HEADTEACHERS have hailed a pioneering scheme which hands three Burnley superschools a cash boost.

Under a Government scheme backed by county education bosses, Shuttleworth College, Sir John Thursby College and Unity College will each be given £250,000 a year and foundation status.

It means the schools will be supported by an educational trust made up of representatives from other Burnley schools, health professionals and bosses from aerospace firm Aircelle.

Headteachers say the scheme, which will be put into action in September, will give them more freedom over extra classes and tutors, and also allow them to tap into expertise from a range of other bodies.

Martin Burgess, headteacher at Shuttleworth College, which is in special measures, said: “The trust is a bit like a mini local education authority and it is there to support us and develop us.

“This will allow us to promote education across Burnley as a single entity but it will also offer us extra finance if and when we need it.

“I also hope it will help us to attract more money into the area.”

Sir John Thursby head Elaine Dawson added: “We want this new trust to complement the work we are already doing as part of a Burnley Learning Partnership.

“This means we will be able to improve our range of courses.”

Mrs Dawson said she hoped the presence of Aircelle on the trust would mean students may be able to undertake work experience at the aerospace giant.

The trust will be made up of representatives from Blessed Trinity RC College, Thomas Whitham Sixth Form, Burnley College and the University of Central Lancashire.

Meanwhile, dignitaries from Burnley Council, Lancashire County Council, NHS East Lancashire and Aircelle are also included.

Burnley’s other secondary school, Hameldon Community College, is not part of the trust.

Vali Patel, the county council’s education chief, said: “Partnership is essential to the regeneration of Burnley and improving the education and skills of young people in the area, both now and in the future.”

Burnley’s secondary education has been transformed under the £250million Building Schools for the Future programme, with schools merged to form five ‘superschools’.