A GRAMMAR school is set to expand its empire as three more schools prepare to join a school trust.

Westcliff High School for Girls is the lead school at the South East Essex Academy Trust.

Now, discussions are taking place for the Deanes School, in Thundersley, Westcliff’s Westborough School and the Hadleigh Junior School to all join the multi-academy Trust.

As well as Westcliff High School for Girls, the trust includes Prince Avenue Academy and Nursery, Holt Farm Junior School and Rochford Primary School.

Desi McKeown, headteacher of the Deanes School, is pleased to be on the brink of joining the trust.

He said: “I am really pleased that Deanes is being considered as a new member of the South East Essex Academy Trust.

“I think this is good news for the present and future pupils of Deanes, as well as our staff.

“For me, the South East Essex Academy Trust is clearly the best cross-phase multi-academy trust in south Essex and I am confident that they can help us in the next stage of our development and continual improvement as a school.”

The trio of schools could join forces with the South East Essex Academy Trust as soon as April.

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The South East Essex Academy Trust is already one of the region’s best-performing trusts thanks to all affiliated schools rated good or outstanding by Ofsted and achieving some of the best outcomes in south east Essex.

Dr Paul Hayman, chief executive of the trust, and chair Murray Foster released a joint statement as the bid to welcome the Deanes School, the Westborough School and Hadleigh Junior School on board draws ever closer.

They are keen to work with up to 12 schools.

The statement read: “We look forward to working with these three local schools and are sure that they will prosper if they join our trust.

“All the four current schools in our trust have shown significant development since coming together.

“We are always looking to continually improve.

“Although we know we can still go further, we are now keen to replicate this success by working with others schools.”