TWO pairs of county schools are considering forming federations.

Consultation has been launched on Roman Catholic schools St Gregory the Great Secondary School and St John Fisher Primary School in Oxford becoming a federation with a single governing body.

At the same time, The Cooper School, in Bicester, and Glory Farm Primary School, are asking parents, staff and pupils their views on a proposed federation.

Federated schools have one governing body and can share resources, while retaining their own budget and admissions. The two Oxford schools already share a leader in executive headteacher John Hussey.

A consultation document to parents said advantages would include improving teaching and the transition of children from Key Stage Two to Key Stage Three.

Meetings will be held on Tuesday at 3pm at St John Fisher and at 6pm at St Gregory’s.

In Bicester, consultation will be held at Glory Farm on March 26, and at The Cooper School on March 27.

Glory Farm head Paul Ducker said: “We share the common goal of providing the best possible education for young people in Bicester.”

And Cooper School head Ben Baxter added: “Benefits include greater purchasing power, economies of scale and combined maintenance and buying contracts, which can only help the education of young people in this area.”

Federations are unconnected to academy status but do not stop schools from applying for it.