AN ACADEMY trust running three primary schools in Sussex has been ordered to hand over the running of them to a different operator after criticism of its poor performance.

The Lilac Sky Schools Academy Trust, which runs Newhaven Academy, Hailsham Academy and Marshlands Academy in Hailsham, has been told by regional schools commissioner Dominic Herrington to hand over its nine primary schools to other trusts.

The trust has been under-pressure to improve standards at its schools - in November Marshlands Academy in Hailsham was threatened with closure by the government and issued with a termination notice because of "unacceptably low standards".

In a statement the trust said it was working with the Department for Education to ensure plans were in place for pupils for the new academic year in September with some schools already allocated new sponsors.

The DfE said it was working to ensure there was no disruption to education.

A trust spokesman said: "Lilac Sky Schools Academy Trust has decided that in order to serve the needs of our children we should seek new partners to take on the running of our schools.

"We are also working closely with the principal of each school, as well as the new trusts, to ensure that the children's education is not disrupted.

"All of the schools will finish the academic year as planned and be able to reopen for the new academic year in September."