A Wirral primary school became the first in the region to join an academies trust run by one of the UK’s biggest businesses, on 1 October.

Portland Primary School in Birkenhead has joined the Co-op Academies Trust which runs twelve other academies in the north of England.

Phil Crossley, Headteacher at the school, said “We’re delighted to be the first school in the area to join the Co-op. They have a proven track record of supporting and improving schools like ours. We’ve been working closely with the Trust since we made the decision to join them and we’re already benefitting from that work.”

“Everyone is really excited about the future for Portland and Merseyside as a whole.”

The school will be known as Co-op Academy Portland following the conversion.

Frank Norris, Director of the Co-op Academies Trust, said “It’s brilliant to have Co-op Academy Portland join our Trust. We’ve worked really well over recent years to develop our hubs in Manchester and Leeds, now we’re looking to change the lives of young people across Merseyside and Cheshire.”

“Phil and his team are a perfect example of the schools that we work with. They’re passionate, happy and willing to work with us to rapidly improve.”

Changes to uniform and signage will be phased in over the coming months and no parent or carer will be out of pocket by the change of name.