STATEMENT FROM Folio Education Trust

Over the last 12 months, the Board of Trustees for Folio Education Trust has been exploring options for the future of the Trust and its schools. Despite Folio Education Trust becoming an established high performing multi academy trust, the current size of the organisation is limiting its future opportunities for development in a number of strategic areas. The Trust Board has explored opportunities for ongoing organic growth but opportunities in the London area are very limited. The Trust Board has also explored, in detail, the opportunity to join other multi academy trusts of various sizes and shapes.

Following this detailed exploration of these opportunities over a significant period of time, and discussions with, and presentations from a number of local and regional multi academy trusts, the Trust Board has concluded that it would be in the best interests of its schools, and their pupils, to join a larger trust. Following investigations of over 15 possible trusts, the Trust Board identified four to shortlist and subsequently two to take through to a series of interviews and presentations. The outcome of this process concluded that the Trust best positioned to provide the support, resources and expertise to Folio schools is the Greenshaw Learning Trust (GLT).

GLT met all of the criteria as set out by the Folio Board of Trustees, demonstrating that there would be mutual benefit in Folio schools joining GLT, and building on the successful work of Folio Education Trust and the excellent outcomes generated by Folio’s schools.

The Folio Board of Trustees is therefore in agreement that;

• It is in the best interests of the Trust, and its schools, to join a larger multi academy trust as soon as possible.

• Following significant research, discussion and initial due diligence, Folio schools should join the Greenshaw Learning Trust to benefit from its scale, experience and expertise.

• A memorandum of understanding be signed by Folio Education Trust and the Greenshaw Learning Trust to set out the parameters for engagement through the process.

• The Board of Trustees announces this decision to its stakeholders on Wednesday 7 February 2024 and starts a four-week period of stakeholder engagement to include face-to-face meetings with staff and opportunities for parents and the wider community to give views and ask questions. Engagement will end on Wednesday 6 March at 5.00pm.

• A stakeholder engagement report will be prepared by the Folio CEO and presented to the Board of Trustees and Members at its next scheduled Trust Board meeting on Wednesday 13 March 2024 where they will have the opportunity to confirm their original decision.