Two Eastbourne schools to merge

Ocklynge Junior School and Ratton School could join forces to form a Multi-academy Trust together.

It comes after Ocklynge – the largest junior school in Europe – received a damning Ofsted report at the end of last year with education inspectors calling for improvements to be made.

This week the governors of both schools voted unanimously to make an application to form a Multi-academy Trust together.

The governors say the long-term aim of the trust will be to provide an “outstanding educational experience for all students in both schools”.

The application process has to go before the Department for Education for scrutiny and will be subject to a full consultation process and detailed reviews involving both schools.

In a statement the governors of both schools said, “There has been a close relationship between our two schools for many years.

“We feel this is an exciting opportunity for all learners, staff and the local community.”