Six schools near Norwich will join together later this year to form the largest school partnership in the county – which will help support the learning of nearly 1,000 pupils.

The scheme from Norfolk County Council and the Norwich Diocesan Board of Education will allow White Woman Lane Junior School, Sprowston; Old Catton Junior School; Frettenham Primary School; Hainford Primary School; Horsford Primary School; and St Faith's Primary School in Horsham St Faith, to share strengths and work closely in a bid to provide the best education for their pupils.

Ashley Best-White has been appointed executive headteacher of the schools and will have three executive deputies to oversee school improvement, special educational needs and disabilities and early years and foundation stage.

Each of the schools will still have its own head and will retain its individual identity, according to Ms Best-White.

'This arrangement means we can share our strengths, highlight what works in each of our schools and have wider collective support to overcome some of the challenges that schools can face,' she said.

'There is ambition among the governors at all of the schools to work together for the good of all of the children in the area, so that we are able to offer them the very best education.

'However, we also want each school to keep its own identity so that local people can have a say about their local community school.'

The yet-to-be-named partnership will become the county's 14th. A federation is already formed between Frettenham Primary and Hainford Primary – with a single headteacher and governing body – and both are working in partnership with St Faith's.

What are your thoughts on the partnership scheme? Email rebecca.murphy@archant.co.uk