1. Why are we considering joining an academy trust now?
The landscape has shifted significantly in recent years. Local authority support has reduced, and the services we still access are becoming increasingly expensive. Governors want to ensure the school remains well-supported, stable, and able to focus on what matters most: children’s learning and wellbeing.
2. Why Aquila specifically?
Governors looked at several trusts over the past two years and used three clear criteria:
- High autonomy — we want to keep doing what we do best.
- Opportunities to collaborate — but only when it’s genuinely useful and chosen by us.
- Reduced bureaucracy — particularly around areas like policies, compliance, and health & safety.
Aquila matched these priorities more closely than other trusts.
3. Will we lose our school’s identity?
No. Aquila places strong value on each school retaining its own character, ethos, and community focus.
4. Will staff terms and conditions change?
No. All staff transfer under TUPE, meaning existing terms and conditions stay the same. There is no proposal to change them. Any future changes for the trust as a whole would require consultation, and nothing can be quietly slipped in while you’re on playground duty.
5. Will my day-to-day job change?
Not in any immediate or drastic way. Classroom practice, routines, and approaches will remain ours. Over time you may notice improved support, more streamlined systems, and fewer admin tasks (hopefully!).
6. What will Aquila actually do for us?
They offer central support with HR, finance, estates, procurement, safeguarding oversight, policies, and compliance. In other words: the heavy admin that eats time and joy. Schools in the trust also benefit from shared expertise, training pathways, and leadership support.
7. Will we be forced to adopt their curriculum or policies?
No. Curriculum decisions remain at school level. Aquila provides model policies and guidance, but schools have autonomy to adapt or personalise them. The idea is to reduce workload, not standardise everything.
8. Will we have to work with other Aquila schools?
Only where it feels purposeful. Collaboration is encouraged but not mandated. Schools often work together when interests align or when sharing resources/training makes life easier.
9. What does the consultation actually mean?
It’s a chance for staff, parents, governors and the community to ask questions, raise concerns, and explore what joining would mean. No decision has been made. The consultation informs the final decision later this academic year.
10. How can I share my thoughts or concerns?
You can attend the staff information/Q&A session which will be held on Wednesday 3rd December at 3.45pm; speak directly with senior leaders, or submit questions/comments through the consultation feedback process.
All views will be recorded and considered by governors before any decision is taken.
11. When would any change happen?
If governors decide to proceed after the consultation, the earliest potential conversion date would be 1st September 2026. Nothing changes immediately.
12. What happens if we decide not to join?
We continue as we are — but with increasingly limited and costly LA support. Governors believe it’s important to explore alternatives now, rather than wait until we’re under pressure.
13. Would anyone have to reapply for their job?
No. Staffing would remain under the control of the school as it does now.
14. Who makes the final decision?
It is the governors who will make the final decision. The consultation with staff and parents is not a referendum (we know how well those can turn out!) but all views will be discussed and considered.
Update - Friday 5th December
15. Are there definitely no other options?
The governing board have determined that Aquila most closely matched the priorities of the school more so than any other Trust. There is a supporting document on the staff webpage entitled 'Rationale for Aquila' which staff may wish to read.
16. Have you [headteacher] and the governors, independently, spoken to other headteachers and staff (including teachers and TAs) from other schools in the trust? Not just orchestrated by the CEO?
As part of looking at other trusts, I have spoken to headteachers and deputy headteachers of schools within Aquila as well as staff who used to work in Aquila Schools and no longer do. These links have been made independently of Aquila, i.e. I haven't just met who Aquila wanted me to meet.
17. Would being an Academy impact any grant fundraising? E.g. Sometimes I get asked if we are a state school or an academy when I fill in the forms.
This would depend on the conditions of the grant. Academies hold charitable status and as such would have access to some grants that LA maintained schools may not have access to.
18. I applied for the cycle to work scheme - would that and other offers still be available for people in an academy?
Yes - A Cycle to Work Scheme that provides tax free benefits for the purchase of a bicycle and associated clothing and a Tech Scheme that provides tax free benefits for the purchase of IT equipment.
Staff are still eligible for Blue Light Cards.
19. What would happen if a person did move to a different school within the trust. Would our pay scales be protected or would we move on to an Aquila pay scale and lose the TUPE rights.
Teachers would remain on national pay scale; support staff would be on Aquila Pay Levels. TUPE rights would be maintained, including continuous service.
20. Would we lose Amy when we become an academy?! Would you know who the speech therapist is that works for the academy? How often would she come in to do actual speech work with the children? I know I asked that question but it would be nice to have some more detail. I know she talked about training us up but we are obviously not trained speech therapists - the language side would be more accessible than the speech side.
The decision to continue to employ Amy would remain with the school. We could utilise the Aquila-based SALT for training but continue to employ Amy for direct work.
21. Would we be able to see the pay scales for support staff to see the differences?
The Aquila Pay Scales have been added as document for all staff to see. Kent Pay Scales have also been uploaded.
Link: Consultation to join Aquila - staff | Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School