Thousands of children will step into a new future tomorrow as their schools in the Helston and Lizard area join forces as a multi-academy trust.

A total of 15 schools will simultaneously convert to academy status and form an educational trust with a total annual budget of more than £17 million.

The new Southerly Point Co-operative Multi-Academy Trust, or ‘MAT,’ will be responsible for the education of some 3,600 primary and secondary pupils.

They will come from two secondary schools - Helston Community College and Mullion School - and 13 primary schools: Breage, Crowan, Cury, Garras, Godolphin, Halwin, Landewednack, Mullion, Parc Eglos, Porthleven, Sithney, Trannack and Wendron.

However, those heading up the Trust have promised that on their return from half term most students will be unaware of any changes on a day-to-day level.

Chief executive Donna Bryant said: "The all-important people at the centre of it all - our students - won’t notice much of a difference initially.

"However, behind the scenes, schools will be learning more from each other’s practice and sharing resources in order to enhance the children’s learning experiences. We call it ‘enabling excellence together’."

Joint sports activities will be one way that pupils in the various schools will be able to meet up with each other.

Students have spoken of their excitement at being able to make friends before going to secondary school together.

Eleven-year-old Mimi, in her final year at Trannack Primary School, said: "Sometimes we are with children from other schools, so we are getting to know each other before we go to secondary school. We can discuss our schools and work with others on how to make our school better."

As academies, the Southerly Point schools will no longer be under the control of Cornwall Council. Instead, the overall Trust will be overseen by local trustees who ultimately answer to the Department for Education in London.

Each individual school will continue to have their own headteachers and boards of governors, however.

Kevin Thomas, chair of the Trust, said: "Each school in the MAT also has its own special identity and culture - and it is important that these remain."

But he added: "Co-operative values are part of the DNA of the new Trust and will help draw the 15 schools together. Parents will be given a voice through consultative forums bringing them together with teachers, trustees and even former pupils."

Mrs Bryant said: "We’ve already been working successfully as a group of schools for several years. Forming a single MAT will draw us together even more closely. That benefits everyone involved, but most of all our students."