Two primary schools in Copeland have become the first to join West Lakes Multi-Academy Trust.

Arlecdon Primary School and Thornhill Primary School joined West Lakes Academy in their Multi-Academy Trust on September 1.

By joining the Trust, staff will share their expertise, knowledge and skills.

Principal of West Lakes Academy, James Jackson, said: "We are delighted that both Arlecdon and Thornhill Primary Schools have joined our Trust.

"I look forward to building on the strong working relationships we already enjoy with both schools; celebrating their many achievements and supporting each other to be better still.

"There is much we can learn from each other."

Executive headteacher at both primary schools, Wendy Figes, said:

"In order to grow and prosper, we needed to build on the many successes we have already achieved. When the opportunity arose to work alongside West Lakes Academy as part of their Multi-Academy Trust, we knew this was by far the right choice for us.

"We are proud to become the first two schools in the Trust. Everything has gone smoothly and the way it was promised.

"For our children, families and communities, the schools are still the same inclusive environments they were yesterday, our staff are still providing the same high-quality education as they always have been, but the Trust will allow us to thrive in ways we could not have previously imagined."

"We hope that these are the first of many local schools to join our Trust," Chief executive of the trust, Jonathan Johnson, added.

He said: "We will be busily developing ways to share resources, enhance teaching and learning for children and young people, develop new ideas and ways of working, all to achieve a common aim of ensuring all schools change lives through learning by being judged outstanding with outcomes well above national average."

West Lakes MAT is a multi-academy trust that receives state funding to support schools in West Cumbria to change lives through learning. It is sponsored by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd and the University of Central Lancashire.