Church schools in this diocese have the choice of joining the Diocesan Multi Academy Trust (MAT) or joining or forming their own local church school-led MAT. There are currently four such MATs in the diocese: All Saints Schools Trust, Elveden Schools Trust, Tilian and Thedwastre. Schools considering academy status are encouraged to discuss their plans with Jane Sheat, Diocesan Director of Education in the first instance.
Diocesan Multi Academy Trust | Weblink
All Saints Schools Trust | Weblink
Elveden Schools Trust | Link to follow
The Tilian Partnership | Weblink
Thedwastre Education Trust | Weblink
For a list of schools already in an Academy Trust, please see schools sorted alphabetically by Academy Trust | PDF
For a map of church schools in our church school MATs, please see Church School led MATs and Schools | Weblink
Converting to Academy status
Governing Bodies considering conversion to Academy status are encouraged to refer to the documents listed below:
Memorandum of Understanding (September 2023) | Weblink
DBE Academy Strategy (September 2023) | PDF
A template declaration for Diocesan MAT (December 2024) | Word | PDF
A template declaration for local MAT (December 2024) | Word | PDF
Church schools are also advised to make early contact with the Diocesan Director of Education, Jane Sheat so that appropriate support and guidance can be offered. Schools seeking Diocesan Board of Education consent (a statutory requirement for VC and VA schools alike) are advised that DBE Meetings are scheduled to take place on the following dates in 2025:
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Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 1.30pm
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Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 4pm TBC
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Tuesday 23 September 2025 at 4pm TBC
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Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 4pm TBC
Additional resources
Church academies: model documents | Weblink
DfE academy conversion documents for schools | Weblink
Opportunity for all: strong schools with great teachers for your child (White Paper, March 2022) | Weblink
Academies Trust Handbook (September 2024) | Weblink