Each Diocese already has a number of academies. Some academies are part of Multi Academy Trusts (MATS) with more than one academy in them and some are ‘empty MATS’ with only the original converting school which are yet to grow. There are also Single Academy Trusts (SATS) who are companies in their own right created historically which sit outside of a larger MAT.
The Diocese of Durham and Diocese of Newcastle operate a Diocesan MAT, the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust, which contains 9 Church of England Primary Schools (all currently within the Durham Diocesan area) with an application in progress for two more Church of England Primary academies to join the Trust.
In the Durham Diocese there is a mix of 10 Multi-Academy Trusts and Single Academy Trusts (in addition to the Diocesan Trust) of which several comprise only one or two schools.
The full list of Durham Trusts is available here.
All of our Trusts actively welcome non-Church of England Schools; One Excellence and Northern Lights both have non-Church Schools that have joined them where children flourish and grow. 1Excellence is a mixed MAT with one non-church Member. However, the governance of the remainder of these Trusts at Member Level is that all members (apart from the Chair) are nominated by the Church of England in some form.
Between each Diocese the Church of England educates approximately 25,000 children; 43 out of 107 schools are currently academies (40%). In order for a Trust to access Capital Funding the Trust needs to have in excess of 3000 children in mainstream education or slightly less if designated SEND Provision is part of the Trust. Similarly, in order to have the capacity to deliver effective school improvement a Trust needs a number of successful schools with effective leadership structures that have the capacity to support others. For these reasons, both Dioceses have recognized the value in reducing the number of MATS and SATS to ensure sustainable growth for existing Trusts and facilitate longer term viability within a school system that has capacity to support school improvement across our many schools. The consultation on funding for Local Authorities has now concluded and will lead to a 50% cut in local authority grants for school improvement support.
In the Newcastle Diocese all existing Trusts already comprise a number of schools and will be supported to grow. When considering which Trusts should be identified as being likely to grow in the Durham Diocese the working parties and Joint Education Team have taken into consideration the current growth of the Trusts to date and the collective performance of the schools in those Trusts. This does not mean that Trusts that have not been identified to grow do not have committed and capable boards of Trustees or dedicated and experienced leaders and staff. However unfortunately in some instances, despite the very best efforts of our smaller Trusts to grow and develop formal partnerships, this has simply not happened and, in those cases, there does not appear to be a serious likelihood of this happening in any significant way.
In light of this in the Durham Diocese it is envisaged that four Trusts will be in a position to be actively supported to grow:
- Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust
- Northern Lights Learning Trust
- Melrose Learning Trust
- 1 Excellence Multi-Academy Trust
Whilst the Diocese does not have the power to force the merger of any Trusts it will seek to actively encourage SATS, those remaining small MATS and empty MATS to consider a suitable Trust to join. It is not envisaged by either Diocese or the Regional Schools Commissioner that any further new Trusts will be approved unless there are significant extenuating circumstances that are agreed by both parties.
More information, including guidance on how to join a Trust, and how to support vulnerable and rural schools, is available here.