PLANS for two secondary schools to become the first in the borough to link up under the government's flagship academy scheme have been scrapped after one of the schools pulled out.

The Bolton News reported earlier this year that Ladybridge High School and Little Lever High School were exploring the idea of breaking away from local authority control to become a state-funded independent school together converting to a 'multi-academy trust'.

But Ladybridge High has now decided to stay within the local authority — while Little Lever High School is set to push ahead with plans to become a state-funded independent school.

Head teacher of Ladybridge High School, Hilary D'Arcy said: "In March we said we would explore the possibility of forming a multi-agency trust and began informal consultation with our stakeholders.

“After initial enquiries, the governing body felt that this was not quite the right time for Ladybridge High School and decided not to pursue the idea any further at the moment.

"As we move forward we will be keeping our options open with regards academy status and may revisit the idea in the future.”

Little Lever High School is on track to become an academy by September.

Head teacher Phil Hewitt said: "The Lever Multi-Academy Trust will start initially with Little Lever School, but in the future will aim to develop partnerships with other primary and secondary schools.

"Although early discussions with Ladybridge School have been postponed, both schools will continue to work in partnership as part of the Bolton family of schools.

"The basic premise for the formation of the Lever Multi-Academy Trust has not changed and the governors of Little Lever School are progressing with the plans."

Mr Hewitt said that the majority of secondary schools which have become academies benefit from "new freedoms".

He said: "By embracing the new freedoms that academy status brings the schools we will benefit from the opportunities for different ways of working across the trust, supporting each other and deploying staff creatively and effectively.

"The trust will be based on a partnership of true equals that will allow each school to preserve their individual ethos and culture and build to their future strengths."

Mr Hewitt added: "As an independent entity, without serving the interest of an external sponsor, the trust will provide secure financial freedom and deploy funds, currently held centrally, directly for the benefit of our children."

The head said there would be no change to school uniform or policies.

Little Lever councillor Sean Hornby said: "While having some reservations about the academy route which is being taken by schools I fully support Little Lever School's reasoning.

"Government's agenda is now to force schools down this route and therefore it is better to be in it in the early stages rather than later and being forced into it."