[School Address]
[Recipient Address]
[Reference]
[Date]
Dear [ ]
Consultation to Convert to Academy Status
You may well be aware that the Government is encouraging all schools to consider
converting to Academy status. After careful consideration and preliminary discussion
with the Diocese, the School’s Governing Body has decided that they wish to explore
conversion to Academy status and, in particular, formation of a Multi Academy Trust
[with [name of schools]]1. We are writing to consult with staff, parents, local
community partners [insert others that the school will consult with, for example, local
parish church, feeder schools] to determine whether the School should proceed with
conversion and we would like to invite your views on the matter.
What is an Academy?
Academies are publicly funded state schools that are independent of the Local
Authority and receive funding directly from Central Government. The School will still
be a Catholic School under the authority of the Bishop of Brentwood and its religious
designation will not change.
Why is this being considered?
As a successful Voluntary Aided School, gaining Academy status would [give us the
autonomy to continue to develop our School and to continue to achieve high
standards]. As a Multi Academy Trust, there will be greater opportunities for working
more closely with other local Catholic schools and the wider community of schools.
What are the advantages of conversion?
[The Government is clear that the greater freedoms enjoyed by Academies are
designed to allow schools to develop and to build on individual strengths in response
to the needs of the community. We feel that the additional freedoms and flexibilities
would enable the Governors to better secure the long term future of our School.]
1
If the consultation is at the early stages, then the identification of the cluster could be deleted.
Obviously, the more information the better, but if a group is identified then the consultation needs to be
co-ordinated and should identify the shared vision of the schools.
26407/27/260917145904.docx
[In addition to this we believe that the formal partnership with [name of other schools]
will have a number of benefits for both schools. This includes a more targeted
approach to the long term future of both schools, strengthening our Catholic identity,
pooling of resources which will improve teaching and management practice within the
schools as well as a greater control of our finances and better management of these
for the benefit of children attending the schools.]
[There are some specific educational benefits as follows:]2
What are the disadvantages of conversion?
Greater freedoms do bring additional responsibilities including statutory duties as an
academy trust company, but the School is confident it can manage these.
Will any changes to the School be made as a result of conversion?
[We intend to make the following changes on conversion/ We do not intend to make
any changes on conversion].
Please be assured that the Catholic character, ethos and values of the School would
remain unchanged should Academy conversion take place.
How to take part in the consultation process
At this stage we are not committing the School to conversion to Academy status. We
are consulting with everyone associated with our School before Governors meet
again to make a final decision.
We would ask that you let us have your views by emailing [email address] by
[time and date].
OR
[There will be an open meeting for you to come and raise any queries you may have
or make comments about this on [date/time] at [location]. If you are unable to make
this meeting but would like to ask any questions or make any comments please
either telephone and ask to speak to [ ] or email [ ] us by
[date/time].
The consultation will close on [ ]. The Governors will meet after this date
to consider how to proceed.
Yours sincerely,
Chair of Governors Headteacher
2
Ideally you will be able to identify some of these, but do not worry if the detail cannot be articulated
at this time.
26407/27/260917145904.docx
