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PALT LISTENING PERIOD
The Pennine Alliance Learning Trust (PALT) has launched a listening period to consider the future of the Trust.
A great deal has been achieved since our family of schools started working together. We have a family of Good/ Outstanding schools, many with Outstanding features. Collectively we have continued to progress – despite managing issues such as declining birth rates and changes to how schools are funded.
However, we also recognise that the world of education is constantly evolving – and we feel it is important that we are always looking at how best we can support our schools to thrive. Having the capacity and resources to continue to drive our success is essential. That is why we have been exploring what a strategic partnership may look like with another local MAT.
As part of this consideration, Trustees have been reviewing a number of local Trusts - and one has started to stand out as being a possible partner. This MAT is Trinity - a family of schools including a sixth form and six secondary and four primary academies.
What really has stood out for us is not only Trinity's commitment and resources to support teaching and learning excellence, but also that each school is recognised as being a unique part of its local community, with its own individuality and character.
As we embark on what is known as the due diligence process, we want to ensure that every member of our immediate and wider community has the opportunity to ask questions and share your views about what this merger may mean.
That is why we have created a special microsite to enable everyone from staff, parents, grandparents, neighbours, local educationalists – in fact, anyone with an interest in our schools - to find out more and formally submit questions and viewpoints. You can visit the microsite by visiting: www.paltlisteningperiod.co.uk
The microsite contains:
· Further information about our rationale
· Details about Trinity MAT
· A frequently asked questions page (for transparency, all questions received will be anonymised and a response shared on this page)
· An online feedback form. If you would prefer, paper versions of this form will shortly be available from school offices as well.
Please be assured that every response received will be read, digested and considered – and a report shared with our Board of Trustees and the Department for Education at the conclusion of the listening period.
The listening period concludes at 9:00am on Monday February 2 2026.
For all media enquiries, please contact Ben Peck, Comms lead on 07713 517393
