A DARWEN primary school’s conversion to academy status has been completed with the headteacher promising it will ‘retain its unique identity’.

Sudell Primary School principal Kathryn Coiffait has written to parents to confirm the conversion has gone ahead.

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The Sudell Road school has joined the Aldridge Foundation’s burgeoning cluster in Darwen and becomes the first primary to join the town’s three Aldridge high schools.

Mrs Coiffait, who took the reins from retiring former head Laura Pooles in January, said: “The school will retain its unique identity but will now also benefit from a wide range of additional networks and support through the Foundation.

“We are keen to embrace Aldridge’s entrepreneurial values and take full advantage of the opportunities to further develop the children’s entrepreneurial skills, such as problem-solving, team work and determination, which will help their learning in school and their participation in sports, arts and other interests.

“Most changes will not be immediate but will begin over the next months by developing a whole-school vision, which will outline our aims and goals for the future.

“We will also be undertaking consultation with all those involved in the school about key aspects as we move forward.

“There are lots of decisions to be made and I look forward to the positive contributions of parents and carers.”

Governors approached educational charity the Aldridge Foundation last year and completed a consultation process with parents and staff, leading to the Department for Education confirming its academy status this month.

Chief executive of the Foundation Honor Wilson-Fletcher said: “We are really delighted to welcome Sudell to our community of schools in the North West and to our national family.

“We are already working in partnership with Kathryn, her team and the school’s governing body to help the school and all its students progress and exceed all expectations.

“By strengthening educational links to local secondary schools, including Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, we can all look forward to watching Sudell’s pupils into the next stage of their education feeling confident and well prepared.”

Mrs Coiffait added: “This is an exciting new chapter in the school’s journey and my focus will very much be on striving to ensure that every child at Sudell leaves us as a rounded, confident, positive young person with the skills to access the next stage of learning.”