ANOTHER East Lancashire secondary school has opted out of local authority control.

Rawtenstall’s All Saints’ Catholic High will leave Lancashire County Council’s management on Saturday.

The school on Haslingden Road, which has 485 pupils aged from 11 to 16, will join the Romero Catholic Academy Trust.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry has welcomed the move.

The Northern Powerhouse minister said: “This is a great news and a fantastic opportunity for everyone at All Saints.

“All Saints is already a fantastic school, but converting to an academy will give them more control over their budgets and freedom to help drive up standards and results.’

Welcoming the change, headteacher Brian McNally said: “From February 1 the school will ‘re-open’ as All Saints’ Roman Catholic High School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy Trust.

“The school will continue to use All Saints’ Catholic High School as our day-to-day name.

“We do not plan to make any changes to our uniform or logos, and it is not envisaged that there will be significant changes to the ‘school experience’ for most students, families, staff and stakeholders.”

Approving the change, education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Academies form an integral part of the Government’s education policy to raise attainment for all children and to bring about sustained improvements to all schools. I am delighted that the school recognises the benefits academy status will bring.”

The Romero Catholic Academy Trust already has three schools under its umbrella: St. John The Baptist RC Primary School in Burnley; St. Joseph’s RC Academy in Todmorden; and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary in Bacup.

Lancashire County Council schools boss Cllr Phillippa Williamson said: “The governing body of All Saints’ RC High School have made the decision to join a multi-academy trust.

“The county council’s role is to support the governing body in converting to become an academy.

“The county council works well with all of its schools; maintained, free and academies.”