At its meeting on Tuesday 23rd September, 2025, the Governing Body agreed in principle that Mayfield School would like to join the Eastern Learning Alliance, a local academy trust. Application to join the trust will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a rigorous process of due diligence, and approval by the Department for Education.
The Eastern Learning Alliance (ELA) comprises the following schools: Chesterton Community College and Sixth Form, Impington Village College and Sixth Form, Girton Glebe Primary, Cavendish School, a specialist provider, and Cambridge Maths School are those local to Mayfield. Further away are Downham Market Academy and Athena Sixth Form College, Vista Academy at Littleport, and Witchford Village College.
The Eastern Learning Alliance is a medium-sized, highly regarded local trust and Mayfield has long enjoyed a close relationship with Chesterton Community College, as one of its principal feeder schools. The trust has a proven record of school improvement and educational excellence across all of its schools.
The Governing Body has taken time to reach this decision after more than a year of research into the local offer, including meetings, visits and conversations with three local academy trusts. The ELA has emerged as a clear front-runner. Geographically close to Mayfield, it means that collaboration with the Cambridge schools within the trust will provide rich educational opportunities for all our children, the benefits of all-through provision and collaborative and professional development opportunities for staff. The resources of a group of schools and dedicated senior executive will become available to us. The values of the ELA accord well with those of Mayfield and the Governors feel that this would be an excellent match.
As you may be aware, the education environment has changed a great deal in recent years; almost all local secondary schools belong to academy trusts and an increasing number of primaries are joining trusts or considering the move, to gain the increased support which an academy trust can offer. This is actively encouraged by the Department for Education. It is becoming increasingly difficult to stand alone as a school, as society presents more complex challenges to staff and school leadership. The Governors feel that the Eastern Learning Alliance would offer the school scope to develop and improve within a mutually supportive family of local schools.
As we open this process of consultation prior to making an application, we look forward to hearing from as many of our stakeholders as possible. Your views and questions are very important to us, so that we can move forward together to enhance the future of our school.
The Governing Body
Mayfield School
The Consultation Process
The Consultation of Parents, Staff and Community Stakeholders in Mayfield was opened on Monday 13th October, 2025, subsequent to the decision of the GB on 23rd September to join the Eastern Learning Alliance, subject to proper consultation and a process of due diligence.
Letters of invitation to join the consultation were issued immediately after the first Staff Consultation Meeting, which was held in person on Wednesday 8th October. All staff, teaching, admin and support staff were invited to the meeting on Thursday 2nd October. 38 staff attended this first meeting, with representatives of all sectors of the school staff. Notes were taken and distributed to all staff after the meeting.
At the request of staff at the meeting of 8th October, the GB agreed to extend the period of consultation by one week until 16th November, to allow for the half term break and time to consult with union representatives as appropriate.
Further opportunities for face-to-face consultation were also offered as follows:
- Monday 3rd November, 3.00 pm: an opportunity for the staff of Mayfield to speak to staff at Girton Glebe Primary, to ask questions on how the change to working for ELA has affected them. 12 staff from Mayfield attended.
- Monday 3rd November 6.00 – 7.15 pm: meeting for parents and carers; notes were taken and a letter to parents issued on the matters raised. 2 parents attended
- Wednesday 5th November, 12.00 – 13.15: informal drop-in session for staff to talk to Anna Chaudhri.
- Thursday 6th November 12.00 – 13.15: informal drop-in session for those staff who only work Thursday and Friday.
- Monday 10th November, 3.30 – 4.45 pm: Second staff Consultation meeting (about 22 staff in attendance)
- Monday 10th November, 6.30 – 7.45 pm: Second opportunity for parents and carers to meet face-to-face (about 20 parents and carers attended)
Invitations to all meetings were issued through the school office and where appropriate, reminders were also sent.
