Six schools in South Cumbria will join the Co-op Academies Trust.
The schools are currently part of the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, which is struggling financially.
It said its early expansion placed significant pressure on its central reserves. The trust ended the 2024-25 financial year with a £561,000 deficit.
Interim chief financial officers were appointed to conduct a forensic review of its budget and recovery work.
In June 2025, it was issued with a notice to improve from the Department for Education due to its financial management.
The Government department monitored the trust’s progress and said while it recognised the trust’s co-operation and changes, it still had concerns over its weak financial position.
This month, it has been announced that Barrow’s Chetwynde, Ormsgill Nursery & Primary, Newbarns Primary, Cambridge Primary, South Walney Juniors and Vickerstown Primary will be absorbed into the Co-op Academies Trust.
They will form a Cumbria Hub for the Co-operative Academies Trust.
Dr Chris Tomlinson, chief executive officer of Co-op Academies Trust, said: “We are very pleased to be welcoming South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust schools into our trust.
“I understand how important these schools are to their communities. We recognise the challenges that have been reported but also the excellent practice within the schools that we can build on, and we see this as a positive and exciting opportunity to work together – building on the strengths already in place and ensuring every child has access to an excellent education.
“What stands out to us is the strong alignment in values, and commitment to pupils. We are not here to impose a one-size-fits-all approach, but to work alongside school leaders, staff and communities to help each school thrive.”
Steve Jefferson, acting CEO of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, added: “This marks an important and positive step forward for education across Barrow.
“Our six schools will form the first Cumbria Hub of Co-op Academies Trust, which has already successfully established regional hubs in Manchester, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and Staffordshire.
“Over time being part of a large trust will bring increased capacity, investment and significant benefits.
“Pupils and staff will have access to wider educational opportunities, enhanced support and shared expertise across a diverse and broad network of schools.
“We are proud of what has been achieved across our Trust to date. This next step is about building on these strengths to ensure our schools continue to flourish.”
The transition is expected to take place early next year.
Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham said: “I want to welcome Co-op Academies to the town, who I know will bring a great deal to the table and provide a lot of advantages and opportunities for the children, families, and staff at these schools.
“This news puts an end to a period of uncertainty that I know has been very difficult for families and the hard-working staff at these schools. I want to thank them for their patience and resilience throughout this process.
“Throughout my involvement in this process I have been keen to stress the need to focus on what is best for the children, staff, and for our town. These are schools that have been performing well and I wanted to ensure that under any new academy trust they were given every opportunity to excel.
“It is now time to look forward and through my conversations with the schools, the trust and with the leadership at Co-op Academies I know that there is a lot of optimism about what this change can bring in terms of investment and benefits. I look forward to seeing that being delivered.”
