NORDEN High School and Sports College has announced it will officially join the United Learning multi-academy trust.

After being rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted last year, the Department for Education ordered the Rishton school to convert to academy status.

A meeting for parents was staged last month and the school has now confirmed it will join the multi-academy trust on September 1.

United Learning also runs Accrington Academy.

In a joint statement to parents chairman of governors Elaine Lockwood and Janet Woods, director of Academies at the trust, said: “We want to make sure that no time is lost in addressing the areas for improvement which were highlighted by Ofsted.

“As such, over the next few months, we will all be working closely together to ensure that the transition into the group is smooth and effective and that students and staff begin to benefit from this during the summer term.

“Whilst maintaining our small, caring, community school ethos, moving forward, we want to bring the additional benefits to your children’s school experience by offering up opportunities of a broader, richer curriculum.”

E-mail northernoffice@unitedlearning.org.uk.