, King's Lynn, was put in special measures in July. This followed an inspection in which Ofsted said: 'Standards in reading, writing and mathematics have been too low for too long.'

The school said it has since put in place a detailed and ambitious action plan to address the concerns and make swift and long-lasting improvements, such as 'ensuring teaching is consistently good or better across the board'.

However headteacher Linda Hothersall said entering into a partnership with the CWA Academy Trust means 'children will have the chance to be inspired by the wide range of opportunities offered by the college'.

She added: 'This can only serve to raise the aspirations and standards of the children at Eastgate Primary School.'

The CWA Academy Trust already sponsors Downham Market Academy and King's Lynn Academy, with college principal David Pomfret serving as a governor at both schools.

In January Clackclose Primary, in Downham Market, will be renamed the Nelson Academy to become the CWA Academy Trust's first primary school.

The trust has also put in a bid to sponsor the King Edward VII School – which was itself recently put in special measures – to take its cohort of schools up to five.

Mr Pomfret said: 'Our approach is to develop a mutually-supportive family of academies with strong leadership practices to bring out the best in each other and, most importantly, in all of our students.'

What do you think of the CWA Academy Trust's plan to create a 'family of academies'? Write to: The Letters Editor, EDP, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or EDPLetters@archant.co.uk