A SECONDARY school in Horwich is to link up with one in Farnworth under new plans.

Rivington and Blackrod High School in Horwich is proposing to convert to an academy school and partner with Harper Green School in Farnworth.

The proposals could see the Horwich school — graded as good with outstanding features by Ofsted — become a Multi-Academy Trust linking up with Harper Green, which school inspectors say requires improvement, as early as September.

This means they will break away from the local authority to become state-funded independent schools.

Judith Marsden, Chair of Governors at Rivington, said: “Over 60 per cent of secondary schools are now designated academies, and looking at the education landscape nationally, this is a trend which appears set to continue. In making the decision to become an academy, governors felt that we needed to be proactive.

“By taking this approach we believe that this will give us a greater opportunity to deepen our partnerships, helping us on our journey to become an outstanding school.

“We are very keen to listen to the views of our parents, staff and students, and are holding consultation sessions for parents and staff.

“We also have a dedicated email address set up, chair@rbhs.co.uk.

“All representations will be stored, collated and discussed by the Governing Board after the close of consultation on the 10th June 2016.”

The two schools are the latest to partner up under the Government’s controversial academisation programme.

Paul Roach is currently the executive principal of Harper Green School and will become headteacher of Rivington and Blackrod School at the end of the academic year when the current head, Tony Purcell, retires.

Under the plans, the schools would keep their identity and each have its own board of governors.

Benefits, are said to include having more funding to spend on pupils and move freedom over the curriculum.

Mrs Marsden stresses that governors will not vote to proceed with academy conversion unless they are convinced it would be in the best interests of the school.

Last month Canon Slade School and St James CE High School announced they wanted to link up under a multi-academy trust.