John Milton Academy Trust, in the Stowmarket area, and Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust, in Ipswich, become Oxlip Learning Partnership

Two Suffolk academy trusts have been given approval to become a single unified trust by the Department for Education (DfE).

John Milton Academy Trust (JMAT) was legally transferred into Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust (GCET) in September.

The new trust will now be known as the Oxlip Learning Partnership – named after the county flower of Suffolk.

Shaun Common, previously the CEO at GCET, is now the CEO of the Oxlip Learning Partnership.

Mr Common said: “Bringing together the two trusts will allow us to explore increased avenues for funding and the opportunity to share ideas and best working practices, ensuring we provide the very best education for our pupils.

“The two trusts have a lot in common, both being community-based with a high school and primary schools within the same catchment area.

“The new combined trust will allow us to build on both trusts’ individual successes while helping us to drive progress across our schools.”

GCET oversaw Copleston High School, Rose Hill Primary School and Britannia Primary School in Ipswich while JMAT oversaw Stowupland High School, Cedars Park Primary School in Stowmarket , Mendlesham Primary School and Bacton Primary School.

Each school across the combined trust will retain its individual identity, reflecting the communities they serve.

Now the partnership has been officially approved by the DfE, it is now looking forward to launching a new website and branding in due course.

“This is a very exciting time for both trusts and their schools,” said Mr Common.

“This partnership will pave the way for progress at all the schools the unified trust now oversees.

“We are combining our shared vision and values with an absolute focus on our children, young people and their families, with school improvement at the heart of all out work, driven by strong and supportive leaders across the partnership.

“We look forward to seeing students continue to thrive under the Oxlip Learning Partnership.”