Joining process

Step one

We usually visit the site of a school interested in joining the Trust and speak to the leadership team and governors. We are often invited to formally present at board meetings. Sometimes schools will then ask to visit some schools in the Trust as a further exploration activity.

It is recommended that the school undertakes a consultation with staff and parents at this point, though some schools prefer to delay the more formal consultation until they have had confirmation that the transfer is likely to go ahead.

Once a board has undertaken their own due diligence on the Trust and it is clear that they wish to explore joining the Trust more formally, they must record a formal resolution proposing this.

Step two

The CEO will request permission from the Trustees of TGAT to proceed with due diligence.

Step three

Due diligence includes multiple visits to the site, documentation review and meetings with individual staff. The headteacher must be available to provide documentation and support during this process. We are normally able to complete due diligence within a two week period. We are able to provide a project plan for due diligence which supports the Headteacher and governors with an overview of all the questions we will be asking during the process.

Step four

We will formally report back to the school on the outcome of the due diligence process. If the Executive Officers of the Trust evaluate that the transfer should go ahead then they will be responsible for presenting to the Trustees of TGAT. Trustees will meet to review the proposal and, if they support the transfer, they will formally record a resolution to apply to the Regional Director for an Academy Order or permission to transfer.

Step five

The Trust will submit an application to the Regional Director (DfE). The application will then be considered at an Advisory Board meeting – which can sometimes take some months to get on the agenda of a meeting. We are usually informed of the decision on the same day that the meeting takes place.

Step six

Once the Regional Director’s decision has been received then we must undertake the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) TUPE consultation with staff. This consultation normally runs for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Trade Unions are informed. Steps seven and eight can run in parallel with the TUPE consultation.

Step seven

We normally arrange a public meeting for the local community to formally present the proposal for the school to join the Trust.

Step eight

The governing body will need to appoint solicitors to oversee the legal transfer process. There is a lot of work to do to ensure that all contracts are transferred over or cancelled, and legal documentation to produce such as the Common Transfer Agreement and the Supplementary Funding Agreement (effectively the contract between the Trust and the Secretary of State for Education to take on the responsibility for running the school). The Trust will also undertake extensive land surveys. A project officer from the DfE is appointed to support us through this process.

Step nine

The school will only legally transfer into the Trust when the governing body and the Trust have signed the funding agreement.