A QUARTET of north Dorset primary schools have joined a new parent organisation.

On February 1, Milton on Stour CE Primary, St George’s CE Primary School, Bourton, St Gregory’s CE Primary School, Marnhull and Wyke Primary School became part of the Pickwick Academy Trust.

The Trust said the schools decided to join because they wanted to benefit from Pickwick’s strong improvement approach and its commitment to working collaboratively.

They join Gillingham Primary School and Ludwell Primary School in Pickwick’s North Dorset Hub, as well as nine other primary schools in north and south Wiltshire which are already part of the Trust.

The Pickwick Academy Trust was formed in 2017 by four successful primary schools in north Wiltshire.

Since then, it has welcomed 11 more schools, operating across three hubs, each with a director of education supporting and challenging the schools.

James Passmore, Pickwick’s chief executive officer, spent time in each school last week talking to the children in assemblies about the theme of ‘community’, discussing which communities the children were in and explaining they are now also in the Pickwick family community, going on to discuss the range of opportunities for staff and children to work and learn together within the Trust.