Below are a list of some questions that we think people may have. We will be updating this list regularly with responses to questions posed via the online survey - so please do keep checking in to find out more.
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 the remainder 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 school is 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:
Will any staff leave if we are joining another Trust?
We hope not. A major drive is to provide a wider range of CPD (continuing professional development) and enhanced career opportunities for all of our staff. Joining Pope Francis will also not mean any change to the staff’s terms and conditions. Staff would officially be employed by the MAT, but their existing employment rights would move across under the TUPE rules and thus be protected.
Additional FAQs added 25th March 2026
I understand that current contracts will be transferred to the Trust under the TUPE system. Is the Trust allowed to change contracts and current hours/salary after an amount of time?
Staff normally transfer to the Trust under TUPE, which is designed to protect existing terms and conditions at the point of transfer. A Trust cannot simply reduce pay, hours or other contractual benefits just because the school has joined a Trust. Any later changes would still need a lawful reason and would require consultation and agreement.
Is there a plan for re-structure of staff after 3 years? / Re-structure of job roles and TLRs after 3 years?
Any future staffing review would depend on the needs of the school, pupil numbers, curriculum needs, finances and improvement priorities at that time.
If any proposed restructure were considered in future, it should be subject to consultation, with staff and unions fully involved.
What is the potential for a new building?
Given that a new building has been secured for the Salesian Academy of St John Bosco, we can understand the question.
A new build would depend on need, pupil numbers, site suitability, capital funding availability and approval through the relevant processes. This would be funded by the DfE, but we would explore all funding avenues open to us.
How much will the MAT impact on the school and developments – is there potential for development in teaching and learning?
A strong Trust should bring support, challenge and opportunities for school improvement, especially in teaching and learning. This can include shared expertise, staff development, leadership support, moderation, subject networks and access to wider trust-wide resources.
What we can say is that collaboration is key to our Trust’s approach.
What is the top slice that the Trust will be taking off the current budget allocated to the school?
There is no nationally fixed “top slice” for all MATs. Each trust sets its own model for central services and school contributions.
Pope Francis currently devolve 95% of the school budget to the school, and retain 5% for things like payroll.
In the medium / long-term, are there any plans for common assessments across the Trust or will this still be school led?
There are no plans, but it is possible that schools may choose to align their approaches naturally over time.
If a different school uniform is needed, the cost for this might prove too much for some parents in the present economic climate. Will a new uniform be needed?
There is no plan or desire to change the school uniform.
Will the school lose its individual identity as part of becoming a Trust?
No. The school will retain its identity, uniform and ethos.
How will an academy deal with already stretched resources for struggling families, families with SEN need, and remaining true to our faith and wider community?
Academy status does not remove the school’s responsibilities to support vulnerable pupils and pupils with SEND. As a Catholic Trust we wholly recognise our responsibility to our families with additional needs and to our local communities and will continue to prioritise support and resources to both.
Most academies require new uniform to unify the school. Will families be expected to meet the financial demands of this?
There is no plan or desire to change the uniform.
Will teaching and staffing be forced to change in line with becoming an academy? At present my son with SEN is settled with the school community and I feel that potential changes will be detrimental to learning for many.
For pupils with SEND, continuity and stability are especially important, and PFCMAT recognise that. We would only make changes if it is beneficial, aligned with best practice and was supported by the SENDco team in the school.
Will the school merge with others in terms of buildings? If it will, what strategies will be put in place to support families of OLQP?
There are no plans to merge buildings.
What links do we already have with the academy we are looking to join and what are their opinions on OLQP joining? We must consider the needs of all and not just our school.
This is a very important due-diligence question. We have spoken to heads and other senior leaders in the Trust, and they are very excited to welcome OLQP into the Trust.
Will we have to align our values, aims and goals as a school to the academy? Will we lose our identity as a school?
The school will not lose their identity – and OLQP’s ethos and values will remain.
As part of the Trust we will work to collective goals, but they are linked to the communities that we serve.
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.
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