A Little Lever primary school has joined an academy trust in a move hoped to embrace the opportunities of working in a wider group.

St Teresa’s RC Primary School  was granted academy status on November 7.

Jenni Willis, headteacher of St Teresa’s, said: “We are a small school and work hard to always ensure our children are happy, feel loved and can flourish as part of our school family.

“We are now looking to the future and embrace opportunities to work as part of a wider family group of schools.

“We are very excited to be joining the Trust and look forward to working closely with our new partners.”

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St Teresa’s is the sixteenth school to join St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust, which includes schools across Bolton, Bury, Rochdale and Salford.

Chris Foley, Catholic Senior Executive Leader of the St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust, said: “We are delighted that St Teresa’s in Little Lever have become part of our family of schools.

“The school has joined as part of the Diocesan growth plan and brings with it not only a wealth of expertise but also an authentic Catholic culture of service and a desire to contribute to our growing school improvement strategy and organisational functions.

“In the smallest of things, this school makes the biggest of differences.”

Any school can apply to the Secretary of State to convert into an academy under the Academies Act 2010.

The existing school will close and an academy will open in its place, although little will appear to have changed.

The main benefit of joining a multi-academy trust is being able to collaborate with a large network of other schools.