MILLTHORPE School headteacher, Trevor Burton believes there are difficult times ahead and working in partnership with other York schools would be the best way to ensure high standards of education for pupils aged three to 16.

The proposal would see Millthorpe, Knavesmire and Scarcroft Schools join forces to create the first multi-academy trust (MAT) in York.

It seems to us such trusts are an imaginative way to maintain excellence. The rules governing these partnerships insist that in any group of schools applying to become a MAT, at least one member must be judged 'outstanding' or 'good' by Ofsted, with performance in-line with national standards.

Here we have all the schools meeting that requirement, which offers the exciting prospect of creating an educational powerhouse for Southbank, not to mention the undoubted benefits that would come with swapping expertise and experience at both primary and secondary levels.

Scarcroft school's motto is 'Inspiring learners for tomorrow’s world, today.' We think being part of a multi-academy trust may be a good way to ensure that, while producing the combined strength to deal with future reductions in government funding.