BURY has welcomed a new addition into its close-knit "Family' of Schools".

The independent Manchester Jewish Grammar School in Prestwich will become a maintained school from November next year.

The school is a single sex boys' school serving families from the Orthodox Jewish community within Bury and Salford. Approval of the proposal by Bury Council was conditional upon a similar application by Beis Yaakov Jewish High School for Girls to Salford Council which has now been approved.

Bury Metro's executive member for lifelong learning, Coun Steve Perkins, said: "Over the years a tremendous rapport has been established in Bury which has resulted in a very close-knit family of schools achieving some amazing results with the resources available to them. The LEA has worked very closely with the governing body of Manchester Jewish Grammar School to develop this proposal, and we are happy that they are coming to join us."

Before the school enters the maintained sector, a new building will be erected on the existing Charlton Avenue site. The governing body secured a government grant of more than £5 million to fund the work and it is expected that this will get underway in the summer.

Coun Perkins added: "We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the school and I am sure that they will be warmly welcomed into our family."

Chairman of governors Mr Josh Pine said: "The governors are delighted with the decision and are excited at the prospect of working within the Family of Schools and also in new premises."