SEVEN Vale schools could be set to form a Multi Academy Trust with Prince Henry's High School during the next academic year in a bid to maintain control of their values and budgets.

The trust would see St Egwin’s CE Middle School and first schools, Ashton under Hill First School, Church Lench CE First School, Cropthorne with Charlton CE First School, Harvington CE First School, St Andrew’s CE First School and Swan Lane First School join Prince Henry's, which has been an Academy Trust since 2011.

It is part of a move by the schools to consolidate their already well-embedded collaborative relationships and to ensure the preservation of the ethos and values of individual schools within the Prince Henry’s pyramid.

In a statement the schools said they have a shared vision to preserve the outstanding ethos, adding that the schools involved have a shared vision to preserve the outstanding ethos and culture that exists especially in the current educational and financial climate, caused by increasing austerity measures in the education sector.

The schools have now begun a four-week consultation period with parents with the view to convert to Multi-Academy Trust status at some point in 2015.

Dr Tony Evans, headteacher of Prince Henry’s, said detailed discussion had been going on for 12 months and was supported by the Worcester Diocese.

"Having mutually explored options with a number of our feeder schools, the Prince Henry’s governors and leadership agree the best way to preserve the outstanding nature of our pyramid is to formally work with these schools so that the talented and dedicated staff in our area can continue to teach our children without the fear of outside change being forced upon individual schools in the coming years," he said.

"We think it is the best for the future of our schools. By becoming a Multi Academy Trust, we will be able to achieve an economy of scale, particularly at a time when there are considerable and ongoing pressures on budgets.

"In addition to this, all of the local schools who convert to the trust will have a much greater control over their finances."

And the headteachers all agree the move will mean an enhanced level of influence over the experience the children receive along with control over finances, and the ability to competitively buy in better services

Carol Kennedy, headteacher of St Egwin’s Middle School said: "As schools we have already been working together for a long time, so formalising this close relationship will not be a huge change to our existing working practices."

Sharon Cole, headteacher of Ashton under Hill First School added: "My governing body is very excited about the prospect of working within a trust as we believe this will lead to better educational provision for the children."

Graham Walker, headteacher of Swan Lane First School, said: "We see the formation of a Multi Academy Trust as a way of strengthening and formalising the strong links which already exist within our pyramid of schools. This can only be of benefit to our pupils."

The consultation period has now begun and each school is meeting parents who should check schools’ websites for details.

School governors will look at replies and make a decision about joining the MAT.