A MAT running schools teaching almost 30,000 pupils is set to become one of the 10 largest trusts in England after absorbing nine more academies. Ark Schools has to merge with the Pontefract Academies Trust next year, having eyed expansions into 鈥渘ew regions鈥. The schools will form the 鈥渇ounding base of a new northern hub鈥 for the trust, which currently has schools in London, the south and the Midlands. Meanwhile, PAT鈥檚 chief executive 鈥 who pulled out of taking over at another national academy trust a few weeks ago 鈥 will move into a role in Ark鈥檚 central team. 鈥淏oth trusts are excited about the opportunity to come together to strengthen outcomes, improve efficiencies, invest in staff development, and ensure our schools are places where children can thrive,鈥 a joint statement said. 鈥淎rk chooses to work where they can make the biggest difference and has been considering growth into new regions where there is strong local leadership and a commitment to delivering excellent results.鈥 CEO’s new role Julian Appleyard, PAT鈥檚 CEO, had been named the next chief executive of the David Ross Education Trust, which has 36 schools on its books, in July. Julian Appleyard But Schools Week revealed last week he was 鈥渘o longer able to take up the role鈥 due to 鈥渁 change鈥n personal circumstances鈥. Pontefract has now revealed Appleyard 鈥渨ill become the Ark director for growth and regional director for the north鈥 once the merger is completed next September, provided the plans are greenlit by the Department for Education. He will focus on his trust鈥檚 鈥渋ntegration鈥 into the larger MAT and be a member of its 鈥渟chool management team鈥. Ark added there will also be PAT representation on its board 鈥渢o ensure continuity and integration at all levels鈥. Pontefract, which runs nine schools, has seen 鈥渟ignificant improvements鈥 under Appleyard鈥檚 leadership. In primary, it has 鈥渙ne from one of the lowest performing nationally to one of the top three multi-academy trusts鈥 for outcomes. Ark’s ‘northern hub’ Pontefract has been 鈥渆xploring how to build on this success to benefit more children, families and staff鈥 nearby. It believes 鈥渢he best way to achieve its aims is to join with a like-minded trust that shares its values and has a proven record of success鈥. It noted that Ark鈥檚 鈥渟ignificant expertise鈥 will also help it 鈥渃ontinue to build upon the strong foundations in our two secondary schools鈥. 鈥淩ecognising their alignment, shared ambition for greater impact, and complementary strengths, the boards of both trusts propose a merger, with Pontefract becoming the founding base of a new northern hub for Ark.鈥 When asked if it would expand further, Ark said it will “consider sustainable growth in existing and new regions where we believe we can make a difference”. The merger will take its tally of schools to 48, making it the seventh largest trust in the country. This comes after Delta Academies Trust completed its merger with the Coast and Vale Learning Trust this week. The move took expanded it from 57 to 63 schools. Only United Learning Trust is larger.