A primary and high school in south Norfolk have joined a multi-academy trust based in Wymondham.

Spooner Row Primary School and Long Stratton High School will now be part of the ieTrust, which was started at Wymondham High Academy after being approved by the government last August.

The trust will be headed up by chief executive Russell Boulton, who was formerly principal at Wymondam High Academy.

Day-to-day life at the schools will be unaffected, the trust says - with uniforms, parent teacher associations, fundraising and local governing bodies remaining the same.

But Jonathan Rockey, principal at Wymondham High Academy, said the move would have a 'measurable and sustainable impact' on all three schools, and would go some way to ease the strain created by squeezed budgets.

'Wymondham High is a successful and over-subscribed school,' he said.

'The substantial opportunities provided by working within the ieTrust, from financial savings to staff support, have already begun to positively impact on the academy.

'At a time when national pressures are resulting in significant challenges across our county, the flexibility and security provided by the trust are very reassuring.'

Dr Roger Harris, headteacher at Long Stratton, said joining forces would allow the school to 'accelerate' its progress, while Bridget Hanton, headteacher at Spooner Row, said it would 'further and enhance' the experiences of children.

Consultations with parents at both schools were undertaken, and Mr Boulton said the ieTrust was 'delighted' with the additions.

He said: '[The trust] was established with a clear vision that local children should receive the best possible education and a rich and happy experience of school. We want to enable them to be confident and successful, both in their education and their future careers.

'We'll be working closely together to support each school in the trust on its planned development to provide the very best education for each child. Being part of the trust will allow for greater collaboration and sharing of best practice between the schools.'

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