THE number of schools to join a York-based academy trust has grown to 21.

Tadcaster East Primary School is the latest North Yorkshire school to convert to academy status and join York-based Ebor Academy Trust.

Head teacher Donna Bedford said: “We are delighted to be part of this forward-thinking organisation. Education is changing and being part of Ebor gives us more opportunities for the future for our pupils, our staff and our school.”

Children and parents of Tadcaster Primary Academy, as it is now known, will see little difference on a day-to-day basis, but behind the scenes there will be a range of benefits. A central team will run many of the back office business functions and Mrs Bedford will remain in charge.

At the same time as Tadcaster joined Ebor, on September 1, so too did Riston CE Primary Academy in East Yorkshire. Ebor now comprises 21 schools in Selby, the East Riding and The Humber and on the Yorkshire Coast.

Ebor’s chief executive, Richard Ludlow, said: “We welcome Tadcaster and Riston and look forward to working alongside them. We are a collaborative trust, sharing best practice to put children at the heart of everything we do and providing developmental opportunities for staff.

“We consist of small village schools, large urban schools, schools in challenging circumstances and those which have capacity to support others. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual setting and share skills and resources, where appropriate, across our group. Staff at schools in Ebor Academy Trust have a sense of responsibility for each other, building caring, strong professional relationships.”

Peter D Acaster, chairman of Ebor Academy Trust, said: “To now have 21 schools in Ebor certainly does feel like a coming of age for our organisation. We have grown and matured since we were established in December 2013 and I welcome Tadcaster and Riston to our family of schools.”