Head teachers said they want to pool resources to offer students the best courses and compete better against nearby academy schools.

The schools are known collectively as the Lincoln Specialists Federation.

The Branston, Cherry Willingham, Christ's Hospital, North Kesteven, Robert Pattinson, St Peter and St Paul and Yarborough schools are taking part.

'Real potential'

Stuart McFarlane, Chief Executive of the Lincoln Specialists Federation and head teacher of the Robert Pattinson school, said: "We're working together as a group of schools now in order to increase the opportunity and the ability of the schools to deliver courses to children that will take them forwards.

"We're looking for ways and means of working together, so that every child in the area will be able to achieve their real potential."

Mr McFarlane said the pilot scheme will help the schools share expertise and also compete against three nearby academy schools for government money.

He said: "We wonder whether providing extra resources for a limited number of schools is actually going to take forward the whole area's education, so we're trying to do something that will correct any imbalance."