Thursday 20th November
Dear Parents/ Carers,
Exploring Academy Status – Beginning Our Due Diligence
I am writing on behalf of the Governing Body to let you know that we are beginning a due diligence process to explore the possibility of Oaklands School applying to become an academy and, if appropriate, joining The Mead Educational Trust (TMET).
At this stage, no final decision has been made. Governors are committed to ensuring that any future decision is taken carefully, openly, and with the best interests of our pupils, families, and staff at the centre.
Over the last 2 years, the Governing Body has spent considerable time looking into different academy models, gathering information, and considering what academisation might mean for a specialist school like ours. Oaklands is a unique community with a distinctive ethos, and we are determined that any change must have a clear and positive impact on pupil experience, outcomes, and long-term school stability.
As part of this early exploratory work, we have been learning more about TMET, a local multi-academy trust comprising 15 schools including primary, secondary, and specialist provision. TMET has Designated Specialist Provision units in several of its schools and already works closely with a number of Leicester settings. We have also taken time to understand how our school’s values, curriculum, and approach might align with theirs, and where collaboration could be beneficial.
Entering a due diligence process means that we will now explore this potential option more thoroughly. This includes examining how joining a trust could support school improvement, professional development, succession planning, and the sustainability of specialist provision in the long term. It also allows us to consider potential risks and whether academisation is the right strategic direction for our school community.
A full and formal consultation with parents, carers, staff, and other stakeholders will take place later this academic year. This will include meetings and opportunities to ask questions, offer views, and understand the implications in more depth. Your feedback will be an essential part of the Governing Body’s considerations before any decision is made.
In the meantime, we will continue to keep you updated as this exploratory process progresses.
Thank you for your continued support of Oaklands School.
Yours faithfully,
Sonia Barnes
Chair of Governors