By Hayley Robinson

A successful secondary school is to share its expertise and resources with a nearby primary.

Under a federation agreement, a single governing body will now oversee The Westlands and Woodgrove primary.

It is hoped the move will help improve standards at Woodgrove.

Westland's head teacher, Jon Whitcombe (pictured), will be taking over as executive head of Woodgrove, whose head teacher Ros Newington is on long-term sick leave.

For the rest of this year, Kent County Council will remain the admissions authority for Woodgrove and the governing body will remain the admissions authority for the Westlands.

However, from 2011 it is proposed the federated governing body will become the admissions authority for both schools.

Woodgrove will be led on a day-to-day basis by a head of school and staff will have the opportunity to work between both schools.

The schools will retain their own identities in respect of its budget, admissions, performance tables and Ofsted inspection.

They will also continue to operate on their own sites.

The intention is to ensure that Woodgrove pupils benefit from access to the specialist facilities and support available from Westlands.

Cllr Gary Cooke, deputy cabinet member for children, families and education, said: "By coming together as a federation, the schools have an opportunity to focus resources in areas of standards and achievement and deliver first-class education."