A STRUGGLING Exmoor schools group is to join with another to create a strategic partnership to improve the quality of education for pupils.

Ofsted education inspectors who visited Dulverton Junior School last autumn graded it as ‘requiring improvement’, although they highlighted some positive developments taking place and said it was ‘heading in the right direction’.

Now, the Exmoor Federation, which also runs All Saints Church of England Infants School, in Dulverton, is to join in a partnership with the Moorland Federation, which has five schools in Dunster, Timberscombe, Cutcombe, Porlock, and Exford, and also supports Langford Budville, near Wellington.

In a letter to parents, Exmoor Federation co-chairs Kate Northen and Bill Gash said: “This partnership will operate to ensure our schools in Dulverton retain their individual character, but benefit from access to more resources, knowledge, and skills available within the team that manages the Moorland Federation, led by executive headteacher Naomi Philp.

“Our shared goal is to see the impact of this new collaboration evident in our schools in the weeks ahead.

“Looking further ahead, we want to see pupils at our partner’s schools benefit from access to the facilities we are so fortunate to have here in Dulverton, and the opportunities we can provide them here, as they continue their education.

“This new agreement and the strategic partnership itself, with a new leadership structure, is designed to improve the quality of education provided, secure a long-term, viable future for our schools in Dulverton and ensure these play a full role in the education of young people on Exmoor.”

The idea of a partnership to address wider challenges facing the Dulverton schools and issues flagged by all three Ofsted inspections had been explored by governors, supported by Somerset County Council and the Diocese of Bath and Wells. An initial service level agreement between the Exmoor and the Moorland federations has already been signed.

Dulverton Junior School interim executive headteacher Keith Mansell will work alongside Ms Philp for two terms while recruitment takes place for a permanent appointee to lead the schools and nursery from September.

Ms Northen and Mr Gash said parents would have an opportunity to meet with the schools’ leaders and governors and representatives of the Moorland Federation.

The Moorland Federation says: “We are a group of rural schools who are innovative and forward thinking in our approach to school development, proud of our local heritage and stunning landscape, who are all dedicated to improving the life chances of every child.

“The executive head, heads of school and all staff, work highly cohesively, sharing good practice and workload to deliver the very best quality of education to our amazing pupils.”

Note: This article has been amended to remove the reference to a merger between the two federations in the initial headline and text.