Trusts want to run 20 schools in Bristol and Somerset together

If approved, the merger would see one organisation running 18 schools with more than 11,000 pupils

Two education trusts are consulting on a merger that would see them jointly running 20 schools.

If approved,more than 11,000 pupils at schools in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Somerset would be taught under the new organisation.

Castle School Education Trust (CSET) and The Priory Learning Trust (TPLT) said they wanted to improve education "by sharing expertise".

They also said a merger would mean more resources for all schools.

In a letter to parents, trustees also promised extra training and development for staff via a teaching college.

"This investment in professional development will be a central feature of a larger organisation that could not be realised within the resources of the existing trusts," the letter said.

Consultation with parents

Called Pathway Trust, the proposed organisation would be responsible for 11,633 pupils.

Castle School Education Trust was formed in 2013 and has four secondary and four primary schools in Bristol, Thornbury and surrounding villages in South Gloucestershire. A ninth school is set to join the Trust later this year.

The schools are:

• The Castle Secondary School (joined 2013)

• Downend Secondary School (joined 2016)

• Mangotsfield Secondary School (joined 2015)

• Marlwood Secondary School (joined 2014)

• Lyde Green Primary School (opened 2015)

• Charfield Primary School (joined 2013)

• Severn Beach Primary School (joined 2014)

• Tortworth Primary School (joined 2023)

• Cherry Garden Primary School will also be joining CSET in 2024.

The Priory Learning Trust, which was established in 2016, has three secondary and six primary schools in Weston-super-Mare and in Highbridge and Burnham, Somerset.

Their schools are:

• Priory Secondary School (joined 2016)

• King Alfred Secondary School (joined 2018)

• Worle Secondary School (joined 2017)

• Castle Batch Primary School (joined 2018)

• St Anne's Primary School (joined 2018)

• Berrow Primary School (joined 2023)

• West Huntspill Primary School (joined 2021)

• East Huntspill Primary School (joined 2021)

• Pawlett Primary School (joined 2019)

• Burnham-on-Sea Infant School will be joining TPLT in 2024

• St Andrew's Junior School will be joining TPLT in 2024

Parents and staff at the schools are being invited to give their views on the trusts' plans. The consultation runs until 5 February.