On Wednesday 26th November, staff were informed about an upcoming consultation to explore whether or not Bridge School should join the Aquila Multi-Academy Trust.
Documents related to this consultation are provided below. There will also be a Frequently Asked Questions page which will be updated weekly.
Quick Links
❓ Staff Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Parent's Frequently Asked Questions
???? Aquila Trust website
???? consultation@bridge.kent.sch.uk
Ask questions, challenge, reassure, explore — it all helps build a full and balanced picture for governors to consider.
Aquila Consultation - Documents
Why Are We Talking About This?
Over recent years, the support offered by the local authority has reduced significantly, while the services we are still able to access have become increasingly expensive. This creates greater pressure on our budget and on the school’s capacity to manage essential functions independently. Governors want to ensure long-term stability and consistent, high-quality support for the school, which is why we are now exploring alternative models. We believe it is sensible to look at these options proactively, rather than waiting for the situation to become more challenging.
Governors’ Work So Far
For the past two years, governors have been discussing whether joining a multi-academy trust would be the right strategic direction for Bridge School. They have considered the potential benefits and drawbacks, looked closely at how different trusts operate, and explored several organisations to understand what each could offer. After gathering this information, governors agreed that the next appropriate step is to begin a formal consultation with staff, parents and the wider community.
What Governors Were Looking For
In exploring different trusts, governors used three clear criteria to guide their thinking. First, they wanted a trust that would allow Bridge to retain a high level of autonomy so that we can continue doing what we do best. They also looked for opportunities to collaborate with other schools, but only when we feel it is genuinely beneficial and aligns with our needs. Finally, governors wanted a trust that could reduce the amount of bureaucracy we face, particularly around policies, compliance and health and safety, which are increasingly time-consuming for school leaders.
Why Aquila?
After reviewing several trusts, Aquila emerged as the organisation that best matched our priorities. Aquila has a strong reputation for giving schools the freedom to maintain their identity, ethos and community relationships, while also providing reliable and comprehensive support. Schools within the trust frequently report that administrative burdens are noticeably reduced, enabling leaders and teachers to focus more fully on teaching and learning. Collaboration is encouraged but never mandated, and the overall experience of member schools aligns well with the criteria governors identified as essential for Bridge.
What Aquila Would Provide
Aquila offers a wide range of central support services that would help reduce our workload and provide greater stability. This includes HR, finance and payroll services, alongside estates and premises support to help manage buildings and compliance. The trust provides health and safety oversight, model policies, and access to streamlined central systems. Staff across the trust also benefit from leadership development opportunities, professional networks and shared expertise, all of which help build capacity and strengthen practice across schools.
What Stays the Same
If we were to join Aquila, the core elements that define Bridge School would remain unchanged. Our name, values, ethos and curriculum would stay the same, and there would be no changes to staff roles or day-to-day practice. Terms and conditions are protected under TUPE, so colleagues would continue under the same contractual arrangements. Most importantly, we would retain our strong identity and our deep connection to the community we serve.
Common Staff Concerns
Colleagues have already raised thoughtful questions about what joining a trust might mean. Some are understandably concerned about whether we would lose autonomy, whether workload might increase, or whether contracts and policies would suddenly change. Others have asked about curriculum expectations or the level of centralisation within the trust. These are perfectly reasonable questions, and it is important to say clearly that none of the “worst-case scenarios” people often worry about are part of the proposal being considered.
Reassurances
Aquila’s structure and ethos place a high value on school autonomy, meaning we would continue to make decisions that are right for our children and community. Central systems are intended to reduce workload, not add to it, and staff terms and conditions are protected when transferring into the trust. Curriculum decisions remain firmly at school level, and collaboration with other schools happens only when useful, not because it is required. Joining Aquila would not involve rebranding or a shift towards a standardised, uniform model.
What the Consultation Means
It is important to emphasise that no decision has been made. The consultation period is an opportunity for staff, parents, governors and the wider community to understand what joining Aquila would involve, ask questions, express views and raise concerns. All feedback gathered during this period will be reviewed carefully by governors before any final decision is taken.
How Staff Can Get Involved
There will be several opportunities for staff to contribute during the consultation. You will be able to attend Q&A sessions, submit questions or comments, and speak directly with senior leaders or governors. We strongly encourage everyone to engage with the information and share their honest views.
What Happens If We Don’t Join?
If we choose not to join a trust, we would continue to operate as we do now. However, we would still face the ongoing reduction in local authority support and the increasing cost of essential services.
Timeline
The consultation opens on Monday 1st December for six weeks. Staff will be invited to attend information sessions, and governors will review all responses once the consultation period ends. A final decision will be made later this academic year. If governors agree to proceed, the conversion process would take place September 2026.