LAKERS School near Coleford is expected to become an academy sponsored by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Academy Trust.

SGS Academy Trust, current sponsors of Forest High School in Cinderford, revealed today that it has been asked by the Regional Schools Commissioner to also become the preferred sponsor of the Five Acres school.

Since Lakers School was placed into special measures last December, the RSC has been seeking a preferred sponsor for the School.

That decision was made last week at the RSC’s Headteachers Board which considers such arrangements.

Both Lakers and SGS Academy Trust were since informed that SGS Academy Trust would, in principle, be the preferred sponsor.

Kevin Hamblin, chief executive of the trust, said: “We were approached by the RSC a couple of months ago about Lakers School and felt we could facilitate a ‘Forest Partnership’ of schools.

“We believe that with the expertise and support available from the Trust, there would be considerable benefits if both schools worked together as one entity.

“This will enable staff to share best practice and allowing us to look at how we create economies of scale but still retain the identity of each school.

“I am delighted that the RSC has agreed with our plan and has shown confidence in the Trust to work with a number of schools.

“We will have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but with the support of school leaders, staff and parents I am confident that we will turn around the fortunes of these schools within a Forest partnership.”

John Reilly, interim headteacher of Lakers School said: “We have been waiting for the outcome of the RSC’s recommendation of a sponsor for the School and the Interim Executive Board of Governors and I are looking forward to discussing the opportunity with SGS Academy Trust.

“There will be a period of consultation with parents and stakeholders before the SGS Academy Trust make a decision to proceed with the sponsorship, or not.

“This may may take up to 6 months and whilst this is being worked through, we will remain focussed on the education of the children in our care.”

SGS Academy Trust will seek final approval by the RSC and the Headteachers Board in due course.