Our Trust continues to enjoy a very positive and supportive relationship with both the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the Diocese of Bristol. As a mixed‑diocese multi‑academy trust, our Articles of Association are designed for MATs that include both faith and community schools. The Dioceses retain a number of powers and checks to ensure that the culture and ethos of the Trust remain fully supportive of schools with a faith character while enabling all our schools to thrive within a shared framework.

We worked together with colleagues from both Diocese to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to express this relationship in simple language.  

We have representatives from the church sitting as both Members and Trustees of LSP although we have dialogue with the Diocese to make sure that we work together to recruit people who can contribute to the skills set required by the Board of Trustees.

• 50% of Members and Trustees are nominated by the diocese
• The composition of the LGB of a C of E school is on an ‘as is’ basis i.e. the proportions of foundation governors remain the same as prior to conversion
• Land is not leased or transferred for C of E Schools but continues on the existing model (apart from LA playing fields which are transferred on a 125 year lease)
• The scheme of delegation to the LGB and the Academy Articles will safeguard the foundation and aims of the school – ‘Christian character’
• Changes to the Scheme of Delegation for a C of E School have to be agreed with the Diocesan Director of Education
• The Diocesan offer is not just to Church schools – they have a concept of ‘Extended Family’