TWO of Bolton's most outstanding schools have officially broken away from the local authority.

Canon Slade in Bradshaw and St James's CE High School in Farnworth have become part of The Bishop Fraser Trust, a multi-academy trust.

Bolton St Catherine's Academy is also to join the trust and each school will keep its name, uniform and traditions.

Tania Lewyckyj, head of St James's High School and the CEO of The Bishop Fraser Trust, said: "We look forward to working more closely together, enabling our pupils and staff to be the best they can be.

"Each school will retain their unique identity but we will look at ways in which we can further develop, fulfilling our ambition to provide each child with an excellent, well-rounded education resulting in ‘life in all its fullness’.

"The Bishop Fraser Trust schools will continue to build on the good work already under way with Manchester Diocese, the local authority and Bolton schools."

The schools first revealed plans to become Government flagship academies — state-funded independent schools under a multi-academy trust — in May 2016.

Letters were sent to parents of children at the two schools on Friday, with the trust stating the move would allow 'outstanding schools to work together, supporting others' and develop its links as part of the 'Bolton family of schools' as well as developing training for teachers.

The letter states: "The Bishop Fraser Trust mission is that all children, no matter what their background, ability or beliefs, should be entitled to experience ‘life in all its fullness’, John 10:10, through their educational experience.

"By working together, we feel that the best practice from each school will further improve the educational and spiritual offer to all our children across the three schools."

St James CE High School is also waiting to hear from the Department for Education about its plans to open a 900-place Church of England free school to meet growing demand for places.

The free school, if given the green light, will also become part of the multi-academy trust.