An all-girls school has been confirmed as the forth to join a ‘prestige’ education group.

Following several months of talks, Braeside School in High Road, Buckhurst Hill, completed the transition as part of the Oak-Tree Group of schools this morning (September 1).

The school, which joins Coopersale School in Epping, Normanhurst in Chingford and Oaklands in Loughton, will now face upgrades including new kitchens to deliver home cooked lunches for all pupils and the introduction of 7.30am until 6pm care with new extra-curricular clubs and activities for all age ranges.

The four schools in the group, which are located within a six mile radius on the West Essex and North London borders, aim to work to provide pupils with a well-rounded education and the best possible start to their career.

Oak-Tree’s Managing Group Principle Matthew Hagger said: “Braeside is an excellent school with an outstanding reputation within our locality for strong academic achievement.

“Moving the school into the Oak-Tree Group will unlock the potential for considerable growth and development.

“I have had several meetings over the summer with Headmistress Gillian Haddon and I’m very pleased that our aims for developing the school are very similar.

“By the start of the Autumn Term 2015 we will have some 950 pupils and 300 staff in our four schools and I will be getting to know the parents, pupils and staff of Braeside at various meetings over the coming weeks and months.

“My philosophy has always been to build excellent relationships with parents for the good of their children’s education.

“I will continue to be readily available to meet with parents within the Oak-Tree Group at our various coffee mornings and events.”