One of Cumbria’s best performing schools has been given the green light to join with others in the area – but its leaders say they have no intention of carrying out a takeover.

Keswick School will become a multi-academy trust from January 1, 2017 once the legal process is completed.

Nationally schools are being encouraged to become academies, free from council control and join groups known as multi-academy trusts.

Keswick School’s leaders say they have no intention to pitch their trust to other schools.

Instead they are “open to conversations” with those with similar aims, values and aspirations.

Keswick School will only look to team up with schools in central and west Cumbria to “prioritise the needs and interests” of local children.

Approval for the trust follows the recent designation of Keswick School as a National Teaching School and lead school for the Western Lakes Teaching School Alliance in June.

Headteacher Simon Jackson said: “This is a momentous occasion in Keswick School’s 650 year history.

“We’ve not come to this decision lightly and it follows a 12 month process. However the pressures on education have never been greater.

“We felt that we couldn’t stand by the sidelines but that we could offer an alternative local solution.”