The governing body of Chandlers Field Primary School has applied to become an academy under the Academies Act and is proposing to join the LEO Academy Trust.  Further information about what becoming an academy means, and how to comment on the proposals, is set out below. 

Will the school definitely become an Academy?

The governing body has submitted an application to convert to academy status and is working towards a conversion later this year.  However, the school is not obligated to become an academy until the contract between the academy trust and the Department for Education (known as the Funding Agreement) is signed.

The academy trust will not sign the Funding Agreement until parents and carers of pupils at the school, staff at the school, all stakeholders and the pupils themselves have had the opportunity to comment on whether the conversion should take place. We have written to all parents and carers and have also invited them to attend various meetings as outlined in the letters below, to learn more about the proposals to become an academy, or to comment on the proposals. 

We will also hold meetings with staff. 

Any comments or representations which are made about the proposals will be considered by the academy trust before a decision is taken to sign the Funding Agreement. Details of how to provide comments and representations are set out below.

The academy trust will not sign the Funding Agreement unless they are content that conversion would be in the best interests of the school taking account of all of the legal and practical ramifications.

What is an academy?

A state school funded directly by the government, rather than maintained by a local authority.  Each academy is run by an academy trust.