A village primary close to the Norfolk-Suffolk border has become the latest to join a growing academies trust.

Earsham Church of England Primary Academy has joined the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust - becoming the organisation's 40th school overall.

The move will see the primary school link up with two of its neighbouring schools - Ditchingham and Gillingham St Michaels - in a partnership known as the Kingfisher Federation.

It also sees executive headteacher Heather Brand, who has been in interim charge since September 2022, lead all three schools alongside a single board of governors.

Mrs Brand said: "Within this family of church schools, there will be opportunities for collaboration, mutual support and improvement with similar schools."

Caroline Hutton, chairman of governors, said the timing of the move was right for all three schools and the trust.

She said: "We wanted to secure the long-term stability of leadership and gain the support and expertise offered by DNEAT.

"Working across the Kingfisher Federation provides the great opportunity of shared curriculum, extra support for staff and overall stability for the future of the school."

Oliver Burwood, chief executive of DNEAT, said he was "delighted".