Caterham schools has acquired Copthorne Prep School in Sussex, cementing a long-standing relationship between the schools.

Copthorne Prep School headmaster Nathan Close will continue to lead the school.

Caterham schools encompasses Caterham senior school, led by headmaster Ceri Jones and Caterham Prep led by headmaster Ben Purkiss, and now CPS.

Close said: CPS has been providing first-class education for children for the last 121 years. This next step is a fantastic opportunity to build on our proud legacy by joining a highly successful, forward-thinking family of schools which shares our core commitment to the happiness and success of our children. Crucially, parents can have full confidence that their children will continue to enjoy the happy, successful school they chose, and that their children will be fully supported and prepared for whichever senior school they chose beyond CPS.”

CPS’s chair of governors, Sam Coutinho said: “This relationship will enable us to build on a shared educational vision and purpose, a culture of excellence underpinned by wellbeing and innovation. The school’s governors have given their wholehearted support to the new partnership, which will retain the unique character of CPS whilst allowing the school to grow and evolve with confidence over the coming years as part of an established, resilient and successful family of schools.”

Caterham School is the founding school of the East Surrey Learning Partnership, a group of independent and state-maintained schools which work together as equal partners to further educational opportunity for all young people in the local area.