A GROUP of primary school governors in York have voted unanimously to become an academy.

The board at Park Grove School have voted unanimously to become an academy and join the Ebor Academy Trust.

Chairman of governors David Hare said: “This decision represents an exciting opportunity for the further development of our school.

“It will enable us to build on and strengthen our partnership working with both member schools and others including the Local Authority who have and will continue to support our journey to becoming outstanding.

“Ultimately and most importantly, it allows us to continue to achieve the best possible outcomes for our staff, pupils and parents.”

Ebor chief executive Richard Ludlow said: “I am very pleased Park Grove is joining our family of schools.

“This is a great opportunity for all concerned to shape our trust as we move forward – these really are exciting times.”

With its headquarters in York, Ebor Academy Trust currently comprises Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy in Strensall and Haxby Road Primary Academy within the city, plus four other schools across Yorkshire.

Mr Ludlow said that including Park Grove, Hob Moor and Hob Moor Oaks, there are now 11 schools in North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire queuing up to be part of Ebor and they are set to join once legal formalities are put in place.

He said that by September next year, Ebor expects to have 20 schools in the trust, in geographic hubs in York, Selby, the Yorkshire Coast and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

In the summer, Ebor’s plans for an innovative new primary school offering creative arts at the centre of the curriculum was given the go-ahead by the government.

Officials from the Department for Education are still searching for an appropriate site for the city’s first free school, to be called the Creative Arts Academy York.

The city already has four established academy trusts.

They are Ebor, The Hope Learning Trust, The Pathfinder Multi Academy Trust and Southbank MAT which is comprised of Scarcroft, Knavesmire and Millthorpe schools. Fulford School is also applying to become a MAT.