Consultation on Proposed Academy Conversion

Duddon St Peter’s CE Primary School is currently consulting on a proposal to convert to academy status and join Chester Diocesan Learning Trust (CDLT).

The Governing Body is considering this proposal carefully as part of its responsibility to secure the long-term future of the school and ensure that children continue to receive the highest quality education within a nurturing and distinctly Christian environment.

As part of our federation with Barrow CE Primary School, governors believe that both schools joining the same Trust would provide the strongest and most coherent long-term structure for governance, leadership and school improvement.

Importantly, the proposal is for the school to join a Diocesan Trust. This would preserve and protect the school’s historic Church foundation, Christian distinctiveness and close relationship with the Diocese into the future.

What is a Multi-Academy Trust?

A Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is a group of schools working together within a single organisation to support high educational standards, collaboration and school improvement.

Schools within a Trust continue to serve their local communities and retain their own identity and ethos whilst benefiting from shared expertise and wider professional support.

What Would Stay the Same?

Governors recognise that families and staff may have questions about what academy conversion would mean in practice.

Should the proposal proceed, many of the aspects of school life that are most important to our community would remain unchanged, including:

· the school’s Christian ethos and values;

· the school’s name and identity;

· school uniform;

· the structure of the school day;

· term dates and holidays;

· admissions arrangements; and

· the school’s commitment to providing a caring, nurturing and high-quality education.

Children would continue to be taught by familiar staff in the same school setting.

Consultation Process

The consultation period will run from 4th June 2026 until 8th July 2026.

During this time, parents, carers, staff and members of the wider community are encouraged to review the consultation information, ask questions and provide feedback.

A consultation drop-in event will take place during the consultation period on 22nd June at 5:30pm. This will provide an opportunity to discuss the proposals with school leaders, Governors and representatives from Chester Diocesan Learning Trust.

Consultation Documents

The following documents are available to download and review:

· Consultation Letter

· Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Share Your Views

We welcome feedback from all stakeholders as part of the consultation process.

Please complete the online feedback form here:

https://forms.gle/kCwo6PQrrcAa1FC89

All feedback received will be carefully considered by the Governing Body before any final decision is made.

Useful Links:

Department for Education (DfE) – Types of School: Academies

Chester Diocesan Learning Trust (CDLT)