ONE of the largest schools in Burnley has announced plans to become an academy.

Blessed Trinity RC College has been encouraged by the Diocese of Salford to join a Catholic multi-academy trust in the near future.

Headteacher Richard Varey is to step away from his full-time role and lead the process of the conversion of the school, which has 1,210 students on its roll.

His deputy, Paul Thompson, will become the acting headteacher in the interim.

The Ormerod Road school, which was rated ‘good’ in its last Ofsted inspection in 2014, is also looking into becoming a ‘teaching school’ next year.

Mr Varey has said it would be an opportunity to ‘develop our approach to teaching’, as well as train its open teachers and work closer with other schools.

In a letter to parents Mr Varey said: “Next year the school will be exploring the possibility of becoming a teaching school.

“This will be an opportunity for us to focus on developing our approach to teaching and learning, training our own newly qualified teachers and working more collaboratively with other schools to share good practice.

“This will invigorate our teaching and will have a positive impact on the learning experience of our youngsters.

“In addition, the diocese have actively encouraged all the schools in the diocese to consider forming and joining Catholic multi-academy trusts.

“We have begun looking carefully at these two significant developments and I am sure you will appreciate the volume of work involved.

“With this in mind, the governing body have decided to build capacity within the leadership team in order to ensure that your child’s education is not adversely affected during this period.

“I will retain legal responsibility for the school but Mr Thompson will assume responsibility for all aspects of the day to day running of the school.

“The governors and I are pleased that Mr Thompson has accepted the role and are confident that he will continue to improve our wonderful school.

“An internal appointment will be made to cover Mr Thompson’s role as deputy head.”