Consultation with Cheshire Academy Trust - April/ May 2025

We are currently in a consultation period with the Cheshire Academies Trust. This period will end on 22nd May.

The decision to undertake a consultation was taken following extensive work by the governing body looking into many different aspects of; what it would mean to be an academy and which multi academy trust would be a valuable support to Tattenhall Park Primary. The governing body wishes to engage in consultation with a broad group of stakeholders and that this can only be done through public consultation. The final decision will be made by the governing body, post consultation.

What is an academy and what is a multi academy trust?

An academy is essentially an independent school which is funded by the state. It is independent of the local authority and receives its funding direct from central government. A multi academy trust is where a group of academies are governed by one trust and a single board of directors. The board of directors is responsible for decisions relating to how each academy is run. The multi academy trust can establish a local governing body for each of its academies, to which it can delegate responsibilities. However, any multi academy trust still remains accountable for these functions.

What are the benefits of being an academy?

In the governing body’s opinion, the benefits are numerous:

 §  The opportunity for collaboration, share expertise and innovate in a MAT – with the group of schools, staff can collaborate and seek support from a wider range of like-minded colleagues.

§  The opportunity for professional development – within a MAT career development is a focus strategy which includes central training and support for all staffing including teachers, teaching assistants and finance staff

§  Academies have more freedom to undertake innovative projects – academies are companies and so have more freedom to undertake innovative projects, such as setting up and utilising trading subsidiaries.

§  Financial and fiscal control – within a MAT there are highly trained experts to support with financial planning and budgeting which will enable better and more focussed control

What are the benefits of being part of a multi academy trust?

It is the opinion of the governing body at Tattenhall Park Primary that being part of Cheshire Academies Trust will give us the following benefits:

§  A strong sense of similar values and ethics – Cheshire Academies Trust has strong ethical values which focus on the wellbeing and academic support to pupils

§  Support to drive educational improvement for all pupils – Working with Trust staff will afford our own staff access to a larger group of people with expertise and knowledge to learn from and give back to.

§  Clear strategies to support our own educational vision and strategy- the Trust has a wealth of central expertise to support our senior leaders and staff in order to benefit the education our pupils receive.

Who are Cheshire Academies Trust?

Cheshire Academies Trust is a multi-academy trust created by three outstanding schools in Cheshire West in 2015. Since that time it has grown to a group of 11 schools in three local authorities; Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Wirral. Their purpose is to inspire the hearts and minds of their staff, pupils and communities with whom they serve. The trust believes in schools retaining their uniqueness because each school serves a unique community. Their values are built on care, collaboration and creativity and these are hardwired into the foundations of their decision making and work. You can read more about the trust on their website found here. www.cheshireacademiestrust.co.uk

How can I find out more and make my views known?

We would very much welcome your participation in the consultation and also to raise any concerns that you may have. There are lots of ways to do this including:

·         Contacting Pete Brown (Chair of Governors) at consultation@tattenhallpark.cheshire.sch.uk

·         Attend the staff consultation evening on 6th May at 3.30pm to be held in the school hall

·         Look out for the update letters throughout the consultation process

There is also more information about academies on the DfE website: http://www.education.gov.uk/academies

If you can’t find the answer to your question through consultation, or on the DfE website, please email:

consultation@tattenhallpark.cheshire.sch.uk

The Tattenhall Park Primary consultation remains open until 22nd May and the governing body is meeting soon after to determine the outcome.

All views and comments made will be made available to the Governors. The Governors are determined to base their decision exclusively on the interests of pupils and their education. Their decision is whether, on balance, this is best done under local authority control or by being independent as an academy with Cheshire Academies Trust.