One of the most dramatic changes to the region's education system for a generation has been heralded by news that dozens of schools are expected to come under the control of the church.
Within two years, up to 50 schools could have joined the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT), with others set to become members of the neighbouring Ely diocesan trust.
The moves will make the church one of the most powerful players in the local education landscape, with more academies than any other organisation, and direct responsibility for school improvement and finances.
Norwich Diocese
Fred Corbett, chairman of DNEAT, which covers most of Norfolk and parts of Suffolk, said: 'The Department for Education has gradually said we have demonstrated competence so we could become a very big player, bearing in mind there are 110 [church] schools that could join the trust.
'I don't think they all will, but that's the position, and there are the non-church schools who like the ethos and who afterwards may have the opportunity of joining.'
He said the spiritual and social development of pupils was at the heart of the diocese's mission.
The trust is attracting schools with Ofsted judgements ranging from the top 'outstanding' to the bottom 'inadequate'.
Mr Corbett said poorly-performing schools would be rated 'good' within 24 months of joining, while those already doing well would secure their success by joining a wider network.
The trust currently sponsors one high school, the Open Academy in Norwich, and Mr Corbett said it would like to have a small grouping of secondary schools.
Ely Diocese
The Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust, which covers parts of west Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, currently has 15 academies.
Its chairman, Peter Maxwell, said: 'In terms of the church schools that are within local authority control, we go into those schools and add some influence at the sides, but when they become academies we become fully responsible.
'We are accountable for the education and finance, and that's quite a big difference from a school that's run by the local authority. With an academy, the buck stops with us, and that's quite a big difference.'
There are 83 church schools in the Ely Diocese, but Mr Maxwell said the academy trust was focused on quality of education, rather than converting a set number into academies.
Lessons from other academy chains
Both diocesan academy trusts are aware of earlier academy chains, such as Academies Enterprise Trust, which expanded rapidly, only to see concerns raised about their capacity to support their schools.
Mr Maxwell said: 'As we have grown, we have built up our staff to meet the need. We continue to do that. We have been quite conscious of some of the other academy chains losing control and we can't afford to do that.'
Small schools and free schools
The moves come as the future of small village schools in Norfolk is under intense scrutiny. Many are church schools, and among those likely to join DNEAT.
Mr Corbett said: 'We will do everything we can to maintain provision in local communities, but there will be times when there are hard questions that need to be asked, whether they are academies or not.'
Both Mr Corbett and Mr Maxwell said creating new free schools was not a priority for either of their trusts, but did not rule it out in the future.
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