FAQs

Duddon St Peter’s: Academy Consultation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.What is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)?

A Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is a group of schools working together within a single organisation to provide high-quality education and improve outcomes for all pupils.

The Trust is responsible for the governance and strategic oversight of all schools within it, while individual schools continue to retain their own identity, ethos and connection to their local community.

2.What does it mean for pupils?

There would be no significant changes to the day-to-day experience of pupils. Academies are still state-funded schools, but they operate within a different governance structure.

There would be no changes to the school uniform, school day or term dates as a direct result of academy conversion.

Pupils may benefit from increased collaboration with partner schools through shared activities, wider curriculum opportunities, staff development and access to additional initiatives and experiences across the Trust.

3.Who can become an academy?

Any school can become an academy either through a voluntary route (for schools performing well) or through a compulsory route (for schools requiring additional support). Church of England schools require the permission of the Diocese to join a Trust that protects the religious character of the school through its governance and legal arrangements.

Duddon St Peter’s CE Primary School is proposing to join Chester Diocesan Learning Trust through the voluntary conversion route.

4.Does my school need agreement from the local authority?

Schools are free to discuss their plans with local partners, including the local authority, but local authority approval is not required for academy conversion under the Academies Act 2010.

Conversion requires approval from the governing body and the Secretary of State for Education.

5.Do schools need to consult before converting?

Yes. All schools are required to carry out a consultation if they are pursuing the voluntary route, although schools have flexibility in how this is conducted and who is consulted. The purpose of consultation is to ensure stakeholders have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback before any final decision is made.

6.Does my school have to hold a consultation with staff?

The current employer of school staff will need to undertake a formal TUPE consultation with staff and recognised Trade Unions should the academy conversion proceed. This is separate from the wider consultation currently being undertaken by governors regarding the proposal to join the Trust.

7.How long will it take?

Most academy conversions take approximately 3–6 months, although some conversions can take longer depending on the complexity of the process.

8.Why is Duddon St Peter’s CE Primary School proposing to join Chester Diocesan Learning Trust (CDLT)?

Governors believe that joining Chester Diocesan Learning Trust would help secure the long-term future of Duddon St Peter’s CE Primary School and provide the strongest possible framework for continued school improvement, collaboration and support.

CDLT is a Diocesan Trust with a strong Christian ethos that closely aligns with the school’s values, vision and historic Church foundation. Governors believe that joining the Trust would help preserve the school’s identity and Christian distinctiveness whilst providing access to wider professional expertise, shared resources and opportunities for collaboration with other schools.

As part of the school’s existing federation with Barrow CE Primary School, governors also believe that both schools being part of the same Trust would support a coherent and stable long-term structure for leadership, governance and partnership working across the federation.

9.Is Duddon being forced to become an academy?

No. Duddon St Peter’s CE Primary School is seeking to join CDLT through the voluntary conversion route. However, governors believe that alignment with Barrow CE Primary School within the same Trust is in the best interests of both schools and will support stability, collaboration and long-term sustainability.

10.Will Barrow CE Primary School’s Ofsted judgement affect Duddon?

Governors understand that parents and carers may have questions following Barrow CE Primary School’s recent Ofsted judgement.

Duddon St Peter’s CE Primary School continues to be a good school with many strengths, including a strong Christian ethos, positive community relationships and improving outcomes. Governors believe that joining CDLT will help protect and strengthen those qualities whilst enabling both schools to benefit from wider Trust support and partnership working.

11.Will the school keep its Christian character?

Yes. Duddon St Peter’s CE Primary School would continue to be a Church of England school with its Christian ethos, values and distinctiveness protected.

Chester Diocesan Learning Trust is a Diocesan Trust established to support and preserve the Christian foundation of Church schools within the Diocese.

12.Will the school keep its name and identity?

Yes. Duddon St Peter’s CE Primary School would retain its name, identity and place within the local community. Joining a Trust does not mean the school loses its individual character or values.

13.Will there be changes to staffing?

There are no proposals to change staffing structures as part of the academy conversion process. Existing staff would transfer to the Trust under TUPE regulations should the conversion proceed.

14. Who will run the school on a day-to-day basis?

The school would continue to be led by the Headteacher and senior leaders, supported by Governors and the Trust.

The Trust would provide strategic support, school improvement expertise and operational services while allowing the school to continue serving its local community.

15.Will the school still work with the local community?

Yes. The school would continue to play an important role within the local community, parish and Diocese.

Governors believe joining CDLT would strengthen opportunities for collaboration whilst preserving the school’s local identity and relationships.

16.What protections are in place for staff if the school becomes an academy?

If the school converts to academy status, existing staff would transfer to Chester Diocesan Learning Trust under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE). TUPE is a legal process which protects staff when an employer changes and includes protection for existing terms and conditions and continuity of service.

Should the conversion proceed, staff and recognised Trade Unions would be fully consulted as part of a separate formal TUPE consultation process in accordance with statutory requirements.

17.Why is the school consulting now?

Governors want to ensure that parents, carers, staff and the wider community have the opportunity to understand the proposal, ask questions and provide feedback before any final decision is made.

18.Would the school continue to be part of coordinated admissions with the local authority?

Yes. All academies continue to participate in coordinated admissions arrangements. Parents and carers would continue to complete the same application process through the local authority.

19.What support is available to academies if they get into financial difficulty?

Academies, like all schools, are expected to maintain strong financial management and balanced budgets. Trusts also provide additional financial oversight and support across their schools.

20. Are academies forced to buy in expensive services?

No. Academies are free to decide which services they purchase and from whom, including services from the Local Authority. Schools within a Trust can often achieve better value for money through shared services and economies of scale.

21.Will we get more money as an academy?

Academies receive the same core per-pupil funding as maintained schools, together with funding for services previously provided by the local authority.

The Government’s intention is that academy status should not create a financial advantage or disadvantage. However, academies often have greater flexibility in how budgets are used and can benefit from collaborative purchasing and shared services across the Trust.