Birkrig, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9BN. Telephone: 01695 724730.
www.bishopmartin.lancs.sch.uk Headteacher:
Mr IJ McDonald
Friday 27th January Dear Parents/Carers, Stakeholder Consultation for Academy Conversion. Mr McDonald has written to parents a number of times since last summer regarding Bishop Martin showing a strong interest in converting to academy status and joining the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust (LDST). A brief timeline up this point is:
The Governors voted unanimously last July to convert to Academy Status The school held a two week survey for parent views/questions in the Autumn Term. These were put to the LDST and the answers sent out to parents The school’s conversion request was accepted by the Liverpool Diocesan Board of Education in December The Parochial Church Council at Christ the Servant approved the conversion in January The school has submitted its request to convert to the Department for Education earlier this month
The Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust (LDST) was established by the Diocese of Liverpool in 2017 to keep the Liverpool Diocese Church of England family of schools together and to provide an excellent education for pupils. As the Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) for the Diocese of Liverpool, LDST has a very clear purpose, and an uncompromising vision. Christian values underpin the Trust’s commitment to provide an innovative, high quality education, so that children and learners make excellent progress and fulfil their academic potential. The right of all to have an excellent education is at the heart of everything the Trust does. This will provide the school with greater opportunities to collaborate and work in partnership with other schools across the Diocese of Liverpool, and within a strong family of schools. The school application to the Department for Education will be submitted to the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) for her to present to the Headteacher Board, hopefully in February. The consultation booklet is attached to this email and can also be found on the school website. Hard copies can be requested from the school office and it provides all the relevant information about the proposed conversion. I would like to ask you to use the pro-forma at the back of the booklet to record any comments or questions, by Friday 24th February (this will mark a four week window for the consultation). We will also be holding a drop in session where you can meet representatives from LDST, should you have any further questions to ask. This will be held in the junior hall, after school on Wednesday 8th February and I would encourage you to come along if you have questions/would like to find out more.
Yours sincerely Mr James Greenlees Chair of Governors