SCHOOLS across Weymouth and Portland are meeting this week to discuss becoming part of an academy trust, the Echo can reveal.

Governors from schools in the Chesil Education Partnership- including Holy Trinity Primary, St Nicholas and St Laurence, All Saints School, Budmouth College and Wey Valley and St George's on Portland- will meet with representatives from Reach South, a new academy trust.

At the meeting on Friday, they will discuss the possibility of bringing the partnership into the fold of the trust, which is taking over 15 schools in the South from September.

It is understood that the Department for Education (DfE) has asked for a decision by Friday, May 27. The DfE has not yet responded to a request for comment.

A spokesman from Reach South said: "Reach South has been invited along to speak at the meeting this week.

"These are very early, initial discussions and are simply about setting out one possible option.

"We are very clear that any governance decisions about Church of England schools are for the Diocese of Salisbury to decide."

Reach South is one of three academy trusts falling under the Reach banner but all functioning independently.

The other two are REAch2 and Reach4, both primary school academy trusts.

Reach South is the newest addition and will cover both primary and secondary schools in the South West.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Salisbury said: “The chairs of governors and headteachers of the Weymouth area are working with great care to decide on the best way of maximising their partnerships to make a difference for children.

"The Diocesan Board of Education is committed to working with the schools to ensure that Church school status is protected; the very best choices for future partnership must be made placing children at the heart of decision making."

Vicky Prior, the chairman of the Chesil Education Partnership said: "The schools in Weymouth and Portland have worked together successfully for many years through the Chesil Education Partnership.

"Every school is committed to not only securing the very best educational outcomes for the children and young people in our area, but also to working with and supporting families.

"The schools value and celebrate their individuality, while seeking to create a collaborative local landscape where every child enjoys a high quality learning experience.

"The group have been discussing how to develop our partnership further for the benefit of our pupils and the communities we serve.

"The national education agenda is moving at a pace, however I can confidently assure you that in Weymouth and Portland every school governing body remains committed to making decisions based on what is best for our learners and our local community.

"As part of this process our Regional Schools Commissioner, Rebecca Clark, has asked Reach South to visit and share their model with us.

"It is important to recognise that this presentation is only part of a much wider piece of work. Once a preferred model has been identified a full public consultation will take place."

The Chesil Education Partnership is a collective of 21 schools. 

One head teacher from within the partnership, who did not wished to be named, told the Dorset Echo: "All I know is that the Chesil Partnership are exploring various options in light of the proposed future of education from the Department for Education."

The idea has proved controversial, with some sources saying it is 'madness.'

One said: "No staff or parents are being consulted on the proposal.

"This is being forced through via the controversial education White Paper that allows schools to be forced into academies if the local authority is deemed to be underperforming."