South Axholme Community School in Epworth announced earlier in the year it would be pursuing a more independent status and negotiations have - so far - secured three new partners.

The University of Lincoln, Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln and the Scunthorpe United Football Club Trust (SUFCT) have all come on board as head Marie Lister seeks to push ahead with the plans.

She said: "We have had tremendous support from the trust and the foundation schools, getting us through the process and brokering meetings for us as well."

Mrs Lister - who reaffirmed the plans would not see South Axholme become a grammar school or academy - explained a public consultation process begins next Monday, November 23, and ends on Friday, December 18.

She added: "This will develop the school and improve life chances for young people and the broader community. We are looking for this to raise expectations and get our pupils working with undergraduates and postgraduates to develop their skills.

"Bishop Grosseteste is very keen on developing our teacher training and we are very happy to forge these links with them."

Head of governors, Paul Barratt, applauded the involvement of SUFCT, explaining the club could help via its Study United course and improve youngsters' financial management skills.

He added: "There are lots of common areas where we can work with all of our partner organisations."

Consultation documents explaining the trust status process are to be distributed to the families of exisiting pupils, feeder primary schools, local businesses and the local education authority, North Lincolnshire Council.

"We are still part of the North Lincolnshire family of schools and still be subject to Ofsted inspections so in that sense nothing will change," added Mr Barratt.

An open meeting is also planned at the school on Thursday, December 3, at 6pm, and all are welcome to attend.

"After the consultation process, everything goes back to the governors and all comments are recorded and they meet in early January," added
Mrs Lister.