Schools are less likely to fail if they group together as part of an academy trust, according to a government-appointed schools chief.

Frank Green, the schools commissioner for England, spoke to an audience of about 100 Essex headteachers and governors in Colchester yesterday.

The event, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, was held with the purpose of encouraging more of the county’s schools to consider becoming an academy.

Academies are state-funded, but are free of direct control from Essex County Council, and have greater freedom over their curriculum.

Mr Green said: “The chances of schools failing falls when you put them in a trust.

“Outstanding leadership at the top, and at classroom level, will benefit all the schools in the group.”

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