THE sponsor for two new primary schools in East Sussex has been announced.

Lilac Sky has been selected to manage the academies to be built in Hailsham and Newhaven.

As part of its planning for additional primary school places, East Sussex County Council successfully applied to the Government’s Education Funding Agency for extra funding for two new academies.

Potential sponsors were invited to enter bids to run the new schools and, this week, the Department of Education confirmed Lilac Sky had been chosen.

Cllr Nick Bennett, the council’s Lead Member for Schools and Learning Effectiveness, said: “We already commission Lilac Sky to provide support to help improve outcomes at some of our schools and we welcome the news that they will be the sponsor of the two new schools.

“Lilac Sky has a track record of offering outstanding provision, securing good outcomes for students and working closely with local communities.  We look forward to working together as the new schools are established.”

The new schools are scheduled to open in September 2015 and each will create 210 primary places.