Two education trusts could merge to form a super provider overseeing eight schools.

Medway-based Skills for Life Trust and Rainham Mark Education Trust (RMET) are looking at ways of working together and are consulting with staff and parents.

Employees and their unions have also undertaken a TUPE meeting to provide immediate assurances and provide protection for jobs.

The move follows advice from the Department for Education over the past six months which encourages smaller trusts to expand by way of mergers to create a stronger, larger multi-academy organisation.

The thinking is that it would improve educational outcomes for children, combining expertise, experience, resources and governance.

It would also provide greater staff development opportunities.

Skills for Life Trust has Greenacre Academy, Walderslade Girls School, Hilltop Primary Academy in Strood, Warren Wood Primary Academy in Rochester and Chantry Primary Academy in Gravesend under its umbrella.

RMET oversees Rainham Mark Grammar, Riverside Primary in Rainham and Twydall Primary.

The Rev Nathan Ward, chairman of trustees of RMET, said: "Rainham Mark Education Trust and the Skills for Life Trust are currently in discussions regarding a joint merger.

"Due diligence is due to be completed by the end of January 2023 and a consultation of stakeholders will conclude on February 22 where both Trusts are encouraging key stakeholders to send us their comments and questions which will form part of the decision-making process.

"We anticipate a decision being made in March 2023."

The four-week consultation period started on Friday, January 13 and continues to Friday, February 10.

Skills for Life was approached for a comment.