Becoming an academy or joining a Multi-Academy Trust

Academy pupils jumping outside school building

The view of the Gloucester Diocesan Board of Education (GDBE) is that all Church of England schools should be proactive in planning for the future, in developing strong collaborative arrangements, and recognises that for some within the Diocese of Gloucester family of schools this may lead to discussion about conversion to academy status as part of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT).

The vision of the GDBE is for all across our family of schools to be part of a ‘good home’. The GDBE Schools’ Strategy, ‘A Good Home for All Church Schools’ provides schools with the detail of this shared vision as well as making clear the options that are available for Church of England schools in the Diocese of Gloucester.

GDBE Schools’ Strategy 2022 A Good Home for All Church Schools

If you have any queries or questions about this strategy or if you are starting to consider joining a MAT, please contact a member of the education team for an initial conversation on ku.gr1679562503o.coi1679562503dsolg1679562503@ecna1679562503nrevo1679562503gsloo1679562503hcs1679562503

Schools choosing to convert to an academy or join a MAT

There is no current government policy or targets for local authority maintained schools to convert to an academy or join an academy trust, school leaders have been given the autonomy to decide what is best for their school and its community.

The Memorandum of Understanding D f E between the National Society and the Secretary of State is a good point of reference for schools exploring academy status or joining a MAT supplement the information contained in the Gloucester-Diocesan-Board-of-Education-Policy-on-the-Academisation-of-C-of-E-Schools

The Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust (DGAT) was established in 2012 to provide a home for any CofE school wanting or needing to become an academy. The DBE’s commitment to considering the application of any school from the Diocese of Gloucester to join DGAT remains , however, the DBE acknowledges that there are many Trust models now established within the Diocese and DGAT may not be the most appropriate or commercially viable for all schools.

In the Diocese of Gloucester, there are three options for schools to consider:

Apply to join the diocesan MAT (Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust) – any school exploring the possibility of academy conversion is invited to visit The Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust website.
Apply to establish their own MAT with other schools in their area
Apply to join an existing MAT, whether Church of England or “mixed” MAT of Church of England and non-Church of England schools.

In all cases of voluntary conversion, the DBE’s legal consent to proceed is required. This is not automatic and should not be assumed. The DBE will consider each request individually based upon the proposal received. is important that when schools begin considering academy conversion they contact the Diocesan Education Team at the earliest opportunity so that we can help, advise and support.. Gloucester-Diocesan-Board-of-Education-Policy-on-the-Academisation-of-C-of-E-Schools outlines the procedure and options open to all schools.

Whether academy conversion and joining the diocesan MAT, setting up a new MAT or joining another MAT is appropriate for a school is very much dependent upon the school’s local context and governing bodies should carefully consider whether academy conversion has the potential to improve sustainable outcomes for the children they serve whilst maintain the school’s ethos and distinctive Christian vision.

For schools issued with an academy order

Other options for collaboration