10th December 2024
Reference: Moving to an academy trust,
Dear Parents and Carers,
Following a short period of due diligence, the Westcliffe Federation Governors have decided to explore joining the Marches Academy Trust subject to further due diligence and stakeholder consultation. Further information about what transferring to a multi-academy means, and how to comment on the proposals, is set out below.
What is an academy?
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. It is proposed that schools within the Westcliffe Federation will transfer to become part of The Marches Academy Trust. This means that the schools will be part of an academy group, to which other schools may join in the future.
Will schools within the Westcliffe Federation definitely become an Academy?
This proposal would mean the schools would join a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) providing both parties are happy following due diligence and consultation process. The Westcliffe Federation would disband and the schools join the Trust individually.
Any comments or representations which are made about the proposals will be considered by the Marches Academy Trust before a decision is taken to sign the Funding Agreement. Details on how to provide comments and representations are set out below. The Marches Academy Trust will not sign the Funding Agreement unless they are content that transfer would be in the best interests of the schools taking into account all the legal and practical ramifications.
Why The Marches Academy Trust?
Academy chains are not new and there are a number of academy trusts operating across the country, some small and some large. The Marches Academy Trust will provide advice and support to schools within the Westcliffe Federation.
What are the benefits of being an academy?
In the school’s opinion the benefits are numerous:
- Academies are independent of local authority control – this means that academies have more freedom about how they conduct themselves
- Academies receive their funding direct from central government – this means that academies have more autonomy on how their funding is spent in order to directly benefit children and young people
- Academies have more freedom over the curriculum taught – this means that academies do not need to teach parts of the National Curriculum which they do not consider appropriate for children and young people
- Academies have more freedom to undertake innovative projects – academies are independent and so have more freedom to undertake innovative projects, such as setting up and utilising trading subsidiaries
Will the admissions arrangements change?
The current admission arrangements will remain in place for the time being. If the academy wanted to change its admission arrangements consultation would be required. To be clear, there will be no change to parental choice and catchment areas.
Will there be any changes to staffing?
If the schools transfer to a multi-academy, all staff currently employed by the schools will automatically transfer to the new academy on their current terms and conditions. Although the academy will have more freedom to amend those terms and conditions in the future, and, in any event, any change to pay and conditions would need to be consulted upon with staff representatives.
Will the schools within the Westcliffe Federation change?
We do not intend to change the schools within the Westcliffe Federation except in ways which we think will improve the schools even more. For children, it is unlikely that they will see much, if any, change in their day-to-day school lives.
Academies do have the power to vary their curriculums and vary the length of the school day; however, it is not intended to take any such steps at this stage, and we would engage with parents/carers, staff and children if we did ever intend to make such changes in the future.
How can I find out more?
A meeting will be held on Wednesday 8th January at 5.30pm at West Felton CE School, Oswestry SY11 4JR. We would encourage you to attend if you have any questions, or simply want to learn more.
There is also information about academies on the DfE website: http://www.education.gov.uk/academies
There is a frequently asked questions section on the Marches Academy Trust website which you can view > https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/faqs
If you cannot find the answer to your question on the DfE website, and cannot attend the meeting, please email – [email protected]
How can I make representations?
The closing date for comments is Friday 31st January 2025.
Representations can be made by:
Completing the electronic survey https://forms.office.com/e/y9Hh0eVRrJ
Completing a hard copy of the survey (available to download from our website) and returning it to:
Sarah Finch,
CEO, The Marches Academy Trust, Bainbridge Green, Shrewsbury, SY13QR
Or emailing [email protected]
Yours sincerely,
Eve Whitmore
Chair of Governors
The Westcliffe Federation