Pupils and staff have returned from holidays to see their primary school in Epsom officially become part of a multi-academy trust.

The Vale Primary School, in Beaconsfield Road, is now under the administration of the Oaks Academy Trust – which oversees 30 primary and secondary schools across five different local authorities.

It was founded in 2014, initially with Banstead Infant School and Warren Mead Junior School, before it was upgraded to sponsor status with The Vale Primary School joining last December.

Its pupils and staff have since celebrated the news as a special mosaic was created by the school’s community – one of several events during “collaboration week”.

Cathy Browne, one of The Vale Primary School’s co-headteachers, said: “We are very excited to join Oaks Academy Trust – a family of schools with which we already work very closely with.

“The expertise and support available within the Trust will enable all those working in our school community to continue to achieve their very best.”

Collaboration week also saw pupils participating in a special assembly to mark the conversion – citing “communication, cooperation, participation and perseverance” as key targets for success.