FAQS

Will OLQP become an academy, and what is an academy? 

Yes we will. 

An academy is a non-fee paying state-school which is funded by, and accountable to, the Government rather than a local authority (LA). To help the running of that school, there is a board of independent trustees or governors, and the money for the running of that school is paid directly to the school. 

What is a multi-academy trust (MAT)?  

A multi-academy trust (MAT) is a charitable company established to be responsible for several academies. Each academy remains a separate school with its own local governing body, but governors are responsible to a Board of Trustees established for the Trust as a whole.  

Trustees are accountable to the Secretary of State for Education for the educational and financial performance of all the Trust’s schools and maintain a central team of staff to ensure that schools improve and meet the government’s expectations.  

What will this mean for my child’s education?  

Being part of a larger multi-academy trust will provide greater opportunities for school staff to work together to share and develop best practices so that we can continue to improve teaching and learning in all schools - but you and your child are unlikely to see any visible difference day-to-day.  

Schools will still have the same name, the same uniform, the same admissions arrangements, the same leaders and staff – and, most importantly, the same pupils. 

Who will appoint local governing bodies? 

Local governing bodies will continue to reflect the character of the schools. They will include elected parents and the Headteacher. Other governors will be appointed by the Trustees in partnership with each local governing body. They will continue to involve members of the local community as much as possible, whilst ensuring an appropriate range of skills.  

Will admissions arrangements change? 

In short, no. 

When would this happen? 

If this were to proceed, then it is likely to take most/all of the academic year to complete all the paperwork. We would still work with the Trust throughout all of this, but it is not a quick process. 

What will all this cost – and how is it paid for? 

This will be paid for by the Trust. It will not come from the school's budget. 

Doesn’t this mean a major change to the way our schools are run?  

No! The Trust is committed to working with its schools and supporting them to improve. Staff will continue in the post on transfer and all pupils will remain on roll.  

Term dates, school times, uniforms and admissions arrangements will not change. We recognise that information widely available on the internet and social media identifies a different approach in some other cases when schools have become academies.  

Will merging with a MAT make our school less accountable to our community?  

This is something that we have considered in depth. Different Trusts operate in different ways, and we have been careful to ensure that we are working with a Trust that has:  

• A group of members and trustees who know our community well. 
• A Trust who has schools in our immediate area.  
• A commitment to retaining our governing body, and delegating appropriate levels of responsibility to them.  
• Full support of PTAs and ensures that funds for each individual PTA remain with their schools.  

Will any staff leave if we are joining another Trust?  

We hope not. A major drive is to provide better CPD (continuing professional development) and enhanced career opportunities for all of our staff. Joining Infinity Academies Trust will also not mean any change to the staff’s terms and conditions. Staff would officially be employed by Infinity Academies Trust, but their existing employment rights would move across under the TUPE rules and thus be protected. 

Are staff jobs secure? 

Infinity has no plans to make any changes to the number of people working across AAT schools. 

As part of the merger, all staff would officially be employed by Infinity Academies Trust. Their existing employment rights would simply move across under the TUPE rules and be protected. 

Do you have any other questions? 

Please go to the Have Your Say page and click on the link. Let us know your thoughts, and we will update responses to key questions on this page so that the whole community can see them.