Welcome to our consultation page about the proposal for Leigh St Thomas to join Vantage Academy Trust.
The governing board is exploring this option as part of our long‑term strategic planning and now seeks your views.
Schools must consult “anyone they think will have an interest” before converting to academy status and joining a MAT.
We want this process to be open, transparent, and accessible to all parents and carers.
Why Are We Considering Joining a MAT?
Governors are exploring joining Vantage Multi‑Academy Trust to secure continued improvement and long‑term stability.
- Strong collaboration and shared expertise between schools
- Access to wider leadership and school improvement support
- Improved staff development, recruitment, and retention
- Shared resources and operational efficiencies
Joining a MAT would not change our core values, ethos, or commitment to serving our community.
What Is This Consultation About?
Consultations must allow stakeholders meaningful time and information to give informed feedback.
This webpage provides:
Key information about what joining a MAT means
Answers to common questions
How you can share your views
No final decision has been made. Your feedback is essential!
Consultation Timeline
Our consultation runs from Monday 23rd February 2026 to Monday 23rd March 2026.
You can respond at any time during this period.
You can share your views in the following ways:
Email: consultation@leighsaintthomas.wigan.sch.uk
Electronic Feedback Form: ADD LINK
Drop‑In Information Session:
Date: Friday 20th March
Time: 9.30
Location: School Hall
We welcome all comments, questions, concerns, and suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Multi‑Academy Trust (MAT)?
A MAT is a group of schools working together under a single charitable trust with a shared governance structure. MATs provide school improvement support, leadership capacity, and operational services.
2. Why does the school have to consult parents?
When a maintained school proposes converting to academy status and joining a MAT, it must consult stakeholders it believes have an interest.
This ensures transparency, fairness, and accountability.
3. Who else is being consulted?
- School staff and unions
- The Local Authority
- Feeder nurseries, secondary schools
- Local education providers
- Community bodies
- Church bodies, if applicable (e.g., PCC or Diocese)
Academy legal guidance also includes the wider community.
4. How long does consultation last?
There is no legally fixed duration, but consultations must allow enough time for meaningful responses. Sector guidance suggests 4–12 weeks for formal consultation.
5. Will joining a MAT change the school day, uniform, or staff?
There are
no planned changes
to the school day, uniform, or staffing as part of this proposal.
If any future changes were proposed, these would require separate consultation.
6. Will the school lose its identity?
No. Our ethos, values, and community‑centred approach will remain unchanged.
Joining a MAT would provide additional support, not change who we are.
7. Will the governing board still exist?
A local governing committee usually remains in place within the MAT structure, though governance responsibilities may differ.
The MAT board becomes legally responsible for the school.
8. What happens after the consultation?
Once the consultation closes:
- All feedback is reviewed by the governing board
- Governors must consider the responses before voting on whether to proceed
- If approved, the school submits its application to the DfE
- The school community is informed of the outcome
9. Is the decision already made?
No.
The proposal is at a formative stage, and governors are genuinely seeking your views before making any decision, which is a legal requirement of fair consultation.
