Governors and staff of a village primary school are looking forward to a new chapter after joining the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust.

Earsham Church of England Primary Academy, near Bungay, has officially joined DNEAT - becoming part of the Kingfisher Federation alongside two local primaries in the area that includes Ditchingham and Gillingham St Michaels Primary Schools. 

Executive headteacher, Heather Brand, leads all three schools which share one governing body.

Mrs Brand has been interim headteacher at Earsham since September 2022 and during this time the governors have decided the timing was right to join DNEAT.

Chair of Governors, Caroline Hutton, said: "The timing was right to join the Kingfisher and DNEAT families.

"We wanted to secure the long-term stability of leadership and gain the support and expertise which was being offered by DNEAT.

"Working across the Kingfisher Federation provides the great opportunity of sharing the curriculum, extra support for staff and overall stability for the future of the school."

Executive headteacher, Heather Brand, said: "Earsham Church of England Academy is pleased to be joining DNEAT.

"By joining the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, we are joining a larger organisation from which our school can both benefit and contribute.

"Within this family of church schools, there will be opportunities for collaboration, mutual support and improvement with similar schools.

"Staff, parents and governors view the move as a good next step for our school."

Oliver Burwood, CEO of Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, said: "We are delighted that Earsham has joined our collaborative Trust of schools.

"The leadership of Heather Brand and the wider support of the Trust will enable this fantastic school to flourish in the long term."

Earsham Church of England Primary Academy - which has 87 pupils and employs 14 staff - is currently rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted.